Birthday Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Breton and French
"light"
This beautiful Breton saint's name peaked at #127 in France in 2006. It's still in the Top 500 there today, but remains almost unknown outside of France.
Arabic or diminutive of Shulamit, Hebrew
"flame; peace"
Shula is a short form often used on its own in Israel. Sula is another, related, option. As an Arabic name, it has a bright, fiery meaning.
Italian version of Columba
"dove"
This spelling used in Italy and Spain shares the peaceful meaning of dove with the more familiar Columba. It's a Top 35 name in Chile.
Occupational word name
Drummer entered the baby name lexicon thanks to blogger No Big Dill, who chose it for her newborn son, who joins five older sisters. Drummer is right in step with other occupational names in vogue…
Color and nature name
"dove, a bird"
Subtle but clear unisex way to signal peace, especially in middle place.
word name
This cosmological name has a zippy feel that might work well for the galactic parent looking for the perfect name for their own little star.
African, Ugandan
"peace"
A warm and musical name with a lovely meaning. There is a popular song called Dembe by famous Ugandan artist named Bobbi Wine, who also ran for President.
English word name
"someone who dances"
A word name that's appealing when applied to a person boogying or doing ballet; a different story in the context of Santa's reindeer.
English variation of Columba
In the currently popular solid, serious, two-syllable mold.
Marron is an uncommon feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from French, where 'marron' refers to the chestnut color or the nut itself, giving the name nature-inspired…
Diminutive of Jelena, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene
"light, shining torch; fir tree"
A relation of Helen via the Slavic Jelena, Jelka is also a word name, used to describe a fir tree in Slovene and a Christmas tree specifically in Serbian and Croatian. As such, it may be a good…
Dutch from Hebrew
"city of the king; king of light"
The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider. The exact origins of Melchior are unknown, but it is speculated that it derived from either the Hebrew…
Welsh
"great ruler"
Meredith has been considered primarily a girl's name since the fifties, before which it was more commonly used for boys. Comic actor Jay Mohr recently named his son Meredith, which might help it…
Irish surname, related to the sea
A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
English variation of Letitia
"joy, gladness"
Lettice is still occasionally heard in upper-class British families, but we fear it would cause too much salad-green teasing to be considered in the U.S. Calling your little Lettice Lettie could help…
Hebrew
"father of peace"
Absalom, because of its biblical and literary associations, just might appeal to the daring namegiver. In the Old Testament, Absalom was the handsome, favored but rebellious son of King David. In…
Egyptian
"peaceful"
Egyptian mythology place-name with an intriguing sound and appealingly peaceful meaning. Update for Aaron?
Irish
"festive; affection, endearment"
An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…
Latin
Letitia is a delicate, once prim and proper sounding name whose staid image has been unbuttoned by numerous phonetic spellings. The original, often used in Spanish-speaking families, would still make…
Cornish
"love"
Kerensa, forever romantic, is a rare Cornish name spelled with an ' s ' or ' z ', the most modern of the Karen family. Kerensa (or Kerenza) has ties to the Welsh Cerys. Kerensa is a name favored by…
