Adjective Names
- Savvy
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
We call Savvy a Modern Virtue Name, a contemporary version of the Puritan's Hope and Charity, extolling the virtue of shrewdness. And who doesn't want their daughter to grow up to be Savvy in the ways of the world? So far, this name has been used only for girls, perhaps because some parents remember the women's magazine called Savvy.
- Sovereign
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"supreme ruler, ultimate power"Description:
Sovereign is a new addition to the baby name lexicon, recently used by such celebrity parents as Cam Newton and Usher for their daughters. But don't mistake it for an exclusively feminine name — part of Sovereign's appeal is its gender-neutral status, as it's given to roughly equal numbers of girls and boys each yera.
- Beautiful
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically"Description:
Adjectives names are the latest class of word names to gain popularity in the US, a trend spurred by celebrities. Beautiful is one of the more established adjective names — first used in 1997 — yet has never been given to more than 70 baby girls in a single year.
- Kindred
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"family; connectedness"Description:
This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising virtue name possibility for either gender.
- Shiny
Description:
Shiny is an uncommon masculine name with modern origins as an English vocabulary word. Unlike traditional names with historical roots, Shiny is considered a contemporary word name derived directly from the English adjective meaning 'reflecting light' or 'bright and gleaming.' The name evokes positive qualities of brightness, visibility, and standing out. While relatively rare as a personal name in Western countries, word names and virtue names have gained popularity in recent decades. Shiny may be more commonly found in some Indian communities, particularly in Kerala, where it might be used for both genders but with different etymological origins connected to local languages. As a male name, Shiny projects qualities of brilliance, optimism, and uniqueness.
- Precious
Origin:
Latin word nameMeaning:
"of great worth, expensive"Description:
Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
- Brave
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"showing courage"Description:
A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name. Sixteen baby girls were named Brave in the US last year, the same number as were named Breezy.
- Happy
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"happy, joy"Description:
Many virtue names have long been in style or have seen a resurgence in recent years. Happy, however joyous, seems unlikely to join this trend. This could be because it doesn't have a solid history of being popularly used (in comparison to Joy or Hope) and because it's such a familiarly used word in day to day life (unlike Verity or Felicity).
- Golden
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"gold colored"Description:
Like Silver, Golden is a shimmering metallic color name, almost too dazzling perhaps. Nevertheless, Golden could be an unexpected route to the vintage nickname Goldie or a less floral alternative to Marigold. Former soccer player and team owner, Brittany Mahomes, chose the name Golden (middle name Raye) for her second daughter in 2025, sister to Sterling Skye and Patrick "Bronze" Lavon.
- Ethereal
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Otherworldly.
- Sovereign
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"supreme ruler, ultimate power"Description:
Sovereign is one of those names only a celebrity could introduce, much like Saint or Sir who came before it. It was actually football player Cam Newton who first used the name for his daughter, Sovereign-Dior Cambella (sister to Camidas, Cashmere, and Chosen) in 2017. But more notably, it's the name Usher chose for his baby girl, Sovereign Bo, in 2020.
- Early
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Early is a word-turned-name, pleasantly suggesting the start of a bright new day. Of the new word and day names, Early is one of the best. Early James is the stage name of singer-songwriter Fredrick James Mullis Jr.
- Earnest
Description:
Earnest is a masculine name of English origin that developed from the word 'earnest,' meaning 'serious,' 'sincere,' or 'determined.' The name gained popularity during the Victorian era when virtue names were fashionable and personal qualities were considered appropriate inspirations for given names. Oscar Wilde's 1895 play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' playfully highlighted the name's association with seriousness and sincerity. Throughout the early 20th century, Earnest maintained moderate popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, before gradually declining after the 1950s. Often confused with Ernest (without the 'a'), this spelling variant has always been less common. The name conveys qualities of dedication, sincerity, and moral seriousness, making it appealing to parents who value these traditional virtues.
- Light
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
A shimmering day name, with a bit of hippie residue.
- Cosmic
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"of the universe or cosmos"
- Golden
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Like Silver, a shimmering metallic color name, almost too dazzling for an ordinary boy.
- Hallow
Origin:
word nameDescription:
Hallow is a word meaning sacred or holy. As the root word for Halloween (orginally All Hallows' Eve), this name might be an evocative choice for a baby born on or near October 31st. It could work well for either a boy or a girl and offers the nicknames Hal and Halley.
- Honest
Origin:
English virtue nameDescription:
Honor and Honesty are on the ascent, and now Honest has been introduced into the name pool. Maybe Honestly will be next.
- Celestial
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of the heavens, planets or stars"Description:
A pretty and almost unique word name to add to the galaxy of astral appellations. More distinctive than the better-known Celeste, it was given to only ten girls last year. Celestial is also the title of several band albums, and is heard in the video game and comics worlds.
- Amazing
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"causing great surprise or wonder"Description:
A big name to bestow upon a baby, but in line with word names that are becoming increasingly fashionable, such as Legend and Royal.