January Baby Names
January baby names might mark the beginning of a new year with meanings related to newness or freshness, including Nova, derived from the Latin word for "new," and Dawn.
Names for babies born in January can reference all things winter, including snow. January’s birthstone is the garnet, which works as a name for a boy or a girl. The snowdrop, January’s birth flower, offers some naming inspiration as well.
Along with Nova and King, popular January baby names ranking in the US Top 600 include Hope, Aurora, Xavier, Reagan, Franklin, Sophie, Kiara, and Zane. Unique January baby names that we recommend include January, Sylvester, Camellia, and Wolf.
You may also consider the name of a famous figure born in January, such as Martin Luther King Jr. or Henri Matisse. Each would make a great namesake if you are expecting a baby in January. Here, view our comprehensive collection of January baby names.
RELATED:
Aarush
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"first ray of sun"Description:
A fiery Indian name used enough in the US to make it onto the Top 1000 list in 2010 and 2015.
Aegis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"young goat"Description:
Often found as a brand name in the hi-tech and industrial worlds.
Aja
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"goat"Description:
Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album.
Aleph
Origin:
First letter of the Hebrew alphabet and HebrewMeaning:
"chief, number one"Description:
Aleph came into the spotlight when chosen by Israel-born Natalie Portman for her son. Alef is a more common spelling of these related Hebrew baby names.
Alexander
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Alexander is derived from the Greek name Aléxandros, composed of the elements aléxein, meaning “to defend,” and aner, meaning “man.” According to Greek legend, the first Alexander was Paris, who was given the nickname Alexander by the shepherds whose flocks he defended against robbers. He was followed by Alexander the Great, aka Alexander III, who conquered much of Asia.
Alpha
Origin:
Greek, first letter of the alphabetDescription:
The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
Alula
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"first leap"Description:
Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.
Amal
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"hope, inspiration"Description:
Amal is an attractive name with a wonderful meaning that has long been used in many Middle Eastern countries, especially Lebanon (and migrant communities). It is of course getting a lot more coverage now since the fame of international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney, who's singlehandedly made this one of the best-known Arabic names for girls.
Amaryllis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"to sparkle"Description:
If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you. A showier flower name than Lily, but in the same botanical family, Amaryllis is not as outre as it might at first sound. It was used in Greek poetry as the appellation of pure pastoral beauties; Amaryllis is the heroine of Virgil's epic poem Ecologues, after whom the flower was named. Other references are characters in the George Bernard Shaw play Back to Methuselah and The Music Man. James Bond-creator Ian Fleming had a half sister named Amaryllis Marie-Louise Fleming, who was a noted British cellist.
Aneira
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"much snow"Description:
This airy Welsh name, which has only been in use since the early 20th century, is formed of the intensifying prefix an- plus eira ("snow"), making it a wintry nature name.
Anton
Origin:
German, Russian, and Scandinavian variation of AnthonyDescription:
Cultured and cultivated in an old-style, Old World way. Sometimes associated with the classic writer Anton Chekhov. Al Pacino has a son with this name.
Antonella
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"first born"Description:
Antonella is an Italian version more feminine and unusual than Antonia. Antonina is a similarly appealing possibility, heard in Poland and Russia.
Aquarius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"water carrier"Description:
Astrological name retains a hippielike Age of Aquarius feel.
Asha
Origin:
Sanskrit; SwahiliMeaning:
"hope; life"Description:
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, all baby names Ash-related have been used in the U.S. for both girls and boys, from Ashlyn to Ashby, Ashton to Asher. Despite its separate roots, Asha is part of this group. Asha is finding new life through its Game of Thrones connections.
Aurora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dawn"Description:
Aurora is the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise whose tears turned into the morning dew. She was said to renew herself by traveling from East to West across the sky, announcing the arrival of the sun each dawn. Aurora is also associated with the scientific term for the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis.
Beeja
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"the beginning, or, happy"Description:
Rhythmic and enchanting.
Betsy
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a comeback, pigtailed Betsy could return as well.
Birch
Origin:
Tree nameDescription:
Birch is a rarely used nature name that calls to mind the lovely image of the tall, strong but graceful white-barked tree.
Bronte
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"thunder"Description:
This lovely surname of the three novel-writing sisters, now used as a baby name, makes a fitting tribute for lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. While the original name took an umlaut over the e, modern English speakers may find that more trouble than it's worth. Trivia note: The Anglo-Irish clergyman who was the father of Charlotte, Emily and Anne changed his name from the original Brunty. According to scholars, the family pronounced the name brun-tee, though in the 21st century world it's commonly pronounced bron-tay. In Australia, the name is more likely to take inspiration from Bronte Beach in Sydney. It was named after Lord Nelson, the 1st Duke of Bronté. He got his title from a town in Sicily, itself named after a mythological Cyclops.
Cait
Origin:
Short form of CaitlinMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Cait, pronounced like more popular sister Kate, is the form used when shortening Caitlin or any of the other Irish and Gaelic Cait-starting variations of Catherine.