Names That Mean Hope

  1. Zaya
    • Origin:

      Variation of Zayah, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "honest; hope"
    • Description:

      Zaya, which rhymes with Maya, came to attention as the name of basketball great Dwyane Wade's older daughter, the stepdaughter of actress Gabrielle Union. Zaya is a form of Zayah, for which there are various origins and meanings noted online, from Native American to Hebrew to Aboriginal, but we think the Arabic is most reliable.
  2. Nadia
    • Origin:

      Russian, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "hope; tender, delicate"
    • Description:

      Nadia, an accessible Slavic favorite, has a strong run of popularity in the US in the early 2000s, partially thanks to the character on Lost called Nadia but actually named Noor, but it's since slumped down the rankings. An earlier inspiration was Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who won the 1976 Olympics.
  3. Nadine
    • Origin:

      French variation of Nadia, Russian
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.
  4. Armin
    • Origin:

      Form of Herman or Armen
    • Meaning:

      "soldier or wish, hope"
    • Description:

      Possibly related to the Ermin- names (which gave us Emma and her variants) or to Herman OR to the Persian/Kazakh/Armenian names Arman or Armen, this is an unusual choice which fits current trends.
  5. Von
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      One of those midcentury shortenings that are starting to sound cool again, though we prefer Van.
  6. Kiko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "hope child"
    • Description:

      As a feminine name, Kiko is Japanese in origin. One possible meaning is "hope child," but different kanji combinations will yield alternate meanings.
  7. Arman
    • Origin:

      Form of Herman or Armen
    • Meaning:

      "soldier or wish, hope"
    • Description:

      Feels as strong and international as Roman, with none of the popularity. Arman might be a form of the German Herman or of the Persian/Kazakh/Armenian Armen or Arman, meaning wish or hope.
  8. Zayah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "honest; hope and faith"
    • Description:

      Zayah is more famous in the US in its Zaya spelling, thanks to the elder daughter of basketball great Dwyane Wade. Either way you spell it, Zayah is a name that's both unique and simple, a great combination.
  9. Nadezhda
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Nadezhda is more familiar in the English-speaking world by its short forms, Nadia or Nadya. Well-used through the Slavic countries and Russia, Nadezhda was the name of Lenin's wife. Viewers of The Americans learned that this was the original Russian name of the spy known as Elizabeth Jennings, played by Keri Russell.
  10. Kazuki
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "hope of peace"
    • Description:

      Kazuki is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazumi
  11. Dovile
    • Origin:

      Lithuanian
    • Meaning:

      "girl who gives hope"
    • Description:

      A beautiful Lithuanian name with an ever-so-lovely and inspiring meaning.
  12. Toivo
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      This name was on the U.S. Top 1000 in the early 20th century, when recent immigrants frequently chose native names that have since died out for American babies. But if you're of Finnish ancestry, you may want to consider reviving this one with a positive meaning.
  13. Tikvah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.
  14. Nadya
    • Origin:

      Slavic and Russian
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own.
  15. Taraji
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      This name gained widespread attention via the actress Taraji P. Henson, who was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A variant is Taraja.
  16. Karou
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      Karou is the blue-haired, tattooed protagonist of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy; her name means "hope" in the language of the chimaera who raised her. Reminiscent of sweet European diminutives like Lilou, Malou and Milou, but with a bit more bite.
  17. Elpis
    • Origin:

      Ancient Greek
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      A positive name from mythology, given to the hope left in Pandora's box.
  18. Suyana
    • Origin:

      Quechua
    • Meaning:

      "hope"
    • Description:

      This Quechua name would fit in perfectly with names like Eliana and Liliana, but feels much more distinctive.
  19. Hila
    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Pashto
    • Meaning:

      "halo; hope"
    • Description:

      Hila is a name that has grown in popularity in recent years, placing it firmly within Israel's Top 20 for girls. It is sometimes written as Hilla or Hilah. In Pashto, it means "hope" and is also spelled Heela.
  20. Spero
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "I hope"
    • Description:

      Spero has a cool sound and a wonderful positive meaning.