Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Russian, Bulgarian, Czech, Slovene, and Slavic; or English variation of Dairine, Irish
"gift; fruitful"
Darina comes from the Slavic element "dar" which means gift; the name is found in Czech, Bulgarian, and Slovak cultures and translates easily for English speakers. Darina may also be an Anglicization…
Welsh
"fair, blessed"
The most modern choice in this group, and the most distinctive; the Gwyn form is a common male name in Wales.
Yiddish variation of Selig
"blessed, happy"
A super quirky and upbeat choice, if it can ever shake off its ubiquitous-guy Woody Allen identity.
Latin
"blessed"
In fashion limbo with Anita and Juanita.
Irish form of Janet
"God is gracious"
One of the best known of the Irish girls' names , thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by…
Greek
Macarius, the name of several early saints, is virtually unknown in the U.S. though its Spanish forms Macario and the feminine Macaria are sometimes used. With the revival of many ancient s-ending…
"gift of the sun"
Elidi is intriguing but potentially confusing. Try the French Elodie instead.
Hebrew
"gift of God"
This female form of Nathan can be pronounced with three syllables or four, and could make an interesting alternative to Natalia.
Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
"thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"
The name of the 44th president, which he inherited from his Kenyan father, is related to the Swahili word "baraka," meaning "blessing," derived from the Arabic "baracka." It is linked, through the…
"blessed love"
A famous bearer is Carwyn Jones, leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister of Wales since 2009. Feminine version is Carwen.
Russian variation of Theodore
"God's gift"
This variation of Theodore is familiar here mostly via the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky. It was also the name of three early tsars of Russia.
Romanian variation of Jane
Jenica might work if you can't decide between Jennifer and Jessica. It's certainly a more distinctive option.
Spanish from Greek
Unusual and rhythmic, Macaria is the feminine form of the ancient Greek Makarios or the Latinized Macarius. It could be an unexpected way to get to cool nickname Mac, without using Mackenzie,…
Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
Hebrew and Armenian
A joyous, celebratory-sounding name.
Italian variation of Benedicta, Latin
The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.
French
A Dorothy nickname name with a measure of nostalgic charm. Kids will associate it with the funny fish character voiced by Ellen DeGeneres in the Pixar animated instant classic Finding Nemo .
"mother's gift"
Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in…
Japanese
"blessing"
An Asian name not widely known in the West.
