AALIYAHGender: Feminine
Usage: Arabic, English (Modern)
Other Scripts: عالية (Arabic)
Pronounced: ə-LEE-ə (English)
Feminine form of AALI. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by the singer Aaliyah Haughton (1979-2001), who was known simply as Aaliyah.ABEGAILGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
Variant of ABIGAILABIGAILGender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: אֲבִיגַיִל (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: AB-i-gayl (English), AH-bee-giel (German)
From the Hebrew name אֲבִיגָיִל ('Avigayil) meaning "my father is joy". In the Old Testament this is the name of Nabal's wife. After Nabal's death she became the third wife of King David.As an English name, Abigail first became common after the Protestant Reformation, and it was popular among the Puritans. Some time after the release of the play 'The Scornful Lady' (1616), which featured a character named Abigail, the name became a slang term for a servant, and it grew less common. It was revived in the 20th century.
ABIGAYLEVariant of ABIGAILABRAHAMGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Hebrew, Dutch, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: אַבְרָהָם (Hebrew)
Pronounced: AY-brə-ham (English), AH-brah-hahm (Dutch)
This name may be viewed either as meaning "father of many" in Hebrew or else as a contraction of ABRAM (1) and הָמוֹן (hamon) "many, multitude". The biblical Abraham was originally named Abram but God changed his name (see Genesis 17:5). He led his followers from Ur into Canaan, and is regarded by the Jews as being the founder of the Hebrews through his son Isaac and by the Muslims as being the founder of the Arabs through his son Ishmael.As an English Christian name, Abraham became common after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the American president during the Civil War.
ADAMGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Macedonian, Romanian, Hebrew, Arabic, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
Other Scripts: Адам (Russian, Ukrainian, Macedonian), אָדָם (Hebrew), آدم (Arabic), Αδαμ (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: A-dəm (English), AH-dahm (German, Dutch, Polish), ah-DAHM (Russian)
This is the Hebrew word for "man". It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew אדם ('adam) meaning "to be red", referring to the ruddy colour of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning "to make". According to Genesis in the Old Testament Adam was created from the earth by God (there is a word play on Hebrew אֲדָמָה ('adamah) "earth"). He and Eve were supposedly the first humans, living happily in the Garden of Eden until Adam ate a forbidden fruit given to him by Eve.As an English Christian name, Adam has been common since the Middle Ages, and it received a boost after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Scottish economist Adam Smith (1723-1790).
ADANNAYAGender: Feminine
Usage: Western African, Igbo
Means "her father's daughter" in Igbo.ADHARAGender: Feminine
Usage: Astronomy
Derived from Arabic عذارى ('adhara) meaning "maidens". This is the name of the second brightest star (after Sirius) in the constellation Canis Major.ÁEDÁNGender: Masculine
Usage: Ancient Irish, Irish Mythology
Older form of AODHÁN. This was the name of a 6th-century king of the Scots.AELLAMeans "whirlwind" in Greek. In Greek myth this was the name of an Amazon warrior killed by Herakles during his quest for Hippolyta's girdle.AEMILIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).AGNETHAScandinavian variant of AGNESAIDANAnglicized form of AODHÁN. In the latter part of the 20th century it became popular in America due to its sound, since it uses the same fashionable aden suffix sound found in such names as Braden and Hayden.AIMIFrom Japanese 愛 (ai) "love, affection" and 美 (mi) "beautiful".ÁINEMeans "radiance" in Gaelic. This was the name of the queen of the fairies in Celtic mythology. It is also taken as an Irish form of Anne.AKEMIFrom Japanese 明 (ake) "bright" and 美 (mi) "beautiful".AKIRAFrom Japanese 昭 "bright", 明 "bright" or 亮 "clear".ALAIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Basque
Means "joyful, happy" in Basque.ALAINAALANAFeminine form of ALANALANISFeminine form of ALAN. Canadian musician Alanis Morissette (1974-) was named after her father Alan. Her parents apparently decided to use this particular spelling after seeing this word in a Greek newspaper.ALANNAFeminine form of ALANALANNAHVariant of ALANA. It has been influenced by the affectionate Anglo-Irish word alannah, from the Irish Gaelic phrase a leanbh meaning "O child".ALANNISVariant of ALANISALAYNAVariant of ALAINAALBERTGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Slovene, Polish, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Hungarian, Ancient Germanic
Other Scripts: Альберт (Russian)
Pronounced: AL-bərt (English), al-BER (French), AHL-bert (German, Polish), AHL-bərt (Dutch)
From the Germanic name Adalbert, which was composed of the elements adal "noble" and beraht "bright". This name was common among medieval German royalty. The Normans introduced it to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate Æðelbeorht. Though it became rare in England by the 17th century, it was repopularized in the 19th century by the German-born Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria.This name was borne by two 20th-century kings of Belgium. Other famous bearers include the German physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955), creator of the theory of relativity, and Albert Camus (1913-1960), a French-Algerian writer and philosopher.
ALBERTAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Polish, Hungarian
Pronounced: al-BUR-tə (English), ahl-BER-tah (Italian, Polish)
Feminine form of ALBERT. This is the name of a Canadian province, which was named in honour of a daughter of Queen Victoria.ALBERTE (1)Galician form of ALBERTALBERTE (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Danish
Danish feminine form of ALBERTALBERTINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, German, Dutch, Portuguese
Pronounced: ahl-ber-TEE-nah (Italian, German)
Feminine diminutive of ALBERTALBERTINEGender: Feminine
Usage: French
French feminine form of ALBERTALEAVariant of AALIYAHALEASEGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Possibly a variant of ALICIAALEIDADutch and German short form of ADELAIDEALENAALEXANDERGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Hungarian, Slovak, Biblical, Ancient Greek (Latinized), Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Αλεξανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: al-əg-ZAN-dər (English), ah-lek-SAHN-der (German), ah-lək-SAHN-dər (Dutch)
Latinized form of the Greek name Αλεξανδρος (Alexandros), which meant "defending men" from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, help" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Greek mythology this was another name of the hero Paris, and it also belongs to several characters in the New Testament. However, the most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, King of Macedon. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Due to his fame, and later medieval tales involving him, use of his name spread throughout Europe.The name has been used by kings of Scotland, Poland and Yugoslavia, emperors of Russia, and eight popes. Other notable bearers include English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744), American statesman Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), Scottish-Canadian explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie (1764-1820), Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837), and Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), the Scottish-Canadian-American inventor of the telephone.
ALEXISGender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: German, French, English, Greek, Ancient Greek
Other Scripts: Αλεξης (Greek), Αλεξις (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ah-LEK-sis (German), al-ek-SEE (French), ə-LEK-sis (English)
From the Greek name Αλεξις (Alexis), which meant "helper" or "defender", derived from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, to help". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek comic poet, and also of several saints. It is used somewhat interchangeably with the related name Αλεξιος or Alexius, borne by five Byzantine emperors. In the English-speaking world it is more commonly used as a feminine name.ALIAVariant transcription of ALYAALIAHGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
Variant of AALIYAHALICEGender: Feminine
Usage: English, French, Portuguese, Italian
Pronounced: AL-is (English), a-LEES (French), ah-LEE-che (Italian)
From the Old French name Aalis, a short form of Adelais, itself a short form of the Germanic name Adalheidis (see ADELAIDE). This name became popular in France and England in the 12th century. It was borne by the heroine of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865) and 'Through the Looking Glass' (1871).ALICIAGender: Feminine
Pronounced: a-LEE-thya (Spanish), a-LEE-sya (Latin American Spanish), ə-LIS-yə (English), ə-LIS-ə (English), ə-LISH-ə (English), ə-LEE-shə (English)
Latinized form of ALICEALIDAALINA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Arabic
Means "noble" in Arabic.ALINA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: German, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Finnish
Pronounced: ah-LEE-nah (German, Italian, Polish)
Short form of ADELINA and names that end in alina.ALISARussian form of ALICEALISSAVariant of ALYSSAALISYAVariant of ALICIAALIYA (1)Variant transcription of ALIYAH (1)ALIYA (2)Variant transcription of ALIYAH (2)ALIYAH (1)Feminine form of ALIALIYAH (2)Means "to ascend" in Hebrew. This is also a Hebrew word referring to immigration to Israel.ALIYYAVariant transcription of ALIYAH (1)ALIYYAHVariant transcription of ALIYAH (1)ALIZAMeans "joyful" in Hebrew.ALYAMeans "sky, heaven, loftiness" in Arabic.ALYSAVariant of ALICIAALYSEVariant of ALICEALYSSAVariant of ALICIA. The spelling has probably been influenced by that of the alyssum flower, the name of which is derived from Greek α "against" combined with λυσσα (lyssa) "madness, rabies", since it was believed to cure madness.AMAIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Basque
Means "the end" in Basque. This is also the name of a mountain and a village in the Basque region of Spain.AMALAAMÁLIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Hungarian, Portuguese, Slovak
Hungarian, Portuguese and Slovak form of AMALIAAMALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Dutch, German, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Ancient Germanic (Latinized)
Pronounced: ah-MAH-lee-ah (Dutch, German)
Latinized form of the Germanic name Amala, a short form of names beginning with the element amal meaning "work".AMÁLIEGender: Feminine
Usage: Czech
Czech form of AMALIAAMALIEGerman variant of AMALIAAMALIJAGender: Feminine
Usage: Lithuanian, Slovene, Croatian
Lithuanian, Slovene and Croatian form of AMALIAAMAYAVariant of AMAIAAMBERFrom the English word amber that denotes either the gemstone, which is formed from fossil resin, or the orange-yellow colour. The word ultimately derives from Arabic عنبر ('anbar). It began to be used as a given name in the late 19th century, but it only became popular after the release of Kathleen Winsor's novel 'Forever Amber' (1944).AMÉLIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Portuguese
Portuguese form of AMELIAAMELIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Dutch, German, Ancient Germanic
Pronounced: ə-MEE-lee-ə (English), ə-MEEL-yə (English), ah-ME-lyah (Italian), ah-ME-lee-ah (German)
Variant of AMALIA, though it is sometimes confused with EMILIA, which has a different origin. The name became popular in England after the German House of Hanover came to the British throne in the 18th century - it was borne by daughters of George II and George III. Another famous bearer was Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), the first woman to make a solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean.AMÉLIEFrench form of AMELIAAMELIEGerman variant of AMELIAAMETHYSTFrom the name of the precious stone, which is Greek in origin and means "not drunk", as it was believed to be a remedy against drunkenness.AMILIAAMYEnglish form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, it was in use in the Middle Ages (though not common) and was revived in the 19th century.ANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish, Portuguese, Slovene, Bulgarian, Romanian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Georgian
Other Scripts: Ана (Bulgarian, Serbian, Macedonian), ანა (Georgian)
Pronounced: AH-nah (Spanish)
Form of ANNAANAÏSOccitan and Catalan form of ANNAANDREWFrom the Greek name Ανδρεας (Andreas), which was derived from ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος (andros) "of a man"). In the New Testament the apostle Andrew, the first disciple to join Jesus, is the brother of Simon Peter. According to tradition, he later preached in the Black Sea region, with some legends saying he was crucified on an X-shaped cross. Andrew, being a Greek name, was probably only a nickname or a translation of his real Hebrew name, which is not known.This name has been common (in various spellings) throughout the Christian world, and it became very popular in the Middle Ages. Saint Andrew is regarded as the patron of Scotland, Russia, Greece and Romania. The name has been borne by three kings of Hungary, American president Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), and, more recently, English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948-).
ANELIEGender: Feminine
Usage: German
Short form of ANNELIESEANGELGender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: English, Bulgarian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Ангел (Bulgarian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: AYN-jəl (English)
From the medieval Latin masculine name Angelus which was derived from the name of the heavenly creature (itself derived from the Greek word αγγελος (angelos) meaning "messenger"). It has never been very common in the English-speaking world, where it is sometimes used as a feminine name in modern times.ANGELICAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Romanian, Literature
Pronounced: an-JEL-i-kə (English), ahn-JE-lee-kah (Italian)
Derived from Latin angelicus meaning "angelic", ultimately related to Greek αγγελος (angelos) "messenger". The poets Boiardo and Ariosto used this name in their 'Orlando' poems (1495 and 1532), where it belongs to Orlando's love interest. It has been used as a given name since the 18th century.ANIAANIELAPolish form of ANGELAANILAFeminine form of ANILANISSAGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Combination of ANNA and the popular name suffix issa. This name was first brought to public attention by the child actress Anissa Jones (1958-1976).ANJAForm of ANYAANNABELLEANNALEEGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
ANNALISAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian
ANNELIGender: Feminine
Usage: Finnish
Finnish diminutive of ANNAANNELIEShort form of ANNELIESEANNELIESEANNELISEGender: Feminine
Usage: Danish
Danish form of ANNELIESEANYARussian diminutive of ANNAARELIGender: Masculine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: אַרְאֵלִי (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: ay-REE-lie (English)
Means "lion of God" in Hebrew. This was the name of a son of Gad in the Old Testament.ARIAMeans "song" or "melody" in Italian (literally means "air"). An aria is an elaborate vocal solo, the type usually performed in operas. As an English name, it has only been in use since the 20th century.ARIANAVariant of ARIANNAARIELLAStrictly feminine form of ARIELARYANAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of ARIANAASHLEEFeminine variant of ASHLEYASHLEYFrom an English surname which was originally derived from place names meaning "ash tree clearing", from Old English æsc and leah. Until the 1960s it was more commonly given to boys in the United States, but it is now most often used on girls.ASHLYNCombination of ASHLEY and the popular name suffix lyn.ASHLYNNVariant of ASHLYNAUTUMNFrom the name of the season, ultimately from Latin autumnus. This name has been in general use since the 1960s.AVA (1)Variant of EVE. A famous bearer was the American actress Ava Gardner (1922-1990).AVA (2)Means "voice, sound" in Persian.AVANIMeans "earth" in Sanskrit.AYALAMeans "doe, gazelle, hind" in Hebrew.AYLA (1)Variant transcription of ELAHAYLA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Turkish
Possibly means "moonlight, halo" in Turkish.AYLA (3)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Literature
Created for the novel 'Clan of the Cave Bear' (1980) by author Jean M. Auel. In the novel Ayla is an orphaned Cro-Magnon girl adopted by Neanderthals. Ayla is the Neanderthal pronunciation of her real name, which is not given.AYLİNGender: Feminine
Usage: Turkish
Possibly means "moon halo" in Turkish.BAILEYFrom a surname derived from Middle English baili meaning "bailiff", originally denoting one who was a bailiff.BAYLEEVariant of BAILEYBELINDAThe meaning of this name is not known for certain. The first element could be related Italian bella "beautiful". The second element could be related to Germanic lind "serpent, dragon" or linde "soft, tender". This name first arose in the 17th century, and was subsequently used by Alexander Pope in his poem 'The Rape of the Lock' (1712).BEN (1)Short form of BENJAMIN or BENEDICT. A notable bearer was Ben Jonson (1572-1637), an English poet and playwright.BENAIAHGender: Masculine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: בְּנָיָהוּ (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: bi-NIE-ə (English), bi-NAY-ə (English)
From the Hebrew name בְּנָיָהוּ (Benayahu) meaning "YAHWEH has built". This was the name of numerous Old Testament characters.BENJShort form of BENJAMINBENJAMINGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Biblical
Other Scripts: בִּנְיָמִין (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: BEN-jə-min (English), ben-zha-MEN (French), BEN-yah-meen (German)
From the Hebrew name בִּנְיָמִין (Binyamin) which means "son of the south" or "son of the right hand". Benjamin in the Old Testament is the twelfth and youngest son of Jacob and the founder of one of the southern tribes of the Hebrews. He was originally named בֶּן־אוֹנִי (Ben-'oniy) meaning "son of my sorrow" by his mother Rachel, who died shortly after childbirth, but it was later changed by his father.As an English name, Benjamin came into general use after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an American statesman, inventor, scientist and philosopher.
BENJIBENJYBENNIEBENNYBENSONFrom a surname which originally meant "son of BENEDICT".BETHANWelsh diminutive of ELIZABETHBETHANYFrom the name of a biblical town, possibly derived from Hebrew בֵּית־תְּאֵנָה (beit-te'enah) meaning "house of figs". In the New Testament the town of Bethany was the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. It has been in use as a rare given name in the English-speaking world since the 19th century, used primarily by Catholics in honour of Mary of Bethany. In America it became moderately common after the 1950s.BONNIEMeans "pretty" from the Scottish word bonnie, which was itself derived from Middle French bon "good". It has been in use as an American given name since the 19th century, and it became especially popular after the movie 'Gone with the Wind' (1939), in which it was the nickname of Scarlett's daughter.BRENDANFrom Brendanus, the Latinized form of the Irish name Bréanainn which was derived from a Welsh word meaning "prince". Saint Brendan was a 6th-century Irish abbot who, according to legend, crossed the Atlantic and reached North America with 17 other monks.BRENDONVariant of BRENDANBRENNABRENNANFrom an Irish surname derived from Ó Braonáin meaning "descendent of Braonán". Braonán is a given name meaning "sorrow" (Irish braon "tear drop" and a diminutive suffix).BRIANAFeminine form of BRIAN. This name was used by Edmund Spenser in 'The Faerie Queene' (1590). The name was not commonly used until the 1970s, when rapidly became popular in the United States.BRITNEYVariant of BRITTANYBRITTANYFrom the name of the region in the northwest of France, called in French Bretagne. It was named for the Briton settlers who fled to that area after the Anglo-Saxon invasion of England. As a given name, it first came into common use in America in the 1970s.BRITTNEYVariant of BRITTANYBROOKEVariant of BROOK. The name came into use in the 1950s, probably influenced by American socialite Brooke Astor (1902-2007). It was further popularized by actress Brooke Shields (1965-).BROOKLYNFrom the name of the borough of New York City, originally derived from Dutch Breukelen meaning "broken land". It can also be viewed as a combination of BROOK and the popular name suffix lyn.BRYANAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of BRIANACADENSometimes explained as a derivative of the Irish surname Caden, which is a reduced form of the Gaelic surname Mac Cadáin meaning "son of Cadán". In actuality, its popularity in America beginning in the 1990s is due to its sound - it shares its fashionable aden suffix sound with other popular names like Hayden, Aidan and Braden.CAI (1)Variant of KAI (1)CAILYNVariant of KAYLYNCAITLÍNIrish form of Cateline, the Old French form of KATHERINE.CAITLINAnglicized form of CAITLÍNCAITLYNVariant of CAITLINCALISTACAMERONGender: Masculine & Feminine
Pronounced: KAM-rən (English), KAM-ə-rən (English)
From a Scottish surname meaning "crooked nose" from Gaelic cam "crooked" and sròn "nose".CAMRYNFeminine variant of CAMERONCAOIMHEDerived from Gaelic caomh meaning "beautiful, gentle, kind".CARINA (1)Elaborated form of CARA. This name is also borne by a constellation in the southern sky, in which case the name means "keel" in Latin, referring to a part of Jason's ship the Argo.CAROLYNVariant of CAROLINECARYSGender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh
Derived from Welsh caru meaning "love". This is a relatively modern Welsh name, in common use only since the middle of the 20th century.CASSIDYFrom an Irish surname which was derived from Ó Caiside meaning "descendent of CAISIDE".CATALINASpanish form of KATHERINECATARINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Portuguese, Occitan, Galician
Pronounced: kah-tah-REE-nah (Italian), ka-ta-REE-na (Galician)
Italian, Portuguese, Occitan and Galician form of KATHERINECERYSGender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh
Variant of CARYSCHARISGender: Feminine
Usage: Ancient Greek, English (Rare)
Other Scripts: Χαρις (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: KAR-is (English)
Derived from Greek χαρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness". It came into use as an English given name in the 17th century.CHARLIEDiminutive or feminine form of CHARLES. A famous bearer is Charlie Brown, the main character in the comic strip 'Peanuts' by Charles Schulz.CHARLOTTEGender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch
Pronounced: shar-LOT (French), SHAHR-lət (English), shahr-LAW-tə (German), shahr-LAWT-tə (Dutch)
French feminine diminutive of CHARLES. It was introduced to Britain in the 17th century. A notable bearer was Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855), the eldest of the three Bronte sisters and the author of 'Jane Eyre' and 'Villette'.CHAYAFeminine form of CHAYYIMCHLOEGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Χλοη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: KLO-ee (English)
Means "green shoot" in Greek. This was an epithet of the Greek goddess Demeter. The name is also mentioned by Paul in one of his epistles in the New Testament. As an English name, Chloe has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.CHRISTAShort form of CHRISTINACHRISTIANALatin feminine form of CHRISTIANCHRISTOPHERFrom the Late Greek name Χριστοφορος (Christophoros) meaning "bearing Christ", derived from Χριστος (Christos) combined with φερω (phero) "to bear, to carry". Early Christians used it as a metaphorical name, expressing that they carried Christ in their hearts. In the Middle Ages, literal interpretations of the name's etymology led to legends about a Saint Christopher who carried the young Jesus across a river. He has come to be regarded as the patron saint of travellers.As an English given name, Christopher has been in general use since the 15th century. In Denmark it was borne by three kings (their names are usually spelled Christoffer), including the 15th-century Christopher of Bavaria who also ruled Norway and Sweden. Other famous bearers include Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), English playwright Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593), and the fictional character Christopher Robin from A. A. Milne's 'Winnie-the-Pooh' books.
CIARA (1)Feminine form of CIAR. Saint Ciara was an Irish nun who established a monastery at Kilkeary in the 7th century.CIARÁNDiminutive of CIAR. This was the name of two Irish saints: Saint Ciarán the Elder, the patron of the Kingdom of Munster, and Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, the founder of a monastery in the 6th century.CIERAVariant of SIERRACLARAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Romanian, English, Late Roman
Pronounced: KLAH-rah (Italian, German, Spanish), KLER-ə (English), KLAR-ə (English)
Feminine form of the Late Latin name Clarus which meant "clear, bright, famous". The name Clarus was borne by a few early saints. The feminine form was popularized by the 13th-century Saint Clare of Assisi (called Chiara in Italian), a friend and follower of Saint Francis, who left her wealthy family to found the order of nuns known as the Poor Clares. As an English name it has been in use since the Middle Ages, originally in the form Clare, though the Latinate spelling Clara became more popular in the 19th century.CLAUDIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Biblical, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: KLAW-dee-ə (English), KLOW-dee-ah (German, Dutch), KLOW-dyah (Italian, Spanish)
Feminine form of CLAUDIUS. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament. As a Christian name it was very rare until the 16th century.COLBYFrom a surname, originally from various English place names, derived from the Old Norse nickname Koli (meaning "coal, dark") and býr "town".CONNORVariant of CONORCORBINFrom a French surname which was derived from corbeau "raven", originally denoting a person who had dark hair. The name was probably popularized in America by actor Corbin Bernsen (1954-).CORMACGender: Masculine
Usage: Irish
Means "son of defilement" from Gaelic corb "defilement" and mac "son". This was the name of a 3rd-century king of Ireland.CRISTINAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian
Pronounced: kree-STEE-nah (Italian, Spanish)
Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian form of CHRISTINADANA (2)From a surname which originally belonged to a person who was Danish. It was originally given in honour of American lawyer Richard Henry Dana (1815-1882), the author of 'Two Years Before the Mast'.DAVIDGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Hebrew, French, Scottish, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: דָּוִד (Hebrew), Давид (Russian, Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: DAY-vid (English), dah-VEED (Jewish), da-VEED (French), DAH-vit (German, Dutch), dah-VEET (Russian)
From the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Dawid), which was probably derived from Hebrew דוד (dwd) meaning "beloved". David was the second and greatest of the kings of Israel, ruling in the 10th century BC. Several stories about him are told in the Old Testament, including his defeat of Goliath, a giant Philistine. According to the New Testament, Jesus was descended from him.This name has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages. It has been especially popular in Wales, where it is used in honour of the 5th-century patron saint of Wales (also called Dewi), as well as in Scotland, where it was borne by two kings. Famous bearers include empiricist philosopher David Hume (1711-1776) and explorer David Livingstone (1813-1873). This is also the name of the hero of Charles Dickens' semi-autobiographical novel 'David Copperfield' (1850).
DAVINDAVINAFeminine form of DAVID. It originated in Scotland.DAWNFrom the English word dawn, ultimately derived from Old English dagung.DAWSONFrom a surname meaning "son of DAVID". This name was popularized in the late 1990s by the television drama 'Dawson's Creek'.DEACONEither from the occupational surname Deacon or directly from the vocabulary word deacon, which refer to a cleric in the Christian church (ultimately from Latin decanus meaning "chief of ten").DEANNAEither a variant of DIANA or a feminine form of DEAN. This name was popularized by the Canadian actress and singer Deanna Durbin (1921-), whose birth name was Edna. Her stage name was a rearrangement of the letters of her real name.DECLANGender: Masculine
Usage: Irish
Anglicized form of Irish Deaglán, which is of unknown meaning. Saint Declan was a 5th-century missionary to Ireland.DELANEYFrom a surname: either the English surname DELANEY (1) or the Irish surname DELANEY (2).DELILAHGender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical, Biblical Hebrew, English
Other Scripts: דְּלִילָה (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: di-LIE-lə (English)
Means "delicate, weak, languishing" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament she is the lover of Samson, whom she betrays to the Philistines by cutting his hair, which is the source of his power. Despite her character flaws, the name began to be used by the Puritans in the 17th century. It has been used occasionally in the English-speaking world since that time.DEVINDEVONVariant of DEVIN. It may also be partly inspired by the name of the county of Devon in England, which got its name from the Dumnonii, a Celtic tribe.DEVYNVariant of DEVINDONOVANFrom an Irish surname which was derived from Ó Donndubháin meaning "descendent of DONNDUBHÁN".DREWShort form of ANDREWDUSTYFrom a nickname originally given to a person who was perceived as being dusty. It is also used a diminutive of DUSTIN. A famous bearer was British singer Dusty Springfield (1939-1999), who acquired her nickname as a child.DYLANGender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh, English, Welsh Mythology
Pronounced: DUL-an (Welsh), DIL-ən (English)
From the Welsh elements dy "great" and llanw "tide, flow". In Welsh mythology Dylan was a god or hero associated with the sea. He was the son of Arianrhod and was accidentally slain by his uncle Govannon.Famous bearers include the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) and the American musician Bob Dylan (1941-), real name Robert Zimmerman, who took his stage surname from the poet's given name. Due to those two bearers, use of the name has spread outside of Wales in the last half of the 20th century. It received a further boost in popularity in the 1990s due to a character on the television series 'Beverly Hills 90210'.
EBONYFrom the English word ebony for the black wood which comes from the ebony tree. It is ultimately from the Egyptian word hbnj. In America this name is most often used by black parents.EDISONFrom an English surname which meant either "son of EDA (2)" or "son of ADAM". A famous bearer of the surname was the inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931).EDWARDMeans "rich guard", derived from the Old English elements ead "rich, blessed" and weard "guard". Saint Edward the Confessor was the king of England shortly before the Norman conquest. He was known as a just ruler, and because of his popularity this name remained in use after the conquest when most other Old English names were replaced by Norman ones. The 13th-century king Henry III named his son and successor after the saint, and seven subsequent kings of England were also named Edward. This is one of the few Old English names to be used throughout Europe (in various spellings).ELAHEHMeans "goddess" in Persian.ELEAGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Short form of ELEANOR. This was also the name of an ancient Italian town (modern Velia) which is well known for being the home of the philosopher Parmenides and his student Zeno of Elea, who was famous for his paradoxes.ELIANA (1)Italian, Spanish and Portuguese form of ÉLIANEELIANA (2)Means "my God has answered" in Hebrew.ELISAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, English
Pronounced: e-LEE-zah (German)
Short form of ELISABETHELISEGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, English
Pronounced: e-LEE-zə (German), i-LEES (English), i-LEEZ (English)
Short form of ELIZABETHELISSA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Roman Mythology
Meaning unknown (possibly Phoenician in origin). This is another name of Dido, the legendary queen of Carthage.ELISSA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Variant of ELISAÉLODIEFrench form of ALODIAELYSEGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Diminutive of ELIZABETH. It was popularized in the early 1980s by a character from the television comedy 'Family Ties'.ELYSIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Various
From Elysium, the name of the realm of the dead in Greek and Roman mythology, which means "blissful".EMALEEGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
Variant of EMILYEMELIAVariant of AMELIAEMELIEGender: Feminine
Usage: Swedish
Swedish feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMELYVariant of EMILYEMERPossibly from Gaelic eimh "swift". In Irish legend she was the wife of Cúchulainn. She was said to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, needlework, wisdom and chastity.EMERSONFrom an English surname meaning "son of EMERY". The surname was borne by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American writer and philosopher who wrote about transcendentalism.EMERYNorman form of EMMERICH. The Normans introduced it to England, and though it was never popular, it survived until the end of the Middle Ages. As a modern given name, it is likely inspired by the surname Emery, which was itself derived from the medieval given name. It can also be given in reference to the hard black substance called emery.EMILEEVariant of EMILYEMÍLIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Portuguese, Slovak
Portuguese and Slovak feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMILIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Finnish, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: e-MEEL-yah (Italian, Spanish, Polish)
Feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).ÉMILIEFrench feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMÍLIEGender: Feminine
Usage: Czech
Czech feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMILIEGerman and Scandinavian feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMILIJAGender: Feminine
Usage: Lithuanian, Slovene, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian
Other Scripts: Емилија (Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: EM-ee-lee-yah (Serbian, Croatian)
Feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMILIYABulgarian feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL).EMILYEnglish feminine form of Aemilius (see EMIL). In the English-speaking world it was not common until after the German House of Hanover came to the British throne in the 18th century; the princess Amelia Sophia (1711-1786) was commonly known as Emily in English, even though Amelia is an unrelated name.Famous bearers include the British author Emily Bronte (1818-1848), who wrote 'Wuthering Heights', and the American poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).
ESSIEETHANGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Jewish, French, Biblical, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: אֵיתָן (Hebrew)
Pronounced: EE-thən (English)
Means "solid, enduring" in Hebrew. This is the name of a wise man in the Old Testament. After the Protestant Reformation it was occasionally used as a given name in the English-speaking world, and it became somewhat common in America due to the fame of the revolutionary Ethan Allen (1738-1789). It only became popular towards the end of the 20th century. This was the name of the main character in Edith Wharton's novel 'Ethan Frome' (1911).ÉVAHungarian form of EVEEVAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Slovene, Bulgarian, Croatian, Macedonian, Russian, Old Church Slavic, Biblical Latin
Other Scripts: Ева (Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian, Church Slavic)
Pronounced: E-vah (Italian, Spanish), EE-və (English), E-fah (German), AY-vah (Dutch)
Latinate form of EVE. This form is used in the Latin translation of the New Testament, while Hava is used in the Latin Old Testament. It is also a variant Russian transcription of YEVA. This name appears in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' (1852) belonging to the character Little Eva, whose real name is in fact Evangeline.EVADNEFrom Greek Ευαδνη (Euadne), which is of unknown meaning, though the first element is derived from Greek ευ "good". In Greek legend Evadne was the wife of Capaneus. After Capaneus was killed by a lightning bolt sent from Zeus she committed suicide by throwing herself onto his burning body.EVANAnglicized form of Iefan, a Welsh form of JOHN.EVANDER (1)Gender: Masculine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized), Roman Mythology
Other Scripts: Ευανδρος (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: ee-VAN-dər (English), ə-VAN-dər (English)
Variant of Evandrus, Latin form of the Greek name Ευανδρος (Euandros) which meant "good man", derived from Greek ευ "good" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Roman mythology Evander was an Arcadian hero of the Trojan War who founded the city of Pallantium near the spot where Rome was later built.EVEGender: Feminine
Usage: English, French, Biblical
Other Scripts: חַוָּה (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: EEV (English), EV (French)
From the Hebrew name חַוָּה (Chawwah), which was derived from the Hebrew word חוה (chawah) "to breathe" or the related word חיה (chayah) "to live". According to the Old Testament Book of Genesis, Eve and Adam were the first humans. She gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, causing their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Despite this potentially negative association, the name was occasionally used during the Middle Ages. In the English-speaking world both Eve and the Latin form Eva were revived in the 19th century.FAWNFrom the English word fawn for a young deer.FELICITYFrom the English word felicity meaning "happiness", which ultimately derives from Latin felicitas "good luck". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans around the 17th century. It can sometimes be used as an English form of the Latin name FELICITAS (1). This name was revived in the late 1990s after the appearance of the television series 'Felicity'.GABRIELLAFeminine form of GABRIELGEMMAMedieval Italian nickname meaning "gem, precious stone". It was borne by the 13th-century wife of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri.GENEVIÈVEFrom Genovefa, a Gaulish name possibly meaning "tribe woman". Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, inspired the city to resist the Huns in the 5th century.GEORGEFrom the Greek name Γεωργιος (Georgios) which was derived from the Greek word γεωργος (georgos) meaning "farmer, earthworker", itself derived from the elements γη (ge) "earth" and εργον (ergon) "work". Saint George was a 3rd-century Roman soldier from Palestine who was martyred during the persecutions of emperor Diocletian. Later legends describe his defeat of a dragon, with which he was often depicted in medieval art.Initially Saint George was primarily revered by Eastern Christians, but returning crusaders brought stories of him to Western Europe and he became the patron of England, Portugal, Catalonia and Aragon. The name was rarely used in England until the German-born George I came to the British throne in the 18th century. Five subsequent British kings have borne the name.
Other famous bearers include two kings of Greece, the composer George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), the first president of the United States, George Washington (1732-1797), and the Pacific explorer George Vancouver (1757-1798). This was also the pen name of authors George Eliot (1819-1880) and George Orwell (1903-1950), real names Mary Anne Evans and Eric Arthur Blair respectively.
GEORGIALatinate feminine form of GEORGE. This is the name of an American state, which was named after the British king George II. A famous bearer was the American painter Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986).GEORGIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Feminine form of GEORGE. This form of the name has been in use since the 18th century.GINNYGRACEFrom the English word grace, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia. This was one of the virtue names created in the 17th century by the Puritans. The actress Grace Kelly (1929-1982) was a famous bearer.GRIFFINLatinized form of GRUFFUDD. This name can also be inspired by the English word griffin, a creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, ultimately from Greek γρυψ (gryps).HANNAHGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Hebrew, French, German, Dutch, Biblical
Other Scripts: חַנָּה (Hebrew)
Pronounced: HAN-ə (English), HAH-nah (German)
From the Hebrew name חַנָּה (Channah) meaning "favour" or "grace". Hannah is the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. As an English name, Hannah was not regularly used until after the Protestant Reformation. The Greek and Latin version Anna is used in the New Testament and was traditionally more widely used as a Christian name.HAZELFrom the English word hazel for the tree or the light brown colour, derived ultimately from Old English hæsel. It was coined as a given name in the 19th century.HEIDIGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, English
Pronounced: HIE-dee (German, English)
Personal note: from Baby Name Expert
German diminutive of ADELHEID. This is the name of the title character in the children's novel 'Heidi' (1880) by Johanna Spyri. The name began to be used in the English-speaking world shortly after the 1937 release of the movie adaptation, which starred Shirley Temple.HOLLYFrom the English word for the holly tree, ultimately derived from Old English holen.IMOGENThe name of a princess in the play 'Cymbeline' (1609) by Shakespeare. He based her on a legendary character named Innogen, but the name was printed incorrectly and never corrected. The name Innogen is probably derived from Gaelic inghean meaning "maiden".IRISGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, French, Spanish
Other Scripts: Ιρις (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: IE-ris (English), EE-ris (German, Dutch)
Means "rainbow" in Greek. Iris was the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. This name can also be given in reference to the English word (which derives from the same Greek source) for the name of the iris flower or the coloured part of the eye.ISABELGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish, Portuguese, English, French, German
Pronounced: ee-sah-BEL (Spanish), IZ-ə-bel (English), ee-za-BEL (French), ee-zah-BEL (German)
Medieval Occitan form of ELIZABETH. It spread throughout Spain, Portugal and France, becoming common among the royalty by the 12th century. It grew popular in England in the 13th century after Isabella of Angoulême married the English king John, and it was subsequently bolstered when Isabella of France married Edward II the following century.This is the usual form of the name Elizabeth in Spain and Portugal, though elsewhere it is considered a parallel name, such as in France where it is used alongside Élisabeth.
ISABELLEGender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, German, Dutch
Pronounced: ee-za-BEL (French), IZ-ə-bel (English), ee-sah-BEL-lə (Dutch)
French form of ISABELISLAVariant of ISLAY, typically used as a feminine name.ITALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian
From the Italian name of the country of Italy, Italia (see ITALUS).IVORYFrom the English word for the hard, creamy-white substance which comes from elephant tusks and was formerly used to produce piano keys.IVYFrom the English word for the climbing plant that has small yellow flowers. It is ultimately derived from Old English ifig.JACOBGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Biblical
Other Scripts: יַעֲקֹב (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JAY-kəb (English), YAH-kawp (Dutch)
From the Latin Iacobus, which was from the Greek Ιακωβος (Iakobos), which was from the Hebrew name יַעֲקֹב (Ya'aqov). In the Old Testament, Jacob (later called Israel) is the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born holding his twin brother Esau's heel, and his name is explained as meaning "holder of the heel" or "supplanter". Other theories claim that it is in fact derived from a hypothetical name like יַעֲקֹבְאֵל (Ya'aqov'el) meaning "may God protect".The English names Jacob and James derive from the same source, with James coming from Latin Iacomus, a later variant of Iacobus. Unlike English, many languages do not have separate spellings for the two names.
In England, Jacob was mainly regarded as a Jewish name during the Middle Ages, though the variant James was used among Christians. Jacob came into general use as a Christian name after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Jacob Grimm (1785-1863), the German linguist and writer who was, with his brother Wilhelm, the author of 'Grimm's Fairy Tales'.
JADEFrom the name of the precious stone that is often used in carvings. It is derived from Spanish (piedra de la) ijada meaning "(stone of the) flank", relating to the belief that jade could cure renal colic. As a given name, it came into general use during the 1970s.JADENAn invented name, using the popular aden suffix sound found in such names as Braden, Hayden and Aidan. This name first became common in American in the 1990s when similar-sounding names were increasing in popularity. It is sometimes considered a variant of JADON.JADONGender: Masculine
Usage: Biblical
Other Scripts: יָדוֹן (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JAH-dən (English), JAY-dən (English)
Possibly means either "thankful" or "he will judge" in Hebrew. This name is borne by a minor character in the Old Testament.JAIME (2)Variant of JAMIE. The character Jaime Sommers from the television series 'The Bionic Woman' (1976-1978) helped to popularize the name. It can sometimes be given in reference to the French phrase j'aime meaning "I love", though it is pronounced differently.JAMIEOriginally a Lowland Scots diminutive of JAMES. Since the late 19th century it has also been used as a feminine form.JANAEGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Elaborated form of JANEJANEMedieval English form of Jehanne, an Old French feminine form of Iohannes (see JOHN). This became the most common feminine form of John in the 17th century, surpassing Joan. Famous bearers include the uncrowned English queen Lady Jane Grey (1536-1554), who ruled for only 9 days, the British novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817), who wrote 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Pride and Prejudice', and the British primatologist Jane Goodall (1934-). This was also the name of the central character in Charlotte Bronte's novel 'Jane Eyre' (1847).JAYADerived from Sanskrit जय (jaya) meaning "victory". This is a transcription of both the feminine form जया (an epithet of the Hindu goddess Durga) and the masculine form जय (borne by several characters in Hindu texts).JAYDENVariant of JADENJAYLACombination of JAY (1) and the popular name suffix la.JAYLEEJAYLINJAYNAVariant of JANEJEMIMAMeans "dove" in Hebrew. This was the oldest of the three daughters of Job in the Old Testament. As an English name, Jemima first became common during the Puritan era.JEMMAVariant of GEMMAJENAEGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Rare)
JENNIFERFrom a Cornish form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (see GUINEVERE). This name has only been common outside of Cornwall since the beginning of the 20th century, after it was featured in George Bernard Shaw's play 'The Doctor's Dilemma' (1906).JESSICAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian
Pronounced: JES-i-kə (English)
This name was first used in this form by Shakespeare in his play 'The Merchant of Venice' (1596), where it belongs to the daughter of Shylock. Shakespeare probably based it on the biblical name ISCAH, which would have been spelled Jescha in his time. It was not commonly used as a given name until the middle of the 20th century.JIAFrom Chinese 佳 "good, fine" or 家 "home, family".JOELLEGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Feminine form of JOELJOLIEMeans "pretty" in French. This name was popularized by American actress Angelina Jolie (1975-), whose surname was originally her middle name. It is not used as a given name in France.JOSEPHGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Biblical
Other Scripts: יוֹסֵף (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JO-səf (English), zho-ZEF (French), YO-zef (German)
From Ioseph, the Latin form of Greek Ιωσηφ (Ioseph), which was from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning "he will add". In the Old Testament, Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob. Because he was the favourite of his father, his older brothers sent him to Egypt and told their father that he had died. In Egypt, Joseph became an advisor to the pharaoh, and was eventually reconciled with his brothers when they came to Egypt during a famine. This name also occurs in the New Testament, belonging to Saint Joseph the husband of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea.In the Middle Ages, Joseph was a common Jewish name, being less frequent among Christians. In the late Middle Ages Saint Joseph became more highly revered, and the name became popular in Spain and Italy. In England it became common after the Protestant Reformation. This name was borne by rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and Portugal. Other notable bearers include Polish-British author Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) and the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin (1878-1953).
JOSHUAGender: Masculine
Other Scripts: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Ancient Hebrew)
Pronounced: JAH-shə-wə (English), JAW-shwə (English)
From the Hebrew name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshu'a) meaning "YAHWEH is salvation". Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses, as told in the Old Testament. After Moses died Joshua succeeded him as leader of the Israelites. As an English name, Joshua has been in use since the Protestant Reformation.The name Jesus comes from a Greek translation of the Aramaic short form יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshu'a), which was the real name of Jesus.
JOSIEShort form of JOSEPHINEKADENVariant of CADENKAELEEVariant of KAYLEEKAI (1)Gender: Masculine
Usage: Frisian, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch
Pronounced: KIE (German)
KAI (3)Gender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: Hawaiian
Means "sea" in Hawaiian.KAIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Norwegian
Variant of KAJA (1)KAILAYiddish form of KELILAKAILEEVariant of KAYLEEKAILEYVariant of KAYLEEKAILYNVariant of KAYLYNKAITLINVariant of CAITLINKAITLYNVariant of CAITLINKAITLYNNVariant of CAITLINKALEAGender: Feminine
Usage: Hawaiian
Means "joy, happiness" in Hawaiian.KALEYVariant of KAYLEEKALIEVariant of KAYLEEKALINAMeans "rowan tree" in Bulgarian and Macedonian.KALLIEVariant of CALLIEKALYNVariant of KAYLYNKAMRYNFeminine variant of CAMERONKATARINAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Hungarian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene
Other Scripts: Катарина (Serbian)
Pronounced: kah-tah-REE-nah (German)
KATELYNNVariant of CAITLINKATIAVariant transcription of KATYAKATYAKAYLA (1)Combination of KAY (1) and the popular name suffix la. Use of the name was greatly increased in the 1980s after the character Kayla Brady began appearing on the American soap opera 'Days of Our Lives'.KAYLA (2)Variant transcription of KAILAKAYLEECombination of KAY (1) and the popular name suffix lee.KAYLIEVariant of KAYLEEKAYLINVariant of KAYLYNKAYLYNCombination of KAY (1) and the popular name suffix lyn.KAYLYNNVariant of KAYLYNKEELEYVariant of KEELYKEELYFrom an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Caolaidhe meaning "descendent of Caoladhe". The given name Caoladhe is derived from the Gaelic word caol "slender".KEILAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Possibly a variant of KAYLA (1)KEIRAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of KIRA (2). This spelling was popularized by British actress Keira Knightley (1985-).KELLYAnglicized form of the Irish given name CEALLACH or the surname derived from it Ó Ceallaigh. As a surname, it has been borne by actor and dancer Gene Kelly (1912-1996) and actress and princess Grace Kelly (1929-1982).KELSIEVariant of KELSEYKENNEDYFrom an irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Cinnéidigh meaning "descendent of CENNÉTIG". The name is often given in honour of assassinated American president John F. Kennedy (1917-1963).KEVINGender: Masculine
Usage: English, Irish, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Pronounced: KEV-in (English)
Anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, derived from the older Irish Cóemgein, composed of the Old Irish elements cóem "kind, gentle, handsome" and gein "birth". Saint Caoimhín established a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Dublin. It became popular in the English-speaking world outside of Ireland in the 20th century.KIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Swedish
KIANA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Hawaiian
Hawaiian form of DIANAKIERAAnglicized form of CIARA (1)KIERSTENGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of KIRSTENKILEYVariant of KYLIEKIRIGender: Feminine
Usage: Maori
Means "skin of a tree or fruit" in Maori. This name has been brought to public attention by New Zealand opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa (1944-).KIRSTENDanish and Norwegian form of CHRISTINAKRISTAShort form of KRISTINAKRISTEN (2)Variant of KRISTINKYLAFeminine form of KYLEKYLEEVariant of KYLIEKYRALACHLANGender: Masculine
Usage: Scottish, English (Australian)
Originally a Scottish nickname for a person who was from Norway. In Scotland, Norway was known as the "land of the lochs", or Lochlann.LAELIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Ancient Roman
Feminine form of Laelius, a Roman family name of unknown meaning. This is also the name of a type of flower, an orchid found in Mexico and Central America.LÁILÁGender: Feminine
Usage: Sami
Sami variant form of HELGALAINEYVariant of LANEYLALALANAShort form of ALANA (English) or SVETLANA (Russian). In the English-speaking world, it was popularized by actress Lana Turner (1921-1995).LANDONFrom a surname which was derived from an Old English place name meaning "long hill" (effectively meaning "ridge"). Use of the name may have been inspired in part by the actor Michael Landon (1936-1991).LANEYDiminutive of ELAINELÁRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Icelandic
Icelandic form of LAURALÁRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Icelandic
Icelandic form of LAURALAYLAMeans "night" in Arabic. This was the name of the object of romantic poems written by the 7th-century poet known as Qays. The story of Qays and Layla became a popular romance in medieval Arabia and Persia. The name became used in the English-speaking world after the 1970 release of the song 'Layla' by Derek and the Dominos, the title of which was inspired by the medieval story.LEAGender: Feminine
Usage: German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Slovene, Croatian
Pronounced: LE-ah (German)
Form of LEAHLEAHGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
Other Scripts: לֵאָה (Hebrew)
Pronounced: LEE-ə (English)
From the Hebrew name לֵאָה (Le'ah) which was probably derived from the Hebrew word לְאָה (le'ah) meaning "weary". Alternatively it might derive from a Chaldean name meaning "mistress" or "ruler" in Akkadian. In the Old Testament, Leah is the first wife of Jacob and the mother of seven of his children. Although this name was used by Jews in the Middle Ages, it was not typical as an English Christian name until after the Protestant Reformation, being common among the Puritans.LEELAVariant transcription of LILA (1)LEIA (1)Form of LEAH used in the Greek Old Testament.LEILAGender: Feminine
Other Scripts: ليلى (Arabic)
Pronounced: LAY-lə (English), LEE-lə (English), LIE-lə (English)
Variant of LAYLA. This spelling was used by Lord Byron for characters in 'The Giaour' (1813) and 'Don Juan' (1819), and it is through him that the name was introduced to the English-speaking world.LELAGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Variant of LEILALELANDGender: Masculine
Usage: English
From a surname, originally from an English place name, which meant "fallow land" in Old English. A famous bearer was the politician, businessman and Stanford University founder Leland Stanford (1824-1893).LELIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian
Italian form of LAELIALEYLAVariant of LEILALÍAGalician form of LEAHLÍAGalician form of LEAHLIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Portuguese, English
Short form of ELIANA (1), JULIANA, LILIANA, and other names that end in liana. This is also the word for a type of vine that grows in jungles.LIBBYOriginally a medieval diminutive of Ibb, itself a diminutive of ISABEL. It is also used as a diminutive of ELIZABETH.LIBERTYSimply from the English word liberty, derived from Latin libertas, a derivative of liber "free". Interestingly, since 1880 this name has charted on the American popularity lists in three different periods: in 1918 (at the end of World War I), in 1976 (the American bicentennial), and after 2001 (during the War on Terrorism).LIGEIADerived from Greek λιγυς (ligys) meaning "clear-voiced, shrill, whistling". This was the name of one of the Sirens in Greek legend. It was also used by Edgar Allan Poe in his story 'Ligeia' (1838).LILA (1)Means "play, amusement" in Sanskrit.LILACFrom the name of the shrub with purple or white flowers. It is derived via Arabic from Persian.LILIAVariant transcription of LILIYALILIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Polish, English
Pronounced: lee-LYAH-nah (Italian, Polish), lil-ee-AN-ə (English)
Latinate form of LILLIANLILIBETHGender: Feminine
Usage: English
LILLIALILLIEVariant of LILYLILLYEnglish variant of LILY. It is also used in Scandinavia, as a form of LILY or a diminutive of ELISABETH.LILYFrom the name of the flower, a symbol of purity. The word is ultimately derived from Latin lilium.LILYANABulgarian form of LILLIANLINDAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Estonian, Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Croatian, Ancient Germanic
Other Scripts: Линда (Bulgarian)
Pronounced: LIN-də (English)
Originally a medieval short form of Germanic names containing the element linde meaning "soft, tender". It also coincides with the Spanish word linda meaning "beautiful".LINDSAYFrom an English and Scottish surname which was originally derived from the name of the region Lindsey, which means "LINCOLN island" in Old English. As a given name it was usually masculine until the 1970s, when it became popular for girls, probably due to its similarity to Linda and because of American actress Lindsay Wagner (1949-).LINDSEYVariant of LINDSAYLINDYOriginally this was a masculine name, coming into use in America in 1927 when the dance called the Lindy Hop became popular. The dance was probably named for aviator Charles Lindbergh. Later this name was used as a diminutive of LINDA.LINNÉAFrom the name of a flower, also known as the twinflower. The Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus named it after himself, it being his favourite flower.LYRAGender: Feminine
Usage: Astronomy
The name of the constellation in the northern sky containing the star Vega. It is said to be shaped after the lyre of Orpheus.LYRICMeans simply "lyric, songlike" from the English word, ultimately derived from Greek λυρικος (lyrikos).MACEYVariant of MACYMACIEVariant of MACYMADALYNVariant of MADELINEMADELEINEGender: Feminine
Pronounced: ma-də-LEN (French), mad-LEN (French), MAD-ə-lin (English), MAD-ə-lien (English)
French form of MAGDALENEMADELYNVariant of MADELINEMAEVariant of MAY. A famous bearer was American actress Mae West (1893-1980), whose birth name was Mary.MAEGANVariant of MEGANMAI (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Vietnamese
Means "apricot blossom" in Vietnamese.MAI (2)From Japanese 舞 "dance" or 麻衣 "linen robe". It can also come from 真 (ma) "real, true" combined with 愛 (ai) "love, affection".MAIA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology, Georgian
Other Scripts: Μαια (Ancient Greek), მაია (Georgian)
Pronounced: MAY-ə (English), MIE-ə (English)
Meaning unknown. In Greek and Roman mythology she was the eldest of the Pleiades, the group of seven stars in the constellation Taurus, who were the daughters of Atlas and Pleione. Her son by Zeus was Hermes.MAIA (2)Means "great" in Latin. This was the name of a Roman goddess of spring, the wife of Vulcan. The month of May is named for her.MAIA (3)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Basque
Basque form of MARIAMAIARAGender: Feminine
Usage: Native American, Tupí
Means "wise" in Tupí.MALEAHGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of MALIAMALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Hawaiian
MALINA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Scottish
Feminine form of MALCOLMMALINA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Bulgarian, Serbian, Polish (Rare)
Other Scripts: Малина (Bulgarian, Serbian)
Pronounced: mah-LEE-nah (Polish)
Means "raspberry" in several Slavic languages.MARIAGender: Feminine & Masculine
Usage: Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Occitan, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Frisian, Greek, Polish, Romanian, English, Finnish, Icelandic, Corsican, Basque, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin, Old Church Slavic
Other Scripts: Μαρια (Greek), Маріа (Church Slavic)
Pronounced: mah-REE-ah (Italian, German, Dutch), MAHR-yah (Polish), mə-REE-ə (English)
Latin form of Greek Μαρια, from Hebrew מִרְיָם (see MARY). Maria is the usual form of the name in many European languages, as well as a secondary form in other languages such as English (where the common spelling is Mary). In some countries, for example Germany, Poland and Italy, Maria is occasionally used as a masculine middle name.This was the name of two ruling queens of Portugal. It was also borne by the Habsburg queen Maria Theresa (1717-1780), whose inheritance of the domains of her father, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, began the War of the Austrian Succession.
MARIANAGender: Feminine
Usage: Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Czech, Ancient Roman
Pronounced: mah-RYAH-nah (Spanish)
Roman feminine form of MARIANUS. After the classical era it was frequently interpreted as a combination of MARIA and ANA. In Portuguese it is further used as a form of MARIAMNE.MARIELLAItalian diminutive of MARIAMARLEEGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of MARLEYMARLEYFrom a surname which was taken from a place name meaning "pleasant wood" in Old English. A famous bearer of the surname was the Jamaican musician Bob Marley (1945-1981).MARTINGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, Romanian, Czech, Slovak, Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Finnish
Other Scripts: Мартин (Russian, Bulgarian)
Pronounced: MAHR-tən (English), mar-TEN (French), MAHR-tin (German), MAWR-teen (Hungarian), mahr-TIN (Bulgarian)
From the Roman name Martinus, which was derived from Martis, the genitive case of the name of the Roman god MARS. Saint Martin of Tours was a 4th-century bishop who is the patron saint of France. According to legend, he came across a cold beggar in the middle of winter so he ripped his cloak in two and gave half of it to the beggar. He was a favourite saint during the Middle Ages, and his name has become common throughout the Christian world.An influential bearer of the name was Martin Luther (1483-1546), the theologian who began the Protestant Reformation. The name was also borne by five popes (two of them more commonly known as Marinus). Other more recent bearers include the German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King (1929-1968), and the American filmmaker Martin Scorsese (1942-).
MARYUsual English form of Maria, which was the Latin form of the New Testament Greek names Μαριαμ (Mariam) and Μαρια (Maria) - the spellings are interchangeable - which were from the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam). The meaning is not known for certain, but there are several theories including "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", and "wished for child". However it was most likely originally an Egyptian name, perhaps derived in part from mry "beloved" or mr "love".This is the name of several New Testament characters, most importantly Mary the virgin mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene. Due to the Virgin Mary this name has been very popular in the Christian world, though at certain times in some cultures it has been considered too holy for everyday use. In England it has been used since the 12th century, and it has been among the most common feminine names since the 16th century. The Latinized form Maria is also used in English as well as in several other languages.
This name has been borne by two queens of England, as well as a Queen of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots. Another notable bearer was Mary Shelley (1797-1851), the author of 'Frankenstein'. A famous fictional character by this name was Mary Poppins, from the children's books by P. L. Travers.
MARYANNEGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: mer-ee-AN, mar-ee-AN
Personal note: from Baby Name Expert
MARYBETHMASONFrom an English surname meaning "stoneworker", from an Old French word of Germanic origin (akin to Old English macian "to make").MEADOWFrom the English word meadow, ultimately from Old English mædwe.MEAGANVariant of MEGANMEAGHANVariant of MEGANMEGANWelsh diminutive of MARGARET. In the English-speaking world outside of Wales it has only been regularly used since the middle of the 20th century.MEGHANVariant of MEGANMEI (1)From Chinese 美 "beautiful" or 梅 "plum".MELANIEFrom the French form of the Latin name Melania, derived from Greek μελαινα (melaina) meaning "black, dark". This was the name of a Roman saint who gave all her wealth to charity in the 5th century. Her grandmother was also a saint with the same name.The name was common in France during the Middle Ages, and was it introduced from there to England, though it eventually became rare. Interest in it was revived by the character Melanie Wilkes from the novel 'Gone with the Wind' (1936) and the subsequent movie adaptation (1939).
MELINAElaboration of Mel (either from names such as MELISSA or from Greek μελι meaning "honey"). A famous bearer was Greek-American actress Melina Mercouri (1920-1994), who was born Maria Amalia Mercouris.MELINDACombination of Mel (from names such as MELANIE or MELISSA) with the popular name suffix inda. It was created in the 18th century, and may have been inspired by the similar name Belinda.MELODYFrom the English word melody, which is derived (via Old French and Late Latin) from Greek μελος (melos) "song" combined with αειδω (aeido) "to sing".MIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, German, English
Pronounced: MEE-ah (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, German), MEE-ə (English)
Scandinavian, Dutch and German diminutive of MARIAMICHAELGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: מִיכָאֵל (Ancient Hebrew), Μιχαηλ (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: MIE-kəl (English), MI-khah-el (German)
From the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el) meaning "who is like God?". This is a rhetorical question, implying no person is like God. Michael is one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven's armies, and thus is considered the patron saint of soldiers.The popularity of the saint led to the name being used by nine Byzantine emperors, including Michael VIII Palaeologus who restored the empire in the 13th century. It has been common in Western Europe since the Middle Ages, and in England since the 12th century. It has been borne (in various spellings) by rulers of Russia (spelled Михаил), Romania (Mihai), Poland (Michał), and Portugal (Miguel). Other more modern bearers of this name include the British chemist/physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and basketball player Michael Jordan (1963-).
MICHELLEFrench feminine form of MICHEL. It has been common in the English-speaking world since the middle of the 20th century.MIELAMeans "honey-sweet" in Esperanto.MINDYMISSYMISTYFrom the English word misty, ultimately derived from Old English. The jazz song 'Misty' (1954) by Erroll Garner may have helped popularize the name.MITZIGerman diminutive of MARIAMOLLYDiminutive of MARY. It developed from Malle and Molle, other medieval diminutives. James Joyce used this name in his novel 'Ulysses' (1920), where it belongs to Molly Bloom, the wife of the main character.NATALEEVariant of NATALIENATALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Polish, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Late Roman
Pronounced: nah-TAH-lyah (Polish, Italian, Spanish)
Polish, Italian, Spanish and Romanian form of NATALIENATALIEGender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, German
Pronounced: nat-a-LEE (French), NAD-ə-lee (English), NAH-tah-lee (German)
From the Late Latin name Natalia, which meant "Christmas Day" from Latin natale domini. This was the name of the wife of the 4th-century martyr Saint Adrian of Nicomedia. She is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, and the name has traditionally been more common among Eastern Christians than those in the West. It was popularized in America by actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981), who was born to Russian immigrants.NATALYARussian form of NATALIENAYELIGender: Feminine
Usage: Native American, Zapotec
Means "I love you" in the Zapotec language.NEHAMeans "loving" in Sanskrit.NELLIEDiminutive of NELLNELLYDiminutive of NELLNEVAEHThe word heaven spelled backwards. It became popular after the musician Sonny Sandoval from the rock group P.O.D. gave it to his daughter in 2000.NIA (1)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh
Welsh form of NIAMHNIA (2)Gender: Feminine
Usage: Eastern African, Swahili
Means "purpose" in Swahili.NIAMHMeans "bright" in Irish. She was the daughter of the sea god in Irish legends. She fell in love with the poet Oisín, son of Fionn.NICOLEGender: Feminine
Usage: French, English, Dutch, German, Czech
Pronounced: nee-KOL (French), ni-KOL (English)
French feminine form of NICHOLAS, commonly used in the English-speaking world since the middle of the 20th century.NOELLEEnglish form of NOËLLEPATRICKGender: Masculine
Usage: Irish, English, French, German
Pronounced: PAT-rik (English), pat-REEK (French), PAHT-rik (German)
From the Latin name Patricius, which meant "nobleman". This name was adopted in the 5th-century by Saint Patrick, whose birth name was Sucat. He was a Romanized Briton who was captured and enslaved in his youth by Irish raiders. After six years of servitude he escaped home, but he eventually became a bishop and went back to Ireland as a missionary. He is traditionally credited with Christianizing the island, and is regarded as Ireland's patron saint.In England and elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages this name was used in honour of the saint. However, it was not generally given in Ireland before the 17th century because it was considered too sacred for everyday use. It has since become very common there.
PAYTONVariant of PEYTONPERSEPHONEGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology
Other Scripts: Περσεφονη (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: pər-SEF-ə-nee (English)
Meaning unknown, perhaps related to Greek περθω (pertho) "to destroy" and φονη (phone) "murder". In Greek myth she was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus. She was abducted to the underworld by Hades, but was eventually allowed to return to the surface for part of the year. The result of her comings and goings is the changing of the seasons.PETERGender: Masculine
Usage: English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Slovene, Slovak, Biblical
Pronounced: PEE-tər (English), PE-ter (German, Slovak), PAY-tər (Dutch)
Derived from the Greek Πετρος (Petros) meaning "stone". This is a translation used in most versions of the New Testament of the name Cephas, meaning "stone" in Aramaic, which was given to the apostle Simon by Jesus (compare Matthew 16:18 and John 1:42). Simon Peter was the most prominent of the apostles during Jesus' ministry and is often considered the first pope.Due to the renown of the apostle, this name became common throughout the Christian world (in various spellings). In England the Normans introduced it in the Old French form Piers, which was gradually replaced by the spelling Peter starting in the 15th century.
Besides the apostle, other saints by this name include the 11th-century reformer Saint Peter Damian and the 13th-century preacher Saint Peter Martyr. It was also borne by rulers of Aragon, Portugal, and Russia, including the Russian tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725), who defeated Sweden in the Great Northern War. Famous fictional bearers include Peter Rabbit from Beatrix Potter's children's books, and Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up in J. M. Barrie's 1904 play.
PEYTONFrom an English surname, originally a place name meaning "PÆGA's town". A famous bearer was Peyton Randolph (1721-1775), the first president of the Continental Congress.PHYLLISGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology, English, German
Other Scripts: Φυλλις (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: FIL-is (English)
Means "foliage" in Greek. In Greek mythology this was the name of a woman who killed herself out of love for Demophon and was subsequently transformed into an almond tree. It began to be used as a given name in England in the 16th century, though it was often confused with Felicia.POPPYFrom the word for the red flower, derived from Old English popæg.PRIYAMeans "beloved" in Sanskrit. In Hindu legend this is the name of a daughter of King Daksha.REESEGender: Masculine
Usage: Welsh
Anglicized form of RHYSRICHARDGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Czech, Dutch, Ancient Germanic
Pronounced: RICH-ərd (English), ree-SHAHR (French), RIKH-ahrt (German)
Means "brave power", derived from the Germanic elements ric "power, rule" and hard "brave, hardy". The Normans introduced this name to Britain, and it has been very common there since that time. It was borne by three kings of England including Richard I the Lionheart, leader of the Third Crusade in the 12th century. Famous bearers include two German opera composers, Richard Wagner (1813-1883) and Richard Strauss (1864-1949), as well as British explorer Sir Richard Burton (1821-1890) and American musician Little Richard (1920-).RILEYFrom a surname which comes from two distinct sources. As an Irish surname it is a variant of REILLY. As an English surname it is derived from a place name meaning "rye clearing" in Old English.RIVERFrom the English word that denotes a flowing body of water. The word is ultimately derived (via Old French) from Latin ripa "riverbank".ROSALIALate Latin name derived from rosa "rose". This was the name of a 12th-century Sicilian saint.ROSEOriginally a Norman form of a Germanic name, which was composed of the elements hrod "fame" and heid "kind, sort, type". The Normans introduced it to England in the forms Roese and Rohese. From an early date it was associated with the word for the fragrant flower rose (derived from Latin rosa). When the name was revived in the 19th century, it was probably with the flower in mind.ROSIEDiminutive of ROSERYLEEFeminine variant of RILEYSAVANNAVariant of SAVANNAHSAVANNAHFrom the English word for the large grassy plain, ultimately deriving from the Taino (Native American) word zabana. It came into use as a given name in America in the 19th century. It was revived in the 1980s by the movie 'Savannah Smiles' (1982).SCARLETTFrom a surname which denoted a person who sold or made clothes made of scarlet (a kind of cloth, ultimately derived from Persian سقرلاط (sakhrilat)). Margaret Mitchell used this name for Scarlett O'Hara, the main character in her novel 'Gone with the Wind' (1936). Scarlett's name came from her grandmother's maiden name.SERENITYFrom the English word meaning "serenity, tranquility", ultimately from Latin serenus meaning "clear, calm".SHANIAIn the case of singer Shania Twain (1965-), it is based on an Ojibwa phrase meaning "she's on her way".SHAYLASHAYNAMeans "beautiful" in Yiddish.SHYLAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of SHEILASIENNAFrom the English word meaning "orange-red". It is ultimately from the name of the city of Siena in Italy, because of the colour of the clay there.SKYSimply from the English word sky, which was ultimately derived from Old Norse sky "cloud".SKYEFrom the name of the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. It is sometimes considered a variant of SKY.SKYLARVariant of SKYLERSKYLERVariant of SCHUYLER. The spelling was modified due to association with the name Tyler and the English word sky.STACEYVariant of STACYSTARFrom the English word for the celestial body, ultimately from Old English steorra.STARLAElaborated form of STARSTEPHANIEFeminine form of STEPHENSULLIVANFrom an Irish surname which was derived from Ó Súilleabháin meaning "descendent of Súilleabhán". The name Súilleabhán means "little dark eye" in Irish.SUMMERFrom the name of the season, ultimately from Old English sumor. It has been in use as a given name since the 1970s.SUNITAMeans "well conducted, polite", derived from the Sanskrit prefix सु (su) "good" combined with नीत (nita) "conducted". In Hindu legend this is the name of the daughter of King Anga of Bengal.SUNITHAMeans "good guidance, righteous" from the Sanskrit prefix सु (su) "good" combined with नीथ (nitha) "way, mode".SUNITIMeans "good conduct" from the Sanskrit prefix सु (su) "good" combined with नीति (niti) "conduct, guidance".TABEAGerman short form of TABITHATABITHAGender: Feminine
Usage: English, Biblical, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: Ταβιθα (Ancient Greek)
Pronounced: TAB-i-thə (English)
Means "gazelle" in Aramaic. Tabitha in the New Testament was a woman restored to life by Saint Peter. Her name is translated into Greek as Dorcas (see Acts 9:36). As an English name, Tabitha became common after the Protestant Reformation. It was popularized in the 1960s by the television show 'Bewitched', in which Tabitha (sometimes spelled Tabatha) is the daughter of the main character.TAHLIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Hebrew
Variant of TALYATAHNEEVariant of TAWNYTALIAVariant transcription of TALYATALYAMeans "dew from God" in Hebrew.TAMARAGender: Feminine
Usage: Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian
Other Scripts: Тамара (Russian, Serbian, Macedonian)
Pronounced: tah-MAH-rah (Russian, Spanish, Italian), tə-MAHR-ə (English)
Russian form of TAMAR. Russian performers such as Tamara Karsavina (1885-1978), Tamara Drasin (1905-1943), Tamara Geva (1907-1997) and Tamara Toumanova (1919-1996) introduced it to the English-speaking world. It was also borne by the Polish cubist painter Tamara de Lempicka (1898-1980). This name also coincides with a Sanskrit word meaning "spice".TAMERAGender: Feminine
Usage: English
Variant of TAMARATAMIAGender: Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
Elaborated form of the popular name syllable Tam, from names such as TAMARA or TAMIKA. It was popularized by Canadian singer Tamia Hill (1975-), who is known simply as Tamia.TARYNProbably a feminine form of TYRONE. Actors Tyrone Power and Linda Christian created it for their daughter Taryn Power (1953-).TAWNYFrom the English word, ultimately deriving from Old French tané, which means "light brown".TAYLATAYLERVariant of TAYLORTEAGANGender: Masculine & Feminine
Usage: English (Modern)
From an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Tadhgáin meaning "descendent of Tadhgán". The given name Tadhgán is a diminutive of TADHG.TEGANGender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh
Derived from Welsh teg "fair".TEMPERANCEFrom the English word meaning "moderation" or "restraint". This was one of the virtue names adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century.THALIAGender: Feminine
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Other Scripts: Θαλεια (Ancient Greek)
Personal note: from Baby Name Expert
From the Greek Θαλεια (Thaleia), derived from θαλλω (thallo) meaning "to blossom". In Greek mythology she was one of the nine Muses, the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry. This was also the name of one of the three Graces or Χαριτες (Charites).THOMASGender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek
Other Scripts: Θωμας (Greek)
Pronounced: TAHM-əs (English), TOM-əs (English), to-MAH (French), TO-mahs (German, Dutch), tho-MAHS (Greek)
Greek form of the Aramaic name תָּאוֹמָא (Ta'oma') which meant "twin". In the New Testament this is the name of the apostle who initially doubted the resurrected Jesus. According to tradition he was martyred in India. Due to his renown, the name came into general use in the Christian world.In England the name was introduced by the Normans and became very popular due to Saint Thomas Becket, a 12th-century archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. Another notable saint by this name was the 13th-century Italian philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, who is regarded as a Doctor of the Church. Other famous bearers include philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), American president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), novelist Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), and inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931).
TIANAShort form of TATIANA or CHRISTIANATIANNAVariant of TIANATIARAFrom the English word for a semicircle crown, ultimately of Greek origin.TIFFANYMedieval form of THEOPHANIA. This name was traditionally given to girls born on the Epiphany (January 6), the festival commemorating the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. The name died out after the Middle Ages, but it was revived by the movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961), the title of which refers to the Tiffany's jewelry store in New York.TIGERFrom the name of the large striped cat, derived (via Old French and Latin) from Greek τιγρις (tigris), ultimately of Iranian origin. A famous bearer is American golfer Tiger Woods (1975-).TILLYTYRAFrom the Old Norse name Þýri, which was derived from the name of the Norse god Þórr (see THOR) combined with an unknown second element, possibly víg "war".VIOLETFrom the English word violet for the purple flower, ultimately derived from Latin viola. It was common in Scotland from the 16th century, and it came into general use as an English given name during the 19th century.WENDYIn the case of the character from J. M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan' (1904), it was created from the nickname fwendy "friend", given to the author by a young friend. However, the name was used prior to the play (rarely), in which case it could be related to the Welsh name GWENDOLEN and other names beginning with the element gwen meaning "white, fair, blessed".WILLIAMFrom the Germanic name Willahelm, which was composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection". Saint William of Gellone was an 8th-century cousin of Charlemagne who became a monk. The name was common among the Normans, and it became extremely popular in England after William the Conqueror was recognized as the first Norman king of England. It was later borne by three other English kings, as well as rulers of Scotland, Sicily (of Norman origin), the Netherlands and Prussia.Other famous bearers include William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish hero, and William Tell, a legendary 14th-century Swiss hero. In the literary world it was borne by dramatist William Shakespeare (1564-1616), poet William Blake (1757-1827), poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), author William Faulkner (1897-1962), and author William S. Burroughs (1914-1997).
WINIFREDAnglicized form of GWENFREWI, the spelling altered by association with WINFRED. It became used in England in the 16th century.WINTERFrom the English word for the season, derived from Old English winter.WRENFrom the English word for the small songbird. It is ultimately derived from Old English wrenna.ZAHRA