Birthday Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Japanese
"spring tree"
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, well known in the U. S. , might inspire some namesakes. Haruki is a popular Japanese name meaning spring tree or bright tree, a lovely nature meaning combined with…
English word name
"ascend, move upwards"
Rise joins the latest class of modern Christian names for its uplifting spiritual associations, which could make it especially appropriate for for an Easter baby. Along with these spiritual links to…
Flower name, from Persian
"turban"
One of the most unusual flower names, Tulip is cute but tough to pull off as a first. It has some celebrity cred via Charlie Tamara Tulip, twin daughter of Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell. It…
Georgian variation of Tamar, Hebrew
"date palm tree"
Tamari is a rare form of Tamar that used on girls and boys in the US. Beware that tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce-like condiment.
English nickname
"friend"
An upbeat and friendly nickname, Bud is more often reserved as a term of endearment, though it was once a Top 500 choice in the US and remained in the charts right up until the 60s. While long-form…
Modern nickname
An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle…
Spanish
"lamb"
Sounds more like a car than a baby name. Some sources related it to the English surname Carter, which would be more stylish these days.
Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise
"lily; lily + renowned warrior"
Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked…
Hebrew
"date palm island"
In the Old Testament, Itamar (or Ithamar) was the youngest son of Aaron.
Surname and nature name
"willow tree or shoot"
A handsome nature name – and an intriguing alternative to Willow – that is also found as a rare English surname.
Greek
"resurrection"
A Greek name more familiar in English speaking countries in its feminine form, Anastasia, this masculine version bears further consideration. The traditional nickname is Sakis, as used by notable…
African, Arabic mythological name; diminutive of Melissa, Greek
"honeybee"
Lissa might be an abbreviation of Melissa, but it's more substantial in its own right: Lissa is the name of a supreme mother goddess in African mythology and an Arabic symbol of rebirth.
English
"willow ford"
As a whole Wilford still carries a dowdy, dated image, but each component of the name—Will and Ford—are stylish in their own right. Wilford will be a part of the next generation of grandpa revival…
"spring of water"
Many Americans will misunderstand it as Maya, but Maayan (also stylized as Ma'ayan) is a popular Israeli name used for both sexes.
Animal name or English diminutive of Berenice, Greek
"she who brings victory"
Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny? Still, Bunny as a baby name is in the spotlight since Bryan Adams…
Word name
Blunt. Stick to Hunter.
"a day of religious observance and abstinence from work"
Sabbath is a faith-inspired word name, like Sunday or Faith, that is attracting some notice since heavy metal musician Zakk Wylde chose it for his son. But then there's the band Black Sabbath, which…
French
"springlike"
Although it has a sweet meaning, this name feels dated nowadays, like a fifties poodle skirt. Lavender may be a fresher alternative.
Armenian
"lily"
Lilit in the Top 20 girls names is Armenia. Outside of Armenia, Lilit might be confused with Lilith, but is worth considering as a name in its own right.
Common in Armenia, but virtually unheard of in the United States.
