Names That Mean Faith

  1. Lafe
    • Origin:

      Variation of Leif, Diminutive of Lafayette, Scandinavian, French
    • Meaning:

      "heir, descendant; faith"
    • Description:

      In the 18th century, Lafe was the common short form of the French surname name Lafayette. A notable bearer was Lafe McKee, who acted in over 400 films during the first half of the 19th century.
  2. Rida
    • Origin:

      Muslim
    • Meaning:

      "God-fearing or devoted to God"
    • Description:

      Rida is a name indirectly mentioned in the Quran. While it can be used for both girls and boys, in English-speaking countries its similarity to the more common Rita makes it more appropriate for girls.
  3. Fate
    • Origin:

      Short form of Lafayette, French
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      Seems destined to be the preferred short form of this old French name, with its brief, modern, word name feel.
  4. Fayette
    • Origin:

      Short form of Lafayette, French
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      Short form found in historical records, feels a tad feminine for modern times.
  5. Mal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Malcolm, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "devotee of St. Colomba"
    • Description:

      A nickname for Malcolm that at one point ranked independently on the US Top 1000. It still exists as an affectionate pet form, but you’re unlikely to hear a Malcolm introduce himself as Mal.
  6. Lem
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lemuel, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "devoted to God"
    • Description:

      Lem is a corn-cob pipe-smoking, back porch-rocking nickname name. But we predict as Sam and Gus become ho-hum, more parents will look to Lem.
  7. Emin
    • Origin:

      Turkish, Bosnian and Azerbaijani
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      A Top 20 choice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is a handsome variant of Arabic Amin.
  8. Loyal
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "faithful, loyal"
    • Description:

      Loyal is one of the few virtue names suitable for boys, an honorable and principled Boy Scout-esque appellation with a surprisingly long and distinguished history.
  9. Dill
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dillon, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "loyal"
    • Description:

      Diminutive of Dillon
  10. Iman
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "faith"
    • Description:

      One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
  11. Emet
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      Looks like a pared-down Emmett, but it actually derives from a difference source.
  12. Dilys
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "genuine, steadfast, true"
    • Description:

      Common in Wales, but would really stand out here. One of the middle names of Stella McCartney's daughter Reiley; Dilys Powell was a well-known British film critic, Professor Dilys Derwent a Harry Potter character., a witch who worked as a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital, and was a celebrated Headmistress of Hogwarts School..
  13. Salah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "peace through faith"
    • Description:

      Short form of the name Anglicized as Saladin, very popular throughout the Arab world.
  14. Dearbhail
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "true desire"
    • Description:

      This Irish Gaelic name would be more accessible in other cultures in its modern Dervla form.
  15. Aminah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "trustworthy, faithful"
    • Description:

      The usage of this Arabic name has been increasing in the US, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
  16. Yimmi
    • Origin:

      Choctaw, Native American
    • Meaning:

      "believes"
    • Description:

      A cute, upbeat name with a covetable meaning.
  17. Coel
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "belief, trust, credit"
    • Description:

      A Welsh name passed down from ancient history: the first known Coel was a leader in Romano-British times, who became a figure of medieval legend. Coel Hen (Coel the Old) was the name of a king in Ayr, and he is believed to have inspired the rhyme Old King Cole (where Cole is likely an anglicised spelling of Coel).
  18. Panayiotis
    • Origin:

      Variation of Panagiotis, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "devotee of the Virgin Mary"
    • Description:

      Panayiotis is a form of Panagiotis from the Greek title of the Virgin Mary, Panagia.
  19. Fidelia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "faithful"
    • Description:

      Fidelia stems from the Latin word Fides, meaning faith. It has the some root as the English word fidelity. Fidelia gained popularity in the mid-19th Century after Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" gave this name cultural and virtuous significance.
  20. Imee
    • Origin:

      Variation of Imena, African, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "dream; faith"
    • Description:

      Unusual but appealing nickname that could really be used for any name starting with Im-, although most commonly Imena.