Virtue Names Off the Beaten Track

  1. Gracious
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "marked by kindness and courtesy"
    • Description:

      A warm and positive English word name, used by the Puritans for both sexes but now given to only around a dozen baby girls each year.
  2. Sincerity
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "sincerity, truth"
    • Description:

      A Puritan-virtue type name that could possibly work for a modern baby with its rhythmic four-syllable sound and admirable meaning.
  3. Prosperity
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Forget Patience and Charity: Here's a Colonial name (and sentiment) that seems perfect for modern times.
  4. Purity
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Description:

      A puritan virtue name that's only slightly less challenging than Chastity. It was used for nearly 20 baby girls in the contemporary US in one recent year.
  5. Precious
    • Origin:

      Latin word name
    • Meaning:

      "of great worth, expensive"
    • Description:

      Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
  6. Revel
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "rejoice"
    • Description:

      Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
  7. Fidelity
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Fidelity is an admirable virtue, yes, but as a name it tends to sound like a financial institution. Faith, Honor, or Patience would be easier to live with than Fidelity.
  8. Benevolent
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      One of the new generation of virtue names, with Peace and Justice taking over from the Puritans' Absolution and Forgiveness, but this one is still a bit heavy to carry.
  9. Concord
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "harmony, peaceful coexistence"
    • Description:

      With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.
  10. Bright
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "bright"
    • Description:

      Rare word name that works for either gender.
  11. Charisma
    • Origin:

      Word name, English from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "charisma, grace"
    • Description:

      Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after an Avon perfume.
  12. Worth
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, homestead"
    • Description:

      No low self-esteem for this kid, or so his parents hope.
  13. Virtue
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "moral excellence"
    • Description:

      The mother of all virtue names.
  14. Verita
    • Description:

      Verita is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'veritas' meaning 'truth.' This connection gives the name a powerful philosophical significance and virtuous quality. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Verita has occasionally appeared throughout Western history, particularly in Italian and Spanish-speaking regions. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its three syllables and gentle ending. Verita might appeal to parents drawn to virtue names with classical origins, seeking an alternative to more common options like Verity or Vera. Its rarity gives it distinction while its meaning provides a strong symbolic foundation for a child's identity.

  15. Silence
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The Puritans used it as a virtue name -- but today it would just be considered weird: silence is no longer golden.
  16. Comfort
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      This Puritan virtue name is unstylish, but sympathetic and appealing, in these largely uncomfortable times.
  17. Blithe
    • Description:

      Blithe is a delicate feminine name derived from the Old English word 'bliþe,' meaning 'happy,' 'carefree,' or 'joyful.' As a word-name that directly evokes a positive emotional state, it belongs to the category of virtue names that became popular during the Puritan era but has never been widely used. The name has a light, airy quality that suggests cheerfulness and optimism. Literary connections include Noël Coward's play 'Blithe Spirit,' which adds a sophisticated cultural reference. Though rare, Blithe has seen small increases in usage among parents seeking uncommon names with positive meanings. Its short, one-syllable pronunciation combined with the elegant spelling gives it a distinctive character that balances simplicity with refinement.

  18. Hardy
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "bold, brave"
    • Description:

      Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country.
  19. Illumination
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Illumination is a many-syllabled entrant in the new-fashioned virtue name group, but doesn't stand much chance of rivaling shorter choices like Hope and Faith.
  20. Bravery
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Description:

      This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.

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