400 Surprising Meanings Of Popular Baby Names

No one chooses a baby’s name lightly. And yet, for all the considerations that parents bring to the job — whether to go with an old-fashioned name or try for something unique — a name’s meaning may not come into the initial conversation at all. Obscured by time and geography, the original meaning can take parents by surprise.

Some of the world’s most popular names — names that connote strength, charm, and success — have surprisingly humble beginnings. Javier, for instance, means “owner of a new house,” while Glen means “from the secluded narrow valley.” Jameson means — you guessed it — “son of James.”

Dozens of popular baby names — from all over the world — are simply variations on “gift from God.” The truth is, the vast majority of us don’t know the original meanings of our own names — much less the thousands of baby names up for consideration. But if a name’s ancient and deeper meaning speaks to you, it might just be the essential key that unlocks the perfect name for a baby girl or boy.

Surprising Boy Baby Name Meanings

1. Aaran – strong mountain
2. Aaron – enlightened
3. Aariz – respectable
4. Abba – father
5. Abbey – father rejoiced
6. Abbot – Hebrew word for “father” or “head of community”
7. Abie – servant
8. Abir – strength
9. Abraham – father of multitudes
10. Addison – son of the mighty warrior
11. Ace – one
12. Adair – from the brook by the oak grove
13. Adam – made from the earth
14. Adler – he who is brave
15. Adrian – derived form the ancient place in Italy
16. Ahmed – praiseworthy, comfort
17. Aidan – he who helps
18. Alan – attractive man, fair one
19. Albert – he who is brilliant
20. Amos – burdened
21. Andrew – courageous
22. Baldwin – bold friend
23. Bao – treasure
24. Ballar – brave, strong
25. Baxter – baker
26. Barney – dweller from the barn
27. Beau – French for “beautiful” (masculine)
28. Beck – dweller near the brook
29. Benedict – blessed
30. Benito – blessed
31. Benjamin – right hand’s son, favorite son, son of my sorrow
32. Benson – son of Ben
33. Bentley – bent grass meadow
34. Bert – shining, bright
35. Bingham – one who lives by the bridge
36. Bill – willful one, strong-minded
37. Blake – dark or fair
38. Blythe – cheerful
39. Braden – from the wide valley
40. Bram – father of multitudes
41. Cain – acquired
42. Caleb – bold
43. Carl – strong
44. Carlin – little champion
45. Carlton – from the strong, courageous town
46. Carmen – vineyard of the lord
47. Carmelo – fruitful
48. Carter – cart maker
49. Casey – brave, aggressive
50. Cato – cautious wisdom
51. Chandler – candle maker
52. Charles – full grown, a man, a historically royal name
53. Chekani – to cut
54. Chimango – builder
55. Chipati – to part
56. Clark – learned scholar
57. Claud – weak
58. Cortez – courteous
59. Cosgrove – from the cows grove
60. Costa – little, constant, steadfast one
61. Covey – from the cove
62. Craig – from the rock
63. Creed – one who believes
64. Crosby – from the village with a cross
65. Dale – living in a valley
66. Dalton – from the town in the valley
67. Damien – tamer
68. Daniel – God is my judge
69. Darby – freedom
70. Daren – born at night
71. Dario – wealthy
72. Davis/David – beloved
73. Dempsey – proud
74. Denley – from the meadow
75. Dillon – faithful
76. Dimitri – immeasurable, gracious
77. Donovan – dark warrior
78. Dorion – gift
79. Drew – wise, esteemed
80. Duka – to dance
81. Duncan – steadfast warrior, strong in faith
82. Earl – promise
83. Earl – friend of the sea
84. Edmond – wealthy protector
85. Edwin – wealthy friend
86. Eli – uplifting
87. Elijah – the Lord is my God
88. Eloi – chosen
89. Emery – industrious, hardworking ruler
90. Emre – brother
91. Eric – forever ruler
92. Ezekiel – God strengthens
93. Felix – lucky, happy
94. Fidel – faithful
95. Fortino – fortunate
96. Gabriel – God is my strength
97. Garcia – brave spear carrier
98. Glen – from the valley
99. Golden – gold friend
100. Grady – noble, illustrious
101. Grant – grant
102. Guy – guide from the forrest
103. Hamilton – from the proud town
104. Hedwig – fighter
105. Henry – ruler of the house
106. Herald – story bringer
107. Herb – brilliant warrior
108. Hermes – messenger
109. Hillel – new moon
110. Hiram – exalted, noble
111. Horace – time keeper
112. Howard – watcher, guardian
113. Howell – little, alert
114. Hubert – bright mind and heart
115. Huey – intelligent
116. Hugo – intelligent
117. Humbert – bright giant
118. Hugh – having a bright mind
119. Humphrey – a peaceful warrior
120. Ike – one who brings laughter, god smiles
121. Ira – alert, watchful stallion
122. Isaac – one who brings laughter, God smiles
123. Israel – he who wrestles with God
124. Jabbar – one who consoles other
125. Jacob – supplanter
126. Jaime – he who supplants
127. Jamal – a handsome man
128. Jason – healer
129. Jared – descending
130. Jax – son of Jack
131. Jay – victory
132. Jayce – healer
133. Jayden – thankful
134. Jaylan – calm
135. Jeffery – man of peace
136. Jeremiah – the Lord exalts
137. Jonah – accomplisher
138. Jordan – to flow downward
139. Joya – to have restraint
140. Jude – right with the law
141. Justin – righteous, just
142. Kacey – brave
143. Kade – from the wetlands
144. Kadir – spring
145. Kadish – holy
146. Kai – willow tree
147. Kalani – heaven, chief
148. Keanu – sea breeze
149. Kent – lord
150. Kin – golden
151. Kirby – from the church by the meadow
152. Kingsley – from the king’s meadow
153. Kyle – from the straight
154. Lamar – famous
155. Lavern – springtime
156. Leif – beloved
157. Leo – lion man
158. Leon – lion-like
159. Leonard – bold, strong
160. Leor – light of mine
161. Levi – joined
162. Leroy – king
163. Louis – famous fighter
164. Luke – bringer of light
165. Marcus – warrior
166. Maren – sea
167. Marion – sea
168. Marlow – from the hill by the lake
169. Micah – who is like the Lord
170. Michael – who is like God
171. Milan – loving
172. Millar – grain mill worker
173. Milo – peaceful, merciful, mild
174. Nathan – gift from God
175. Nicolas – people’s triumph
176. Noah – to comfort
177. Norman – composed of French words for north and man, once used to identify a group of Scandinavians living in Normandy
178. Oakley – from an oak tree
179. Oliver – derived from either French Olivier (olive tree) or German Alfihar (elf warrior)
180. Oren – pale, pine tree
181. Otis – wealthy
182. Paco – French man
183. Paul – derived from Latin word for small, Paulus
184. Quigley – loving nature
185. Quincy – fifth, patient
186. Quon – bright light
187. Rafi – musical, friend
188. Raleigh – jovial
189. Ralph – advisor to all
190. Randy – secretive
191. Ravi – sun god
192. Rio – River
193. Rich – wise
194. Roan – red-haired
195. Robert – bright fame
196. Robson – son of Robert
197. Rocco – battle cry
198. Roger – famous spear
199. Roland – famous country
200. Ronan – little seal
201. Sandros – defender and freer of mankind
202. Sander – defensive
203. Schneider – stylish
204. Seamus – replacement, bonus
205. Sebastian – dramatic, honorable
206. Serge – gentle man
207. Sergio – handsome
208. Vincent – conqueror
209. Vito – full of life

Surprising Girl Baby Name Meanings

1. Abigail – source of father’s joy
2. Abra – mother of multitude
3. Acacia – honored one
4. Ada – prosperous, nobility
5. Adair – she who is beautiful, exalted
6. Adalia – honor
7. Adina – she who is delicate
8. Adele – graceful and noble
9. Adelaide – noble, kind
10. Adrianne – woman from Adria
11. Agatha – she who is kind
12. Agnes – sacred and chaste
13. Aida – helper, derived from the French aider, to help
14. Ainsley – a meadow
15. Alana – fair
16. Alea – honorable
17. Alessa – protector of humanity
18. Alethea- truthful
19. Alexis – defender, helper
20. Aliana – light
21. Alice – noble, kind
22. Almira – royal one
23. Amira – leader
24. Amani – faith
25. Amelia – ambitious
26. Amy – beloved
27. Anaïs – graceful, full of grace
28. Anastasia – resurrection
29. Angela – angelic
30. Anika – graceful
31. Anita – grace
32. Anna – full of grace, mercy
33. Anne – full of grace
34. Annalise – grace, devoted to god
35. April – open
36. Araminata – defender
37. Audra – noble strength
38. Aviva – fresh, springlike
39. Aziza – beloved
40. Beatrice – one who brings happiness
41. Bailey – from the French word for bailiff, justice officer
42. Bao – gem
43. Barbara – stranger, foreigner, once used to refer to non-Romans or those considered uncivilized
44. Basimati – to be finished
45. Bea- bringer of joy
46. Bertha – radiant
47. Bibi – full of light
48. Bethany – house of god
49. Bethel – holy place
50. Betsy – pledged to god
51. Bianca – white, shining
52. Billie – determined
53. Bindi – a tiny drop
54. Blair – plain, battle
55. Blanche – white, pure
56. Blythe – kind, joyous
57. Bodhi – awakened, enlightened
58. Bonnie – beautiful, good
59. Brigitte – strength
60. Brittany – strong
61. Bryn – honorable
62. Candence – rhythm, flow
63. Catherine – pure
64. Caitlin – untainted
65. Camille – pure, virgin of unblemished character
66. Cara – friend, she who is dear
67. Carissa – she who is dear
68. Carole – joyous song, full-grown man
69. Cassandra – temptress
70. Cecilia – blind
71. Celeste – celestial, heavenly
72. Cheryl – beloved, dear one
73. Clio – praise
74. Constance – unchanging
75. Cora – young woman
76. Cynthia – luminous
77. Dahlia – flower, gentle, tender
78. Daisy – inspired by the popular flower; the old English word “doeges eage,” days eve, refers to the sun-like yellow center of the flower
79. Danica – morning star
80. Daniele – feminine form of Daniel, which means “God is my judge” in Hebrew
81. Dale – valley
82. Daria – prosperous
83. Davina – cherished, beloved
84. Delma – from the sea
85. Denise – derivative of the greek god Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry
86. Diane – divine
87. Donna – lady
88. Edna – pleasant
89. Elena – bright, torch
90. Elaine – light, bright, torch
91. Elizabeth – God is abundance
92. Eleanor – bright shining one, light
93. Eloise – great in battle
94. Elsa – noble young woman
95. Esmé – beloved, loved, guardian
96. Esmeralda – emerald
97. Estelle – star
98. Esther – star
99. Eva – life
100. Eve – life
101. Fatima – captivating,
102. Finley – fair haired, hero, warrior
103. Frances – free one
104. Francesca – free one
105. Gabrielle – God is my strength
106. Georgia – farmer, earth worker
107. Gloria- Glory
108. Greta – a pearl
109. Haley – heroine
110. Hannah- full of grace, mercy
111. Harriet – rules the home
112. Hazel – victory
113. Heidi – noble
114. Hella – the sun
115. Hera – protector
116. Hillary – bringer of joy
117. Hilda – battle
118. Ida – labor, industrious one
119. Idalia – industrious
120. Iman – God is with us
121. Ingrid – beautiful, fertile
122. Irene – peace
123. Iris – rainbow
124. Isadora – gift, fertile
125. Isla – island
126. Jennifer – fair lady
127. Jaqueline – supplanter
128. Jane – God is gracious
129. Jolie – pretty
130. Kalliope – beautiful
131. Kamila – free born
132. Kara – pure
133. Karen – pure, unsullied
134. Klohe – blooming, verdant
135. Kleopatra – glory, father, of a famous father
136. Katrina – pure
137. Keara – dark one
138. Kendra – knowledgeable
139. Kristin – anointed one
140. Kyle – she who is pretty
141. Kyra – sun
142. Lala – cheerful
143. Lana – little, soft
144. Leah – weary
145. Leandra – lioness
146. Madelaine – from the tower
147. Martha – lady, mistress
148. Mirabelle – wondrous
149. Mona – alone
150. Nadia – filled with hope
151. Naomi – pleasant
152. Nanette – grace, favor
153. Nicole – victory the people
154. Nicolette – people’s triumph
155. Nina – gracious
156. Noel – Christmas, birthday of the Lord
157. Odele – song
158. Odelia – wealthy, prosperous
159. Olivia – olive, symbol of peace
160. Ophelia – helpful, successor
161. Pandora – all gifted
162. Patricia – aristocrat
163. Rachael – purity
164. Renee – reborn
165. Rita – pearl
166. Roxanne – dawn of day, radiant
167. Sadie – princess
168. Sally – princess
169. Sarah – princess
170. Sandra – helper, defender
171. Sharon – a flat place of ground, a plain
172. Solange – yearly, solemn
173. Sophie – wise
174. Tamara – palm tree
175. Valerie – strong, healthy
176. Venus – love and desire
177. Vera – believed to be a word for faith (vjera) or the Latin word for truth (vera)
178. Victoria – victory
179. Viola – inspired by the name of the flower
180. Violet – also inspired by a flower
181. Virginia – spring like, flourishing
182. Vivienne – alive, full of life
183. Willa – feminine version of William, originated from German word for “resolute protector”
184. Xena – welcoming, hospitable
185. Yasmine – jasmine flower
186. Zadie – princess, mother of Zeus
187. Zara – flower, blossoming
188. Zelda – blessed, happy
189. Zinnia – worthy
190. Zoe – life
191. Zola – earth, quiet, tranquil