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Names of Real People I Know

ilahwillah
By ilahwillah
Updated Mon May 22 2023
Just some names I find interesting, unique or just beautiful that belong to real people I've met or have known in my life.
  1. Abner

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of light."

    • Description:

      This neglected Biblical name--it was the name of the commander of Saul's army and appears twice in the New Testament--is ready to flee Dogpatch. It was regularly used in the nineteenth century, but was pretty much demolished by the long-running hillbilly comic strip L'il Abner, which began in 1934 and ran through 1977. A more respectable namesake is Abner Doubleday, who has been credited with inventing baseball.
  2. Aderyn

    • Origin:

      Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      Aderyn, like cousin Elowen, may have found her moment: Aderyn makes an original full name that gets you to the cute and trendy nickname Addie. Just remember to put the emphasis on the second syllable.
  3. Adriel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my master"

    • Description:

      This biblical name is getting wider notice. While Adrian has had its time in the limelight since the late 70s, parents are beginning to look for fresher alternatives. In the Bible, Adriel was the husband of Merab, a daughter of King Saul. Adriel, like other names ending in -el like Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel, is also the name of an angel. The angel Adriel is known as the Angel of Death. Adriel entered the charts in 2002, and has risen now into the Top 200.
  4. Aideen

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "jealousy"

    • Description:

      A name possibly derived from Etain, an ancient Irish sun and horse goddess whose name is still used. Adina is a related choice.
  5. Amairani

    • Description:

      Amairani is a beautiful feminine name with Nahuatl (Aztec) origins. It means 'rainbow' or 'one who walks in beauty,' symbolizing hope and colorful promise. The name has gained popularity particularly in Mexico and among Hispanic communities in the United States. With its melodic four syllables and unique sound, Amairani offers parents a name that is both distinctive and meaningful. While not among the top-ranked names in the U.S., it has seen steady usage since the 1990s, appreciated for its cultural connections and pleasing phonetics.
  6. Anakin

    • Origin:

      American invented name

    • Description:

      Anakin Skywalker, aka Darth Vader, is the antagonist in the original Star Wars trilogy. The name Anakin first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. Its meaning is unknown but is thought to be an homage to a friend of George Lucas.
  7. Angeli

    • Description:

      Angeli is a feminine name with Italian and Greek roots, derived from 'angelo,' meaning 'angel' or 'messenger.' In Greek, 'angelos' referred to a divine messenger, later adopted into Christian traditions as heavenly beings. The name Angeli represents the plural form of angel in Italian, giving it a collective sense of divine protection. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys greater recognition in Italy, the Philippines, and other regions with strong Catholic influences. The name has a lyrical, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open-vowel ending. Angeli conveys a sense of ethereal beauty and spiritual significance without being overly religious. Its international character makes it recognizable across different cultures while maintaining its distinctive charm.

  8. Arden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "valley of the eagle; high"

    • Description:

      Arden is a gender-neutral name that's sleek and stylish but always seems to bob just below the surface of popularity, despite ticking all the boxes with its fashionable two-syllable, N-ending shape and its awesome nature-inspired meanings. In the 2021 US statistics, 41 percent of the babies named Arden were boys to 59 percent girls.
  9. Asante

    • Origin:

      Ashanti, Akan, Twi

    • Meaning:

      "African ethnic group; warlike"

    • Description:

      Although Ashanti is a much better known name via the female hip-hop singer, Asante is also an appealing way to honor Asante or Ashanti heritage. It's the name of a people and language based in Ghana.
  10. Ayan

    • Origin:

      Somali

    • Meaning:

      "fortune"

    • Description:

      The African name Ayan was first seen on the US Top 1000 for boys in 2014. It's both simple and distinctive, a winning combination.
  11. Abidael
    • Aiyan
      • Alexza
        • Analine
          • Anamika
            • Anelia
              • Anelynn
                • Araya
                  • Arienne
                    • Aurin