Latin Names

Cheerful and contemporary in feel, Ilari is a unisex choice, ultimately from the Roman name, Hilarius, via its English and Italian forms, Hilary and Ilaria. While Ilari is exclusively masculine in Finland, it is also used as a feminine name in Italy, Albania, and Nigeria. 
 
Also spelled as Ilary, the name has featured in the 2023 game Overwatch and is borne by TV host Ilary Blasi.

Ilari

A popular choice in Italy, appearing in the Top 200, this cheerful name ultimately derives from the Roman Hilarius. While Ilaria is more common, Ilary is more succinct which may be part of its appeal. It is notably borne by TV host Ilary Blasi.
 
Also spelled as Ilari, the name may be considered a unisex choice, notably used in Russian as an alternative to Ilariy.

Ilary

As a Russian name, Ilary is a masculine choice and an alternative transcription of Ilariy; as an Italian name, it is a variation of Ilaria and predominantly used as a girl name. Either way, the roots are same:  Ilary comes from the Roman Hilarius, meaning "cheerful, merriment". 


The Latin name for the holly (or the holm oak) tree would make an interesting nature-inspired alternative to Alex and Felix.

Ilex

A bird name from the same Latin root as Aurelia, Oriole is extremely rare as a name: No babies were given the name in the US in 2022. But most people are aware of the Oriole bird, which makes this name uncommon yet possible.

Oriole

Familiar in sound yet rarely actually heard, Kastina is a name with a variety of different origins. On one hand, it may be a Norwegian feminine form of the Germanic Karsten, ultimately borrowed from the Christian, meaning "follower of Christ" or "anointed". Alternative, it may be a variation of the Latin Castus, referring to someone "chaste" or "pure", though it could equally derive from Constans (vias Konstantina and Kostina), giving it another meaning: "steadfast". 
 
There is a possibility that it is a twist on Katsina, a state in Nigeria, or an adaption of Katherine via Katerina, Katazyna, or Kasia.

Kastina

A modern feeling choice with ancient roots, Kerix (or Keryx) once referred to a herald or an official conveyer of messages, often responsible for bringing communications between warring groups, for declaring and summoning people to council meetings or to the court of law, and for reciting prayers. Kerykes saw the Greek messenger god Hermes as their patron.
 
In the form of kérux, it appears in Bible, referring again to a herald, but also to a preacher, giving it spiritual ties too, though you might also interpret it as a spin on the surname Kerrick, which could mean "king's rule", "from the marshland", "rocky place" or "church! depending on what roots you follow.

Kerix

A variation of the Irish surname Mac Aodh (also McKee), meaning "son of Aodh, son of fire" or an alternative to Kay, ultimately from the Latin Gaius, meaning "rejoice", Key could equally be a word name, referring to something that unlocks or forms an essential element. Influencer Kenedy Brown Cradic chose this name for one of her sons in 2024.

A variation of Latin Clelia (from Cloelia) or a form of Hawaiian Kalea, possibly inspired by names like Klay, Kaleah, and Kaylee. It is notably borne by YouTuber and influencer, Klailea (Bennett) Steele. 

Klailea

Typically spelled as Laurențiu, this is the Romanian form of the classic Laurence, popular in its native Romania and in Moldova. A notable bearer is footballer manager Laurențiu Reghecampf.

Laurentiu

Lauttie is an alternative spelling to the sweet and stylish nickname Lottie, but it could also work as a short form of Lauretta, or for anyone wanting to honor a Laura, Laurence, Laurel, or Lauren in a more subtle way. 
 
It may additionally relate to Lauti, a short form of the Mapuche name Lautaro, meaning "swift hawk", or perhaps to Laut, a Dutch name that may have derived from Laurentius (meaning "from Laurentum"), or from the Germanic element hlud (meaning "famous").

Lauttie

Leiomi made its debut in the US stats in 2025, when it was given to 5 girls, and featured alongside Leonie, Kyomi, Lorelei, Leia, and Naomi. As a contemporary creation, it could have a number of different sources.
 
You could consider it a variation of Layomi, a Yoruba name meaning "God is my joy", or it could be a contracted form of Leimomi, a Hawaiian choice with the lovely meaning "pearl child". Alternatively, there's the Latin Leiomyo meaning "smooth muscle" (used in a medical sense to refer to some types of tumours. 
 
There's even the possibility of it being a compound name, mixing Leia with Naomi, giving it the meaning of "my weariness and pleasantness".
 
Model, dancer, and activist Leoimy Maldonado is a notable bearer albeit her name is spelled differently.

Leiomi

An powerful feeling name with flair and familiarity, Leontina is notably used Brazil, Czechia, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Chile, and Angola. Derived from the Latin Leontius, it means "lion", making it a relation to Leonie and Leona, Leontine and Leola. 
 
Notable bearers include opera singer Leontina Văduva and singer Leontina Vukomanović.

Leontina

This Italian version of the ancient Roman Livius, with an unenviable meaning, is popular in France and make a fresh spin on Oliver or Levi. In the US, this is a very rare name -- it was given to only five baby boys in 2024 -- with big potential thanks to its similarily to Livia and Olivia.

Livio

More modern and alluring than Silver, Argenta is one of the few mineral/metal-related names.

Argenta

A name with a double meaning, Lorica most literally refers to a type of armor or breastplate, worn over the torso, though in a more spiritual context, it relates to a type of prayer used in early Irish churches, recited to "arm" the soul with divine protection. The most famous Lorica is the Lorica of St. Patrick, said to be written by the saint after miraculous intervention saved him and his followers from an ambush.

Lorica

A pleasantly unfamiliar addition to the ella family of names. 

Orella

A rare member of the Luc- family, Lucence ultimately comes from the Latin lucens meaning "shining". A French form of Lucentia, via the Roman Lucentius, in English it may bring to mind the term lucent, used to describe something that's either luminous or clear enough to let light through. Additionally, the related lucency is used in medicine, when reading X-rays.

Lucence

This and two other female forms -- AQUILA and AQUILINA -- of the Roman family name Aquilius might live on in modern times. 

Aquilia

A rare choice that feels perfectly familiar, Lumine combines the Lu- of Lucy, Louise, and Lucia, with the -ine ending of Josephine and Evangeline. Derived from the Latin lumina "lights" or the English lumine "to illuminate", it notably appeared as one of the main characters in the 2020 game Genshin Impact.
 
It has since made its debut to the US stats when it was given to five girls in 2024. LOO-meen is the most common pronunciation, though LOO-min-ay has also been used.

Lumine

Latin names are plentiful throughout English-speaking countries, as Latin is one of the root languages for English. Latin names include many of the most popular baby names in the Western world, including Lucy and Oliver, Julia, and Miles.

Latin names in the US Top 100 for girls include Ava, Clara, Lillian, Olivia, and Stella. For boys, Latin names in the US Top 100 include Dominic, Lucas, Julian, Roman, and Sebastian. In Rome, popular names include Cecilia, Viola, Christian, and Santiago.

Of course, many unique baby names have Latin origins too, such as Sidra, Domino, and Vesper. Latin was the language of ancient Rome, another source for fashionable modern names, such as Augustus, Cassius, and Octavia.

Browse all of our Latin baby names here, ordered by popularity on Nameberry. 

Latin names of origin in the Latin language, the language and culture of ancient Rome, including Latin names for boys and Latin names for girls, with meanings and popularity. (Page 35)