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Names Inspired By Our Heritage

  1. Ailis

    • Origin:

      Scottish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      This attractive and unique Scottish form of Alice can also be found in the spelling Aileas. Like Alice, it ultimately derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis. Spelt with the fada, Ailís, it's Irish and pronounced with a longer final vowel: AY-leesh.
  2. Alva

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "his highness"

    • Description:

      Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.
  3. Amabel

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lovable"

    • Description:

      Amabel is an older name than Annabel and a lot more distinctive. Amabel was a very common name in the twelfth and thirteen centuries, then was revived during the nineteenth century British fad for medieval names.
  4. 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.
  5. Augustus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      Parents are beginning to look at imposing, somewhat fusty-sounding names like this one with fresh eyes: they definitely make a strong statement.
  6. Aurelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"

    • Description:

      Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
  7. Beatrix

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"

    • Description:

      Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
  8. Bjorn

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Icelandic, German

    • Meaning:

      "bear"

    • Description:

      Bjorn is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks in large part to tennis great Björn Borg, winner of five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French opens and something of a rock star figure.
  9. Cecil

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B. DeMille, poet Cecil Day Lewis, father of Daniel, and photographer Cecil Beaton. Fictional Cecils appear in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windemere's Fan, E. M. Foster's A Room With a View and the film Lee Daniel's The Butler.
  10. Cosima

    • Origin:

      Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "order, beauty, universe"

    • Description:

      Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in the same month; cool couple Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars as well as supermodel Claudia Schiffer. It was used earlier by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, while the male form, Cosimo, was given to the son of Marissa Ribisi and Beck.
  11. Declan

    • Origin:

      Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"

    • Meaning:

      "man of prayer"

    • Description:

      Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
  12. Dexter

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dyer, right-handed"

    • Description:

      The jazzy, ultra-cool Dexter, like most names with an "x," has a lot of energy and dynamism.
  13. Eleonara

    • Origin:

      Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish version of Eleanor

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"

    • Description:

      The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine spin on a solid name.
  14. Elon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "oak tree"

    • Description:

      The boys' name Elon is best known today as the name of Elon Musk, eccentric billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX. With Canadian singer Grimes, Elon Musk has a son with an even more unusual name, X Æ A-12.
  15. Felix

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "happy, fortunate"

    • Description:

      Felix is one of those ancient but nontraditional names for boys that have come into favor over the past few decades, a favorite of parents who want a masculine name with history and heft that breaks ranks with the standard Franks and Freds. Felix is also an international darling, ranking in the Top 100 in several European and English-speaking countries.
  16. Fintan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "white fire or white bull"

    • Description:

      Fintan is an ancient Irish saints' name that in legend is also the name of the only person to survive The Flood. Popular in modern Ireland, Fintan is ripe for export to the US where it is rarely used but could make an excellent long form for the stylish Finn.
  17. Gulliver

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "glutton"

    • Description:

      Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
  18. Hugo

    • Origin:

      Latinized form of Hugh

    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"

    • Description:

      Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's backed up by lots of solid history and European style.
  19. Ignatius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fiery"

    • Description:

      The striking Ignatius is making a truly surprising comeback, sparked by its selection by not one but two celebrities — Cate Blanchett and Julianne Nicholson. With its fiery qualities and magical feel, Ignatius might just fit in with Blaze, Griffin, Ember, or Atticus.
  20. Ira

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "watchful one; wind"

    • Description:

      Succinct and sharp, Ira is one of the shortest Old Testament names, belonging to one of King David's thirty 'mighty warriors.' It was widely used in the US from the 1880s to the early 1930s (it was Number 57 on the Social Security list in 1881), but fell off completely in 1993, only to return in 2016. Currently, it is in the latter half of the US Top 1000, given to around 260 boys each year.
  21. Italo

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "from Italy"

    • Description:

      You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo Calvino, author of Invisible Cities and . Trivia tidbit: Calvino was actually one of his middle names.
  22. Jeremiah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "appointed by God"

    • Description:

      Jeremiah is a solid Old Testament prophet name that has gradually taken the place of the now dated Jeremy, Gerard and Gerald, joining other currently popular biblical 'iah' names like Josiah and Isaiah. In the Bible Jeremiah is a famous prophet whose story is recorded in the book named after him.
  23. Johana

    • Description:

      Johana is a feminine name that serves as a variation of Johanna, which is the feminine form of John. With Hebrew origins, it carries the beautiful meaning "God is gracious." This spelling variant removes one 'n' from the traditional Johanna, giving it a slightly more streamlined appearance while maintaining its classical essence. Johana is particularly popular in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Spanish-speaking countries. While less common than Johanna in English-speaking regions, its international appeal and biblical connections make it an elegant, timeless choice. The name offers the cute nickname options of Jo, Jojo, or Hana, adding to its versatility.

  24. Julius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "youthful, downy-bearded"

    • Description:

      Immortal through its association with the ancient Caesar (it was his clan name), Julius may still lag behind Julian, but is definitely starting to make a comeback, and in fact feels more cutting edge, in line with the current trend for Latin -us endings.
  25. Levi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "joined, attached"

    • Description:

      Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.
  26. Luca

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Luke and Lucas

    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucania"

    • Description:

      The related Lucas and Luke are both hugely popular boy names in the US and internationally, and now Luca has joined them on boys' popularity lists around the world.
  27. Magnus

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning "greatest," that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named after Charlemagne, introduced it to his culture, and thus Magnus was the name of six early kings of Norway and four of Sweden. It is still a highly popular name in Denmark and Norway.
  28. Malachi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my messenger"

    • Description:

      An Old Testament name with a Gaelic lilt, Malachi entered the list in 1987.
  29. Maximilian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "greatest"

    • Description:

      This name once seemed a bit grand and pompous for an American baby boy, but a significant number of parents are now preferring it as a substantial platform for the nickname Max, among them Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who chose it for their twin son.
  30. Mayim

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "water"

    • Description:

      This Hebrew water name has two main popular associations: Mayim Bialik, who played the title role in the early 90s TV series "Blossom," and the popular Israeli folk dance, "Mayim, Mayim."
  31. Minerva

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of the mind, intellect"

    • Description:

      Minerva is the long-neglected name of the Roman goddess of wisdom and invention, the arts and martial strength, one of the mythology names for girls that might appeal to adventurous feminist parents. With Juno and Jupiter, she made the Capitoline triad, whose worship was at the very center of Roman religion.
  32. Moira

    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"

    • Description:

      Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes, Moira Shearer.
  33. Mordecai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "follower of Marduk"

    • Description:

      Mordecai, although it has a noble heritage, has never caught on in this country, because of its rather weighty image.
  34. Naomi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pleasantness"

    • Description:

      Naomi was once a primarily Jewish name from the Old Testament that referenced the mother-in-law of Ruth. Because of this, it is a symbolic name given to girls on Shavuot when the story of Ruth is read in the synagogue.
  35. Nicolo

    • Origin:

      Italian form of Nicholas

    • Meaning:

      "people of victory"

    • Description:

      Nicolo is a more lively variation of Nicholas and one of the most attractive Italian names for boys. A name with a long, distinguished Italian history of its own, it also boasts the charming nickname Nico.
  36. Noam

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pleasantness, charm, tenderness"

    • Description:

      Noam is an underused modern Hebrew name with any number of attractive attributes attached to its meaning; it doesn't have the biblical weight of Noah, but could make a more distinctive alternative to that popular choice. Noam is a Top 10 boys' name in Israel.
  37. Oksana

    • Origin:

      Russian from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "praise to God"

    • Description:

      Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
  38. Oran

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Irish, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "light, song, little green one"

    • Description:

      A calm and gentle multicultural choice. Oran is popular in Ireland, where its Gaelic form is Odhrán, meaning "little green one". In Scottish Gaelic, the name means "song", and in Hebrew, it's a combination of Or "light" + Ran "singing".
  39. Orson

    • Origin:

      Latin and English

    • Meaning:

      "bear cub"

    • Description:

      In the past, Orson has felt like a one-person moniker, tied to film director Orson Welles, who dropped his given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle. While the Citizen Kane creator seemed to own the name during his lifetime, it's now an interesting possibility for any parent seeking an unusual yet solid name. It's started to appear to the celeb set too -- both Paz Vega and Lauren Ambrose have little Orsons.
  40. Pax

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"

    • Description:

      Pax, one of the variations of names meaning peace that are newly popular in these less-than-peaceful times, got a lot of publicity when chosen by Brad & Angelina for their Vietnamese-born son. Parents attracted to Pax may also want to consider Paz, the unisex Spanish version, or Paxton, a growing-in-popularity surname choice that shares that magical X-factor.
  41. Quillan

    • Origin:

      Iris, Zodiac sign of Leo, the lion

    • Meaning:

      "cub"

    • Description:

      If you like Dylan but find it too popular, Quillan could be a distinctive alternative.
  42. Rhea

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "a flowing stream"

    • Description:

      Rhea is an old-style creative name of the Greek mythological earth mother of all the gods. A lot better than the Roman equivalent: Ops.
  43. Rowan

    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; little redhead"

    • Description:

      With its gentle sounds and earthy vibes, the name Rowan feels like a fusion of different styles. A word name, a surname, and a gender-neutral name, Rowan is rustic but trendy, blending the vibes of both Owen and Oakley.
  44. Shoshana

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give the name an upward thrust.
  45. Siobhan

    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "god is gracious"

    • Description:

      Siobhan is the Irish variation of Joan, which is derived from the ancient Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. In this way Siobhan is indirectly related to the name Sinead—the Irish form of Jeannette, which also derived from Jehanne—although Sinead is not a nickname for Siobhan. Siobhan was the name of several early Irish queens and was introduced to the American public by the actress Siobhan McKenna.
  46. Sven

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "youth"

    • Description:

      Especially for parents of Scandinavian descent, Sven is an accessible and attractive name with an appealing mix of strength and swagger. It comes from the ancient Swedish tribe, the Sviars, who gave their name to Svealand, which later morphed into Sweden.
  47. Sylvia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from the forest"

    • Description:

      The musical, sylvan Sylvia seems poised to join former friends Frances and Beatrice and Dorothy back in the nursery.
  48. Teagan

    • Origin:

      Irish or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "little poet or fair"

    • Description:

      As Meghan/Megan and Reagan/Regan show signs of wilting, along comes Teagan to take up the slack: definitely one to consider. The vast majority of American babies named Teagan are now girls. A variant spelling is Teaghan.
  49. Zofia

    • Origin:

      Czech, Polish, and Ukrainian variation of Sophia

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      An international variation of Sophia that ranks in the Top 10 in Poland and the Top 1000 in England and Wales. Zosia is a charming diminutive.
  50. Zuzanna

    • Origin:

      Slavic variation of Susannah

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Remember Zuzu, the adorable little girl you watch every Christmas in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Here's a direct path to that nickname, a lot more zesty than the more familiar Susannah.