Names That Mean Spirit

This Celtic goddess and Arthurian name may sound terminally old-ladyish to many ears--but so did names like Ella and Etta not so long ago. So Enid is yet another forgotten four-letter E-possibility: she's has been M.I.A since 1954.

A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul is a warm yet mystical choice with links to spirituality, feelings, and music. While it is a bold word name, its similarity to Sol and Sal grounds it slightly.

A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul feels spiritual, musical, and strong. Similar in sound to Sol, Sully, Solomon, Saul, and Cole, it is a distinctive choice that doesn't feel over the top when said aloud. Given to 61 boys (and 47 girls) in a recent year, it is a rising choice in the US.

A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots combined with its simple, upbeat, modern feel, ala Peri and Rory.

A truly international name with an arty feel, Zina has many origins. It is used as a short form of Zinaida, Rozina, and Zenobia in Russia, Hungary, and Poland and as an alternative form of Xena, Xenia, and Zena in various European countries. It is also an Arabic name meaning "adornment", an Nsenga name referring to a child's spirit name, a Galician form of Gina, and an Amharic name that could mean "felicity, happiness".

Spirit that protects babies from illness...and surname of designer Naomi.

In ancient Greece, Aither was one of the primordial deities. Aither is the personification of the upper air. He embodies the pure upper air that the gods breathe, as opposed to the normal air breathed by mortals. His name may be the origin of the word ether. He was said to be the source of the Gods' power.

Pretty Slavic name, with some obvious pronunciation challenges.

Greek nature goddess name that has a pleasing femininity. Damia is one of the more unusual goddess names newly fashionable for contemporary baby girls.

Brought into the spotlight by actor Mykelti Williamson, who was given it by his half-Blackfoot Indian grandfather

Has a rather heavy surname feel.

A unisex name used in Nahuatl culture in Mexico and Central America.

Demon is probably best left as an edgy nickname or chosen moniker than put on the birth certificate. Typically associated with evil or familiar spirits, it could also be considered an Ancient Greek name, meaning "the people".

A female given name in the Nahuatl culture in Mexico and Central America — a variation of the unisex name Yolotl.

A unisex name used in Nahuatl culture in Mexico and Central America. Yolotli is a variant that is used predominantly for girls.

Spiritual word names a la Saint and Serenity are white hot right now. Spiritual is a literal take on the trend.