Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
English
"happy, joyous"
Fane, used as a nickname in the Middle Ages for someone with a cheerful disposition, is one of the more offbeat members of the Zane-Kane family.
Short form of Lafayette, French, English word name
"faith; predestined, destiny, chance"
Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word…
Yoruba, "lucky, good fortune, blessed"
"lucky, good fortune, blessed"
A beautiful Yoruban name associated with honor and good fortune. Both fy-o-la and fay-OH-luh are used as pronunciations. Instagrammer Fayola Leo and musician Sri Fayola are notable bearers.
Frisian
"peace"
Fedde, a Top 100 boys' name in The Netherlands, is a Frisian short form for names beginning with Frid, which means "peace." As with many names popular in contemporary Holland, this short form stands…
Dutch
A lovely meaning and sound -- if you're fluent in Dutch.
Irish
"man of valor"
Despite its virtuous meaning, Fergall - along with the more standard spellings Fergal, Ferghal and Fearghal - has never made it across the ocean. In the States, Fergall is a rare yet pronounceable…
Latin
"joyous, festive"
A name from the ancient world that may get a mixed reception today. On the one hand, festive! On the other hand, fester. In the Bible, Porcius Festus was a Roman official who rubbed up against St…
Yoruba, African
"honor and respect me"
Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.
Yiddish
"joy"
An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.
"virtue"
Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread…
Hindi
"fortunate"
The name of the Hindu elephant-headed god of success and wisdom, son of Shiva and Parvati.
Hebrew
Gay, nearly giddy, gee-whiz feel; also too reminscent of a gila monster.
Russian
"noble, generous"
Gennady is derived from an early saint's name (Gennadius) and shares the same Greek root word as the English word generous. It is a familiar if still uncommon boys' name in Russia. If you're looking…
Slovene, Serbian, Croatian
"nurture, grow, heal"
A short and snappy South Slavic name with a powerful, uplifting meaning.
"divine grace"
The added h turns Anita alluring and breathy.
Arabic
"truthful"
North African name with a distinctive beat.
Korean
"grace"
For Americans, a little too he for a she.
Welsh
"blessed peace"
A bold Welsh name with a gentle meaning, Heddwyn is notably associated with the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, who died at Passchendaele during World War One. He used Hedd Wyn as his Bardic name, having…
Spanish
"nobleman"
Hidalgo is the name of a minor planet, and, on Earth, the Spanish word for a nobleman, but we don't see much crossover potential.
Japanese
"generous, fair"
Commonly used in Japanese families.
