Baby Name Meanings
Names That Mean Friend or Friendly
Across 5 pages
of 5
Philophrosyne
Greek
"friendly-minded"
Philophrosyne was the spirit of welcome, friendliness, and kindness in Greek Mythology. She was one of the four younger Charites.
Rafiq
Arabic
"friend, companion, gentle, kind"
Confident Middle Eastern choice. Children will relate to the Rafiki form via the wise guru in Disney's "The Lion King."
Rei
Hebrew
"my companion"
A very unusual biblical name, Rei was one of David's most loyal supporters.
Reuel
Hebrew
"friend of God"
This soft-yet-sturdy Biblical name belonged to Moses’ father-in-law (also called Jethro) and was the second middle name of J.R.R. Tolkien.
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,…
Ruta
Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian
"compassionate friend; rue"
The Polish form of Ruth has mostly been lost outside of Poland, but though rare, it can still be heard in Polish and Eastern European communities. Ruta has only ever appeared on Illinois' state data,…
Sadik
Swahili
"friend"
Frequently found in all three forms: Sadik, Sadiki, and Sadiq.
Safiyya
Arabic
"confidante, best friend"
The fact that this is pronounced sah-FEE-yah would cause Western ears to hear it as Sophia.
Sahir
Arabic
"friend"
Appealing Indian and Arabic choice.
Sameria
Variation of Samira
"companion in evening conversation"
This more elaborate version of the name is heard occasionally, but Samira or the related Samara is simpler and just as rhythmic.
Taffy
Welsh
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
Theophilus
Greek
"loved by God; friend of God"
This is a multi-syllabic New Testament relic that could be yet another fresh way to get to Theo. In the beginning of Luke's gospel, he dedicates his words to Theophilus. Theophilus North is the title…
Tomoya
Japanese
"friend"
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…
Winola
German
"charming friend"
Native-American feel via similarity to Winona.
Winslow
English
"friend's hill"
Winston meets Marlow in this surname-style choice, blending old-fashioned charm and a hint of stuffiness with a bit of modern edge and breeziness too. Borne by the distinguished American landscape…
Winthrop
English
"friend's village"
Proper Bostonian.
Winton
English
"friend's farm"
See WYNTON.
Sumitra
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 ,…