Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Spelling variation of Caitlin
"pure"
A huge name in the late 90's and most of the 00's, Kaitlyn's been on a downward trend in recent years. Kaitlyn and its soundalikes have been so well used in the US that they can no longer be seen as…
Gaelic
"white shoulder"
Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It , and again by Woody Allen in Match Point . It's a short…
Welsh
"white shadow, white wave"
Guinevere was the name of the beautiful but ill-fated queen of Camelot, for so many years eclipsed by its modern Cornish form Jennifer. Today, Guinevere could be a cool possibility for adventurous…
Chinese, Korean
"ruler, talented, handsome"
A simple and charismatic Chinese and Korean name, also spelled Joon.
Spanish variation of Agnes
"pure, virginal"
Also spelled Ines, this name of the prudish mother of Don Juan in the Byron poem has a touch of mystery, but has also been fully integrated into the American name pool. Inez Milholland and Inez Hayes…
Diminutive of Catherine, Greek
May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.
Hebrew
"pure, clean"
Beruriah, also spelled Beruryah, is the only woman in Talmudic literature whose ideas were taken seriously by her male contemporaries. Living in the second century, she was noted for her high moral…
Croatian, Serbian, Slovene
"lamb; pure, virginal"
A cute Slavic name that feels familiar because of its similarity to the more well-known Anja. Janja is the regional variant of Agnes in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, and it's also connected to the…
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of Agnes
This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody…
Turkish
Turkish word name commonly seen in the doubled-barreled first name Ömer Halis.
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer,…
"riverbank, shore; pure"
Glenys, like Glynis, is a Welsh name that has never caught on outside Wales.
Latin
"white, pure, sincere"
Candace, an ancient title of a dynasty of Ethiopian queens mentioned in the New Testament, is associated both with actress Candice Bergen and Sex and the City writer Candace Bushnell. Both spellings…
Diminutive of Virginia, Latin
"virginal, pure"
Virginia is a hundred years past its peak of the 1920s, but according to Nameberry's own Hundred Year Rule, that means it's due for a comeback. Indeed, Virginia's long downward slide leveled off and…
Invented variation of Agnes, Greek
When British beauty Laura Hollin morphed into supermodel Agyness Deyn, she created a name few others would want to adopt.
Russian; Macedonian; Bulgarian, variation of Catherine
This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.
Slavic diminutive of Ekaterina
"pure, unsullied"
This short form is used by supermodel Ekat Kiseleva.
Gaelic variation of Catherine
Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…
Italian
A name that relates to Concepcion and the Virgin Mary, but feels a good deal more secular.
