Baby Name Meanings
Names with Inspirational Meanings
Across 14 pages
of 14
Euroa
Indigenous Australian
"joyful"
In the language of the Ngurelban people, 'Yera-o' is said to mean "joyful". This Anglicization is reminiscent of other feminine names like Eulalia and could work well for those looking for a less…
Freda
German
"peace"
Freda, along with near-identical twin sisters Frida and Frieda, has not been popular in the US for decades. After the two world wars, German names fell out of favor in the US and UK. The…
Axelle
French feminine form of Axel
"father of peace"
Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.
Ethel
English
"noble maiden"
Ethel is a name we once declared as 'So Far Out They'll Probably Always Be Out,' but with the return of other names on that list and with its new starbaby cred via Lily Allen, its soft sound and…
Fursey
Irish
"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…
Ganesha
Hindi
"fortunate"
The name of the Hindu elephant-headed god of success and wisdom, son of Shiva and Parvati.
Esperanza
Spanish
"hope, expectation"
Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New…
Gennady
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…
Engracia
Spanish from Latin
"endowed with God's grace"
Charming alternative to the overused Grace.
Gina
Diminutive of Regina, Eugenia, Georgina, and similar, English, German, Spanish
"queen; well born; farmer"
A short form for a whole variety of names, this short form has been used across Europe as a stand-alone since the 1920s. It spiked in popularity in the 1950s, owing to the fame of Italian actress…
Engelbert
German
"bright angel"
One of the rarest Bert names, Engelbert has been used at least since the time of Charlemagne and is the name of several saints. But mostly, it's impossible not to associate it with Engelbert…
Audra
English, Lithuanian
"noble strength; storm"
Used primarily in Scotland, and represented here by singer Audra McDonald, the girls' name Audra has been overshadowed by the return of the classic Audrey. Audra may be to Audrey what Jenna is to…
Auberon
English, French, German
"elf ruler, bright elf; noble bear"
Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.…
Anahera
Maori
"angel"
This feminine name — simply "angel" imported into Māori phonology — is fresher than Angela and less Hollywood than Angelina.
Elmer
English
"noble and renowned"
Thanks to Elmer Fudd, Elmer the Cow, Elmer the elephant, Elmer's glue and the similar Elmo, this name might, to some feel like a jokey choice: the quintessential so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out…
Halimah
Arabic
"gentle and patient"
The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.
Elke
Dutch, German, and Frisian diminutive of Adelheid
"noble"
Though she has long stood on her own, Elke has many longer cross-cultural connections, to the Dutch/German/Scandinavian Adelheid and Alice and the English Adelaide, as a feminine version of Elkanah…
Hani
Arabic; Hawaiian
"light-footed, to move softly, to touch; joyful"
Sweet multicultural name.
Hanita
Hindi
"divine grace"
The added h turns Anita alluring and breathy.
Asha
Sanskrit; Swahili
"hope; life"
Asha is an Indian name that comes from the Sanskrit word for hope or desire, but it is also a Swahili name derived from Aisha, meaning life. Since the ascendance of Ashley through the 1980s and 90s,…