Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Shona
"happiness, joy, good fortune"
Also the name of a multi-purpose stadium in Zimbabwe, where Bob Marley and Paul Simon have performed, Rufaro is a cheerful choice of Shona origin, used predominantly as a feminine name.
Modern Greek form of Euphrosyne
"merriment, cheerfulness"
Lively and cheerful, Effrosyni is the modern Greek form of the ancient Euphrosyne. Its meaning is interpreted as "mirth and merriment" from the elements eu meaning "good" and phren meaning "mind,…
Igbo, Hindi
"joy, binger of happiness; not wild, gentle"
An Igbo name with a bright, cheerful sound and a meaning to match, Anuli means "bringer of happiness" or simply "joy". Used most prominently in Nigeria, it also appears in India and Indonesia, where…
Indian, Sanskrit
"she who brings happiness"
A cheerful name of Sanskrit origin, it comes from harsa meaning "happiness". It is a cognate to the names Harsha, Harshal, Harshada, and Harshita.
"happiness"
A Sanskrit name with a cheerful meaning, it comes from the element harsa meaning "happiness". It is a cognate to names such as Harshida, Harshini and Harshal. The name of a 7th century Indian king,…
A Sanskrit name with a cheerful meaning, it comes from the element harsa meaning "happiness". It is a cognate to names such as Harshad, Harshini and Harshal. The name of a 7th century Indian king, it…
Russian variation of Radomir, Slavic
"happy world"
A handsome name with a strong sound but a light and joyful meaning, Radmir comes from the Slavic elements radŭ meaning "happy" and mirŭ meaning "peace, world". This is considered a modern…
Bulgarian, South Slavic
"cheerful"
A vibrant name with an uplifting meaning, Veselina is a feminine form of Veselin, predominantly used in Bulgaria. It comes from the South Slavic element, vesel , meaning "cheerful". Also used as the…
Bulgarian, Macedonia, Serbian
Cheerful and succinct, Veselin is a South Slavic name with an appealing meaning. Derived from vesel , which means "cheerful", it is notably borne by chess master Veselin Topalov and singer Veselin…
Variation of Hilario, Spanish, Latin
"cheerful, happy"
Sunny and lively, this cheerful choice was a familiar option in Brazil in the first half of the 20th century, but has since declined in use. Likely originating from the Ancient Roman Hilarius,…
Spanish variation of Ilaria, Italian, Latin
Dainty but vibrant, Aliria is likely a variation of the cheerful Italian name, Ilaria, and in turn the English Hilary. Ultimately derived from the Ancient Roman name Hilarius, itself created from a…
Finnish
"delight, encouragement"
A popular Finnish choice back in the 50s and 60s, Eija is a sweet and cheerful name with contested origins. Some sources suggest it comes from eijaa or heijaa , words that are used more so in hymns…
Variation of Ilaria or Hilary, Italian, Latin
A popular choice in Italy, appearing in the Top 200, this cheerful name ultimately derives from the Roman Hilarius. While Ilaria is more common, Ilary is more succinct which may be part of its…
Variation of Ilariy, Russian, Latin
As a Russian name, Ilary is a masculine choice and an alternative transcription of Ilariy; as an Italian name, it is a variation of Ilaria and predominantly used as a girl name. Either way, the roots…
Variation of Ilaria or Hilary, Latin
Cheerful and contemporary in feel, Ilari is a unisex choice, ultimately from the Roman name, Hilarius, via its English and Italian forms, Hilary and Ilaria. While Ilari is exclusively masculine in…
Medieval form of Joyce, Latin
"lord; humorous, merry, playful"
Bright and jubilant but sophisticated too, Jocosa is a Medieval variant of the mid-century favorite Joyce. While Joyce started out as Latinization of a Breton name meaning "lord", it has since come…
