April Baby Names

Fri Mar 26 2021By Pamela Redmond

April baby names may be related to two of the month’s biggest holidays, Passover and Easter. Even minor holidays, like Earth Day or Arbor Day, could provide naming inspiration for an April baby.

Names for an April baby could also include those connected to April’s birthstone, the diamond, or daisies, April’s birth flower. And given that April showers famously bring May flowers, April's often-rainy weather might also provide baby name inspiration.

Memorable events and renowned people associated with April can relate to names for babies born in April, as can saints with feast days during the month. Consider these possibilities if you are expecting an April baby.

Maya

Origin:
Greek mythology name; Central American Indian empire name; Latinate variation of May; Spanish, diminutive of Amalia; variation of Maia; Hebrew
Meaning:
"water"
Description:
In addition to being the name of a Central American culture, Maya was the legendary Greek mother of Hermes by Zeus, and means "illusion" in Sanskrit and Eastern Pantheism. It can also be spelled Maia, though both names have so many possible origins and meanings that not all of them are related. To the Romans, Maia/Maya was the incarnation of the earth mother and goddess of spring, after whom they named the month of May.

Violet

Origin:
English from Latin
Meaning:
"purple"
Description:
Violet is soft and sweet but far from shrinking. The Victorian Violet, one of the prettiest of the color and flower names, was chosen by high-profile parents Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, definitely a factor in its rapid climb to popularity. Violet cracked into the Top 50 for the first time ever in 2015.

Violet Continued

Charlotte

Origin:
French, feminine diminutive of Charles
Meaning:
"free man"
Description:
Charlotte is the feminine form of the male given name Charles. It derived from Charlot, a French diminutive of Charles meaning “little Charles,” and the name of Charlemagne’s son in French literature and legend. The name was popularized by England's Queen Charlotte Sophia, wife of King George III.

Charlotte Continued

Rose

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"rose, a flower"
Description:
Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. There is also evidence to suggest it was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning “famous type.” In Old English it was translated as Roese and Rohese.

Anastasia

Origin:
Greek, feminine variation of Anastasios
Meaning:
"resurrection"
Description:
Anastasia is the feminine form on Anastasius, a Greek name derived from the word anastasis, meaning “resurrection.” It was a common name among early Christians, who often gave it to daughters born around Christmas or Easter. There are handful of saints named Anastasia, including the patron saint of weavers.

Anastasia Continued

Willow

Origin:
English nature name
Meaning:
"willow tree"
Description:
Willow came into use as a given name after the willow tree, whose name was derived from the Old English word welig, meaning “willow.” Willow trees are associated with grace and elegance, which gave way to the adjective “willowy.” Other names with meanings related to willows include Arava, Willoughby, Dozier, Wellesley, Selby, and Salton.

Willow Continued

Oliver

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"olive tree"
Description:
Oliver derives from Olivier, the Norman French variation of the Ancient Germanic name Alfher or the Old Norse Aleifr, which comes from Olaf. Olivier emerged as the dominant spelling for its associations with the Latin word oliva, meaning “olive tree.” Oliver was used as a given name in medieval England after the spread of the French epic poem ‘La Chanson de Roland,’ which features a character named Olivier.

Oliver Continued

Flora

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"flower"
Description:
Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names we think is due for a comeback--alongside cousins Cora and Dora. Also the name of a saint, Flora has long been a favorite in Scotland where it was the name of the young heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie make his way to France. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all.

Flora Continued

Lily

Origin:
English flower name
Meaning:
"lily"
Description:
Lily came into use as a given name as a direct influence of the flower. The floral name was derived from the Latin lilium, itself derived from the Greek leirion. Lily later became an adjective to describe whiteness and purity.

Daisy

Origin:
Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, from English
Meaning:
"day's eye"
Description:
Daisy, fresh, wholesome, and energetic, is one of the flower names that burst back into bloom after a century's hibernation. Daisy is now second only to Delilah among most popular girl names starting with D. Originally a nickname for Margaret (the French Marguerite is the word for the flower), Daisy comes from the phrase "day's eye," because it opens its petals at daybreak.

Daisy Continued

Harper

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"harp player"
Description:
Harper is a red hot name for girls, having jumped from obscurity to near the top of the popularity list in less than a decade; it entered the Top 10 for the first time in 2015, and has stayed near there since. Harper is a prime example of the trend of surnames that turn into boys' names and then become girls' names. Harper was rarely heard for either sex before the mid-2000s, entering the girls' list in 2004. (For boys, it was in use until 1906 when it dropped off the scope and didn't reappear until a full century later.)

Harper Continued

Saoirse

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"liberty"
Description:
Saoirse originated as a baby name in 1920s Ireland as an applied use of saoirse, the Gaelic word for “freedom.” The name was first adopted during the Irish War of Independence, when the Irish Republican Army fought the British Army for the liberation of Ireland from British rule. In modern times, Saoirse, as well as a host of other Gaelic names, are being revived in Ireland, the UK, and the US.

Saoirse Continued

Peter

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"rock"
Description:
Peter is derived from the Greek Petros, meaning “rock” or “stone.” One of the most important figures in the Christian hagiography is Saint Peter, keeper of the Gates of Heaven. Born Simon bar Jonah, he was given the nickname Peter by Jesus, to signify that he would be the rock on which Christ would build Christianity. Centuries later, there was Peter the Great, the czar who developed Russia as a major European power.

Peter Continued

Miriam

Origin:
Hebrew or Egyptian
Meaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Description:
The oldest-known form of Mary, serious and solemn Miriam has been a particular favorite of observant Jewish parents. But we can see it extending beyond that sphere into the next wave of Old Testament names post-Rachel, Rebecca, Sarah, Hannah, and Leah. Miriam is currently the Number 1 girls' name in Israel.

Miriam Continued

Thaddeus

Origin:
Aramaic, meaning unclear, possibly from Theodore
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Thaddeus, a distinguished, long-neglected name, has several areas of appeal: a solid New Testament legacy, a nice antique feel, and the choice of several more modern nicknames and international variations.

Thaddeus Continued

Theodora

Origin:
Feminine variation of Theodore
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Theodora is one of the most revival-worthy of the charmingly old-fashioned Victorian valentine names, softly evocative but still substantial, as is the reversed-syllable Dorothea. It was borne by several saints and by the beautiful ninth wife of the Emperor Justinian, who became the power behind his throne. A later royal was Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark, the older sister of the present Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Theodora Continued

Osiris

Origin:
Egyptian
Meaning:
"with strong eyesight"
Description:
Osiris is the name of Egyptian mythology god-king who died and was reborn every year. Emerging from centuries of obscurity, Osiris has several ingredients for success in the modern world: Roots in ancient myth, an uplifting meaning, an s ending and the cute nickname Os or Oz.

Osiris Continued

Adam

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"son of the red earth"
Description:
Adam -- a primal Old Testament name -- was revived as a 1960s cowboy name. Adam is not as popular as it once was and feels ready for a respite, replaced by newer A names like Aidan/Aiden, Avery and Axel. Its most prominent current bearers include Adams Sandler, Levine, Brody and Driver -- who plays a character named Adam on Girls.

Leonardo

Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, German
Meaning:
"brave lion"
Description:
For centuries this name was associated primarily with the towering figure of Italian Renaissance painter-scientist-inventor Leonardo da Vinci, and was scarcely used outside the Latin culture. But then along came Leonardo DiCaprio, who was supposedly given the name because his pregnant mother felt her first kick while looking at a da Vinci painting in the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence, and who would make the name young and handsome and multi-cultural.
Leonardo is a popular choice among other attractive Italian and Spanish names for boys, and its cousin Leo is popular as well.

Leonardo Continued

Aspen

Origin:
Nature and place-name
Description:
Aspen is part of two groups of stylish and unique baby names: nature names and place-names. The name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves so delicate they quiver in the gentlest breeze, Aspen is also the name of a trendy Colorado ski resort. Aspen started as a unisex name possibility but now is much more frequently worn by girls.

Aspen Continued

Carson

Origin:
Irish and Scottish
Meaning:
"son of the marsh-dwellers"
Description:
Carson is one of the most long-running popular androgynous baby names, with a dash of the Wild West via the legendary Missouri frontiersman Kit Carson. Dating back to when it was the name of Nancy Drew's Dad, Carson is still steadily in the Top 100 baby names.
Current Carsons include TV personalities Carson Daly and Carson Kressley, and Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer. Carson Wells was the bounty hunter character played by Woody Harrelson in No Country for Old Men, and Carson is the name chosen by actress Kathryn Erbe for her son.

Carson Continued

Gaia

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"earth mother"
Description:
The name of the Greek mythological earth goddess and universal mother; actress Emma Thompson stated that she was attracted by its ecological element, so other "green" parents may want to follow her lead.

Rain

Origin:
Word name
Description:
Among a small shower of rain-related names, this pure version can have a cool, refreshing image.

Magnolia

Origin:
Flower name, from French surname
Meaning:
"Magnol's flower"
Description:
Magnolia, a sweet-smelling Southern belle of a name made famous via the iconic Edna Ferber novel and musical Showboat, is one of the latest wave of botanical names, along with exotic blossoms Azalea and Zinnia. It is named for French botanist Pierre Magnol.

Magnolia Continued

Irene

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"peace"
Description:
Serene Irene, the name of the Greek goddess of peace and one of the most familiar Greek goddess names, was hugely popular in ancient Rome and again in the United States a hundred years ago.

Irene Continued

Forrest

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"dweller near the woods"
Description:
Forrest is one of the earliest appealingly sylvan, outdoorsy choices, borne by newsman Sawyer, actor Whitaker, and football Hall of Famer Gregg. Forrest Gates was a character on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Forrest Continued

George

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"farmer"
Description:
Iconoclasts though we may be, we like Fred, we like Frank, and we like George, which was among the Top 10 from 1830 to 1950, when the number of little Georges started to decline. Solid, strong, royal and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious, we think that George is in prime position for a comeback, especially since it was chosen by Britain's royal couple.

George Continued

Acacia

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"thorny"
Description:
Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.

Acacia Continued

Calla

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"beautiful"
Description:
Calla is a lily name that is much more distinctive and delicate than Lily. Rarely heard today, it did appear in the popularity lists in the last decades of the nineteenth century.

Calla Continued

April

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"to open"
Description:
Once the most popular month names, April has been overtaken by June (for girls) and August (for boys), as well as the charmingly old-fashioned May. Literary reference: the heroine of the book and movie Revolutionary Road, and there have been Aprils on Parks and Recreation, Glee, and The Vampire Diaries. Trivia note: comedian Ralphie May named his daughter April June May.

April Continued

Paloma

Origin:
Spanish
Meaning:
"dove"
Description:
Paloma is vibrant and ruby-lipped a la jewelry designer Paloma Picasso, but it also suggests peace, as symbolized by the dove. Paloma is a highly recommended striking but soft name, one of the best of the names that mean peace and girls' names starting with P.

Paloma Continued

Jethro

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"excellence"
Description:
Jethro, though the biblical father-in-law of Moses, has suffered for a long time from a Beverly Hillbilly image, but some really adventurous parents might consider updating and urbanizing it and transitioning it into the hip o-ending category.

Jethro Continued

Magdalena

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"from Magdala"
Description:
Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with Magdalene and the unrelated but similar-sounding Marguerite.

Magdalena Continued

Bartholomew

Origin:
Aramaic
Meaning:
"son of the furrow"
Description:
Bartholomew is an apostle's name that's been out of favor for centuries but might appeal again to the parent in search of an old but rare choice. The challenge could be to avoid the Simpson-ish nickname. That character, by the way, has the full name of Bartholomew JoJo Simpson, and creator Matt Groening came up with Bart as an--uh oh--anagram for brat. Two old alternate nicknames are Barty and Tolly.

Bartholomew Continued

Cedar

Origin:
English and French from Latin tree name
Meaning:
"cedar tree"
Description:
Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic.

Cedar Continued

Anthea

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"flowery"
Description:
This unjustly neglected floral name has a BBC accent and a Greek mythological heritage: Anthea is an epithet of Hera, the Greek queen of the gods, and her name has been used as poetic symbol of spring.

Anthea Continued

Augustine

Origin:
English variation of Augustus
Meaning:
"great, magnificent"
Description:
Augustine is more substantial (and saintly) than August, less pretentious than Augustus, and, along with its nickname Gus, is definitely a viable choice.

Augustine Continued

Aries

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"a ram"
Description:
Better than Capricorn or Cancer, not as usable as Leo, the name of the Roman god of war becomes more possible as a baby name every day, as mythological names take the place of biblical names.

Aries Continued

Zebedee

Origin:
English variation of Hebrew Zebediah
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Zebedee is an adorable and unusual New Testament name--which may sound like but is not a contradiction in terms. Unlike some of the longer biblical Z-names, Zebedee has a more lighthearted usability, with its gleeful ee-ending. And Zeb makes a fabulous nickname.

Zebedee Continued

Sena

Origin:
Korean; Hindi; Arabic; African
Meaning:
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"
Description:
Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna (with a soft e) or Sienna. Sena is also a place name, a surname, the name of several groups of people, and the name of a genus of moth as well as a kind of wine, among other things. The similar Cinna from The Hunger Games may make Sena more plausible as a first name.

Storm

Origin:
Word name
Description:
Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.

Storm Continued

Moses

Origin:
Egyptian
Meaning:
"delivered from the water"
Description:
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin's choice of this white-bearded Old Testament name helped bring it into the modern age, along with brethren Elijah, Isaiah and Isaac. User-friendly nicknames include Moe and Mose.

Moses Continued

Bernadette

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"brave as a bear"
Description:
Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated with the saint who saw visions of the Virgin Mary—Saint Bernadette of Lourdes—it is now no longer strictly inhabiting the Catholic diocese.

Bernadette Continued

Judas

Origin:
Greek variation of Judah
Meaning:
"praised"
Description:
Though there were two apostles named Judas, everyone remembers the one who betrayed Jesus, and the name has been permanently shunned.

Judas Continued

Conan

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"little wolf"
Description:
The fierce image of the Barbarian made a complete turnaround thanks to amiable talk show host O'Brien, making Conan one of the newly desirable Irish choices, a perfect alternative to Conor/Connor.

Conan Continued

Pascal

Origin:
French; English
Meaning:
"of the Passover; Easter"
Description:
The French-accented Pascal was historically used for sons born at Easter, and can make an interesting choice for a boy with Gallic roots arriving around that holiday.

Pascal Continued

Maple

Origin:
English tree name from Latin
Meaning:
"piece of cloth"
Description:
If Apple and Juniper, Oak and Pine can be baby names, why not Maple? Why not indeed. We've heard Maple starting to be used quietly, but with its lush sound and attractive image, we predict its use as a first name will grow — and its choice by the Jason Batemans — who combined it with the sweet middle name Sylvie — will only accelerate that growth.

Maple Continued

Marguerite

Origin:
French variation of Margaret; also a flower name
Meaning:
"pearl; daisy"
Description:
Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here.

Marguerite Continued

Laurel

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"laurel tree"
Description:
Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Rome.

Laurel Continued

Delta

Origin:
Greek, fourth letter of Greek alphabet
Description:
Southern charm, lazy-day-down-by-the-river feel.

Delta Continued

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