Updated October 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
German
"comrade in arms; battle enclosure, battle ground"
Hildegard is an ancient name that sounds it, but it does have sweet short forms Hildie and Hilda to recommend it, as well as several illustrious historical bearers. Strong and striking, it would make…
Harman is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning both as a surname and given name. It derives from the Old German elements 'hari' meaning 'army' and 'man' meaning 'man,' essentially…
"powerful and gentle"
An ancient Germanic name that's so clunky and contrarian it's actually cool. One famous Hermelinda was a medieval queen of the Lombards; another was a Belgian saint. Though neither Herman nor Linda…
English variation of Latin Horatius
"hour, time"
Like Horace, Horatio is a variation on the Latin Horatius, but its Shakespearean and optimistic Horatio Alger pedigree makes it an attractive up-and-comer, especially with its cool final o. A modern…
"grace + god is my light"
A pretty and substantial German smoosh name, a combination of Hanne and Eleonore. Most popular in Germany from the 1930s to the 1950s. Former German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt both…
Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch
"grace"
This spin on the popular Hannah is widely-used in Europe and pronounced similarly to Hannah. It may also be a short form of Johanne, from John/Joan.
"bright grace"
"renowned warrior"
A name with two strong literary associations, one overwhelmingly negative -- Lolita 's pedophilic narrator Humbert Humbert -- and one positive, in the preferable European version: Italian author…
"peaceful warrior"
Humphrey is an old name that might have faded completely were it not for that Bogie flair. A royal name in Britain, where it's used somewhat more frequently, Humphrey might just have some life beyond…
Humfried is a masculine name with medieval Germanic origins, representing an ancient form of what eventually became the more familiar Humphrey in English. It derives from the elements 'hun' meaning…
Greek
"sacred name"
A name used in Germany and Holland as a form of Jerome, it's the unlikely moniker of fictional detective Hieronymous "Harry" Bosch.
"owner of a patch of farmland"
A huve is 40 acres of land, so the occupational name Hoover refers to the farmer who owned and worked it. Hoover also relates to the rock band, the vacuum cleaner, the dam, and former FBI head J.…
English, Germanic
"temple path"
Helisent was used in the medieval days and has royal antecedents found in both France and Germany. Information on its origins is sketchy, but some say it's related to Elise or Helen or Heloise, or…
Diminutive of Hilda, German
"battle"
A short form of Hilda, or any name containing the hild or hildr element, from Mathilda to Swanhild and Hildegard. Hildie has never ranked as a stand-alone name, but with names like Birdie, Bonnie,…
Femininzation of Herman, German
"army man"
Hermine and Hermina once ranked in the US Top 1000 for girls, but the First World War put an end to the popularity of these and many other German names. Now, both names are extinct though father name…
Germanic
"home"
Ultimately from the Germanic Haimo, Hamnet is a homely name, best associated with the son of William Shakespeare. Hamnet died in childhood and his name (and death) may have provided the inspiration…
Diminutive of Hugh, English from German
"mind, intellect"
Hewet is a masculine name with medieval English origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic element 'hug' meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.' This charming…
Right in between Hitch (as in the Will Smith movie) and Hudson, Hutchin is a surname and nickname name that has an outside chance of working as a first name for boys. If you're naming your son for an…
Swedish, Finnish, Germanic
"holy, healthy war"
With a hint of myth and ancient poetry about it, this spirited name ultimately comes from the Germanic Heilwig or Helwig, but feels as if it could fit into a modern setting. Pronounced HIL-leh-vee in…
Medieval French form of Héloïse or Helewidis, French, Germanic
"healthy, whole"
Also written as Helviz, Helvis is a Medieval form of Heloise, ultimately from Helewidis, though it has occasionally been used as a form of Elizabeth too. The name has been notably borne by a number…