Names That Mean Friend or Friendly
- Leofwine
Origin:
Anglo-SaxonMeaning:
"beloved friend"Description:
An ancient name belonging to several medieval English clergymen, also spelt Leofwin or Leobwin.
- Farquahar
Origin:
Anglicized form of Irish and Scottish FearcharMeaning:
"dear man"Description:
Definitely a far stretch for any child.
- Sumitra
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"good friend"Description:
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, meaning "good" and "friend" respectively.
The name appears on a (feminine) figure in the Hindu epic Ramayana and has been borne by actress Sumitra Devi, regarded as one of the best Bollywood actresses of the '40s and '50s, and by Sumitra Bhav, one half of a film-making duo with Sunil Sukthankar.
- Boudewijn
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"brave friend"Description:
Dutch form of Baldwin
- Nefertari
Origin:
Ancient EgyptianMeaning:
"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.
- Lauge
Origin:
DanishMeaning:
"fellow / partner"Description:
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 popular outside of Scandinavia.
- Bly
Origin:
English surname nameMeaning:
"friendly"Description:
The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.
- Heber
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Ethelwyn
Origin:
Form of Æðelwine, Old EnglishMeaning:
"noble friend"Description:
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 obvious similarities to Ethel, which ultimately shares the same Old English root, æðele meaning "noble".
- Berwin
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bright friend"Description:
One step up from Irwin, and that's not nearly enough.
- Livingston
Origin:
English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"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.
- Nadim
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"friend"Description:
Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion".
- Herewini
Origin:
Maori variation of Selwyn, EnglishMeaning:
"manor friend"Description:
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 Maori variation has since been used as a surname and occasionally as a given or middle name. New Zealand rugby player McFarlane "Mack" Herewini is a more recent bearer.
- Herophile
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"friend of the heroes"Description:
In Greek Mythology, Herophile was Aphrodite and Poseidon's daughter and a sibyl who predicted the fall of Troy.
- Sameria
Origin:
Variation of SamiraMeaning:
"companion in evening conversation"Description:
This more elaborate version of the name is heard occasionally, but Samira or the related Samara is simpler and just as rhythmic.
- Ruta
Origin:
Polish, Latvian, LithuanianMeaning:
"compassionate friend; rue"Description:
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, due to Chicago's large Polish population. With Ruth now on the ascent, Ruta may be worth rediscovering.