Names That Mean Hope
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- Zaya
Origin:
Variation of Zayah, ArabicMeaning:
"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.
- Nadia
Origin:
Russian, ArabicMeaning:
"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.
- Nadine
Origin:
French variation of Nadia, RussianMeaning:
"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Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.
- Armin
Origin:
Form of Herman or ArmenMeaning:
"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.
- Von
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"hope"Description:
One of those midcentury shortenings that are starting to sound cool again, though we prefer Van.
- Kiko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"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.
- Arman
Origin:
Form of Herman or ArmenMeaning:
"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.
- Zayah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"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.
- Nadezhda
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"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.
- Kazuki
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"hope of peace"Description:
Kazuki is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazumi
- Dovile
Origin:
LithuanianMeaning:
"girl who gives hope"Description:
A beautiful Lithuanian name with an ever-so-lovely and inspiring meaning.
- Toivo
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"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.
- Tikvah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"hope"Description:
Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.
- Nadya
Origin:
Slavic and RussianMeaning:
"hope"Description:
Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own.
- Taraji
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"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.
- Karou
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"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.
- Elpis
Origin:
Ancient GreekMeaning:
"hope"Description:
A positive name from mythology, given to the hope left in Pandora's box.
- Suyana
Origin:
QuechuaMeaning:
"hope"Description:
This Quechua name would fit in perfectly with names like Eliana and Liliana, but feels much more distinctive.
- Hila
Origin:
Hebrew or PashtoMeaning:
"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.
- Spero
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"I hope"Description:
Spero has a cool sound and a wonderful positive meaning.