Names related to white/pure
- Fiona
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"white, fair"Description:
Fiona entered the American consciousness with the opening of the 1954 Broadway musical Brigadoon, but didn't come onto the U.S. popularity list until 1990.
- Gavin
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"white hawk"Description:
Gavin, a name with Scottish roots, has stepped into the spotlight, replacing the dated Kevin, thanks in part to pop-rock sensation Gavin DeGraw and Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale.
- Gavino
Description:
Gavino is a masculine Italian name derived from the Latin name Gabinus, which was associated with the ancient city of Gabii near Rome. The name can also be linked to the Latin word 'gavia' meaning 'seagull'. Gavino is particularly popular in Sardinia, Italy, where Saint Gavino, a Roman martyr, is venerated. The name has remained relatively uncommon outside of Italian communities, giving it a distinctive character. In Spanish-speaking regions, especially in parts of Latin America, Gavino appears occasionally as a traditional name. Its pronunciation (gah-VEE-noh) with the stress on the second syllable gives it a melodious quality that many parents appreciate.
- Gina
Origin:
Diminutive of Regina, Angelina, Luigina, Georgina, Eugenia, Virginia and similarDescription:
A short form for a whole variety of names, this short form has been used across Europe as a stand-alone since the 1920s. It spiked in popularity in the 1950s, owing to the fame of Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida but faded out of use in the 2000s. A sweet and sparky name akin to Nina and Mina, some parents in English speaking countries may be concerned about teasing potential, though it was still given to around 115 girls in the US in a recent year. Popular in Spain, it is borne by martial artist Gina Carano, and actresses Gina Gershon, Gina Rodriguez, Gina Torres, and Gina McKee.
- Glade
Origin:
Nature nameMeaning:
"clearing in a forest"Description:
Shady, leafy nature-boy name.
- Gunn
Description:
Gunn is a masculine name with Norse and Scottish origins, derived from a surname that has several possible meanings. In Old Norse, it may come from 'gunnr' meaning 'war' or 'battle,' while in Scottish Gaelic contexts it could relate to 'gunna' meaning 'gown' or possibly a derivative of names like Gunnar. As a surname, it has historical presence throughout Scandinavia, Scotland, and northern England. When used as a first name, Gunn has a bold, concise quality—distinctive for its brevity and strength. The name remains quite rare as a given name in English-speaking countries, though it has more presence in Nordic regions. Its single-syllable punch and strong consonant ending give it a distinctively masculine character.
- Gwyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white, blessed"Description:
A male name in Wales, Gwyn has been mostly feminine in the US thanks to its resemblance to the more familiar Gwen. It derives from the same Celtic root as the popular Finn family of names.
- Irvin
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"handsome, fair of face"Description:
Irvin is an Old Man name that has an uncertain future. Losing the final g in Irving makes the name slightly less dated -- but just slightly. There's something about the 'erv' sound that makes Irvin and brothers feel unappealing.
- Jun
Origin:
Chinese, KoreanMeaning:
"ruler, talented, handsome"Description:
A simple and charismatic Chinese and Korean name, also spelled Joon.
- Kei
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"blessing, excellent, respect, wise, jewel"Description:
More common for girls in Japan, thanks to the prevalence of the related name Keiko.
- Kenyon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"white haired or blond"Description:
Kenyon is a very engaging British surname name, the middle y giving it a kind of southwestern canyonesque undertone.
- Livana
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"the moon, white"Description:
Pretty and unusual, Livana may find a lot more fans as parents look for alternatives to Number 1 Olivia. Livana was used for only seven baby girls in the US last year.
- Lotus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lotus flower"Description:
Lotus is one of the most languorous of the flower names, with intriguing significance in both Buddhism and Hinduism, symbolizing purity, grace and spiritual growth — not to mention a familiar yoga position.
- Lumi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"snow"Description:
Lumi may be a rare girls' name in the USA and England, but it comes in the Top 50 in Finland, where it means snow. Given the popularity of Winter, Holly, Ivy and many other wintery-christmassy names, we think that short and spunky Lumi definitely has potential for greater usage outside its home country as one of the more unusual names for Christmas babies.
- Mineko
- Miyuki
- Neva
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"white snow"Description:
Has a pure, clean aura, but is also evocative.
- Nola
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"white shoulder"Description:
Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It, and again by Woody Allen in Match Point. It's a short form of the traditional Irish name Fionnuala. Nola reentered the US Top 1000 in 2008, for the first time in 50 years.
- Nuala
Origin:
Irish, short form of FionnualaMeaning:
"white shoulders"Description:
Officially a shortening of the traditional and tricky Gaelic Fionnghuala/Fionnuala, Nuala makes a lovely choice all on its own. Nuala is well-used in Ireland.
- Orin
Origin:
Variation of Oren or Oran, Hebrew, Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"laurel, light, song, little green one"Description:
Orin is one of a variety of similarly-spelled names that have a soft and sensitive image. The Orrin spelling has been known nationally via Republican Senator Hatch.