Names That Mean Messenger

  1. Malachi
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my messenger"
    • Description:

      An Old Testament name with a Gaelic lilt, Malachi entered the list in 1987.
  2. Ryder
    • Origin:

      British surname
    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger"
    • Description:

      Ryder, one of the current favorite er-ending boys’ names, has been in the spotlight since Kate Hudson and her rocker husband Chris Robinson chose it for their son in 2004. Very popular in several provinces of Canada, Ryder was chosen by John Leguzamo for his son and adorns Boy Meets World star Ryder Strong.
  3. Rye
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ryder,; word name; British surname
    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger"
    • Description:

      Rye has the potential to become the masculine version of Rue—a short and sweet name for nature lovers (and whiskey fans too!). Rye might be short for Ryder or Riley or Rylan or any Ry-beginning name, but increasingly it stands on its own.
  4. Malachy
    • Origin:

      Irish version of Malachi, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "second"
    • Description:

      This spelling, which came to the attention of readers of the best-selling Angela's Ashes as the name of author Frank McCourt's father and brother, the latter of whom wrote a bestseller of his own, lends the biblical name a more expansive, almost boisterous image. Malachy is one of the Irish baby names that manages to strike the golden mean between familiarity and distinctiveness.

  5. Angelo
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "angel, messenger"
    • Description:

      Old-school Italian name that could find new fans thanks to singer Adele, who chose it for her son after months of baby name mystery. Angelo is in the same name category as Rocco, the name of Madonna's son, and may get a fresh coat of cool.
  6. Hermes
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
    • Description:

      These days, some may think of Hermes as an upscale brand name like Chanel and Porsche, or a strange choice thanks to the parcel delivery company. However, with names from Greek mythology very much in style, it is possible there will be plenty who link it to the Green messenger god.
  7. Mercury
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "Roman messenger god"
    • Description:

      Adventurous parents are starting to look back to names of ancient gods like Mercury, Zeus, and Apollo. This one is also a planet and a metallic element, and has a friendly nickname, Merc. The Roman god Mercury, which derives from the Latin words for trade or wages, is the patron of tradesmen and travelers and the fastest-moving planet in the solar system. Mercury is the planet associated with the sign of Virgo, so this is one of the prime names for Virgo babies.
  8. Malakai
    • Origin:

      Fijian and Tongan form of Malachi
    • Description:

      Malakai puts a South Sea Island spin on the Biblical Malachi, which may be just what It needs to fit in with contemporary trends.
  9. Nesta
    • Origin:

      Jamaican
    • Meaning:

      "messenger"
    • Description:

      Gwen Stefani put this possibility on the map for boys when she and Gavin Rossdale welcomed Zuma Nesta Rock in 2008.
  10. Arella
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "messenger from God, angel"
    • Description:

      Bell-like and original.
  11. Ryder
    • Origin:

      English Surname
    • Meaning:

      "post messenger or cavalryman"
    • Description:

      Some parents are choosing this popular boys name for their daughters (in the US there were well over 100 female Ryders born last year). Is it the connection to Winona that makes this feel somewhat more feminine than some other boys’ names?
  12. Malaki
    • Origin:

      Variation of Malachi, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my messenger"
    • Description:

      Malachi is one of the surprise Biblical hits of recent years, in the US Top 200, and now spelling variation Malaki is in the Top 1000 too. Both names are pronounced with a long final i, as in "eye," but the Irish variation Malachy is MAL-ah-kee, which Malaki might mimic instead.
  13. Mercury
    • Origin:

      Roman
    • Meaning:

      "messenger of the gods, quicksilver"
    • Description:

      It's a car brand, a planet, and the messenger of the gods -- but it's questionable whether it works as a little girl's name.
  14. Hermia
    • Origin:

      Greek, female form of Hermes
    • Meaning:

      "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
    • Description:

      Though we've gotten used to Hermione via Harry Potter, and even Hermes with its godlike and fashion associations, most people would still have a problem with Hermia (too close to hernia?) and Herman.
  15. Nunzia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "messenger"
    • Description:

      A vivacious Italian name; also a diminutive of Annunziata.
  16. Rye
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Riley; word name; British surname
    • Meaning:

      "cavalryman, messenger"
    • Description:

      Sweet short form of Riley. Nature lovers and whiskey fans alike can appreciate the androgynous simplicity of Rye.
  17. Manaia
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "embellishment; spiritual messenger"
    • Description:

      The Manaia is a mythological creature in Māori culture, a common motif in Māori art. Usually depicted as having the head of a bird, the tail of a fish and the body of a man, the Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil.
  18. Safir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "ambassador, messenger"
    • Description:

      Also spelled Safeer or Saphir, this rare Arabic name connotes power and beauty.
  19. Molochai
    • Origin:

      Variation of Malachi, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my messenger"
    • Description:

      A creative take on Malachi used in the 2000 horror movie Lost Souls.
  20. Manaia
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "embellishment; spiritual messenger"
    • Description:

      Manaia is one of the most popular gender-neutral names in New Zealand, on that country's Maori Top 10 for boys but used nearly equally for girls.