My Favorite A Names

  1. Annalise
    • Origin:

      German, combination of Anna and Lise
    • Meaning:

      "grace and pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Variously spelled Annalise and Annaliese as well as several other forms, this is not a modern smoosh but a traditional German combo-name with a definite Heidi-esque feel.
  2. Annesley
    • Origin:

      Variation of Ansley, English
    • Meaning:

      "clearing with a hermitage"
    • Description:

      Latter-day Ashley that comes in a range of spelling variations. Ansley and Ainsley have both hit the Top 1000 in recent years.
  3. Ara
    • Origin:

      Armenian
    • Meaning:

      "king"
    • Description:

      Simple and yet distinctive, Ara is a mythological name of a famously handsome king. Although it originated as a boys' name, in the contemporary US, it's now much more commonly used for girls.
  4. Arabella
    • Origin:

      Latin, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "yielding to prayer; lovable"
    • Description:

      Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.
  5. Ardenia
    • Areli
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "the voice of God"
      • Description:

        Most common among the Jewish community and Spanish-speakers, Areli might be a great choice for parents looking for a name with Biblical roots that still sounds trendy and wears well across cultures.
    • Ari
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Ariel, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "lion of God"
      • Description:

        In 2010, baby boys named Ari outnumbered baby girls 4 to 1; today, there are nearly equal numbers of boys and girls named Ari. And that's only counting the babies who receive Ari as a full name. Ari can also be short for not only Ariel but Aria, Arya, Ariana, and any other name starting with Ari. Ari entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 2016.
    • Ariella
      • Origin:

        Spelling variation of Ariel
      • Meaning:

        "lion of God"
      • Description:

        This variation of Ariel, with the extra-feminine suffix, has been on the rise in recent years and has now surpassed the original. The similarity to the name of the Little Mermaid gives Ariella a princessy flair. Ariella entered the charts in 2008, and has now risen into the Top 200. The cute nickname Ari is on trend as seen with the popularity of Ariana and Arianna, as are any girl names ending in "-ella", making Ariella a natural hit. Arabella is another name with the best of both of these trends.
    • Arlyn
      • Arrick
        • Arya
          • Origin:

            Sanskrit; Modern variation of Aria
          • Meaning:

            "noble; air/song"
          • Description:

            Arya was derived from an Indo-Iranian word meaning "Aryan" or "noble." It is a masculine given name in Iran, Indonesia, Bali, and Sanskrit-speaking regions of India. In Hindu- and English-speaking parts of the world, Arya is more often a feminine name, the latter influenced by the similar Italian name Aria, meaning "air" or "song."
        • Asher
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "fortunate, blessed, happy one"
          • Description:

            Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
        • Aspen
          • Origin:

            Nature and place-name
          • Meaning:

            "a poplar tree that quakes in the breeze"
          • Description:

            Aspen is part of two groups of stylish and unique baby names: nature names and place-names. The name of a graceful tree in the poplar family with heart-shaped leaves so delicate they quiver in the gentlest breeze, Aspen is also the name of a trendy Colorado ski resort. Aspen started as a unisex name possibility but now is much more frequently worn by girls.
        • Aston
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "eastern settlement"
          • Description:

            Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.
        • Astrid
          • Origin:

            Scandinavian
          • Meaning:

            "divinely beautiful"
          • Description:

            Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
        • Atherton
          • Origin:

            English surname and place-name
          • Description:

            A rather formal British surname that originated as a place name in the county of Lancashire.
        • Atlas
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "bearer of the heavens"
          • Description:

            Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
        • Aubrielle
          • Origin:

            Modern invented name, combining Aubrey and Brielle
          • Meaning:

            "elf ruler, king + God is my strength; hunting grounds"
          • Description:

            A compound name made up of Aubrey and Brielle, this modern invention blends fresh, stylish sounds, with a nod to more traditional elegance. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2012 and remained there for a decade, and though 2023 saw it drop from the ranks, it is still given to around 240 girls each year.
        • Auden
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "old friend"
          • Description:

            A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
        • Aura
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "soft breeze"
          • Description:

            Aura is a New Age-y word turned name turned contemporary slang for karm. In Greek and Roman mythology, Aura was the Titan of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning. But at odds with her peaceful, well, aura, the mythological Aura is a tragic figure, ultimately transformed into a fountain by Zeus.