Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated October 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Arabic, Aramaic
"ten; tenth"
Ashura is an Arabic name used predominantly among Swahili speakers in East Africa. It is traditionally given to baby girls born on the holiday Ashura. The holiday is considered celebratory among…
Spanish variation of Quintin
"fifth"
Quint or Quinton played to a Latin rhythm.
Scandinavian
"knot"
More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.
Latin
"tenth"
In the days of huge families, this name of the Roman goddess of prophecy and childbirth, and one of the Fates, would be saved for bambina number ten. Now it might be used for a girl born in October,…
Finnish
"first"
Ensio derives from the Finnish word ensimmäinen , meaning "first one."
English word name
Five is a number name introduced to the lexicon by famous crazy baby namers The Novogratz Family. Five is, yes, their fifth child, who happens to be a boy, but there's no reason Five -- and Seven and…
Japanese; variation of Gorou
"fifth son"
Variation of Gorou.
Japanese
"eighth son"
Typically spelled Hachirō, with a macron over the O. It was historically given to the eighth son in a family, although these days eight sons is a rare occurrence.
Basque
"trinity"
Variation of Irune.
"firstborn son"
Ichiro is a good classic choice for the first boy in a Japanese family.
Turkish and Azerbaijani
Authentically spelled İlkin, this would be an unusual (to English speakers) pick for a firstborn boy.
An unusual international variant on Trinity and Trinidad, also spelled Hirune (from hiru , "three").
Croatian, Japanese
"earth worker; tenth son"
A Croatian form of George, and also a lively Japanese name traditionally given to the tenth son.
Cornish
A modern Cornish word name, similar in sound to Kenzie, Kerensa, and Keziah, Kenza would make an excellent choice for a first-born daughter. The name has been given to around 50 babies since the late…
Knud is a traditional Scandinavian masculine name, particularly common in Denmark and Norway. It's a variant of Canute or Knut, derived from the Old Norse name Knútr, meaning "knot." The name carries…
Old Norse; Norwegian; Swedish; Danish
This royal but common Scandinavian name is, in the US, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. While Rockne's name was commonly pronounced like newt, the correct…
"ninth son; black"
Traditionally given to the ninth-born son, which is a rarity nowadays.
Swahili
"first born child"
Traditional Swahili choice for the eldest child.
"seven summers"
A very accessible Japanese choice, with an evocative meaning.
"rainbow"
A cute yet plucky choice that refers to the seven colors of the rainbow, Nanako would make a special choice for a rainbow baby. It was one of the most popular names in Japan in during the late 1990s…
