Names That Mean Child
Across 5 pages
of 5
The names
Evelyn
English from French and German
"desired; or water, island"
After decades of disuse, soft and feminine Evelyn has returned to the baby name stage in a huge way. It reached the Top 10 for the first time in 2017. Evelyn has now surpassed its former heights,…
Maria
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
As a highly popular girls' name in all Spanish-speaking countries, this saintly Latin variation of Mary retains a timeless beauty. Through the centuries, Maria remains one of the most widely-used…
Miriam
Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
The oldest-known form of Mary, serious and solemn Miriam has been a particular favorite of observant Jewish parents. But we can see it extending beyond that sphere into the next wave of Old Testament…
Khadija
Arabic
"premature child"
The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside…
Keiko
Japanese
"happy child"
Japanese classic with optimistic meaning.
Machiko
Japanese
"fortunate child"
What parent wouldn't love this meaning?
Aiko
Japanese
"beloved child"
Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.
Masako
Japanese
"proper child"
Brought into prominence as the name of the Crown Princess of Japan
Reiko
Japanese
"pretty child"
Dainty and doll-like.
Tamako
Japanese
"jewel child"
Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.
Dion
Diminutive of Dionysius, Greek
"child of heaven and earth; of Zeus"
A variation of Greek Dionysius, itself derived from the name of the god of wine, revelry, and dance, Dion gives a nod to mythology while also having historical ties to a student of Plato, to a Greek…
Donnan
Irish
"small brown-haired child"
This Irish saint's name makes an attractive alternative for Dylan or Donald.
Fairbairn
Scottish
"fair-haired child"
For towheads with ties to Scotland -- in theory, anyway.
Fairchild
English
"fair-haired child"
Only if it's a family name, and even then, better in the middle.
Naoko
Japanese
"obedient child"
Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child. Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.
Lundy
Scottish
"grove near the island, place by the marsh"
A lively and engaging Scottish surname with an outdoorsy feel, Lundy (almost) coincides with the French word for Monday.
Haruki
Japanese
"spring tree"
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, well known in the U. S. , might inspire some namesakes. Haruki is a popular Japanese name meaning spring tree or bright tree, a lovely nature meaning combined with…
Niño
Spanish
"young child"
Too childlike, in addition to the objectionable association with the el niño phenomenon.
Rai
Japanese
"next child"
Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.
Hanako
Japanese
"flower child"
Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who…