400 Surprising Meanings Of Popular Baby Names
Every baby’s name has a story behind it.

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
- Aaran – strong mountain
- Aaron – enlightened
- Aariz – respectable
- Abba – father
- Abbey – father rejoiced
- Abbot – Hebrew word for “father” or “head of community”
- Abie – servant
- Abir – strength
- Abraham – father of multitudes
- Addison – son of the mighty warrior
- Ace – one
- Adair – from the brook by the oak grove
- Adam – made from the earth
- Adler – he who is brave
- Adrian – derived form the ancient place in Italy
- Ahmed – praiseworthy, comfort
- Aidan – he who helps
- Alan – attractive man, fair one
- Albert – he who is brilliant
- Amos – burdened
- Andrew – courageous
- Baldwin – bold friend
- Bao – treasure
- Ballar – brave, strong
- Baxter – baker
- Barney – dweller from the barn
- Beau – French for “beautiful” (masculine)
- Beck – dweller near the brook
- Benedict – blessed
- Benito – blessed
- Benjamin – right hand’s son, favorite son, son of my sorrow
- Benson – son of Ben
- Bentley – bent grass meadow
- Bert – shining, bright
- Bingham – one who lives by the bridge
- Bill – willful one, strong-minded
- Blake – dark or fair
- Blythe – cheerful
- Braden – from the wide valley
- Bram – father of multitudes
- Cain – acquired
- Caleb – bold
- Carl – strong
- Carlin – little champion
- Carlton – from the strong, courageous town
- Carmen – vineyard of the lord
- Carmelo – fruitful
- Carter – cart maker
- Casey – brave, aggressive
- Cato – cautious wisdom
- Chandler – candle maker
- Charles – full grown, a man, a historically royal name
- Chekani – to cut
- Chimango – builder
- Chipati – to part
- Clark – learned scholar
- Claud – weak
- Cortez – courteous
- Cosgrove – from the cows grove
- Costa – little, constant, steadfast one
- Covey – from the cove
- Craig – from the rock
- Creed – one who believes
- Crosby – from the village with a cross
- Dale – living in a valley
- Dalton – from the town in the valley
- Damien – tamer
- Daniel – God is my judge
- Darby – freedom
- Daren – born at night
- Dario – wealthy
- Davis/David – beloved
- Dempsey – proud
- Denley – from the meadow
- Dillon – faithful
- Dimitri – immeasurable, gracious
- Donovan – dark warrior
- Dorion – gift
- Drew – wise, esteemed
- Duka – to dance
- Duncan – steadfast warrior, strong in faith
- Earl – promise
- Earl – friend of the sea
- Edmond – wealthy protector
- Edwin – wealthy friend
- Eli – uplifting
- Elijah – the Lord is my God
- Eloi – chosen
- Emery – industrious, hardworking ruler
- Emre – brother
- Eric – forever ruler
- Ezekiel – God strengthens
- Felix – lucky, happy
- Fidel – faithful
- Fortino – fortunate
- Gabriel – God is my strength
- Garcia – brave spear carrier
- Glen – from the valley
- Golden – gold friend
- Grady – noble, illustrious
- Grant – grant
- Guy – guide from the forrest
- Hamilton – from the proud town
- Hedwig – fighter
- Henry – ruler of the house
- Herald – story bringer
- Herb – brilliant warrior
- Hermes – messenger
- Hillel – new moon
- Hiram – exalted, noble
- Horace – time keeper
- Howard – watcher, guardian
- Howell – little, alert
- Hubert – bright mind and heart
- Huey – intelligent
- Hugo – intelligent
- Humbert – bright giant
- Hugh – having a bright mind
- Humphrey – a peaceful warrior
- Ike – one who brings laughter, god smiles
- Ira – alert, watchful stallion
- Isaac – one who brings laughter, God smiles
- Israel – he who wrestles with God
- Jabbar – one who consoles other
- Jacob – supplanter
- Jaime – he who supplants
- Jamal – a handsome man
- Jason – healer
- Jared – descending
- Jax – son of Jack
- Jay – victory
- Jayce – healer
- Jayden – thankful
- Jaylan – calm
- Jeffery – man of peace
- Jeremiah – the Lord exalts
- Jonah – accomplisher
- Jordan – to flow downward
- Joya – to have restraint
- Jude – right with the law
- Justin – righteous, just
- Kacey – brave
- Kade – from the wetlands
- Kadir – spring
- Kadish – holy
- Kai – willow tree
- Kalani – heaven, chief
- Keanu – sea breeze
- Kent – lord
- Kin – golden
- Kirby – from the church by the meadow
- Kingsley – from the king’s meadow
- Kyle – from the straight
- Lamar – famous
- Lavern – springtime
- Leif – beloved
- Leo – lion man
- Leon – lion-like
- Leonard – bold, strong
- Leor – light of mine
- Levi – joined
- Leroy – king
- Louis – famous fighter
- Luke – bringer of light
- Marcus – warrior
- Maren – sea
- Marion – sea
- Marlow – from the hill by the lake
- Micah – who is like the Lord
- Michael – who is like God
- Milan – loving
- Millar – grain mill worker
- Milo – peaceful, merciful, mild
- Nathan – gift from God
- Nicolas – people’s triumph
- Noah – to comfort
- Norman – composed of French words for north and man, once used to identify a group of Scandinavians living in Normandy
- Oakley – from an oak tree
- Oliver – derived from either French Olivier (olive tree) or German Alfihar (elf warrior)
- Oren – pale, pine tree
- Otis – wealthy
- Paco – French man
- Paul – derived from Latin word for small, Paulus
- Quigley – loving nature
- Quincy – fifth, patient
- Quon – bright light
- Rafi – musical, friend
- Raleigh – jovial
- Ralph – advisor to all
- Randy – secretive
- Ravi – sun god
- Rio – River
- Rich – wise
- Roan – red-haired
- Robert – bright fame
- Robson – son of Robert
- Rocco – battle cry
- Roger – famous spear
- Roland – famous country
- Ronan – little seal
- Sandros – defender and freer of mankind
- Sander – defensive
- Schneider – stylish
- Seamus – replacement, bonus
- Sebastian – dramatic, honorable
- Serge – gentle man
- Sergio – handsome
- Vincent – conqueror
- Vito – full of life
Surprising Girl Baby Name Meanings
- Abigail – source of father’s joy
- Abra – mother of multitude
- Acacia – honored one
- Ada – prosperous, nobility
- Adair – she who is beautiful, exalted
- Adalia – honor
- Adina – she who is delicate
- Adele – graceful and noble
- Adelaide – noble, kind
- Adrianne – woman from Adria
- Agatha – she who is kind
- Agnes – sacred and chaste
- Aida – helper, derived from the French aider, to help
- Ainsley – a meadow
- Alana – fair
- Alea – honorable
- Alessa – protector of humanity
- Alethea- truthful
- Alexis – defender, helper
- Aliana – light
- Alice – noble, kind
- Almira – royal one
- Amira – leader
- Amani – faith
- Amelia – ambitious
- Amy – beloved
- Anaïs – graceful, full of grace
- Anastasia – resurrection
- Angela – angelic
- Anika – graceful
- Anita – grace
- Anna – full of grace, mercy
- Anne – full of grace
- Annalise – grace, devoted to god
- April – open
- Araminata – defender
- Audra – noble strength
- Aviva – fresh, springlike
- Aziza – beloved
- Beatrice – one who brings happiness
- Bailey – from the French word for bailiff, justice officer
- Bao – gem
- Barbara – stranger, foreigner, once used to refer to non-Romans or those considered uncivilized
- Basimati – to be finished
- Bea- bringer of joy
- Bertha – radiant
- Bibi – full of light
- Bethany – house of god
- Bethel – holy place
- Betsy – pledged to god
- Bianca – white, shining
- Billie – determined
- Bindi – a tiny drop
- Blair – plain, battle
- Blanche – white, pure
- Blythe – kind, joyous
- Bodhi – awakened, enlightened
- Bonnie – beautiful, good
- Brigitte – strength
- Brittany – strong
- Bryn – honorable
- Candence – rhythm, flow
- Catherine – pure
- Caitlin – untainted
- Camille – pure, virgin of unblemished character
- Cara – friend, she who is dear
- Carissa – she who is dear
- Carole – joyous song, full-grown man
- Cassandra – temptress
- Cecilia – blind
- Celeste – celestial, heavenly
- Cheryl – beloved, dear one
- Clio – praise
- Constance – unchanging
- Cora – young woman
- Cynthia – luminous
- Dahlia – flower, gentle, tender
- Daisy – inspired by the popular flower; the old English word “doeges eage,” days eve, refers to the sun-like yellow center of the flower
- Danica – morning star
- Daniele – feminine form of Daniel, which means “God is my judge” in Hebrew
- Dale – valley
- Daria – prosperous
- Davina – cherished, beloved
- Delma – from the sea
- Denise – derivative of the greek god Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry
- Diane – divine
- Donna – lady
- Edna – pleasant
- Elena – bright, torch
- Elaine – light, bright, torch
- Elizabeth – God is abundance
- Eleanor – bright shining one, light
- Eloise – great in battle
- Elsa – noble young woman
- Esmé – beloved, loved, guardian
- Esmeralda – emerald
- Estelle – star
- Esther – star
- Eva – life
- Eve – life
- Fatima – captivating,
- Finley – fair haired, hero, warrior
- Frances – free one
- Francesca – free one
- Gabrielle – God is my strength
- Georgia – farmer, earth worker
- Gloria- Glory
- Greta – a pearl
- Haley – heroine
- Hannah- full of grace, mercy
- Harriet – rules the home
- Hazel – victory
- Heidi – noble
- Hella – the sun
- Hera – protector
- Hillary – bringer of joy
- Hilda – battle
- Ida – labor, industrious one
- Idalia – industrious
- Iman – God is with us
- Ingrid – beautiful, fertile
- Irene – peace
- Iris – rainbow
- Isadora – gift, fertile
- Isla – island
- Jennifer – fair lady
- Jaqueline – supplanter
- Jane – God is gracious
- Jolie – pretty
- Kalliope – beautiful
- Kamila – free born
- Kara – pure
- Karen – pure, unsullied
- Klohe – blooming, verdant
- Kleopatra – glory, father, of a famous father
- Katrina – pure
- Keara – dark one
- Kendra – knowledgeable
- Kristin – anointed one
- Kyle – she who is pretty
- Kyra – sun
- Lala – cheerful
- Lana – little, soft
- Leah – weary
- Leandra – lioness
- Madelaine – from the tower
- Martha – lady, mistress
- Mirabelle – wondrous
- Mona – alone
- Nadia – filled with hope
- Naomi – pleasant
- Nanette – grace, favor
- Nicole – victory the people
- Nicolette – people’s triumph
- Nina – gracious
- Noel – Christmas, birthday of the Lord
- Odele – song
- Odelia – wealthy, prosperous
- Olivia – olive, symbol of peace
- Ophelia – helpful, successor
- Pandora – all gifted
- Patricia – aristocrat
- Rachael – purity
- Renee – reborn
- Rita – pearl
- Roxanne – dawn of day, radiant
- Sadie – princess
- Sally – princess
- Sarah – princess
- Sandra – helper, defender
- Sharon – a flat place of ground, a plain
- Solange – yearly, solemn
- Sophie – wise
- Tamara – palm tree
- Valerie – strong, healthy
- Venus – love and desire
- Vera – believed to be a word for faith (vjera) or the Latin word for truth (vera)
- Victoria – victory
- Viola – inspired by the name of the flower
- Violet – also inspired by a flower
- Virginia – spring like, flourishing
- Vivienne – alive, full of life
- Willa – feminine version of William, originated from German word for “resolute protector”
- Xena – welcoming, hospitable
- Yasmine – jasmine flower
- Zadie – princess, mother of Zeus
- Zara – flower, blossoming
- Zelda – blessed, happy
- Zinnia – worthy
- Zoe – life
- Zola – earth, quiet, tranquil
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