Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
French variation of Sasha, Russian diminutive of Alexander, Greek
"defending warrior"
Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls, especially with the Sasha spelling attached to one of the First Daughters. Sacha with this…
Russian, diminutive of Alexandra
"defending men"
Shura is a unisex Russian nickname for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, themselves forms of Alexander. Less known in the English-speaking world than Sasha, it's also more assertive — probably because of that…
French variation of Alexandra
This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.
Kazakh
"comfort of the soul; soul shadow; soul protection; protector of life"
Zhansaya is a beautiful and comforting name, popular in its native Kazakhstan. A Top 20 choice back in the 2000s, it has since declined slightly in use, but remains familiar and appealing. The name…
German, English
"one who watches over, defends and protects; one who cautions; army; park-keeper; alder-tree"
Robust and strong in sound and more often used as a surname, Warne has a variety of meanings depending on what root you follow. From its German roots, it likely comes from warnan meaning "to watch…
Armenian, “shield”
This handsome name remains undiscovered outside of Armenia, but its stylish V initial and -an ending make it an attractive choice for the taking. In Armenia, Vahan has been going in and out of the…
Icelandic, Old Norse
"God is the protector; divine protection"
Appearing as Asmund, Aasmund, and Åsmund across Scandinavia, this is the Icelandic variation of the Old Norse name, Ásmundr . Comprised of as and mund meaning "God" and "protection", it may be…
Germanic
"protector of journeys"
The name of a semi-legendary 5th century Frankish king. Handel's opera Faramondo is based on his life. Spelling variations include Faramond and Faramund.
Norwegian, Norse
While Aasmund and Asmund are also used, it is Åsmund that is the most familiar spelling of this name in Norway. Derived from the Old Norse Ásmundr, it is a cognate to the Old English Osmund. Borne by…
Variation of Pharamond.
Variation of Tenzin, Tibetan
"protector of Dharma"
Tenzan is a variation of Tenzin, a name with special significance for Buddhists, being the first name of the Dalai Lama.
English
"grace protector"
Eastman is a solid, old-style Atlantic seaboard surname. But as a first name, we think Easton works better.
Hindi
"protector"
Another name for the Hindu god-Vishnu.
Welsh
"weathy lord"
Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward.
Scandinavian
"people's guardian"
Folke - which has two syllables - is a Top 100 name in its native Sweden, but rarely heard elsewhere. A related alternative is Fulk, popular with the Normans but little-used now.
Norwegian
An unusual yet accessible Scandinavian choice, though it might be confused with Harvard.
Finnish form of Old Norse Hjalmar
"helmet protector"
Distinctive-sounding Scandinavian name . with deep roots. Short form is the attractive Jari.
Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari. This form remains popular in Sweden, however.
Italian from German
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.) But Elmo also calls to mind the image of St. Elmo's fire--the…
