Meaningful baby names
Baby names with meaning, grouped by what they mean. Tap a theme to jump, and a name to see its origin, syllables and pairings.
Light & brightness
Names meaning light, bright, shining or radiant.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiden | little fire | Irish | Boy |
| Arjun | bright, shining | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Aurelia | golden | Latin | Girl |
| Aurora | dawn | Latin | Girl |
| Claire | clear, bright | French | Girl |
| Clara | bright, clear | Latin | Girl |
| Cyrus | sun; throne | Persian | Boy |
| Eleanor | from Aliénor; light | French | Girl |
| Elena | bright, shining light | Greek | Girl |
| Ellie | light (from Eleanor/Helen) | Greek | Girl |
| Esther | star | Persian | Girl |
| Finn | fair, white | Irish | Boy |
| Fiona | white, fair | Scottish | Girl |
| Luca | light; from Lucania | Italian | Boy |
| Lucas | from Lucania; light | Latin | Boy |
| Lucia | light | Latin | Girl |
| Lucy | light | Latin | Girl |
| Luna | moon | Latin | Girl |
| Niamh | bright, radiant | Irish | Girl |
| Phoebe | bright, radiant | Greek | Girl |
| Ravi | sun | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Robin | bright fame; the bird | English | Unisex |
| Rupert | bright fame | Germanic | Boy |
| Seraphina | fiery, burning ones | Hebrew | Girl |
| Stella | star | Latin | Girl |
| Tariq | morning star | Arabic | Boy |
| Zara | blooming flower; radiance | Arabic | Girl |
Strength & courage
Names meaning strong, brave, mighty or victorious.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amelia | work, industrious | Germanic | Girl |
| Andrew | manly, strong | Greek | Boy |
| Ari | lion | Hebrew | Boy |
| Arthur | bear; strong as a bear | Celtic | Boy |
| Atlas | to endure, to bear | Greek | Boy |
| Audrey | noble strength | English | Girl |
| Charlie | free man (from Charles) | Germanic | Boy |
| Charlotte | free person | French | Girl |
| Edith | prosperous in war | English | Girl |
| Emery | brave, powerful | Germanic | Unisex |
| Ethan | firm, enduring | Hebrew | Boy |
| Everett | brave as a wild boar | Germanic | Boy |
| Ezekiel | God strengthens | Hebrew | Boy |
| Frances | free; from France | Latin | Girl |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Hebrew | Boy |
| Harvey | battle-worthy | French | Boy |
| Kenji | strong and vigorous second son | Japanese | Boy |
| Leo | lion | Latin | Boy |
| Liam | strong-willed protector | Irish | Boy |
| Louis | renowned warrior | Germanic | Boy |
| Louisa | renowned warrior | Germanic | Girl |
| Magnus | great | Latin | Boy |
| Matilda | mighty in battle | Germanic | Girl |
| Maverick | independent one | English | Boy |
| Max | greatest | Latin | Boy |
| Miles | soldier; gracious | Latin | Boy |
| Riley | valiant | Irish | Unisex |
| Saoirse | freedom | Irish | Girl |
| Soren | stern | Danish | Boy |
| Valentina | strong, healthy | Latin | Girl |
| Victoria | victory | Latin | Girl |
| Vincent | conquering | Latin | Boy |
| William | resolute protector | Germanic | Boy |
| Wyatt | brave in war | English | Boy |
Faith & blessing
Names built on God, blessing, praise or devotion.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asher | happy, blessed | Hebrew | Boy |
| Astrid | divinely beautiful | Norse | Girl |
| Bennett | blessed | Latin | Boy |
| Caleb | wholehearted, devoted | Hebrew | Boy |
| Celeste | heavenly | Latin | Girl |
| Daniel | God is my judge | Hebrew | Boy |
| Declan | man of prayer; full of goodness | Irish | Boy |
| Dev | divine | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Dominic | belonging to the Lord | Latin | Boy |
| Elias | my God is Yahweh (from Elijah) | Greek | Boy |
| Elijah | my God is Yahweh | Hebrew | Boy |
| Eliza | pledged to God (from Elizabeth) | Hebrew | Girl |
| Elizabeth | my God is an oath | Hebrew | Girl |
| Elliot | the Lord is my God | Hebrew | Boy |
| Ezekiel | God strengthens | Hebrew | Boy |
| Faith | faith, trust | English | Girl |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Hebrew | Boy |
| Grace | grace, goodwill | Latin | Girl |
| Hope | hope | English | Girl |
| Isabella | pledged to God | Hebrew | Girl |
| Isaiah | salvation of the Lord | Hebrew | Boy |
| Joseph | God will add | Hebrew | Boy |
| Josephine | God will add | Hebrew | Girl |
| Josiah | God supports | Hebrew | Boy |
| Jude | praised | Hebrew | Boy |
| Mateo | gift of God | Spanish | Boy |
| Micah | who is like God? | Hebrew | Boy |
| Michael | who is like God? | Hebrew | Boy |
| Nathaniel | gift of God | Hebrew | Boy |
| Samuel | God has heard | Hebrew | Boy |
| Seraphina | fiery, burning ones | Hebrew | Girl |
| Thea | goddess; gift of God | Greek | Girl |
| Theo | God; gift of God (short of Theodore) | Greek | Boy |
| Theodore | gift of God | Greek | Boy |
| Tobias | God is good | Hebrew | Boy |
| Vera | faith | Russian | Girl |
| Winifred | blessed peacemaking | Welsh | Girl |
Nature & growing things
Trees, earth, birds, rivers and the outdoors.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam | of the earth | Hebrew | Boy |
| Ava | bird; life | Latin | Girl |
| Chloe | green shoot | Greek | Girl |
| Eden | delight, paradise | Hebrew | Unisex |
| George | farmer, earth-worker | Greek | Boy |
| Georgia | farmer, earth-worker | Greek | Girl |
| Hazel | hazel tree | English | Girl |
| Ivy | ivy plant; fidelity | English | Girl |
| Jordan | to flow down | Hebrew | Unisex |
| June | the month of June; youthful | Latin | Girl |
| Juniper | evergreen juniper tree | Latin | Girl |
| Lily | lily flower; purity | English | Girl |
| Logan | small hollow | Scottish | Boy |
| Lorenzo | from Laurentum; laurel | Italian | Boy |
| Mae | pearl; the month of May | English | Girl |
| Oliver | olive tree | Latin | Boy |
| Olivia | olive tree | Latin | Girl |
| Oscar | friend of deer | Irish | Boy |
| River | flowing body of water | English | Unisex |
| Robin | bright fame; the bird | English | Unisex |
| Rosemary | dew of the sea | Latin | Girl |
| Rowan | little red one; rowan tree | Irish | Boy |
| Sage | wise; the herb | Latin | Unisex |
| Silas | of the forest | Latin | Boy |
| Sylvia | of the forest | Latin | Girl |
| Talia | dew from heaven | Hebrew | Girl |
| Violet | violet flower; purple | Latin | Girl |
| Wesley | western meadow | English | Boy |
| Willow | willow tree | English | Girl |
| Wren | small songbird | English | Unisex |
Flowers
Names taken from, or meaning, a flower.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiyana | eternal blossom | Native American | Girl |
| Daisy | day's eye (the flower) | English | Girl |
| Florence | flourishing, blooming | Latin | Girl |
| Iris | rainbow | Greek | Girl |
| Leilani | heavenly flowers | Hawaiian | Girl |
| Lillian | lily | Latin | Girl |
| Lily | lily flower; purity | English | Girl |
| Marigold | golden flower | English | Girl |
| Poppy | poppy flower | English | Girl |
| Rosalie | rose | French | Girl |
| Rose | rose | Latin | Girl |
| Violet | violet flower; purple | Latin | Girl |
| Zara | blooming flower; radiance | Arabic | Girl |
Gift & treasure
Names meaning gift, pearl, gem or a wished-for child.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurelia | golden | Latin | Girl |
| Elodie | foreign riches | French | Girl |
| Evelyn | from Aveline; wished-for child | English | Girl |
| Hiro | generous; abundant | Japanese | Boy |
| Jade | precious green stone | Spanish | Girl |
| Jasper | bringer of treasure | Persian | Boy |
| Joseph | God will add | Hebrew | Boy |
| Josephine | God will add | Hebrew | Girl |
| Josie | God will add (from Josephine) | Hebrew | Girl |
| Margaret | pearl | Greek | Girl |
| Mateo | gift of God | Spanish | Boy |
| Miriam | wished-for child; bitter sea | Hebrew | Girl |
| Nathan | he gave | Hebrew | Boy |
| Nathaniel | gift of God | Hebrew | Boy |
| Opal | precious stone | Sanskrit | Girl |
| Otto | wealth, fortune | Germanic | Boy |
| Pearl | pearl | Latin | Girl |
| Ruby | red gemstone | Latin | Girl |
| Thea | goddess; gift of God | Greek | Girl |
| Theo | God; gift of God (short of Theodore) | Greek | Boy |
| Theodore | gift of God | Greek | Boy |
Love & beloved
Names meaning beloved, dear, friend or lovable.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | nourishing; soul | Latin | Girl |
| Caleb | wholehearted, devoted | Hebrew | Boy |
| David | beloved | Hebrew | Boy |
| Esme | esteemed, beloved | French | Girl |
| Freya | lady | Norse | Girl |
| Ivy | ivy plant; fidelity | English | Girl |
| Levi | joined, attached | Hebrew | Boy |
| Mabel | lovable | Latin | Girl |
| Mia | beloved; mine | Scandinavian | Girl |
| Mila | gracious, dear | Slavic | Girl |
| Priya | beloved | Sanskrit | Girl |
| Rose | rose | Latin | Girl |
| Ruth | friend, companion | Hebrew | Girl |
Joy & happiness
Names meaning happy, laughter, delight or pleasantness.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abigail | my father's joy | Hebrew | Girl |
| Aria | air; melody | Italian | Girl |
| Asher | happy, blessed | Hebrew | Boy |
| Beatrice | she who brings happiness | Latin | Girl |
| Calliope | beautiful voice | Greek | Girl |
| Eden | delight, paradise | Hebrew | Unisex |
| Evangeline | good news | Greek | Girl |
| Felix | lucky, happy | Latin | Boy |
| Hope | hope | English | Girl |
| Isaac | he will laugh | Hebrew | Boy |
| Joy | joy | English | Girl |
| Maeve | she who intoxicates | Irish | Girl |
| Naomi | pleasantness | Hebrew | Girl |
| Noemi | pleasantness (from Naomi) | Hebrew | Girl |
| Rhys | ardour, enthusiasm | Welsh | Boy |
Peace & calm
Names meaning peace, rest, comfort or dove.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axel | father of peace | Scandinavian | Boy |
| Barnaby | son of consolation | Aramaic | Boy |
| Callum | dove | Scottish | Boy |
| Frederick | peaceful ruler | Germanic | Boy |
| Jonah | dove | Hebrew | Boy |
| Noah | rest, comfort | Hebrew | Boy |
| Oliver | olive tree | Latin | Boy |
| Olivia | olive tree | Latin | Girl |
| Paloma | dove | Spanish | Girl |
| Selah | pause and reflect | Hebrew | Girl |
| Winifred | blessed peacemaking | Welsh | Girl |
Noble & leader
Names meaning noble, ruler, king, princess or honour.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | noble | Germanic | Girl |
| Adeline | noble | Germanic | Girl |
| Alice | noble kind | Germanic | Girl |
| Audrey | noble strength | English | Girl |
| August | great, venerable | Latin | Boy |
| Avery | ruler of elves | English | Unisex |
| Darius | holder of good | Persian | Boy |
| Eleanor | from Aliénor; light | French | Girl |
| Frederick | peaceful ruler | Germanic | Boy |
| Freya | lady | Norse | Girl |
| Harriet | ruler of the home | Germanic | Girl |
| Henry | ruler of the home | Germanic | Boy |
| Kian | king; ancient | Persian | Boy |
| Nora | honour (from Honora) | Irish | Girl |
| Owen | well-born, noble | Welsh | Boy |
| Patrick | noble | Latin | Boy |
| Rory | red king | Irish | Unisex |
| Sadie | princess (from Sarah) | Hebrew | Girl |
| Sarah | princess | Hebrew | Girl |
| Sebastian | venerable, revered | Greek | Boy |
Wisdom
Names meaning wise, counsel, intellect or awakening.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | elf counsel; wise | English | Boy |
| Athena | goddess of wisdom | Greek | Girl |
| Bodhi | awakening, enlightenment | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Emmett | truth | Hebrew | Boy |
| Hugo | mind, intellect | Germanic | Boy |
| Idris | studious; interpreter | Arabic | Boy |
| Nia | purpose | Swahili | Girl |
| Quinn | wise, counsel | Irish | Unisex |
| Sage | wise; the herb | Latin | Unisex |
| Sofia | wisdom | Greek | Girl |
| Sophia | wisdom | Greek | Girl |
Sea & water
Names tied to the sea, islands, pearls and flowing water.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian | from Hadria; of the sea | Latin | Boy |
| Isla | island (from Islay) | Scottish | Girl |
| Kai | sea | Hawaiian | Unisex |
| Margaret | pearl | Greek | Girl |
| Marlowe | driftwood; lake remnants | English | Unisex |
| Miriam | wished-for child; bitter sea | Hebrew | Girl |
| Pearl | pearl | Latin | Girl |
| River | flowing body of water | English | Unisex |
| Ronan | little seal | Irish | Boy |
| Rosemary | dew of the sea | Latin | Girl |
| Yara | water lady | Tupi | Girl |
Sky, stars & moon
Stars, moon, dawn, heaven and night sky.
Grace & kindness
Names meaning grace, favour, gracious or benevolent.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amara | grace | Igbo | Girl |
| Anna | grace, favour | Hebrew | Girl |
| Ellis | benevolent | Welsh | Unisex |
| Gianna | God is gracious | Italian | Girl |
| Grace | grace, goodwill | Latin | Girl |
| Hannah | grace, favour | Hebrew | Girl |
| Ivan | God is gracious | Russian | Boy |
| Jack | God is gracious (from John) | English | Boy |
| Mila | gracious, dear | Slavic | Girl |
| Nina | little girl; grace | Spanish | Girl |
| Zayn | beauty, grace | Arabic | Boy |
Protector & helper
Names meaning defender, guardian, protector or help.
Using meaning to choose
If you are torn between two names that sound equally good, compare what they mean and where they come from. Put them side by side in the comparison tool and turn the meaning weight up; if you want to understand a specific name in depth, try the name meaning finder.
Questions
What is a meaningful baby name?
Any name whose meaning, origin or family story matters to you. That can be a word meaning (Clara, "bright"), a heritage link, or a person you want to honour.
Should the meaning decide the name?
Rarely on its own. Most parents choose on sound and feel first, then let a meaning they love settle a tie. Weight it however you like in the comparison tool.
Can a name have more than one meaning?
Yes. Maya, for example, is linked to a Sanskrit word for illusion and is also associated with the Greek Maia, a mother goddess. We list the most widely accepted reading and note alternatives where they are common.