Thanksgiving Names

A name given to apple--specifically crab apple--trees. The first syllable rhymes with Cal.

Samhain is a traditional Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter (usually halfway between the equinox and solstice). Today it often coincides with the evening of Halloween (31st October), making it a unique option for a Halloween baby or one of the season-related names for autumn babies. The name has a slightly unflattering sound to the English-speaking ear, but might be a special choice for those with Celtic roots.

Crisanta, while not related to Christine, would make a pretty and highly unusual alternative to that tried-and-true name. Because of its relationship to the chrysanthemum, the flower of the month of November, it's one of the recommended names for Scorpio babies as well as names for November babies. Crisanta might also give you a fresh route to nicknames like Cris, Crissy, or Cristie.

Harvest has been occasionally used as a name since the eighteenth century, originally as evenly unisex, though it tips a bit in the girls' direction in the contemporary US. Given the rise of such popular baby names as Harper and August, plus new word names from Heaven to True, Harvest sounds more possible now than ever.

A favorite in Brazil, with the z adding extra zest.

Alair is a lighter, more unusual form of Hilary.

Lugh is the Irish god of the harvest, who also rules over truth, the law, and the arts. His magic includes a fiery spear and a boat that sails itself (dubbed the "wave sweeper") and his inventions include horse racing.

This Beatrix alternate could make a good choice for globetrotting parents.

November is one of a growing list of month names that can work for a baby boy, and is also one of the ideal names for November babies.

Perfect choice if your baby has grandpas named Barry and Eric, but also a bit military.

Derived from a Hebrew phrase: ode "I will thank, praise" combined with yah "Yahweh". A famous bearer is Israeli-American actress Odeya Rush.

Not, in fact, a spelling variation of Hazel (although it could be used as such). But Hazal is also a nature name — it refers to the dried, fallen leaves of Autumn.

Could be a sister to Trinity, Genesis, or Heaven.

Fragrant herb often used for cooking, but scarcely as a name.

Blessed and Blessing are two new entrants in the word name and virtue name categories, gaining popularity for both boys and girls.

'Q' names are hot, and this is an intriguing fruit name that could be used for a girl or boy. The quince often appears in Greek myth, in tales of Aphrodite, Paris and Atalanta. Can also be a nickname for Quincy.

A unisex Igbo name with a glorious meaning, perfect for a long-awaited baby.

This is an English surname dating back to 1086, but we don't see it having much of a first name future in the twenty-first century.

Une amie for Gwyneth's little girl.

The mononymous Colombian-born singer inspired a popularity blip in the 90s and early 00s.