Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Armenian
"rising of sun"
Has a nice fresh, early morning meaning, but not the most mellifluous of sounds. Also spelled Arpineh.
Sanskrit
"shining"
An epithet of the sun and the Hindu god Shiva, also borne by a 12th century Indian astronomer. Bhaskar, a common Indian surname, is related.
Celtic
"sun lord or sun hound"
The title of a Shakespeare play based on legends featuring the early Celtic King Cunobelinus, whose name derives from the Gaulish sun god Belenus.
German
"little bright warrior"
A possible new entry in the Hayden-Corbin two-syllable boys' name club.
African, Arabic
"dream; faith"
A worthy update for Imani.
"bright, brilliant"
A li'l hell-raiser name in the Ryder-Rogue-Rebel vein.
Latin
"green"
Viridios was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. The name is thought to be Latin, most likely derived from viridis ("green"), and perhaps a translated name for the Green Man of British and European…
Greek variation of Phyllis
"green bough"
Phyllida, a "Masterpiece Theatre"-style appellation, seems far fresher and more unusual than Phyllis. It's green-related meaning makes it one of the prime names that mean new beginnings . It's a name…
Hindi
"sun"
This lovely, rhythmic Hindu nature name relates to the mythical Kalinda Mountains, from which a sacred river flows. Kalinda Sharma is a major character on the TV show The Good Wife , making Kalinda…
Czech
A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.
Australian Aboriginal
"the sun"
This cute as a button name stems from the Goonayandi word for the sun and can be used as a unisex name.
Persian
"kind, lovable, sunny"
English speakers might want to pronounce this lovely name like the familiar Mary or Merry, but the correct Persian pronunciation includes the h -- meh-ree.
Spanish, feminine form of Javier, Spanish version of Xavier
"new house, bright"
Javiera, pronounced ha-vee-AIR-a, is not as well used as twin brother JAVIER, but makes an attractive Latina choice.
Welsh
"new pond"
Male name that seems feminine enough to switch genders, if you're looking for a new lyn spin.
"bright water"
Occult name for babies born under water signs -- Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.
English
"pure light"
Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta .…
"sun, rouser, stimulator"
Lively and bright, Savita is among the most popular Hindi names for girls , and one that could easily immigrate. Derived from the name of the Hindu god Savitr, Savita is a sunny choice, that more…
Spanish
"splendid brightness"
Leocadia marries a mix of sounds: the strength of a lion, with a rhythmic Latin ending. St. Leocadia was an early martyred Spanish saint, and "La Leocadia" is a famous Goya painting of Leocadia…
Irish
"light"
Pronounced lee-sha, Laoise is the feminine form of the Irish mythological names Lugh and Lugus, which means light. Lugus was the Celtic god of commerce and craftsmanship, the equivalent of the Roman…
Chinese
"shining bright"
A common Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean unisex name, and the name of a culturally rich Chinese Dynastic period. Yao Ming is the seven and a half foot Shanghai-born basketball star. Trivia tidbit: His…
