No one chooses a baby’s name lightly. And yet, for all the considerations that parents bring to the job — whether to go with an old-fashioned name or try for something unique — a name’s meaning may not come into the initial conversation at all. Obscured by time and geography, the original meaning can take parents by surprise.
Some of the world’s most popular names — names that connote strength, charm, and success — have surprisingly humble beginnings. Javier, for instance, means “owner of a new house,” while Glen means “from the secluded narrow valley.” Jameson means — you guessed it — “son of James.”
Dozens of popular baby names — from all over the world — are simply variations on “gift from God.” The truth is, the vast majority of us don’t know the original meanings of our own names — much less the thousands of baby names up for consideration. But if a name’s ancient and deeper meaning speaks to you, it might just be the essential key that unlocks the perfect name for a baby girl or boy.
Surprising Boy Baby Name Meanings
Aaran – strong mountainAaron – enlightenedAariz – respectableAbba – fatherAbbey – father rejoicedAbbot – Hebrew word for “father” or “head of community”Abie – servantAbir – strengthAbraham – father of multitudesAddison – son of the mighty warriorAce – oneAdair – from the brook by the oak groveAdam – made from the earthAdler – he who is braveAdrian – derived form the ancient place in ItalyAhmed – praiseworthy, comfortAidan – he who helpsAlan – attractive man, fair oneAlbert – he who is brilliantAmos – burdenedAndrew – courageousBaldwin – bold friendBao – treasureBallar – brave, strongBaxter – bakerBarney – dweller from the barnBeau – French for “beautiful” (masculine)Beck – dweller near the brookBenedict – blessedBenito – blessedBenjamin – right hand’s son, favorite son, son of my sorrowBenson – son of BenBentley – bent grass meadowBert – shining, brightBingham – one who lives by the bridgeBill – willful one, strong-mindedBlake – dark or fairBlythe – cheerfulBraden – from the wide valleyBram – father of multitudesCain – acquiredCaleb – boldCarl – strongCarlin – little championCarlton – from the strong, courageous townCarmen – vineyard of the lordCarmelo – fruitfulCarter – cart makerCasey – brave, aggressiveCato – cautious wisdomChandler – candle makerCharles – full grown, a man, a historically royal nameChekani – to cutChimango – builderChipati – to partClark – learned scholarClaud – weakCortez – courteousCosgrove – from the cows groveCosta – little, constant, steadfast oneCovey – from the coveCraig – from the rockCreed – one who believesCrosby – from the village with a crossDale – living in a valleyDalton – from the town in the valleyDamien – tamerDaniel – God is my judgeDarby – freedomDaren – born at nightDario – wealthyDavis/David – belovedDempsey – proudDenley – from the meadowDillon – faithfulDimitri – immeasurable, graciousDonovan – dark warriorDorion – giftDrew – wise, esteemedDuka – to danceDuncan – steadfast warrior, strong in faithEarl – promiseEarl – friend of the seaEdmond – wealthy protectorEdwin – wealthy friendEli – upliftingElijah – the Lord is my GodEloi – chosenEmery – industrious, hardworking rulerEmre – brotherEric – forever rulerEzekiel – God strengthensFelix – lucky, happyFidel – faithfulFortino – fortunateGabriel – God is my strengthGarcia – brave spear carrierGlen – from the valleyGolden – gold friendGrady – noble, illustriousGrant – grantGuy – guide from the forrestHamilton – from the proud townHedwig – fighterHenry – ruler of the houseHerald – story bringerHerb – brilliant warriorHermes – messengerHillel – new moonHiram – exalted, nobleHorace – time keeperHoward – watcher, guardianHowell – little, alertHubert – bright mind and heartHuey – intelligentHugo – intelligentHumbert – bright giantHugh – having a bright mindHumphrey – a peaceful warriorIke – one who brings laughter, god smilesIra – alert, watchful stallionIsaac – one who brings laughter, God smilesIsrael – he who wrestles with GodJabbar – one who consoles otherJacob – supplanterJaime – he who supplantsJamal – a handsome manJason – healerJared – descendingJax – son of JackJay – victoryJayce – healerJayden – thankfulJaylan – calmJeffery – man of peaceJeremiah – the Lord exaltsJonah – accomplisherJordan – to flow downwardJoya – to have restraintJude – right with the lawJustin – righteous, justKacey – braveKade – from the wetlandsKadir – springKadish – holyKai – willow treeKalani – heaven, chiefKeanu – sea breezeKent – lordKin – goldenKirby – from the church by the meadowKingsley – from the king’s meadowKyle – from the straightLamar – famousLavern – springtimeLeif – belovedLeo – lion manLeon – lion-likeLeonard – bold, strongLeor – light of mineLevi – joinedLeroy – kingLouis – famous fighterLuke – bringer of lightMarcus – warriorMaren – seaMarion – seaMarlow – from the hill by the lakeMicah – who is like the LordMichael – who is like GodMilan – lovingMillar – grain mill workerMilo – peaceful, merciful, mildNathan – gift from GodNicolas – people’s triumphNoah – to comfortNorman – composed of French words for north and man, once used to identify a group of Scandinavians living in NormandyOakley – from an oak treeOliver – derived from either French Olivier (olive tree) or German Alfihar (elf warrior)Oren – pale, pine treeOtis – wealthyPaco – French manPaul – derived from Latin word for small, PaulusQuigley – loving natureQuincy – fifth, patientQuon – bright lightRafi – musical, friendRaleigh – jovialRalph – advisor to allRandy – secretiveRavi – sun godRio – RiverRich – wiseRoan – red-hairedRobert – bright fameRobson – son of RobertRocco – battle cryRoger – famous spearRoland – famous countryRonan – little sealSandros – defender and freer of mankindSander – defensiveSchneider – stylishSeamus – replacement, bonusSebastian – dramatic, honorableSerge – gentle manSergio – handsomeVincent – conquerorVito – full of lifeSurprising Girl Baby Name Meanings
Abigail – source of father’s joyAbra – mother of multitudeAcacia – honored oneAda – prosperous, nobilityAdair – she who is beautiful, exaltedAdalia – honorAdina – she who is delicateAdele – graceful and nobleAdelaide – noble, kindAdrianne – woman from AdriaAgatha – she who is kindAgnes – sacred and chasteAida – helper, derived from the French aider, to helpAinsley – a meadowAlana – fairAlea – honorableAlessa – protector of humanityAlethea- truthfulAlexis – defender, helperAliana – lightAlice – noble, kindAlmira – royal oneAmira – leaderAmani – faithAmelia – ambitiousAmy – belovedAnaïs – graceful, full of graceAnastasia – resurrectionAngela – angelicAnika – gracefulAnita – graceAnna – full of grace, mercyAnne – full of graceAnnalise – grace, devoted to godApril – openAraminata – defenderAudra – noble strengthAviva – fresh, springlikeAziza – belovedBeatrice – one who brings happinessBailey – from the French word for bailiff, justice officerBao – gemBarbara – stranger, foreigner, once used to refer to non-Romans or those considered uncivilizedBasimati – to be finishedBea- bringer of joyBertha – radiantBibi – full of lightBethany – house of godBethel – holy placeBetsy – pledged to godBianca – white, shiningBillie – determinedBindi – a tiny dropBlair – plain, battleBlanche – white, pureBlythe – kind, joyousBodhi – awakened, enlightenedBonnie – beautiful, goodBrigitte – strengthBrittany – strongBryn – honorableCandence – rhythm, flowCatherine – pureCaitlin – untaintedCamille – pure, virgin of unblemished characterCara – friend, she who is dearCarissa – she who is dearCarole – joyous song, full-grown manCassandra – temptressCecilia – blindCeleste – celestial, heavenlyCheryl – beloved, dear oneClio – praiseConstance – unchangingCora – young womanCynthia – luminousDahlia – flower, gentle, tenderDaisy – inspired by the popular flower; the old English word “doeges eage,” days eve, refers to the sun-like yellow center of the flowerDanica – morning starDaniele – feminine form of Daniel, which means “God is my judge” in HebrewDale – valleyDaria – prosperousDavina – cherished, belovedDelma – from the seaDenise – derivative of the greek god Dionysus, the god of wine and revelryDiane – divineDonna – ladyEdna – pleasantElena – bright, torchElaine – light, bright, torchElizabeth – God is abundanceEleanor – bright shining one, lightEloise – great in battleElsa – noble young womanEsmé – beloved, loved, guardianEsmeralda – emeraldEstelle – starEsther – starEva – lifeEve – lifeFatima – captivating,Finley – fair haired, hero, warriorFrances – free oneFrancesca – free oneGabrielle – God is my strengthGeorgia – farmer, earth workerGloria- GloryGreta – a pearlHaley – heroineHannah- full of grace, mercyHarriet – rules the homeHazel – victoryHeidi – nobleHella – the sunHera – protectorHillary – bringer of joyHilda – battleIda – labor, industrious oneIdalia – industriousIman – God is with usIngrid – beautiful, fertileIrene – peaceIris – rainbowIsadora – gift, fertileIsla – islandJennifer – fair ladyJaqueline – supplanterJane – God is graciousJolie – prettyKalliope – beautifulKamila – free bornKara – pureKaren – pure, unsulliedKlohe – blooming, verdantKleopatra – glory, father, of a famous fatherKatrina – pureKeara – dark oneKendra – knowledgeableKristin – anointed oneKyle – she who is prettyKyra – sunLala – cheerfulLana – little, softLeah – wearyLeandra – lionessMadelaine – from the towerMartha – lady, mistressMirabelle – wondrousMona – aloneNadia – filled with hopeNaomi – pleasantNanette – grace, favorNicole – victory the peopleNicolette – people’s triumphNina – graciousNoel – Christmas, birthday of the LordOdele – songOdelia – wealthy, prosperousOlivia – olive, symbol of peaceOphelia – helpful, successorPandora – all giftedPatricia – aristocratRachael – purityRenee – rebornRita – pearlRoxanne – dawn of day, radiantSadie – princessSally – princessSarah – princessSandra – helper, defenderSharon – a flat place of ground, a plainSolange – yearly, solemnSophie – wiseTamara – palm treeValerie – strong, healthyVenus – love and desireVera – believed to be a word for faith (vjera) or the Latin word for truth (vera)Victoria – victoryViola – inspired by the name of the flowerViolet – also inspired by a flowerVirginia – spring like, flourishingVivienne – alive, full of lifeWilla – feminine version of William, originated from German word for “resolute protector”Xena – welcoming, hospitableYasmine – jasmine flowerZadie – princess, mother of ZeusZara – flower, blossomingZelda – blessed, happyZinnia – worthyZoe – lifeZola – earth, quiet, tranquilmore like this
This article was originally published on Sep. 20, 2019
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