Symmetrical Names

Names that are spelled the same way forwards as they are backwards as well.
  1. Aba
    • Description:

      Aba is a concise masculine name with rich multicultural origins. In Ghana, particularly among the Akan people, Aba is traditionally a male name given to a boy born on Thursday, following their day-naming tradition. However, in other African cultures, it may be used as a female name. Aba also appears in Hebrew, where it relates to 'father' or 'daddy,' connecting to the Aramaic word 'abba.' In Nigerian Igbo culture, similar names carry meanings related to wealth or greatness. The name's brevity gives it strength and memorability, while its cross-cultural presence provides versatility. Though uncommon in Western countries, Aba's simplicity makes it easily pronounced and spelled across languages. The name carries a sense of cultural heritage and ancestral connection, making it meaningful for families seeking to honor African or Middle Eastern roots.
  2. Abba
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "father"
    • Description:

      Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel.
  3. Ada
    • Origin:

      German or Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility, or island"
    • Description:

      Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
  4. Adda
    • Description:

      Adda is an ancient feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Welsh tradition, it derives from the name Adam, meaning "earth" or "mankind." In Germanic usage, it may be a diminutive of Adelaide, meaning "noble kind." The name also appears in Scandinavian countries and has historical usage in Eastern Europe. Adda is notable for its simplicity and symmetry, featuring just two syllables with repeated consonants. Despite its historical roots, the name remains uncommon in contemporary English-speaking countries. Adda carries a gentle sound with vintage charm, appealing to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with cross-cultural significance. Its brevity and easy pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers.
  5. Aenea
    • Origin:

      Greek, female variation of Aeneas
    • Meaning:

      "the praised one"
    • Description:

      This name found in the fantasy series Endymion/Rise of Endymion has a slightly physiological feel to it.
  6. Aimia
    • Description:

      Aimia is a delicate feminine name with unclear origins, possibly a creative variant of Amia or derived from the French 'aimée' meaning 'beloved.' The insertion of the 'i' gives it a distinctive flow and ethereal quality. The name has a musical rhythm with its three syllables and soft consonants. Extremely rare in usage, Aimia carries connotations of love and affection through its sound and possible etymological connections. It might appeal to parents seeking a name that feels both modern and timeless, with an international flair that works across multiple cultures. The name offers potential nicknames like Aim, Mia, or Ami, providing flexibility as a child grows.

  7. Aisia
    • Description:

      Aisia is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variation of Asia, referring to the continent, which derives from the Ancient Greek word 'Asis.' Some consider it a modern invented name with a melodic quality, while others see it as a creative spelling of names like Asha (meaning 'life' in Swahili) or Aisha (meaning 'alive' or 'prosperous' in Arabic). The name has a contemporary, multicultural feel with its flowing vowels and gentle pronunciation. While relatively uncommon, Aisia offers a distinctive option for parents seeking something unique with a global sensibility. The name's exotic sound and rhythm give it a graceful, feminine quality that feels both modern and timeless, appealing to those who want a name that stands out without being difficult to pronounce.

  8. Aizia
    • Description:

      Aizia is a feminine name of uncertain origins, though it may be a creative variation of names like Asia, Aisha, or Aziza. The name has a distinctly modern feel with its unique spelling and melodic sound pattern. As a contemporary invention, Aizia remains extremely rare in the United States and most other countries, making it an unusual choice that stands out. The name's construction follows current naming trends that favor vowel-rich names with 'z' sounds and 'ia' endings. Parents might be drawn to Aizia for its exotic quality, distinctive pronunciation (likely ay-ZEE-ah or EYE-zee-ah), and uniqueness. While the name doesn't carry traditional historical or cultural significance, it offers the appeal of individuality and a blank slate for a child to define her own identity.

  9. Aja
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "goat"
    • Description:

      Retro musical reference to classic Steely Dan rock album, but mostly for girls today.
  10. Aja
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Aya or Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "goat"
    • Description:

      Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album. Or, pronounced eye-ah, it can be an alternate spelling of the international favorite Aya.
  11. Ala
    • Origin:

      Igbo, Polish, diminutive of Alicja
    • Meaning:

      "nobility"
    • Description:

      Ala is the Igbo earth goddess whose symbol is the crescent moon. In a very different vein, Ala can be a diminutive for Alicja or Alexandra or really any other name with an A at both ends and an L in the middle. Ala is also an Arabic name meaning "excellence, supremacy"; could be confused as a homonym for Allah, or as part of a phrase like a la mode.
  12. Alala
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "war cry"
    • Description:

      This name of the mythological sister of Mars might be used for a girl born under one of the signs ruled by the planet Mars--Aries or Scorpio. She is the personification of the war cry.
  13. Aleela
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "she cries"
    • Description:

      Lilting African name that translates perfectly into other cultures.
  14. Alila
    • Description:

      Alila is a delicate feminine name with several possible origins. It may derive from Arabic, where it can mean 'night' or be related to the word for 'sublime.' In Hebrew contexts, it might relate to 'alilah,' meaning 'plot' or 'story.' The name has a rhythmic, musical quality with its repeated 'l' sound and balanced syllables. Alila remains uncommon in Western countries but has appeal for its exotic feel and flowing pronunciation. The name follows the popular trend of 'A' names for girls while offering something distinctive. Alila might appeal to parents seeking a short, melodic name with cross-cultural resonance and a gentle, feminine sound.

  15. Alla
    • Origin:

      Galician diminutive of Olalla, or Russian, Ukrainian Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish
    • Meaning:

      "sweetly speaking"
    • Description:

      A short form of Alexandra and Alice used everywhere from Russia to Spain. A fresh alternative to Allie.
  16. Alula
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "first leap"
    • Description:

      Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.
  17. Ama
    • Origin:

      Ewe, Akan, Ghanaian, Cherokee
    • Meaning:

      "born on Saturday; water"
    • Description:

      Ama is a day name used by the Akan people of Ghana for girls born on Saturday. Names that reference a baby's birth by day of the week, time of day, or season of the year are common in many African cultures. Ama is one that can be used happily by parents who live in English-speaking countries.
  18. Amma
    • Origin:

      Tamil, Akan
    • Meaning:

      "mother, or born on a Saturday"
    • Description:

      An anagram of Mama, in tune with its Tamil meaning.
  19. Ana
    • Origin:

      Variation of Hannah
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Confident and compact, Ana is a widely used variation of the Biblical Hannah. Favored in Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia, Portugal, and Croatia, this shorter spelling has the same substance and versatility of its longer counterparts.
  20. Anena
    • Description:

      Anena is a rare feminine name with somewhat mysterious origins. It may have connections to various cultures, possibly deriving from African languages or being a variant of names like Anna or Annette with a creative ending. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its soft consonants and alternating vowel sounds. Anena has remained extremely uncommon throughout recorded naming history, never appearing on major popularity charts. Its rarity gives it a certain exclusivity and uniqueness. The name's gentle rhythm and feminine sound make it appealing despite its obscurity. For those who bear it, Anena offers the distinction of having a name that few others share while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce.