Names That Mean Nation

Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity.

Hard as it might be to believe, Gladys was the Harper of 1900, emerging almost out of nowhere to take the naming world by storm. It became a favorite among parents — and writers of romantic Edwardian novels, seen as alluring and unusual. One impetus was the 1870 Ouida novel Puck, whose heroine was the idealized beauty, Gladys Gerant.

A less common — further rising — Biblical alternative to Liam, Elliott, Elias, and Eli. Eliam joined the Top 1000 for the first time in 2021 and was sky-rocketed in 2024, when it was given to more than 850 boys — double the amount born in 2023. In Puerto Rico, it's a Top 50 choice.

In the Old Testament, Amram is the father of Moses. It is most frequently seen as a Jewish surname.

Attractive Indian name unfamiliar to most Western parents.

This is one of hundreds of modern Israeli names that are unknown here but could translate to our culture.