Poetic Baby Names
- Heddwyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"blessed peace"Description:
A bold Welsh name with a gentle meaning, Heddwyn is notably associated with the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, who died at Passchendaele during World War One. He used Hedd Wyn as his Bardic name, having been inspired by the way sunlight broke through the mist in the Welsh valleys, making this a truly poetic feeling choice. In fact, it only started to be used after the poet's death.
- Vision
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"the state of being able to see"Description:
Vision is a member of the new class of spiritual word names, which sometimes reflect the faith or religious beliefs of parents but may only relate to an uplifting meaning. This gender neutral name was give to 13 baby boys in 2021, and 6 girls.
- Aristeia
Origin:
Literary term from GreekMeaning:
"the best"Description:
In epic poetry, the term aristeia is used to denote the climactic point where the hero/heroine has their finest hour. Aristeia feels at home with other big Greek names like Atalanta, Cassiopeia and Galatea. We think this name has potential for parents who think Poem, Saga and Rhapsody are too obvious.
- Eithne
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"nut kernel"Description:
Pretty and soulful name of a goddess from Irish mythology and several Irish saints. Singer Enya, born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, has made the Anglicized spelling familiar. Eithne comes from the vocabulary word "kernel", which was used as a term of praise in old bardic poetry.
- Neruda
Origin:
Literary name, CzechMeaning:
"bad-tempered"Description:
Evocative of the great Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, real last name Basoalito, who took on the surname Neruda to honor a Czech poet of that name. One of the most poetic and arty boy names starting with N, or with any letter, for that matter.
- Paz
Origin:
Hebrew; SpanishMeaning:
"gold; peace"Description:
Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the names that mean peace, derived from the Latin word "pax".
- Gilgamesh
Origin:
Akkadian from SumerianMeaning:
"the [kinsman] is a hero"Description:
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an Akkadian poem from Mesopotamia and one of the oldest works of literature that survives today. It follows the story of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king who journeys to find the secret to immortality. Gilgamesh's name is so strongly tied to the epic, that it would be difficult to wear by anyone else.
- Danaë
Origin:
GreekDescription:
A Greek goddess of music and poetry, Danaë has a novel yet familiar sound.
- Cliona
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"shapely"Description:
Attached in Irish mythology to a Cliona who was, among other things, an inspirer of poets. Cliona is well-used in modern Ireland, along with Irish form Cliodhna, though it's largely unknown in the rest of the world.
- Tasso
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"cup"Description:
A singular selection, noteworthy for its connection to the great sixteenth-century Italian epic poet, Torquato Tasso.
- Malvina
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"smooth-browed one"Description:
An invention of the eighteenth-century romantic poet James Macpherson, in his epic cycle about Ossian, a legendary Celtic hero. In Poland, where it was popular at the start of the 20th century, the spelling is Malwina, and it's also had some use in other Eastern European countries.
- Audre
Description:
Audre is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Audrey, derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð, meaning 'noble strength.' This unique spelling gained some recognition through the influential American writer Audre Lorde, who was a prominent feminist, civil rights activist, and poet during the 20th century. While less common than the traditional spelling, Audre offers a distinctive alternative that maintains the elegant sound of the original. The name carries connotations of independence, intellectual strength, and creative expression. Though relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Audre appeals to parents seeking a classic name with a contemporary twist and literary associations.
- Liadan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"grey lady"Description:
An old Irish saint’s name and the name of a lovelorn poetess in Irish folk legend. Liadain and Líadan are other variations.
- Dearbhla
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"daughter of the poet"Description:
Dearbhla along with its Anglicized form Dervla are both well-used in modern Ireland. There was a medieval Saint Dearbhla. The spelling Deirbhile is also used.
- Ogden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the oak valley"Description:
Rarely used surname, associated with humorous poet Ogden Nash.
- Nicander
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"man of victory"Description:
A much rarer alternative to Alexander that also gives you the oh-so-cool nickname Nico. Nicander derives from the Greek name Nikandros "man of victory", which belonged to a 2nd century BC poet and grammarian.
- Ulalume
Origin:
Literary invented name, LatinMeaning:
"wailing, a light symbolizing sorrow"Description:
The titular character of a tragic poem by Edgar Allen Poe set in a lonesome October. Ulalume may be representative of death itself, making the name feel gothic and otherwordly. The etymology is uncertain, but Poe may have derived it from the Latin ululare meaning wailing or lumen a light symbolizing sorrow.
- Eliot
Origin:
Variation of Elliot, English diminutive of EliasMeaning:
"Yahweh is God"Description:
Eliot is the sleekest spelling of the original, very occasionally used for girls, perhaps to honor novelist George Eliot.
- Ligia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"clear-voiced, whistling"Description:
Ligia, also spelled Ligeia, is the name of one of the Greek Sirens, who was half-bird, half-woman. It's also the title of an Edgar Allen Poe poem.
- Elvet
Origin:
Old English, place nameMeaning:
"swan stream, swan river, swan island"Description:
This Old English name feels as if it could have stepped out of a fantasy novel, but it may be just similar enough to Everett and Elliot that it could work in the real world. Derived from the elements elfitu meaning "swan" and either ēa meaning "stream, river" or ēg meaning "island", it is a nature related option name, given to an area in the city of Durham in England.
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