Names That Mean Will

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

Unusual name with stylish, silky feel.

This strong and commanding Russian name is pronounced ah-KEEM.

Maori form of Joseph

Coined by Shakespeare for the main antagonist in his comedy Twelfth Night, the unfortunate Malvolio’s name literally means "ill will".

Unfortunately, everyone will just hear Jared.

The biblical husband of the queen of Sheba; an unusual name with an interesting sound, rhyming with lanai.

Made most familiar in English-speaking countries by prize-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda has a wonderful meaning and can be shortened to Chima or the spunky Chi. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 1000 for the first time, and has been climbing ever since. A recent year saw it rank in at #547, when it was given to 70 girls.

Promise is one of those word names with an uplifting meaning that is making inroads as a girls' name, like sisters Dream and Serenity. How promising is Promise as a first name? Our try at cleverness illustrates perhaps the biggest problem with naming your baby girl Promise: It will be difficult for people to resist making bad puns on the name. We promise (argh) you'll be tired of hearing them well before your baby Promise's first birthday.

Croatian short form of Josip, ultimately deriving from the Hebrew Joseph.

This is the name of several people in the Old Testament, including one of King David's lute players. Also spelled Yechiel or Jehiel.

The Social Security Lists show Willodean and all its variant spellings to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

Itta is a cute old-fashioned name that arose parallelly as a nickname for Yehudit, used among Ashkenazi Jews, and a variation of Ita, an Irish name.

Names with the del element, such as Adeline, Adelaide, Adele, and Della, are currently en vogue, but old-fashioned Odella didn't get the memo.

Esmael is an uncommon name with deep cultural roots.

This rare name is possibly a Romani version of William, or may derive from Old English elements meaning "wife" or "woman" and "land".

Most modern parents outside Israel would prefer Aaron.

Croatian short form of Josip (Joseph) properly spelled Joško. This would make a fun alternative nickname for Joseph or even Joshua outside Croatia, too.

One of many Hebrew Y names kept alive in Israel and in American religious communities.