Birthday Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
English
"blessed, happy"
Seeley is a Medieval surname with a happy, fortunate meaning.
"freezing"
Long heard as a last name, as in venerable poet Robert, U.K. talk show host David, British actress Sadie and old Jack Frost, Frost has suddenly entered the scene as a possible first, along with other…
Short form of Christina
Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.
Japanese
"snow; happiness"
Short yet impactful, this Japanese name with has two appealing meanings, depending on which kanji are used. It may be associated with joy, or with a wintery scene.
English word name
"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.
Greek
"peace"
Eirene, modernized to Irene, was the Greek goddess of peace. Eirene or Irene was also the name of an early empress and several saints.
Arabic; Hawaiian
"light-footed, to move softly, to touch; joyful"
Sweet multicultural name.
Hebrew; Spanish
"gold; peace"
Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the…
Basque
"star"
Used more for girls in Europe, but definitely sounds masculine enough for a boy here.
Variation of Noel, French
"Christmas"
If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional name for Christmas…
Feminine variation of Santo, Italian
"saint"
Santa has an appealing sound, or maybe that's sleigh bells we hear? It's difficult to separate the Italian girls' name Santa from the association to Mr. Claus, king of Christmas. The German…
Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique…
German; English, from Greek
"people of victory"
Nicola, an elegant Latinate feminization of Nicholas, has long been standard issue for English girls but for some reason has never voyaged across the Atlantic, which we consider a pity, especially as…
Sanskrit
"star, protector"
A strong, handsome Indian name with cross-cultural appeal.
Dutch and Frisian
The vintage Fenna, an old lady name making a comeback in the Netherlands, originates in Friesland in the northern part of the country, where the Fries language is spoken. Rhyming with Jenna, it's…
"holy day"
A fun and confident choice, Holiday is a celebratory name, particularly associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year, and with rest, leisure, and vacations more generally. Fitting…
Arabic
"the bearer of good news"
Nashira is one of those obscure space names that might rise along with such heavenly choices as Orion, Luna, and even Nevaeh. A giant star in Capricorn, Nashira is an unusual and attractive name with…
Hindi, Sanskrit
A gentle Hindi name, ultimately from the Sanskrit śāntī , Shanti may equally refer to a state of mental and physical peace, maintained despite any stresses or difficulties and Hindu prayers for…
Persian
"good news"
Attractive Middle Eastern choice.
Latin
"lover of God"
Amadea is a strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart. In more conservative times, Amadea might have seemed too strange for use on a contemporary baby, but by today's sensibility, it…
