Baby Name Meanings
Names That Mean Friend or Friendly
Across 5 pages
of 5
Irving
Scottish
"green river, sea friend"
It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving. It became a popular choice for first-generation Jewish-American boys, such as…
Irwin
English
"boar friend"
Son of Irving.
Jeb
Diminutive of Jebediah, Hebrew
"beloved friend"
Both Jeb and Jed are very attractive Old Testament short forms with long and bright futures. Jeb's main current association is with the Bush brother and former governor of Florida, but the name was a…
Jebediah
Hebrew
"beloved friend"
Like its better known cousin Jedidiah, Jebediah is one of those four-syllable Old Testament names that is being shorn of its long white-bearded image, with the help of its modern-sounding Jeb…
Kahlil
Arabic
"friend"
Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.
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.
Lauge
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…
Leofwine
Anglo-Saxon
"beloved friend"
An ancient name belonging to several medieval English clergymen, also spelt Leofwin or Leobwin.
Levin
German
"dear friend"
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.
Livingston
English and Scottish surname
"dear friend's place"
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…
Ludivine
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.
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…
Mykelti
Native American
"silent friend"
Brought into the spotlight by actor Mykelti Williamson, who was given it by his half-Blackfoot Indian grandfather
Nadim
Arabic
"friend"
Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion".
Nakotah
Sioux
"friend to all"
This name of a subtribe in the Great Sioux Nation could make an inventive twist on the overused Dakota.
Nefertari
Ancient Egyptian
"beautiful companion"
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…
Nita
Hindi, Hebrew, and Choctaw
"friendly, to plant, and bear"
One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.
Norvin
English
"northern friend"
Alvin, Melvin, Norvin -- most vin names, except maybe Kevin and Gavin -- are not vinners.
Oswin
Old English
"God's friend"
Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer. Doctor Who fans will recognize this as part of his companion's name, Clara Oswin Oswald.
Pal
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,…