Birthday Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Italian, variation of Latin Octavia
"eight"
Softer and more romantic than Octavia, this is a name once used when it wasn't uncommon for families to have eight children. A possible substitute for the epidemically popular Olivia.
English
"peacock"
Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe. As a first name, it's radically underused, given last year in the US to only five…
Latin
"beautiful view"
Has a decidedly middle-aged image.
Bulgarian; Macedonian; Croatian; Serbian
"marigold"
If you're looking for a creative way to get to Neve, Nevena is a lovely option with a sweet floral meaning.
Zenobius is a masculine name of ancient Greek origin, derived from the elements 'Zeus' (the supreme Greek god) and 'bios' meaning 'life', thus signifying 'life of Zeus' or 'living through Zeus'. This…
Greek
"scales, balance"
Appropriate for a girl born between late September and late October, Libra suggests both balance and freedom.
English literary name
"kite"
Poetic and easy to pronounce (it's keets), this is one of many poets' names to consider, such as Auden, Eliot, Frost, Byron, Lorca, Marlowe, Blake, Emerson and Tennyson. Likely meaning "kite", in…
Croatian, Serbian, Slovene
Traditionally, Nevenka can either be an affectionate form of Nevena or used independently. It originates from the South Slavic word neven, meaning "marigold", making it an especially lovely floral…
Flower name, from Latin
"little months"
Calendula is a species of English marigold, deriving from the plural of Latin calends "the first of the month", because it blooms for most of the year. It would be a romantic and extravagant name for…
Czech
"white"
Despite the light, pretty sound of Bella for a girl, the boys' name Bela has dark and mysterious undertones, thanks to Dracula actor Bela Lugosi. Béla is also the first name of composer Bartók.
Native American, Hopi
"clear water"
A sweet and clear Hopi name with a lovely natural meaning to match.
Native American, Comanche
"sweet smelling, fragrant"
Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs. Quanah is derived from the Comanche word kwana , meaning "odor" or…
German
"brave friend"
One "bald" name we can get behind, thanks to pioneering African-American author James Baldwin – though the name is now also associated with the Baldwin brothers, particularly Alec.
Mesopotamian
Given her connection to the scorpion, Ishhara could be an interesting namesake for the little goddess born under the Scorpio zodiac.
Cornish
"October"
Hedra is the Cornish word for the month of October. With no resemblance between the words, Hedra makes a subtle, intriguing choice for an October-born daughter.
Hindi
"born in autumn"
A pleasant seasonal name.
"scorpion"
Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy. In the soap…
Egyptian
"(she who) tightens the throat, (she who) causes the throat to breathe"
Also spelled Selqet, Serket and Serqet, Selket was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of the scorpions and of magic. She was a helpful goddess and protected souls on their journey to the afterlife. She is…
Native American
"pelican"
Pretty and unusual bird-related name.
English word and nickname
One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of…
