Names That Mean Family
Across 2 pages
of 2
The names
Gentildonna
Judeo-Italian
"a lady from the same family"
Beautiful, but potentially a tad too extravagant for some tastes.
Lansing
Dutch and English surname
"son of Lans; family of Wlanc"
Lansing is perhaps best known as the state capital of Michigan, which was named after the town of Lansing, New York. The original Lansing was named in honor of John Lansing Jr., a Chancellor of New…
Ario
Variation of Arrius, Roman family name
Ario was derived from the Roman family name Arrius, although it bears closer resemblance to Aria, the Italian name meaning "song."
Ziemowit
Polish from Slavic
"head of the family"
Derived from Slavic words seimo , meaning "family," and wit , "ruler" or "master."
Jia
Italian or Chinese
"God is gracious or home, family"
Jia might be considered a spelling variation of Gia, an Italian feminine form of John as a shortening of Gianna or Giovanna. Jia might also be the anglicized form of many Chinese names, which have…
Ark
English word name
"(in the Bible) the ship built by Noah to save his family and every animal from the Flood"
A spiritual word name — as in Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant — that also fits the trend for short, punchy words like Oak and Ace. It's rare (used for 7 boys in 2020) but could sail far.
Dynasty
English word name
"family group, line of descent"
A bold, powerful word name used for girls since 1981 (when the TV show of the same name first aired), and more recently for boys too.
Tomyris
Latin, Greek, Persian, "family"
"family"
A striking, unflowery girls name, Tomyris could work for parents looking for a distinctive choice with a strong namesake. Tomyris was a 6th century warrior queen of the Massagetae (modern-day…
Flavia
Latin
"golden, blond"
An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could…
Laelia
Latin family name and botanical name
Upside: it has an interesting ancient look and feel, related to the Roman family name Laelius of uncertain meaning. There is also a type of orchid called the Laelia. Downside: possible confusion with…
Tatiana
Russian, from Latin family name Tatius, meaning unknown
Classic yet spritely, Tatiana has long been familiar and popular in Russia and Eastern Europe, though it wasn't until the 80s that it caught on in the English-speaking world. With short forms Tiana,…
Tatjana
German, Finnish, Estonian, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian
"from Latin family name"
Tatjana is an interesting twist on an already uncommon name, borne by German-born supermodel Tatjana Patitz. Note that as j is pronounced as y in German, the name is spoken just like sisters Tatiana…
Tullia
Feminine from of Tullius, Roman
"meaning unknown"
The unusual and intriguing Tullia has been used since Roman times and may appeal to parents who like Tallulah, Julia, and Lillia but want something that's very rarely heard. A feminine form the…
Abanu
African, Ibo
"I have joined the family"
Rhythmic, strong, and buoyant.
Cayo
Latin, from the Roman family name Caius
"rejoice"
Cayo is a rare and rhythmic Spanish name, all but unknown in the English-speaking world, that would make a lively choice.
Harrington
English
"family farm"
On the staff of a manor house.
Marius
Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war
Marius, frequently heard in Germany and France, is a slightly fusty yet accessible name that has (Les Mis) to Anne Rice. With the rise in interest in such Latin names as Maximus and Atticus, Marius…
Ruskin
Scottish
"from a family of tanners"
British-sounding literary surname choice.
Serge
French variation of ancient Roman family name Sergius
"servant"
Old saints' and popes' name that went to France in the 1920s with the Russian Ballets Russes; in its Russian form, Sergei, it retains an artistic, almost effete air.
Tulio
Modern version of Roman family name Tullius, meaning unknown
Heard in both Italy and Spain, Tulio could make a more unusual alternative to Julio. Or with the rediscovery of many Roman names, you might want to go to the original Tullius, the middle name of the…