Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Word name
"peace"
Peace may be an admirable sentiment to convey in a child's name, but the translated and thus more subtle versions, like Pax or Placido, might work better as first names.
Latin
"friendship"
Amity--what nicer gift to give your little girl than a name that signifies friendship and harmony? This virtue name is also more rhythmic and feminine than the single-syllable Hope, Faith, and Grace.…
Earnest is a masculine name of English origin that developed from the word 'earnest,' meaning 'serious,' 'sincere,' or 'determined.' The name gained popularity during the Victorian era when virtue…
English word name
"victory"
A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor. While Victory ranked only once on the US Top 1000, in 1918 at the end of World War I, it's a Top 25 name for girls in France.
"always, eternal, continually"
A bold choice, encompassing ideas of eternal love between parents and children, of promises kept, and infinite time, Forever may also have spiritual or religious ties for some. Grounded by its…
English
"oneness"
Like Verity and Amity, this inclusive virtue name used by the colorful British literary Mitford family is ready to join its more popular peers Hope, Faith, and Grace. The name was embraced by the…
"kindness, benefit; approval, support"
A warm-sounding word and virtue name used by the Puritans and still popular in parts of Africa, especially with the Favour spelling. It might be used as a nickname for the longer, perhaps even bolder…
Virtue name
A puritan virtue name that's only slightly less challenging than Chastity. It was used for nearly 20 baby girls in the contemporary US in one recent year.
"bright"
Rare word name that works for either gender.
Word name or spelling variation of Abel
Able takes this name in the direction of the word denoting someone capable and handle, and that is not a bad way to go.
English slang
"aggressive energy, know-how"
Like Penn Jillette, you can have your own little brash babe.
Word name, English from Greek
"charisma, grace"
Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after…
" a supernatural being or essence"
Spiritual word names are becoming more and more popular – think Peace, Bodhi, Zen and Psalm – and Spirit is among the rarer options, given to a couple dozen baby girls each year in the US. It's the…
"made holy"
Blessed and Blessing are two new entrants in the word name and virtue name categories, gaining popularity for both boys and girls.
English virtue name
Honor-related names are climbing in popularity, such as Honesty, Honor, and now Honest.
This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so…
"the quality or state of being free"
Like Justice and Peace, this word name makes a very strong statement. Ving Rhames chose it for his boy.
"enclosure, homestead"
No low self-esteem for this kid, or so his parents hope.
Arabic
"pure and chaste"
Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible.
"rejoice"
Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
