Patriotic Baby Names

  1. Atlanta
    • Origin:

      Place name
    • Meaning:

      "Atlantic Ocean"
    • Description:

      The capital of Georgia is far from the ocean, but got its name from the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran through the city. Best known as a hub of industry and transport, and for its roles in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, it has never been popular as a baby name despite sounding like one. Its peak popularity was in 1995, the year before Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.

  2. Charleston
    • Description:

      Charleston is one of those baby names that may become more popular thanks to its nickname Charlie, now used about equally for boys and girls. If you want to call your daughter Charlie but believe she needs a more formal name, you might try Charleston instead of Charlotte. And Charleston is a lovely city in South Carolina.
  3. North
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
  4. Jersey
    • Origin:

      English place name
    • Meaning:

      "Geirr's island"
    • Description:

      The New Jersey cities of Camden and Trenton are in, but the name of the state has not caught on to anywhere near the same extent. The origin of the name of the British island of Jersey is not certain, but it may derive from the Norse name Geirr.
  5. Army
    • Origin:

      Word name or variation of Armie, English from French
    • Meaning:

      "military land force; soldier"
    • Description:

      A patriotic spin on Armie, with roughly the same meaning whether you consider it a variation or a totally separate word name.
  6. Washington
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "home of the Wassa people"
    • Description:

      Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
  7. Eagle
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Meaning:

      "eagle, a bird"
    • Description:

      Solemn but soaring name with patriotic symbolism.
  8. Ranier
    • Free
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Meaning:

        "free"
      • Description:

        A sixties-style name that might work best as a middle.
    • Prosperity
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        Forget Patience and Charity: Here's a Colonial name (and sentiment) that seems perfect for modern times.
    • Bell
      • Origin:

        English and Scottish occupational name
      • Meaning:

        "ringer of the bell"
      • Description:

        Simplicity and pleasant associations give the word Bell real possibility as a first name -- but somehow it seems better for a girl, a la Belle.
    • Diversity
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        As a name, a bit too p. c.
    • Hoover
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "owner of a patch of farmland"
      • Description:

        A huve is 40 acres of land, so the occupational name Hoover refers to the farmer who owned and worked it. Hoover also relates to the rock band, the vacuum cleaner, the dam, and former FBI head J. Edgar.
    • Bravery
      • Origin:

        Virtue name
      • Description:

        This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.
    • Democracy
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "democracy, of the people"
      • Description:

        A big, bold, ultra-rare virtue name. Could it follow in the footsteps of Justice and Liberty?
    • Arlington
      • Origin:

        English habitational surname, place name
      • Description:

        Arley is a fast-rising surname-name for girls, and Arlington isn't far behind.
    • Brave
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "showing courage"
      • Description:

        A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name.
    • Yancy
      • Origin:

        American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native American
      • Meaning:

        "son of Jan; yankee"
      • Description:

        Yancy has two separate American origins — first as the Native American term for "Yankee," and second as the Americanized variation of the common Dutch surname Jansen. Jan being the Dutch form of John, Yancy could work to honor anyone in your life with a John-related name.
    • Victory
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "victory"
      • Description:

        A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor.
    • President
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        Exalted names like King, Royalty, and Messiah are all the rage—President seems like the next logical step.