Potential Character Surnames Starting With A
- Abilene
Origin:
English from HebrewMeaning:
"grass"Description:
Abilene is a rarely used place name, mentioned as such in the New Testament, that combines the cowboy spunk of the Texas city with the midwestern morality of the Kansas town where Dwight D. Eisenhower spent his boyhood. Abilene is a much more untrodden path to the nickname Abbie/Abbie than the Top 10 Abigail.
- Ace
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one, unity"Description:
Ace is a retro nickname most often used for boys, as in Ace Ventura. While some celebrities have adopted it for their sons, there's nothing that makes this name exclusively male.
- Adelheid
Origin:
German and Dutch form of Adelheidis, GermanMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
The ancient German name Adelheidis gave rise to both Adelaide and Adelheid. While Adelaide is more popular and better known internationally, Adelheid is still used occasionally in Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The German pronunciation is not that different from Adelaide, with a soft h and a long I sound instead of a long A in the last syllable.
- Adhara
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"virgins"Description:
Adhara is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Also known as Adara, this name is perfectly suitable for a child.
- Adley
Origin:
Variation of HadleyDescription:
Adley made the Top 1000 at Number 735 in 2012 on the heels of sister name Hadley, only to vanish again in 2013. But now, with the popularity of Adelaide and Adeline, it has leaped upward and entered the Top 1000 once again. Adley feels in step with name trends of the moment, but will it survive the ages? Other such mashups have not.
- Ado
Description:
Ado is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It may originate from Nigerian naming traditions, particularly in the Yoruba language where names often carry significant meanings related to birth circumstances or family hopes. In this context, Ado might relate to concepts of royalty or nobility in some regional usages. The name also appears in Japanese contexts with different meanings and in European languages as a shortened form of names like Adolf or Adolphe. As a feminine name in Western usage, Ado remains quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name's brevity and open-ended vowel sound create a gentle yet distinctive impression. Its multicultural connections make it adaptable across different naming traditions despite its uncommon status.
- Aderyn
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"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.
- Adalet
Origin:
TurkishMeaning:
"justice"Description:
A Turkish virtue name, connected with the late author Adalet Ağaoğlu, that may benefit from its similarity to Adalyn and Adelaide.
- Aarvi
Description:
Aarvi is a modern feminine name of Indian origin. It carries beautiful meanings including 'peaceful', 'calm', and 'goddess of wisdom' in Sanskrit. Some interpretations also suggest it means 'stars in the sky'. The name has gained popularity in India and among Indian diaspora communities worldwide over the past decade. Its appealing sound and positive connotations have contributed to its rise as parents seek unique yet meaningful names with cultural roots. Aarvi offers a contemporary choice while honoring South Asian heritage, combining melodic qualities with spiritual significance.
- Abbey
Origin:
English word name or short form of AbigailDescription:
Abbey might sound exactly like the popular Abigail nickname Abby or Abbie, but spelled this way it is also a churchy word name with a Gothic feel. But hearing it, no one will know the difference.
- Adair
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"shallow place in a river near oaks"Description:
This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
- Aberdeen
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
This undiscovered Scottish port city name has a nice, upbeat feel and lots of good nickname possibilities.
- Aamu
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"morning"Description:
This modern Finnish word name is a fashionable choice in its home country, having entered into wide usage only since the turn of the 21st century.
- Adelin
Description:
Adelin is a feminine name with Germanic roots, though it can occasionally be used for boys in some cultures. It derives from the Germanic element 'adal' meaning 'noble' or 'nobility.' Adelin can be viewed as a variation of Adeline or a feminized form of Adel. The name carries an elegant, vintage quality while maintaining simplicity. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, it has seen occasional use in France and other European nations. Adelin offers the appeal of aristocratic associations without being pretentious, and its soft ending creates a gentle sound. The name suggests refinement, grace, and a connection to European heritage.
- Adler
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"eagle"Description:
This common German-Jewish surname is a fast riser among boys but lately has been picked up by parents of girls as well. Notable figures with the surname include designer Jonathan Adler, Freud contemporary Alfred Adler, and decorator Frances Adler Elkins and her brother, architect David Adler.
- Adamaris
Description:
Adamaris is a feminine name with Latin and Greek origins, blending elements that create a name of distinctive beauty. It combines forms of 'Adam,' the biblical first man whose name relates to 'earth' or 'to make,' with 'maris,' meaning 'of the sea.' This harmonious combination creates a meaningful name suggesting someone who bridges earth and ocean. Popular in Spanish-speaking cultures, Adamaris gained wider recognition in the United States through Mexican actress Adamari López. The name offers a melodic quality with its alternating consonants and vowels, while its meaning evokes natural beauty and adaptability. For parents seeking a feminine name with multicultural appeal, Adamaris provides both poetic sound and substantial meaning.
- Adelais
Description:
Adelais is a feminine name of Old German origin, representing a beautiful medieval variant of Adelaide. The name means 'noble kind' or 'of noble type,' combining 'adal' (noble) and 'heid' (kind, type). Popular among European nobility during the Middle Ages, Adelais carries an aristocratic, vintage charm. The name fell from common usage by the Renaissance but has seen occasional revivals among those appreciating historical names. Its pronunciation (AD-eh-lays) offers a pleasing rhythm, while its spelling evokes images of medieval courts and chivalry. Though rare today, Adelais provides a distinctive alternative to the more common Adelaide or Adeline, appealing to parents seeking names with historical depth and feminine elegance.
- Aday
Description:
Aday is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. In Canary Islands culture, it appears as a male name of Guanche (indigenous) origin, while in other contexts it may be a variation of Adair or a modern invented name. As a feminine name, it's extremely rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name has a contemporary sound with its short, two-syllable structure and trendy 'ay' ending. Some suggest it might relate to the Hebrew 'Adah' meaning 'ornament' or 'beauty.' Though uncommon in most regions, Aday has a bright, fresh sound that appeals to parents seeking a simple yet unconventional name. Its brevity makes it easy to pronounce across many languages while maintaining its uniqueness.
- Acai
Origin:
Brazilian Portuguese fruit and tree nameDescription:
The açai palm is a tree native to Brazil that produces açai berries (the base of those trendy smoothie bowls). Since US birth certificates don't allow for diacritical marks, we are unsure if people are naming their children after the fruit (pronounce ah-sah-EE) or omitting the cedilla and pronouncing it a-KYE.
- Adena
Description:
Adena is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Hebrew, it means 'delicate' or 'slender,' while it can also be connected to an ancient Native American culture called the Adena who lived in the Ohio Valley. In Germanic usage, it may derive from Adina, meaning 'noble' or 'gentle.' The name has a graceful, melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds. While never extremely common, Adena has maintained consistent if modest usage throughout the decades, appreciated for its subtle elegance and cross-cultural appeal. The name strikes a balance between familiarity and distinctiveness—recognizable but not overused. Its varied etymological roots offer multiple layers of meaning, allowing the name to carry different significant associations depending on cultural context.