Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
German
"respected friend"
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…
Word name
Generally used in conjunction with another name to form a religious phrase -- for instance the daughter of rapper DMX is called Praise Mary Ella.
English word name
"God's favor and protection"
This spiritual word name is rising for girls and boys.
Hebrew, German
"I will praise the Lord or wealth"
Pretty Hebrew name that would create a strong but feminine impression, as well as a variant of the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie.
Korean; Hindi; Turkish; Arabic; Ewe
"this world's beauty or grace; army; to praise; bringing heaven to earth"
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…
Hebrew
"praise song"
Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.
Russian
"well-regarded"
Courageous sister of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment .
"greatly praised"
Hillel the Great was a famous Talmudic scholar, the spiritual and ethical leader of his generation, and his name is greatly honored by parents in Israel and, to some extent, here.
"to praise"
Anglicized as Judah, this name of a biblical patriarch is given symbolically to boys born on Chanukah; a form of it was spotlighted by violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.
Greek variation of Judah
"praised"
Though there were two apostles named Judas, everyone remembers the one who betrayed Jesus, and the name has been permanently shunned.
Hebrew, diminutive of Samantha, or Arabic
Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.
Turkish variation of Muhammad, Arabic
"praiseworthy"
A common form of Muhammad in Turkey, where the spelling Muhammed is also used. In the US, Mehmet is commonly known as the first name of Dr. Oz.
Sanskrit
"praise, charm"
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…
A spiritual name with lots of gratitude. This is one of a number of religious word names that have seen more use since the year 2000.
Arabic
Name of a great Indian Mogul king, a Matt Groening cartoon character, and many Indian restaurants.
"praise"
Hallel is derived from the Hebrew word halall , meaning "praise." Hallel is a Jewish prayer typically recited on Jewish holidays. As a baby name, it is common among Jewish girls in Israel.
"God be praised"
This bold musical word name is given to just a handful of baby girls per year in the US, but it has a very contemporary sound. Hallie and Lou/Lulu would make for more mainstream nicknames. Lovers of…
Russian from Hebrew
"praise to God"
Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
"regard with respect"
One of the newest virtue names, given to 11 girls (and 11 boys) in the most recent year on record. Nickname Addy might make this one feel more grounded.
"my music, my praise"
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, and we think it has…
