Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
English place-name
"new port"
For sailors or jazz lovers. Or smokers of menthol cigarettes.
Hebrew
"to arise; dawn"
The Biblical Zerah is etymologically related to such names as Zora, which also means dawn. While the vowel sound at the end of the name does not sound as feminine to our modern ear as it once did,…
French
"new"
Surname of French architect Jean Nouvel that became a given name when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it as the middle name of their daughter Shiloh.
Czech
"green"
A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.
Greek
"new man"
Following a custom among scholars in Renaissance Germany, Neander is the classical form of the surname Newman. But the bullies at school are sure to call him Neanderthal.
Arabic
"breeze, fresh air"
Associated with a spring festival, this name is used by both Muslims and Christians.
"fresh, luxuriant"
This strong name and its variations are well used in Israel.
"beautiful, fresh"
Lovely Hebrew name with distinctive double a's, but beware of possible "banana" teasing.
Norway
"swallow (bird) or cool/fresh"
In Norway, Svale is also used as a short form of the rare name Svalaug/Svanlaug, meaning "swan oath". Svale is also a more modern form of Svali, meaning "cool, fresh".
Spanish, from Greek
"beryl, pale green gemstone"
A Latin name with a lot of tango flair.
Japanese
"green; beautiful bird"
In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly…
Irish
"little pale green one"
This Irish saint's name sounds like a lopped-off Lorna.
"a green gemstone"
Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in…
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…
Italian
This is an outside possibility for opera-lovers, with the additional eco/color factor.
Latin
Veridian is a variation on Viridiana or Viridis, meaning green. Veridian is also the name of an American aeronautical company, so we recommend you stick with the alternatives.
"green mountain"
Place-name waiting to be discovered.
Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.
Latin via French
This French version of Viridiana and Viridis lacks the charm of similar and more familiar French names like Vivienne and Adrienne.
Persian, Turkish, Kurdish
"spring"
This popular Muslim name would more easily translate to English-speaking cultures in its Bahar form.
