Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Variation of Alethea, Greek
"truth"
Unusual and pretty, if lispy.
Turkish from Arabic
"truthful"
The Turkish form of Amina, and an extremely popular name in its native land. Famous bearers include writers Emine Semiye Önasya and Emine Çaykara, and politicians Emine Ayna and Emine Ülker Tarhan.…
Short form of Lafayette, French, English word name
"faith; predestined, destiny, chance"
Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word…
Short form of Lafayette, French
"faith"
Short form found in historical records, feels a tad feminine for modern times.
Spanish
Relatively popular in Spain until the middle of the 20th century, this sweet and lively Spanish virtue name is also a Marian name, short for María de Fe. In Galician, it is sometimes also short for…
French
"faith, confidence"
This rare virtue name has an appealing meaning, but the potential for confusion with "fiancé" (which comes from the same root) would give most people pause. It can also be short for the more feisty…
"loyal"
A kind of French virtue name, an affectionate form of Fidele.
Surname, from French
This once-popular surname name (rhymes with Roy) has since faded away, but we think it has a simple, stylish charm.
Irish and Scottish
"devoted to the Virgin Mary"
For better or worse, this name is still firmly attached to the TV series Gilmore Girls . It's one of a number of Scottish and Irish surname names beginning with Gil, meaning "servant". In this case,…
Arabic
North African name with a distinctive beat.
Variation of Imena, African, Arabic
"dream; faith"
Unusual but appealing nickname that could really be used for any name starting with Im-, although most commonly Imena. We've also heard of it used as a short form of Imelda.
Diminutive of Lemuel, Hebrew
"devoted to God"
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.
Swedish
"little devoted one"
A sweet and sparky modern Swedish name, derived from the word for "little" plus the suffix vi , which may mean "devoted, dedicated". An intriguing alternative to the popular Lily family of names.
Japanese
"true, reality, hope"
Popular name in Japan in its own right, but also as a nickname for Miyako or Makiko. It appears in the visual novel Danganrompa , borne by the character Maki Harukawa. Succinct and simple, it can…
"sincerity, truth"
Makoto is a unisex name in Japan, although many more men bear the name.
Irish
"devotee of the church"
Too close to baloney.
"devotee of Maedoc"
One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for…
"faithful defender"
Frenchified name rarely used in France. And perhaps even more rarely used in the US -- there were NO baby girls given the name on the official records of 2021.
Greek
"devotee of the Virgin Mary"
From the Greek title of the Virgin Mary, Panagia, which "all holy".
Form of Panagiota
