Names That Mean Friend or Friendly

  1. Sadik
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      Frequently found in all three forms: Sadik, Sadiki, and Sadiq.
  2. Mitra
    • Origin:

      Hindi, Persian, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "friend; earth mother"
    • Description:

      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.
  3. Alvie
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend; friend of the elves"
    • Description:

      Archie, Albie, and Alfie are coming back into style, so naturally, we think Alvie could be next. Alternate spelling Alvy was used by Woody Allen for his character in Annie Hall.
  4. Levin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "dear friend"
    • Description:

      Levin, known in the U.S. mostly as a surname, is a Top 100 boys' name in Germany. There have been saints with variations of this name, whose meaning relates to love.
  5. Rei
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my companion"
    • Description:

      A very unusual biblical name, Rei was one of David's most loyal supporters.
  6. Winola
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "charming friend"
    • Description:

      Native-American feel via similarity to Winona.
  7. Nefertari
    • Origin:

      Ancient Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful companion"
    • Description:

      Nefertari Meritmut was the first and favorite wife of pharoah Ramesses II "the Great". She was highly educated and undertook important diplomatic work on behalf of her husband, corresponding with other prominent figures and even making speeches.
  8. Connelly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "love, friendship"
    • Description:

      Connelly is an open, inviting, and rarely used Irish surname that can make a perfect alternative to the overused Connor or Colin for a boy.
  9. Elvin
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend"
    • Description:

      Elvin had his peak in the 1920s — which was when jazz musician Elvin Jones was born — but parents are still using it for over 100 boys a year. That's less than Kelvin, but more than Delvin.
  10. Livingston
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish surname
    • Meaning:

      "dear friend's place"
    • Description:

      When Matthew McConaughey and wife Camila Alves chose the old English surname and place name Livingston for their third child, they elevated it from half of a Stanley & Livingston joke to a modern possibility. Kind of. The only other well-known bearer of the name in the contemporary world is singer Livingston Taylor, brother of James, who is called Liv. Given that little Livingston McConaughey's older brother is named Levi, that uplifting nickname may be too close, though his parents apparently like its sound. An original choice.
  11. Heber
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "partner, togetherness"
    • Description:

      Biblical name -- he was an ancestor of Abraham's -- rarely used today but registered on the U.S. popularity list at the end of the 19th century. With the rise of other obscure Old Testament names, just might have a shot at revival.
  12. Edin
    • Origin:

      Manx
    • Meaning:

      "rich friend"
    • Description:

      Edin is a variant on the name Edwin from the Isle of Man. It may get confused as a misspelling of Eden in the US, but the pronunciation is different..
  13. Alvy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alvin, English
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend; friend of the elves"
    • Description:

      Alvie is the spelling parents tend to prefer, and may rise along with Archie, Alfie, and Albie. The Alvy variation is strongly associated with Alvy Singer, Woody Allen's character in Annie Hall.
  14. Ervin
    • Origin:

      Variation of Erwin, German
    • Meaning:

      "respected friend"
    • Description:

      Ervin is an old-school great-grandpa name, like Irving and Ernest, that may just be ready for revival. It's also a well-known name in Hungary and elsewhere in central and eastern Europe. As a surname, it's associated with jazz sax player Booker Ervin.
  15. Connolly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fierce as a hound"
    • Description:

      Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.
  16. Kahlil
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.
  17. Safiyya
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "confidante, best friend"
    • Description:

      The fact that this is pronounced sah-FEE-yah would cause Western ears to hear it as Sophia.
  18. Nakotah
    • Origin:

      Sioux
    • Meaning:

      "friend to all"
    • Description:

      This name of a subtribe in the Great Sioux Nation could make an inventive twist on the overused Dakota.
  19. Anissa
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "friendly"
    • Description:

      A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.
  20. Elvina
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "elf friend"
    • Description:

      Sounds elven in every sense of the word.