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Family Tree Names - Virtue Names

queenalynna
By queenalynna
Updated Thu Feb 23 2023
My Dear Mum is a genealogy pro. These are some virtue and descriptive names from our past.
  1. Grace

    • Origin:

      English, virtue name

    • Description:

      Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
  2. Constance

    • Origin:

      English version of Latin Constantia

    • Meaning:

      "steadfastness"

    • Description:

      Constance is one of the more subtle of the virtue baby names, but still has quite a prim and proper image. One impediment to its revival has been the decidedly dated nickname Connie, though modern parents might well opt for using the strong and dignified name in full.
  3. Sterling

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "of the highest quality"

    • Description:

      A name with some sterling qualities, most associated with the British currency and silver markets. Sterling has several recent TV associations, with characters Roger Sterling (on Mad Men) and Sterling Archer (on Archer), and actor Sterling K. Brown (on This is Us).
  4. Christian

    • Origin:

      Greek or English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "anointed one or follower of Christ"

    • Description:

      The name Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others. Christian's enduring popularity may be influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.
  5. Sunny

    • Origin:

      English nickname

    • Description:

      Upbeat nickname-name that can't help but make you smile. You might want to use it as a short form for a more "serious" name such as Sunniva, but Sunny is undeniably, well, sunny.
  6. Prudence

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "caution"

    • Description:

      Prudence, like Hope and Faith, is a Puritan virtue name with a quiet charm and sensitivity that is slowly returning to favor, though it hasn't yet registered on the charts.
  7. Hope

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Description:

      Can a name as virtuous as Hope be cool and trendy? Strangely enough -- yes. But though this optimistic Puritan favorite is experiencing substantial popularity, Hope is too pure and elegant to be corrupted, a lovely classic that deserves all the attention it's getting.
  8. Mercy

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "compassion"

    • Description:

      The quality of mercy makes this lovely Puritan virtue name a quiet favorite today. Although it was most popular in the late nineteenth century, Mercy is on its way to a comeback -- it rose 143 spots between 2012 and 2013, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names. Right now, it's still stylish and distinctive, a rare and wonderful combination.
  9. Honor

    • Origin:

      English word and virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "honor"

    • Description:

      Honor is a somewhat more straight-laced virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.
  10. Charity

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "charity"

    • Description:

      Charity is one of the Big Three abstract virtue names, along with Hope and Faith, though far less widely used than the others. But as Faith, Grace and Hope grow more common, some parents are beginning to look at the more unusual three-syllable choices like Verity, Amity, Clarity and Charity, which sound much fresher and also have that pleasingly rhythmic 'y'-ending sound.
  11. Ever

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "always, eternally, constantly"

    • Description:

      A simple, unusual word name with an evocative meaning, Ever feels similar enough to Eva, Evelyn, and Everly that it shifts easily into name territory. Actor Robert Carradine was ahead of the trends when he named his now grown-up actress daughter Ever back in the 70s, while more recently, it was used by both Milla Jovovich and Owain Yeoman.
  12. Bliss

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      A sweet, uplifting and still fairly uncommon modern virtue name. Its single syllable makes it especially good as a middle name, but it would also make a big impact in the first spot.
  13. Patience

    • Origin:

      Latin virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "ability to accept or tolerate inconveniences, and suffering without anxiety or anger"

    • Description:

      Patience is a passive virtue turned engaging name, fresher than Hope, Faith, or even Charity. Its resemblance to the trendy Payton may be one reason that it returned to the US charts back in the 90's and 2000s, having been absent for a century.
  14. Freeman

    • Origin:

      Word name or surname name, English

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Another meaningful word name that actually dates back to pre-Emancipation days.
  15. Constant

    • Origin:

      French from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "steadfast"

    • Description:

      A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.
  16. Experience

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Experience was used by the Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager.
  17. Read

    • Description:

      Read as a feminine name is an uncommon word name derived from the English verb meaning 'to interpret written language' or the past tense of 'to read.' It has historically been more familiar as an English surname, possibly originating from the Old English 'read' meaning 'red,' often given to people with red hair or ruddy complexions. As a first name, Read has literary associations and conveys intelligence and thoughtfulness. Its simplicity and distinctive nature make it stand out while remaining easy to spell and pronounce. The name shares qualities with other short word names like Hope, Grace, or Faith. Read represents a minimalist choice for parents seeking something meaningful and uncommon without being elaborate or difficult to use.

  18. Seaborn

    • Origin:

      Surname name

    • Description:

      TV watchers will instantly think of hunky West Wing character Sam Seaborn, played by Rob Lowe, while techies may associate it with a programming toolkit used in statistical analysis. Few, though, will see it as a great first name.
  19. Temperence
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