Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
French
"new"
Surname of French architect Jean Nouvel that became a given name when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it as the middle name of their daughter Shiloh.
Short form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Katti or Kattie is a short form of Katherine, more old fashioned than Kate and more unusual than Kathy.
Invented variation of Agnes, Greek
"pure, virginal"
When British beauty Laura Hollin morphed into supermodel Agyness Deyn, she created a name few others would want to adopt.
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…
English diminutive of Katherine, Greek
We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
Breton variation of Katherine
Original twist on this classic.
Finnish variation of Imma, German, and Impi, Finnish
"universal; virgin"
Immi is a Finnish name, seen as a variation of both Imma — the Low German version of Emma — and the Finnish name Impi.
Scottish form of Katherine, Greek
This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr,…
Hebrew
"pure, bright"
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.
Chinese
"outgoing"
Attractive middle name option.
Greek
"glorious flower"
A Latinized form of Kleanthes, this name is best associated with literary and poetry critic, Cleanth Brooks.
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.
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Short form of Caitlin
Cait, pronounced like more popular sister Kate, is the form used when shortening Caitlin or any of the other Irish and Gaelic Cait-starting variations of Catherine.
Slavic diminutive of Ekaterina
"pure, unsullied"
This short form is used by supermodel Ekat Kiseleva.
