October Baby Names

Wed Oct 21 2020By Nameberry

October baby names might relate to Halloween or the autumn season in general. Names inspired by the marigold, October’s birth flower, or opal, its birthstone, are equally appropriate for an October baby.

Names for babies born in October may reference the October zodiac signs, Libra and Scorpio. Names connected to the number eight, which puts the oct in October from the original Roman calendar, or ten to reference its standing in the modern calendar, might also be appropriate. Famous namesakes for October babies include Desmond Tutu, John Lennon, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Along with Opal and Lennon, other October baby names in the US Top 500 include Jack, Octavia, Hazel, Ezra, Theodore, Annabelle, Francis, and Harmony. Unique Halloween-related names include Wednesday, Casper, Trixie, and Bram.

October is a wonderful time to have a baby, and there are an abundance of great October baby names. Consider these names if you are expecting a baby in October.

Names for October Babies

Ezra

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"help"
Description:
Ezra is potentially an abbreviation for the Hebrew phrase Azaryahu, meaning “Yah helps.” In the Bible, Ezra led a group of fifteen hundred Israelites out of slavery in Babylon and back to Jerusalem. The Latin name Esdras derives from Ezra.

Hazel

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"the hazelnut tree"
Description:
Hazel is a name applied from the English word hazel, referring to the hazelnut tree. The word was derived from the Old English hæsel of the same meaning. Historically, a wand of hazel symbolized protection and authority.

Hazel Continued

Theodore

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"gift of God"
Description:
Theodore is a derivative of the Latin Theodorus, a variation of the Greek name Theodōros. The components are from the Greek words theos, meaning “God,” and dōron, meaning “gift,” giving Theodore the meaning “God-given” or “gift of God.” Names with similar origins include Theodora, Dorothy, and Dorothea.

Theodore Continued

Oscar

Origin:
English or Irish
Meaning:
"God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior"
Description:
Oscar has Irish and Norse roots—Norse Oscar comes from the Old English Osgar, a variation of the Old Norse name Ásgeirr. The Irish form was derived from the Gaelic elements os, meaning “deer,” and car, “loving.” In Irish legend, Oscar was one of the mightiest warriors of his generation, the son of Ossian and the grandson of Finn Mac Cumhaill (MacCool).

Oscar Continued

Arthur

Origin:
Celtic
Meaning:
" bear"
Description:
Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by some stylish parents, emerging as a top contender among names for the new royal prince.

Arthur Continued

Eleanor

Origin:
English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown
Description:
While some think Eleanor is a variation of Helen via Ellen, it actually derives from the Provencal phrase alia Aenor, meaning "other Aenor," used to distinguish the original Eleanor, who was named after her mother Aenor. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine brought it from France to England in the twelfth century. Other spellings include Elinor and Eleanore.

Eleanor Continued

Jack

Origin:
English, diminutive of John
Meaning:
"God is gracious"
Description:
Jack is a derivative of John that originated in medieval England. The name went from John to Johnkin to Jankin to Jackin to Jack. The name was so common in the Middle Ages that Jack became a generic term for a man.

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

Ada

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"noble, nobility"
Description:
Ada is derived from the German name Adelaide, which came from the ancient name Adalheidis. The root, adal, is a Germanic word meaning “noble.” Ada can also be considered a variation of the biblical name Adah, pronounced AH-da, one of the first girls’ names mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

Noah

Origin:
Hebrew
Meaning:
"rest, repose"
Description:
Noah was derived from the Hebrew name Noach, which itself came from the root nuach, meaning “rest.” In the bible, Noah was deemed the only righteous man of his time, singled out by God to survive the great flood sent to punish the world. Noa is generally a separate feminine Hebrew name, although it's also found as a variant spelling of the male name Noah.

Mae

Origin:
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
Meaning:
"bitter or pearl"
Description:
Mae is derived from May, the month name that was chosen for its connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood. Mae can be used as a nickname for the names Mary and Margaret — actress Mae West was born Mary. Alternate spellings include May, Mei, and Maye. The May spelling makes it more of a month name, while Mae makes it an antique nickname name. Both can stand on their own, as seen by Hilary Duff's choice of Mae as her daughter's first name.

Andrew

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"strong and manly"
Description:
Andrew is a variant of the Greek name Andreas, ultimately derived from the element aner, meaning “man.” In the New Testament, Andrew was one of the twelve apostles and the first disciple to be called by Jesus. Although the origins of the name are Greek, Andrew is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia, as well as Greece. It has associations with two of America's most famous artists, Wyeth and Warhol.

Andrew Continued

Margaret

Origin:
Greek
Meaning:
"pearl"
Description:
Margaret is derived from the French Marguerite, which in turn came from Margarita, the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. Margarites was based on the Old Persian word margārīta, meaning “pearl.”

Margaret Continued

Ian

Origin:
Scottish version of John
Meaning:
"the Lord is gracious"
Description:
Ian is Scottish form of John, derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan. It is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Iain, which is also a viable spelling. Ian was introduced to Americans by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

Tallulah

Origin:
Irish, Anglicized variation of Tuilelaith, or Choctaw
Meaning:
"lady of abundance, or leaping water"
Description:
As memories of the outragrous actress Talullah Bankhead have faded, this hauntingly euphonious Choctaw name has re-entered the public domain. A modern hipster favorite, it's been chosen for their daughters by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Patrick Dempsey, Damian Dash, Rachel Roy and Sara Rue, trail-blazed by Demi Moore and Bruce Willis for their now grown daughter. (Trivia tidbit: Bankhead's namesake was her paternal grandmother who, in turn, was named after the Georgia town of Tallulah Falls.)

Tallulah Continued

Octavia

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"eighth"
Description:
Octavia began as the Latin, then Victorian name for an eighth child. While there aren't many eighth children anymore, this ancient Roman name has real possibilities as a substitute for the overused Olivia; recommended for its combination of classical and musical overtones. It was chosen for his daughter by Kevin Sorbo.

Octavia Continued

Winifred

Origin:
Welsh
Meaning:
"blessed peacemaking"
Description:
One of the few remaining unrestored vintage gems, with a choice of two winning nicknames--the girlish Winnie and the tomboyish Freddie--as well as the slight stretch Freda. Winifred, the name of a legendary Welsh saint, was a Top 200 name into the mid-1920's.

Winifred Continued

Cosmo

Origin:
Italian from Greek
Meaning:
"order, beauty"
Description:
We all heard it on "Seinfeld" as the long-concealed first name of Kramer, now some pioneering parents are wondering if this expansive Greek name that seems to embrace the whole cosmos could make a creative and cool choice for their baby.

Cosmo Continued

Casper

Origin:
Dutch form of Jasper, Persian
Meaning:
"bringer of treasure"
Description:
This ancient name, also spelled Caspar, is finally shedding its ghostly image and moving into the 21st century. Popular in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where it's sometimes shortened to Cas, Casper could ride the style coattails of cousin Jasper. Casper was one of the Three Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus along with Melchior and Balthasar.

Casper Continued

Serena

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"tranquil, serene"
Description:
Serena, a name used since Roman times, was given fresh life by tennis star Williams, and then again with the leading character on Gossip Girl, Serena van der Woodsen. There have also been Serenas on soap operas and other shows from Bewitched to Law & Order.

Serena Continued

Raven

Origin:
Word and animal name
Description:
Bird name Raven, once a symbol of pride for both African-American and Wiccan parents, is finding new life as a superhero name. Raven Darkholme is the real name of Mystique, heroine of the X-Men films played by Jennifer Lawrence. And there is another Raven superheroine in Teen Titans. Some parents may still choose Raven to signal black pride or mystical powers or maybe even Edgar Allan Poe fandom, but we are guessing most inspiration is coming from the comics.

Raven Continued

Alfred

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"wise counselor"
Description:
Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Alfred Continued

Francis

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"Frenchman or free man"
Description:
Since this was the name chosen by the current Roman Catholic pope, Francis has come into the spotlight.

Francis 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

Blair

Origin:
Scottish
Meaning:
"dweller on the plain"
Description:
In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum. In England and Wales, Blair is incredibly unpopular for girls, sitting well outside the Top 2000.

Blair Continued

Jackson

Origin:
English
Meaning:
"son of Jack"
Description:
Cool name Jackson is one of the celebrisphere's top favorite boy names, having been chosen by, among others, Spike Lee, Poppy Montgomery, Carson Daly, Maria Bello, Natalie Maines, Scott Wolf, Maya Rudolph, and Katey Sagal. After a spectacular rise, this stylish presidential name has been in the Top 25 since 2010, overtaking John as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.

Jackson Continued

Juliette

Origin:
French from Latin
Meaning:
"little Julia"
Description:
Juliette, pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, adds a little something extra to Juliet. In the past years it has been rising up the chart.

Juliette Continued

Annabelle

Origin:
Combination of Anna and Belle or French form of Amabel
Meaning:
"loving"
Description:
This is a charming name on the rise along with other-belle names, especially in this form, but also appealing in the more streamlined Annabel spelling, made famous by the Edgar Allen Poe poem Annabel Lee. Annabelle is saucy and stylish, a tad upscale, has a sense of humor, is melodious and lively.

Annabelle Continued

Camilla

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"young ceremonial attendant"
Description:
The Spanish Camila, pronounced ka-MEE-la, is the fastest rising version of this ancient Roman name, but recent royal Camilla may have helped promote the British brand. In Roman myth, Camilla was a swift-footed huntress so fast she could run over a field without bending a blade of grass.

Camilla Continued

Jonas

Origin:
Greek variation of Jonah
Meaning:
"dove"
Description:
Jonas has a slightly more grandfatherly image than the English version of his name, but that only adds to its retro appeal. And though it may lag behind Jonah in this country, Jonas is riding a huge wave of popularity in Europe, where it ranks highly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Norway.

Jonas Continued

Rosemary

Origin:
Latin or English
Meaning:
"dew of the sea, or rosemary (herb)"
Description:
Despite appearances, Rosemary is not a “smoosh” name, not even a traditional one. The name derives from two Latin terms “Ros” meaning ‘dew’ and “Marinus” “meaning “of the sea”. The plant was termed ‘dew of the sea’ due to its salty texture and its ability to thrive in coastal climes. Only after the Middle Ages did the English names of Rose and Mary become interchanged with the name Rosmarinus and give us the modern name we use today.

Rosemary Continued

Autumn

Origin:
Season name
Description:
Crisp and colorful, Autumn is the most popular season name now -- the only one in the Top 100 in recent years -- with Autumn's coolness only surpassed by Winter. Jennifer Love Hewitt named her daughter Autumn James.

Autumn Continued

Marigold

Origin:
Flower name, from English
Meaning:
"golden flower"
Description:
Marigold, once found almost exclusively in English novels and aristocratic nurseries, is beginning to be talked about and considered here. It has a sweet, sunny, quirky feel. The marigold was the symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Marigold Continued

Desmond

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"one from south Munster"
Description:
Desmond is a sophisticated and debonair name, with noble ties to 1984 Nobel Peace Prize-winning Bishop Desmond Tutu, and with some great nicknames: Des/Dez, Desi/Dezi.

Desmond Continued

Maximilian

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"greatest"
Description:
This name once seemed a bit grand and pompous for an American baby boy, but a significant number of parents are now preferring it as a substantial platform for the nickname Max, among them Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who chose it for their twin son.

Maximilian Continued

Gwen

Origin:
Diminutive of Gwendolen/Gwendolyn
Meaning:
"white circle"
Description:
While Gwen may have originated as a short form of Gwendolen and Gwendolyn, these days it frequently stands on its own. Rocker Gwen Stefani has given it a shot of cool, and parents are choosing it as a standalone more and more often—Gwen hopped back onto the US Top 1000 in 2013 after an absence of over 30 years. Gwen could also be short for Guinevere.

Wolfgang

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"traveling wolf"
Description:
Chef Wolfgang Puck has helped soften this thunderous Germanic name; music-lovers will appreciate its association with Mozart, though the composer's middle name Amadeus is more appealing.

Wolfgang Continued

Opal

Origin:
Sanskrit
Meaning:
"gem"
Description:
Opal is on the verge of a repolishing, following other jewel names like Ruby and Pearl. A Top 100 name during the first two decades of the twentieth century, the opalescent Opal has a good chance of coming back as another O-initial option.

Neve

Origin:
Anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh or Italian and Portuguese
Meaning:
"snow"
Description:
Introduced to the American public by actress Neve Campbell; it was her Dutch-born mother's maiden name. Neve is an interesting and fresh new possibility, one which Conan O'Brien chose for his daughter.

Sabrina

Origin:
Celtic mythology name; Latin name for the River Severn
Description:
Sabrina, the bewitchingly radiant name of a legendary Celtic goddess, is best known as the heroine of the eponymous film, originally played by Audrey Hepburn, and later as a teenage TV witch; it would make a distinctive alternative to the ultrapopular Samantha. Similar names you might also want to consider include Sabina and Serena.

Sabrina Continued

Lennon

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"lover"
Description:
A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon. Lennon first came to notice when Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit used it for their son in 1999, and singer-musician Adam Pascal followed their lead in two years later. Thanks in part to female singer and actress Lennon Stella, it's now more popular for girls than for boys.

Lennon Continued

Tabitha

Origin:
Aramaic
Meaning:
"gazelle"
Description:
Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.

Tabitha Continued

Una

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"one; also, lamb"
Description:
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in Ireland but rarely heard here. The Oona spelling has more oomph.

Luciano

Origin:
Italian variation of Lucian
Meaning:
"light"
Description:
A vibrant, operatic Latin choice.

Luciano Continued

Octavius

Origin:
Latin
Meaning:
"eighth"
Description:
Octavius, which was at one time used for the eighth child in a family, has the worn leather patina of all the ancient Roman names now up for reconsideration.

Octavius Continued

Cullen

Origin:
Irish
Meaning:
"holly tree"
Description:
Cullen is an appealing Irish surname name that upped its cool factor considerably when it became the Twilight family name of Edward et al. It's considerably less popular than it was at its peak in 2010, but is still widely used.

Cullen Continued

Minnie

Origin:
Diminutive of Minerva
Meaning:
"of the mind, intellect"
Description:
Minnie was wildly popular at the turn of the last century—it was the fifth or sixth most popular name throughout the 1880s—but is completely obscure today. Blame Mickey's girlfriend. Regardless, it's possible that the up and coming trend toward old-fashioned nickname-names—think Maisie, Mamie, Millie—may give Minnie (all on its own, not as a short form of anything) a new moment in the sun. Minnie Driver (born Amelia) has given it some modern celeb cred.

Minnie Continued

Toby

Origin:
Diminutive of Tobias
Description:
This jaunty unisex nickname name has recently been given a shot of testosterone via actor Tobey Maguire and the gruff, erudite character on West Wing.

Goldie

Origin:
Anglicized form of Yiddish Golde or Golda
Description:
More Sadie than Sadie, this old canasta player--somewhat modernized and energized by Goldie Hawn--looks like it could be making a comeback. It was recently chosen for her daughter by Ione Skye and Ben Lee, as well as by shoemeister Steve Madden.

Goldie Continued

Bruno

Origin:
German
Meaning:
"brown"
Description:
Bruno is a popular name throughout Europe and South America that deserves more attention here. Its color meaning makes it one of the perfect names for November babies, or really a boy born in any of the autumn months.

Bruno Continued

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