Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated October 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Italian variation of Vivian
"life"
Vivia, the fresh Italian version of newly popular name, streamlines and even vivifies the original.
Latin
Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.
Irish form of Eve
Eabha, along with Aoife and Aoibhe and even the Anglo Ava, are all Eve sisters or soundalikes in the Irish Top 100. Outside of Ireland, though, this Gaelic spelling would prove difficult. Confusingly…
English
"where birches grow"
The Brits say BARK-lee, but we pronounce it the same as the name of the California college: either way it's quite pretentious and of another era.
English, diminutive of Moses
"delivered"
If Gus and Max have made it, why not Moe? Can it be the lingering Three Stooges effect? We think that Moe, like Joe, is one of the friendliest and most open of regular guy nickname names and should…
French, meaning 'breath'
A pretty name heard in the Louisiana Cajun community, Abella would fit right in with all the other, more familiar, bella names.
Modern variation of Eve
Hava is an anglicization of the Hebrew name Chava, which, like its English form Eve, means "life". In some accents, it may sound like "have a", so it's worth considering if this will be an issue…
Slavic, Hebrew
"vigorous, lively; bright, radiant"
Ziven is a sleek choice with multicultural origins and a bright, energized feel to it. From its Slavic roots, it likely derives from the South Slavic word, živ meaning "alive, living", making it a…
"someone who lives or works near the barn"
This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but…
Germanic, Scandinavian
"lives on a hill; mountain region"
A Norwegian city name, heard much more often as a last name than a first, Bergen may nevertheless appeal as an alternative to Brogan, Keegan, Summit, or Brooks. Strong and rugged, it was given to 8…
Scottish, from French
"lives by the woods"
CEO name.
"one who lives by the alder tree"
Occasionally heard in Ireland, small chance of success here.
Italian, Latin
"of life, vital"
A feminine form of Vitale, Vitalia is a bright and spirited name that could lead to nicknames Vita and Talia. It derives from the Latin word and name Vitalis meaning "of life".
Hebrew word name
"tea, alive"
Pronounced CHY, it's a word name meaning tea in many Eastern languages. The Hebrew name is pronounced without the C as HAI.
Nahuatl
"blood"
A unisex Nahuatl name with a strong and stylish sound, but a meaning that some might find off-putting.
"someone who lives by a hill"
Simple and down-to-earth, but would probably work best as a middle name.
English, French, Latin
"waxing or waning moon; increasing, growing, springing forth"
Crescent is an intriguing word name with a pretty sound and links to the moon. Used to describe a curved shape more generally, it is heavily associated with the lunar calendar, with the moon forming…
American variation of Viviana, Latin
Vivienna could be viewed as a Viviana variant or a combination of the names Vivian and Vienna.
Russian variation of Vitalis, Latin
Lively Russian choice born by several saints.
