Names That Mean Hope

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.

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.

Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.

One of those midcentury shortenings that are starting to sound cool again, though we prefer Van.

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.

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.

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

Common botanical choice in Japan.

Themba is a common male name in southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini.

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

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.

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 or Estonian ancestry, you may want to consider reviving this one with a positive meaning.

Raja is a widely-used Arabic or Sanskrit name that works for girls as well as boys. Five baby girls were named Raja and seven given the Rajah spelling in the US last year, where for boys the popularity of the spellings was reversed: 18 Raja to ten Rajah.

The Modern Greek form of Elpis. A lovely meaning with a sound reminiscent of vintage names like Elmira and Elvira, this name could nod to Greek heritage... or simply to hope.

In Japanese, Nozomi is typically written with the kanji for "wish" or "hope."

A positive name from mythology, given to the hope left in Pandora's box.

Less clunky than Imelda, and with a wonderful meaning.

Appreciated by religious Jews for its connection to "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem.

The 19th-century Irish poet Jane Wilde (mother of Oscar Wilde) adopted Speranza as her nom de plume. The name also appears in Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, as one of the three virtues: Fidelia (Faith), Speranza (Hope), and Charissa (Charity) — daughters of Caelia (Heavenly). Related to Esperance (French) and Esperanza (Spanish).

The raja sequence of sounds gives it a regal feel.