Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
English
"friend's village"
Proper Bostonian.
Sanskrit
"good friend"
An appealing name with a gentle feel, Sumitra is a name of Sanskrit origin used in India and Thailand as a feminine name, and in Indonesia as a masculine one. It combines the elements su and mitra ,…
Form of Æðelwine, Old English
"noble friend"
Ethelwyn is a form of Æðelwine, a masculine Anglo-Saxon saints' name that was revived in the 19th century, but for girls. An old example of gender-bending names, the switch likely occurred due to its…
Old English
"God's friend"
A variation of Oswin, an ancient name borne by a 7th century king and saint. Meaning "God's friend", it could be an unexpected way to nickname Ozzie. This form is notably borne by the scholar Oswyn…
Maori variation of Selwyn, English
"manor friend"
The Maori form of an Old English given name, notably borne by George Augustus Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand. The Bishop gave his name to several places and a river in New Zealand and this…
Rwandan
"friend"
Actor Ncuti Gatwa brought this Rwandan name into the spotlight following his appearance n the show Sex Education and then again when he starred as the Fifteenth Doctor in Dr Who . Derived from the…
Greek
"friend of the heroes"
In Greek Mythology, Herophile was Aphrodite and Poseidon's daughter and a sibyl who predicted the fall of Troy.
Latin feminine variation of Faunus
"to befriend"
Faunia is more often rendered as Fauna, who was a Roman goddess of fertility, women and healing. Faunia was the downtrodden yet loving heroine of Philip Roth's Human Stain . Faunia and Fauna have…
Danish
"fellow / partner"
Lauge is unheard of in most English-speaking countries, but is in the Top 50 in many Nordic countries. Despite is lovely meaning, Lauge's pronunciation and spelling issues are unlikely to make it…
Anglo-Saxon
"beloved friend"
An ancient name belonging to several medieval English clergymen, also spelt Leofwin or Leobwin.
Anglicized form of Irish and Scottish Fearchar
"dear man"
Definitely a far stretch for any child.
French
"friend of the people"
This rare French name was made a little more familar via French soccer player Ludivine Diguelman, golfer Ludivine Krautz and actress Ludivine Sagnier.
Native American
"silent friend"
Brought into the spotlight by actor Mykelti Williamson, who was given it by his half-Blackfoot Indian grandfather
Germanic
"sanctuary friend"
An Old French and English name thought to derive from the Germanic elements alah "sanctuary" and win "friend". Variant forms include Alcwin and Alawin.
Sioux
"friend to all"
This name of a subtribe in the Great Sioux Nation could make an inventive twist on the overused Dakota.
French form of Emil
"friendly"
Might make a worthy masculine spin on either of the uber popular Emma or Emily.
Pal is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hungarian, it's equivalent to Paul, derived from Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In South Asian cultures, particularly India,…
"friendly-minded"
Philophrosyne was the spirit of welcome, friendliness, and kindness in Greek Mythology. She was one of the four younger Charites.
