Names That Mean Honor
Names that mean honor symbolize the hope that your child grows up to be honored and respected, and that they behave honorably. Names related to honor and respect have meanings such as praise, glory, esteemed, admirable, and integrity. Baby names meaning include current favorites like Nora and Jude, and Honor itself is on the rise for both sexes.
Along with Nora and Jude, other names that mean honor in the US Top 1000 include Arya, Brian, Cleo, Esme, Gloria, Judah, Keilani, and Timothy. Honor names with untapped potential include Athalie, Cadogan, Sadako, and Zuko.
Honor is a strong sentiment to imbue in your child through his or her name. Take a look at our complete lineup if you need an honorable baby name or a name that means honor and respect for your child.
You can expand your search for baby names by meaning by going to our central Name Meanings page.
Esme
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".
Jude
Origin:
Latin diminutive of JudahMeaning:
"praised"Description:
Jude is an example of a name whose image was turned on its head primarily by one appealing celebrity. So take a bow, Jude Law: You--in collaboration with the Lennon-McCartney song "Hey Jude"--have erased Jude's old connections to the traitorous Judas Iscariot and Thomas Hardy's tragic Jude the Obscure, and inspired a legion of new babies named Jude.
Nora
Origin:
Irish, diminutive of Honora, or GreekMeaning:
"light"Description:
Nora has two separate origin stories, as a derivative of both Honora and Eleanor. The Irish and Anglo-Norman version derives from Honora, based on the Latin word honor. The Hungarians spawned Nora as a short form of Eleonora, a variation of Eleanor.
Cleo
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Cleo, one of the few girls' names to boast the cool-yet-lively o ending, is of course short for Cleopatra, the name of one of the most powerful women in history.
Mira
Origin:
Latin, Slavic, Arabic, SanskritMeaning:
"admirable; peace; female ruler; ocean"Description:
This name owes its present life to actress Sorvino. Mira and Mirra have an arty aura. Mira is a true cross-cultural choice, with the literal meaning of "look" in Spanish, a peaceful meaning in several Eastern European languages, a well-used name in Arabic cultures meaning queen-like or a female ruler, and a nature name in Sanksrit. In Greek, it means "fate, destiny". Mira can also be a short form of Miryam or Miranda.
Judah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"praised"Description:
Judah is the strong, resonant Old Testament name of the son of Jacob who was the ancestor of one of the tribes of Israel, and from whom the word Jew is derived. Some of the names' popularity might be attributable to the similarly named Jude Law.
Aryan
Origin:
Indo-IranianMeaning:
"warrior, honorable"Description:
Aryan derives from the Sanskrit word ārya, meaning “honorable” or “high-born.” As a term, Aryan was used to describe Indo-Europeans—particularly Iranians—who shared common religious, cultural, and linguistic history. It was later misapplied by the Nazis to refer solely to Germanic and Nordic Caucasians, ultimately corrupting the term.
Laszlo
Origin:
HungarianMeaning:
"glorious ruler"Description:
The Hungarian classic Laszlo, with its zippy 'z' middle and energetic 'o' ending, has become something of a hipster option, beginning to be considered by cutting-edge parents.
Arya
Origin:
Sanskrit; Modern variation of AriaMeaning:
"noble; air/song"Description:
Arya was derived from an Indo-Iranian word meaning "Aryan" or "noble." It is a masculine given name in Iran, Indonesia, Bali, and Sanskrit-speaking regions of India. In Hindu- and English-speaking parts of the world, Arya is more often a feminine name, the latter influenced by the similar Italian name Aria, meaning "air" or "song."
Brian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"strong, virtuous, and honorable"Description:
The origins of the name Brian are not entirely clear, but it is suspected that it evolved from an Old Celtic word related to nobility. In Ireland the name is associated with Brian Boru, the most famous of all Irish warrior-kings, credited with driving the Vikings out of Ireland. Bryan is a common alternative spelling.
Timothy
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"honoring God"Description:
A second-tier classic, the New Testament Timothy moves in and out of fashion more than John and James. But though it peaked in the 1960s, many modern parents still appreciate its familiarity and lively rhythm. And the short form Tim feels eternally boyish.
Zuko
Origin:
XhosaMeaning:
"glory"Description:
No, this name is not an homage to Grease! Zuko is a Xhosa (Zulu) boys' name meaning glory. In a world of Zekes, Zaks and Zanes, Zuko could make a refreshing choice for parents looking for something short and snappy.
Gloria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Gloria is beginning to move beyond its de-glamorized Grandma image, most recently thanks to glamorous young Hollywood parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who chose it for their second daughter. Gyllenhaal was quoted as saying they had been inspired by Patti Smith's rendition of the Van Morrison song "Gloria" at a concert and thought " 'We'll name our daughter that one day'."
Sena
Origin:
Korean; Hindi; Arabic; AfricanMeaning:
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"Description:
Sena is one of those names that is as obscure in the Western World as it is simple and straightforward. Sena exists as a name in a range of languages and cultures and may be pronounced like Senna (with a soft e) or Sienna. Sena is also a place name, a surname, the name of several groups of people, and the name of a genus of moth as well as a kind of wine, among other things. The similar Cinna from The Hunger Games may make Sena more plausible as a first name.
Norah
Origin:
English, ArabicMeaning:
"woman of honor, light"Description:
The skyrocketing success of singer Norah Jones brought this spelling of the name onto the pop charts in 2003. As well as being a spelling variant of Nora in English, it's also an alternative transcription of the Arabic name Nura, from Nur/Noor "light".
Judith
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"woman from Judea"Description:
The biblical Judith, the fourth most popular name in 1940, may be getting ready for a comeback in its full, elegant, if somewhat solemn form. Many of those earlier Judiths were called Judy—some after Judy (born Frances) Garland—preferring it over their more formal proper name. Today, Judith, like Deborah, may have shaken off just enough to appeal to parents looking for a traditional, yet under-the-radar biblical name. And Jude would be a likelier nickname these days than the Judge Judy connection.
Rin
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"dignified, severe"Description:
A very popular girls' name in Japan whose sound is consistent with its meaning. Another possibility is Ren.
Briana
Origin:
Feminine variation of BrianMeaning:
"strong, virtuous, honorable"Description:
Spelled this way, Briana was coined by Edmund Spenser for his great literary work, The Faerie Queene, which gives the now-overexposed name a far classier pedigree than it's usually credited with. But spelling variations Breana, Breanna and onward are popular too, though feel more invented -- probably because they are. One enduring appeal of Briana and sisters is that they're girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful, which may be why George R. R. Martin names his warrior maiden Brienne of Tarth.
Merida
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one who has achieved a high place of honor"Description:
You'll probably be hearing more of this name thanks to the newest Pixar film, featuring Princess Merida, the first Pixar princess--a feisty, athletic, independent medieval Scottish girl with wild red hair. Her name, however, is not Scottish, but a Spanish place name found in both Spain and Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.
Mireille
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"to admire"Description:
Pretty name that may pose pronunciation problems -- it's meer-AY -- but is well worth the effort.
Aeneas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the praised one"Description:
He was the legendary son of Venus, hero of Troy and Rome, and broke the heart of Queen Dido of Carthage. Sure, its more challenging than Charlie - but if you're looking this name up, that's probably part of its appeal.
Zimri
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my music, my praise"Description:
This unusual and spunky biblical name was one of the Kings of Israel as well as one of Judah's grandsons and has a wonderful meaning. We'd like to see Zimri being used more.
Honor
Origin:
Virtue nameDescription:
Honor is a somewhat more pressured virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.
Verena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"integrity"Description:
Verena is pleasant but old-fashioned. Whether that's the outdated kind of old-fashioned or the so-out-it's-in-again kind is your call.
Milos
Origin:
Slavic, diminutive of MiloslavMeaning:
"lover of glory"Description:
Commonly heard in Greece as well as the Slavic cultures, Milos has been associated in this country with Czech film director Milos Forman. Pronounced MEE-losh, it's a more original spin on the popular Miles and Milo.
Annora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"honor"Description:
Annora is a noble name, a distinctive twist on its most essential form: Honor. Other variations to explore include Honora and Nora.
Erwin
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"respected friend"Description:
One of the many names with a strong "er" sound, like Bertram and Ernest, that was huge in the 1920s and is languishing in style limbo now. One famous bearer is the physicist Erwin Schrödinger, as in Schrödinger's cat.
Kanye
Origin:
African place-name, NigeriaMeaning:
"honor, tribute"Description:
The popularity of the charismatic rapper-producer Kanye West has propelled his name into the Top 900. In addition to its African derivation, it is a Hawaiian name meaning 'free'.
Aneurin
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"honor"Description:
Rarely heard in the US, it's best remembered in the U.K. via Aneurin Bevan, who as Minister for Health was instrumental in setting up the National Health Service. Bevan was known as Nye, and this is a case where that jaunty nickname is preferable to the original.
Odelia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"I will praise the Lord"Description:
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression.
Ismay
Origin:
Possible variation of EsmeMeaning:
"esteemed, beloved"Description:
The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
Bertha
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright, glorious"Description:
Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
Sansa
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"praise, charm"Description:
Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is a master namer, and this unusual choice from India is beginning to be heard in nurseries as well as on television. Sansa was perhaps slower to catch on than other names such as Arya and Khaleesi as Sansa Stark was in the first seasons of the show a weak and compromised character. But she's developed a good measure of backbone and integrity, which makes her lovely name a more attractive possibility. In 2015, 20 baby girls in the US were named Sansa, a number we expect to rise.
Oksana
Origin:
Russian from HebrewMeaning:
"praise to God"Description:
Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
Timo
Origin:
Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of TimothyMeaning:
"honoring God"Description:
Popular in its own right in Germany and definitely makes a more intriguing and grownup short form of the classic Timothy than Timmy or even Tim.
Sade
Origin:
Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of FolashadeMeaning:
"rain; honor bestows a crown"Description:
The one-named singer clarified the confusing pronunciation on this one (in her case, it's shah-DAY), but a number of parents have looked for more phonetic spellings. The Finnish version means "rain."
Hercules
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory of Hera"Description:
Any boy with this name, a synonym for power via the Greek mythology figure, better be strong of body, and of psyche.
Katana
Origin:
Persian or JapaneseMeaning:
"honorable or sword"Description:
Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.
Yoshi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"good, respectful"Description:
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
Emir
Origin:
Turkish, Bosnian, ArabicMeaning:
"prince, ruler"Description:
Emir can be a title of honor in Arabic-speaking nations. In Turkey and the Balkan countries, Emir is one of the fairly popular Arabic names for boys.
Glory
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Glory sounds fresh and uplifting and a lot more modern than Gloria (which is definitely feeling the stirrings of a revival, though some might still view it as a terminal Old Lady name). Glory, as in "Glory Be" and "Old Glory," has both a religious and a patriotic flavor.
Keilani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"heaven, sky, glorious chief"Description:
Keilani is among the fastest rising girls' names in some US states, a once-unusual name perhaps popularized by its similarity to both Leilani and Kayla. Its rhythmic appeal cannot be denied.
Mireya
Origin:
Spanish from LatinMeaning:
"admired"Description:
A pretty and unusual path to the nickname Mira. Mira is the main character in Nobel Prize-winner Federico Mistral's poem of the same name. Mireya Moscoso was Panama's first female president.
Alcide
Origin:
French version of HeraclesMeaning:
"glory of Hera"Description:
This is the French version of Alcides, birth name of the Greek mythological Heracles (Hercules). You're more likely to recognize it as the name of the hot True Blood werewolf, Alcide Herveaux.
Samiya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"high, exalted, praised"Description:
Samiya is a name used by parents of both Arabic and African ancestry. Spelling variations include Samiyah, Samiah, and Samia.
Timon
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"reward, honor"Description:
Kids would be more likely to associate this name with the hyperactive meercat in "The Lion King" than with the ancient Greek philosopher or Shakespearean character, which could cause playground problems.
Iyra
Origin:
Arabic, Urdu or SanskritMeaning:
"respectable, awe-inspiring; or a name for the goddess Saraswati"Description:
Variant of Ayra
Nye
Origin:
Welsh diminutive of AneurinMeaning:
"honor"Description:
This can make an unusual yet simple middle name choice, especially for anyone with family ties to Wales.
Timaeus
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"honor"Description:
Timaeus is an ancient name that appears in both Plato's Dialogues and in the New Testament. Might make a so-old-it's-new-again version of Timothy. The feminine variation is Timea.
Gloriana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"glory"Description:
Originally the name of the titular faerie queene of Spenser's epic poem "The Faerie Queene," published in 1590. Gloriana was, along with Belphoebe, an allegory for Queen Elizabeth.
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