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Old, powerfull names

Tessa0397
By Tessa0397
Updated Thu May 18 2023
  1. Oliver

    • Origin:

      Germanic, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "elf army; ancestor's relic; olive tree"

    • Description:

      Oliver is an international star, ranking near the top of the charts throughout the English-speaking world and in a host of European and Latin American countries, from Norway to Chile, Slovenia to Switzerland. Why? Because Oliver is energetic and good-natured, stylish but classic, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness.
  2. Alexander

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexander has been in a Top 25 boys' name in the US for 30 years now. But namers are still attracted to its imposing historic pedigree.
  3. Josephine

    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah increases"

    • Description:

      Josephine, with its large measure of class and character and a gently offbeat quality, has been on a gentle uphill climb in the US for over 30 years, now ranking in the Top 100. With an intriguing number of vivacious nicknames, from Jo to Josie to Fifi to Posy, Josephine is a Nameberry favorite.
  4. Benjamin

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "son of the right hand"

    • Description:

      Benjamin is a biblical name that has enjoyed widespread favor for decades, ranking in the US Top 50 for almost half a century and the Top 10 from 2015 until 2023.
  5. Jonathan

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of Jehovah"

    • Description:

      Jonathan was derived from the Hebrew name Yehonatan, eventually contracted to the modern Yonatan, meaning "gift of Jehovah." It comes from the elements yeho, in reference to God, and natan, meaning "to give." In the Old Testament, Jonathan was the valiant eldest son of King Saul, and it was his friendship with brother-in-law David that gave rise to the expression "Jonathan and David" to describe devoted, steadfast friends.
  6. Nathan

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "given"

    • Description:

      Nathan is an Old Testament name that's ranked among the Top 100 names for boys for 50 years, and could well stay there for another 50. Strong, solid, and attractive, It's a name familiar to every schoolchild through Nathan Hale, the Revolutionary War spy.
  7. Natalia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "birthday [of the Lord]"

    • Description:

      Natalia was derived from the Latin word natalis, meaning "birthday." It refers to the birthday of Jesus Christ, and thus originated as a name for girls born on Christmas Day. Related forms include the French Natalie, Portuguese Natalina, and Russian diminutive Natasha.
  8. Alexandra

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine form of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexandra fell out of the Top 100 for the first time since 1983 in 2015 but is still a popular choice. Strong, tasteful, and elegant, Alexandra remains a chic modern classic with a solid historic pedigree.
  9. Melissa

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "honeybee"

    • Description:

      Melissa derives from the Greek word mélissa, meaning "bee," which was taken from the word for honey, meli. In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who nursed the infant god Zeus with honey. Melissa was used as a given name by the early Greeks, as well as for fairies by Italian Renaissance poets.
  10. Magdalena

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from Magdala"

    • Description:

      Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with Magdalene and the unrelated but similar-sounding Marguerite.
  11. Lavender

    • Origin:

      English color and flower name

    • Meaning:

      "purple flower"

    • Description:

      Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lila, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers along with other adventurous nature names like Clementine and Marigold. In fact, 2024 saw it enter the US Top 1000 for the first time, when it was given to nearly 260 girls.
  12. Apollonia

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer, strength; father's light"

    • Description:

      This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain. It could make an unexpected route to sweet nickname Polly — or perhaps to the quirky apple!
  13. Adira

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong"

    • Description:

      Adira is one of those names that feels familiar without being overused. Simple but with subtle flair, Adira crosses different languages easily and could provide an alternative option tor the likes of Ava, Ariana, Adeline, and Anna.
  14. Ismael

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Ishmael

    • Meaning:

      "God will hear"

    • Description:

      Ismael is Spanish and Portuguese rendition of the Biblical name Ishmael and the form used in the Greek New Testament. Currently, it is the variant that ranks most highly on the US charts and it is popular among the Hispanic community, both in the US, and globally.
  15. Mireia

    • Origin:

      Catalan form of Mireille

    • Meaning:

      "to admire"

    • Description:

      Popular name in Spain drawn from the Provencal Mireio, coined by the poet Frederic Mistral. Very pretty and, though difficult to spell and pronounce, simpler than the French version.
  16. Viktoria

    • Description:

      Viktoria is the Eastern European and Germanic spelling of Victoria, a name derived from Latin meaning 'victory.' This variation maintains the powerful meaning while giving it a distinctive continental European flair. Particularly popular in countries like Russia, Germany, Hungary, and across Eastern Europe, Viktoria carries a sense of strength and triumph. The 'k' spelling gives the name a sharp, dynamic quality that differs slightly from the softer 'c' version. While less common in English-speaking countries, global connections have increased its usage worldwide. Viktoria combines classical heritage with cross-cultural appeal, making it both timeless and contemporary for parents seeking a name with established roots but a distinctive character.
  17. Karolina

    • Description:

      Karolina is a feminine name of Germanic origin, being a variant of Caroline or Carolina, ultimately derived from the masculine name Karl or Charles, meaning 'free man' or 'strong.' This elegant name is particularly popular in Eastern European countries including Poland, Croatia, Slovakia, and Lithuania, as well as in Scandinavian nations. Karolina has a melodic quality with its four syllables and soft ending. The name carries an international appeal while maintaining connections to traditional naming practices. Throughout history, various royal figures have borne related forms of this name. Karolina projects an image of feminine strength combined with grace. The name allows for multiple nickname options including Kara, Lina, or Karo. Its classic roots give it enduring appeal while its specific spelling offers a distinctive touch.

  18. November

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      The menu of usable month names seems to expand every, well, month, with such choices as November, October, and January joining more established names like April, May, June and August. Logical November nicknames include Nova, Novi, or Ember, making this a natural (if adventurous) choice for a baby girl. November is also, obviously, one of the perfect names for November babies.
  19. Kassandra

    • Origin:

      Original spelling of Cassandra

    • Description:

      Kassandra is actually the original form of Cassandra (Greek names do not have Cs), though most will see it as a Kardashianization, which is a shame! As you might expect, the C currently charts higher. Still, Kassandra can lead to all sorts of cute nicknames, such as Kassie, Kass, and Sandy.
  20. Andressa

    • Description:

      Andressa is a feminine name primarily used in Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil. It developed as a feminine form of André (Andrew), ultimately deriving from the Greek word 'andreios,' meaning 'manly,' 'brave,' or 'strong.' Despite its masculine roots, Andressa has evolved into a distinctly feminine name with a soft, melodic quality. The name gained popularity in Brazil during the late 20th century and remains moderately common there. Andressa combines traditional roots with a contemporary feel, making it appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds modern while having historical depth. Outside of Portuguese-speaking regions, Andressa remains relatively uncommon, giving it an exotic appeal. The name often conveys an impression of strength wrapped in feminine elegance.