Names That Mean Friend
Across 5 pages
of 5
Winfrey
Variation of Winfrith, English
"peaceful friend"
Oprah's almost mononymic first name is too closely tied to her personality (and brand) for us to recommend it as a baby name in good faith. Her surname, however, is definitely name-worthy. Winfrey…
Yuyu
Japanese
"gentle friend; dream friend"
Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.
Unwin
English
"bear friend"
A dapper English surname derived from the Old English personal name Hunwine "bear friend", which comes with winning nickname Win.
Amit
Hebrew
"friend"
Rowe
Variation of Rowan or Rowena
"rowan tree, little redhead; white spear, famous friend"
Mini names beginning with R are a trend to watch for both sexes. Recently, celebrities have been loving names like Ren, Rue, and Ro(w). The four-letter spelling, complete with a silent E, makes Rowe…
Ashwin
Sanskrit, Old English, "possessed of horses; ash friend"
"possessed of horses; ash friend"
A cultural crossover with multiple roots. Ashwin is an English surname from the Anglo-Saxon male name Æscwine, meaning "ash tree + friend". It's also a popular Hindi name: in Hindu mythology, the…
Alvina
English
"elf-friend"
This variation of the more well known Alvin adds an unusual and feminine touch to the original. It sounds a bit more like what it means--"elf friend."
Yedida
Hebrew
"beloved, friend"
A modern (and very rare) form of Jedidah, the mother of the biblical king Josiah.
Alden
English
"old, wise friend"
This is one surname-name that may swing decidedly to the male side, thanks to highly-visible young actor Alden Ehrenreich.
Elvina
English
"elf friend"
Sounds elven in every sense of the word.
Amica
Latin
"female friend"
Amica is a word meaning girlfriend that is not often used as a name in Italy, but it would sound pretty and name-like elsewhere.
Auden
English
"old friend"
A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
Baldwin
German
"brave friend"
Writer James Baldwin could make this an inspirational choice for a child of either sex.
Edwina
Feminine variation of Edwin, English
"wealthy friend"
Edwina may still be taking tea in the parlor, but we can see her joining friends like Matilda and Josephine for a comeback, especially if pronounced like Edwin rather than Edween. She had a very…
Lakota
Native American, Sioux
"friend to us"
The name of one of the branches of the Great Sioux Nation has a very namelike sound, but is not used as a name by the Lakota people themselves, and could be seen as appropriative.
Mitra
Hindi, Persian, Greek
"friend; earth mother"
Deriving from the Sanskrit Mithra , Mitra is the Hindu god of the sun and of friendship. This transcription is unisex in Hindi, while in Persian, it is the feminine form. Notable bearers of Mitra…
Nakotah
Sioux
"friend to all"
This name of one of the three tribes in the Great Sioux Nation could provide an interesting alternative to Dakota.
Reuelle
Hebrew
"friend of God"
Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
Rowena
Welsh
"white spear; famous friend; fame and joy"
A fabled storybook name via the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819), which featured a heroine called Rowena of Hargottstanstede, and also a Harry Potter name, as Rowena Ravenclaw,…
Rut
Czech, variation of Ruth
"companion, friend"
Pronounced ROOT in its native land, but in a rut here.