Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Slavic
"peace, world"
Mirko is a diminutive version of Miroslav but is now given as a full name.
Arabic
"noble"
Sari is a cute spin on Sarah, though some may hear it as "sorry," and it is also an item of clothing worn in India. These days many people will also confuse Sari with Suri, the lovely and unsual name…
"thankful, woman of grace"
The mononymous Colombian-born singer inspired a popularity blip in the 90s and early 00s.
Hawaiian
"peace"
Malu is a charming Hawaiian name chosen by ex-Talking Head David Byrne for his daughter. Malu might also be an abbreviated form of Malou, which is an abbreviated form of Mary Louise. Malu or Malou…
"heavenly beauty"
This name is a variation of U'i lani, which means heavenly beauty in Hawaiian.
Greek
"wide justice"
Flowing and intriguing, Eurydice is a name from Greek mythology, borne by the wife of musician Orpheus. After she is poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, Orpheus attempts to rescue…
Tamil; Hawaiian
"Virtue; princess"
Japanese
"generous"
Several artistic Hiroshis make this one of the more plausible Japanese imports.
French form of Veronica
"true image"
Veronica seems poised to rise again, along with many other V names, and with it may follow this more romantic French version.
French
"faith"
Foppish name with a distinguished forebear, French general Marquis de Lafayette, who fought in the American Revolution. It accounts for the L in L. Ron Hubbard. Old-time short form: Fayette or Fate.
Dutch, German, and Frisian diminutive of Adelheid
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…
Native American
"happy fortune"
Resonant and unusual.
"the honorable one"
Long associated with Egyptian-born actor/bridge expert Omar Sharif, also a title bestowed on descendants of Muhammad.
"she possesses sweetness and grace"
Ear-catching alternative to Lydia.
Hindi, Persian, Greek
"friend; earth mother"
Deriving from the Sanskrit Mithra , Mitra is the Hindu god of the sun and of friendship. This transcription is unisex in Hindi, while in Persian, it is the feminine form. Notable bearers of Mitra…
Variation of Barnabas
"son of comfort"
The name Barney is hot among hip Londoners and it has been above the Top 500 in the UK since 2012. You can see why - it's got a friendly happy sound and a lovely meaning and is more easily worn than…
Sometimes used as the masculine form of Irene / Eirene, Irenaeus is a name seen in the Early Christian church (for example, Saint Irenaeus who is considered to be one of the Church fathers). Other…
Sanskrit
"truth"
Satya can be either a feminine or masculine name. It is strongly connected to the virtue, and in order to have "satya" one must be truthful not only in words, but also in actions and thoughts. Satya…
African place-name, Nigeria
"honor, tribute"
Kanye West propelled his name into the Top 900 in the early 2000s, at the height of his popularity, though now it has dropped off the baby-naming map. In addition to its African derivation, it is a…
"hope of peace"
Kazuki is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazumi
