Names That Mean Work
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About this list
The names
Amelia
German
"work"
Amelia is one of the hottest girls' names , a successor to the megapopular Emma and Emily. Amelia, the Number 2 choice in England, is now also comfortably ensconced in the US Top 10, where it ranked…
Millie
English diminutive of Mildred or Millicent
"gentle strength; strong in work"
Millie is back. It's a popular name throughout much of the English-speaking world, and broke the US Top 100 in 2024. Millicent would be an appealing long form, but many people are using Millie all by…
Emiliano
Italian and Spanish variation of Emil
"rival"
Emiliano is an appealing Latinate version of Emil, with the same gentle sounds but additional flair. Popular in Chile and Mexico, where it ranks in the Top 20, Emiliano is also a rising name in the…
Amalia
German
"work"
Originally popularized in eighteenth century Europe due to the fame of Anna Amalia, a Duchess who was a great patron of the arts, Amalia is now a widely cross-cultural name, heard from Italy to…
Amalie
Danish, Norwegian, and German form of Amalia or Amelia
"work"
Popular in Norway and Denmark, but familiar across Europe, Amalie can be pronounced as a-MAHL-yah, much like sister Amalia. A variation of Amelia, it shares the same Germanic element, amal meaning…
Amelie
French variation of Amelia
"work"
Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie ; it entered…
Sanaa
Swahili; Arabic
"work of art; shining light"
Simple-yet-unusual name with a creative meaning. Actress Sanaa Lathan promoted it, and it was on the U.S. popularity list from 2003 to 2011. Shaquille O'Neal used it as the middle name of his…
Emmeline
Old French form of archaic German Amal
"work"
Emmeline is an Emma relative and Emily cousin that is destined for greater use in the wake of the megapopularity of those two names. A recommended Nameberry fave, Emmeline hopped onto the US Top 1000…
Emeline
French form of German Amelina
"work"
An old name, with a history separate from Emily and Emma and a different kind of vintage feel, that's a possible alternative to top-of-the-pops names. More common spelling is Emmeline.
Millicent
German
"strong in work"
Combining the mild and the innocent, this sweet and feminine name is worthy of a comeback, in the mode of Madeline and Cecilia. Its original, also attractive form is Melisende, which came from…
Melisande
French form of Millicent, German
"strong in work"
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized…
Amarli
African, Swahili; Hebrew
"occupation, activity; my work"
This multi-cultural name has a pleasant, delicate sound. Variations include Amali and Amalya,both of which mean industrious.
Shilpa
Hindi name with Sanskrit roots meaning "ornament, work of art"
"ornament, work of art"
A popular name in India, several famous Indian women carry this sweet sounding name.
Emmelina
Variation of Emmeline, Old French form of archaic German Amal
"work"
Emmelina, which can rhyme with "keener" or "liner", is a frillier and much less common version of Emmeline. While Emmeline was in the US Top 1000 girl names in 2022, Emmelina was given to fewer than…
Sabbath
English word name
"a day of religious observance and abstinence from work"
Sabbath is a faith-inspired word name, like Sunday or Faith, that is attracting some notice since heavy metal musician Zakk Wylde chose it for his son. But then there's the band Black Sabbath, which…
Idabel
English, Spanish
"work + oath"
A rare vintage compound name formed from Ida plus Isabel, historically found mostly in Spanish speaking communities.
Emblyn
Cornish and Medieval English variation of Emmeline, French
"work"
The Cornish version of Emmeline holds many charms.
Idelette
French
"work"
A quaint French diminutive of Ida, borne by Idelette Calvin, wife of the French theologian and reformer John Calvin.
Amélia
French and Germanic
"work"
French spelling of Amelia, which is more popular than traditional Amélie in France.
Amelija
Lithuanian form of Amelia, German
"work"
The top girl name in Lithuania in 2020. Alternate spelling Emilija came in at Number 3.
