My List of Favorite Names

I will also add to this somewhat frequently. These are names I write down that I might use in stories or that I just think are unique, strange, or pretty.

“A”

 Abby (short for Abigail)- gives joy

 Acacia- female, Greek: thorny

 Ada- female, English: prosperous or happy African: first daughter

 Adah- female, Hebrew: beautiful, ornament

 Adelaide- female, German: of the nobility

 Adine- female, Hebrew: tender

 Agatha- female, Greek: good, kind, saint

 Aileen (or Evelyn or Eileen)- female, Irish: light, Scottish: light

 Aine- female, Celtic: fire or joy, Irish: ardent

 Airlia- female, Greek: ethereal 

 Aislin (or Ashlyn)- female, Irish: vision

 Alanna- female, Celtic: fair, Gaelic: bright

 Alain- female, Gaelic: bright

 Alberta (Bertha)- female, German: bright, noble

 Alda (or Aldo)- female, German: wise

 Aldis- female, English: from the old house

 Aleta- female, English: little winged one

 Aletha- female, Greek: truthful

 Alison- female, German: noble or the nobility

 Alma- female, Celtic: good, Irish: good

 Amara (or Amarantha)- female, German: eternal

 Amaryllis- female, Greek: flower

 Amina- female, African: trustworthy

 Amorita- female, Latin: little loved one

Amoret- female, French: little love

 Angela- female, Greek: messenger from God

 Annie (Stephanie)- female, Hebrew: prayer

 April- female, Latin: opening up, 

Arlette- female, German: free

 Avonmora- female, Irish: from the great river

 Avalon- female, Celtic: island of apples

 Ayala- female, Hebrew: gazelle or hind

 Azurine- female, French: sky blue

 Abasi- male, Egyptian: stern

 Abner- male, Hebrew: my father is light

 Adal- male, German: noble

 Ade- male, African: royal

 Ajax- male, Greek: eagle

 Alastair- male, Gaelic: defends mankind, Scottish: defends mankind

 Albert- male, German: noble, bright

 Albin- male, Latin: white

 Alden- male, English: old friend, wise friend

 Aldrich- male, teutonic: battle counsel

 Ammar- male, Arabic: builder, constructor

 Ari- male, Hebrew: lion

 Arthgallo- male, Irish: high honor

 Audrick- male, German: noble ruler

“B”

 Bailey (or Bailee)- female, English: steward or law enforcer

 Battista (or Baptista)- female, Italian: Baptizer

 Bea- female, Latin: brings joy

 Becky (or Beckie)- female, Hebrew: captivating, beautiful

 Berdine- female, German: glorious

 Bernice (or Berenice)- female, Greek: one who brings victory

 Beth (or Elizabeth or Bethany)- female, Hebrew: house

 Beverly- female, English: from the beaver stream or meadow

 Brenda (or Brenna)- female, Gaelic: little raven

 Brooke- female, English: near the small stream

 Bianca (or Blanche)- female, Italian: white, shining

 Briana- female, Celtic: strong or acsends

 Blair- female, Celtic: from the plain lands, Scottish: field of battle

 Blenda- female, Swedish: heroine, Teutonic: glory

 Brenna- female, Celtic: raven, black-haired

 Bernice (Berenice)- female, Greek: one who brings victory

 Blanche- female, French: white

 Blanchefleur- female, French: white flower

 Baird- male, English: minstrel, Celtic: bard

 Barrett (or Barnett)- male, German: mighty as a bear

 Barry- male, Celtic: marksman, English: hair-haired

 Bartholomew- male, Hebrew: farmer

 Basil- male, English: kingly, Greek: royal

 Bay- male, English: auburn-haired

 Bellamy- male, French: handsome friend

 Benedict- male, Latin: blessed

 Benton- male, English: settlement

 Berton- male, English: from the fortified town, Teutonic: shining friend

 Bevis- male, Teutonic: archer 

 Bjorn- male, Scandinavian: bear, Swedish: bear

 Blaine- male, Celtic: slender

 Blake- male, English: black or white, Scottish: dark, dark-haired

 Boyd- male, Celtic: blond, Gaelic: blond

 Braden- male, English: salmon, Irish: salmon

 Bradley- male, English: from the broad meadow

 Bran- male, Celtic: raven

 Brock- male, English: badger

 Buck- male, English: male deer

 Burgess- male, Celtic: citizen, English: lives in town

 Burke (or Berkley)- male, English: fortified hill, Teutonic: stronghold

 Byron- male, English: the cattle herder, Teutonic: from the cottage

 “C”

 Camila- female, Arabic: perfect, complete

 Cara- female, Celtic: friend

 Calandra- female, Greek: beautiful one

 Carlin- female, Irish: little champion

 Celandine- female, Greek: a swallow

 Christina- female, Greek: follower of Christ

 Chelsea- female, English: seaport

 Chenoa- female, Native American: dove

 Chrysanthe- female, Greek: golden flower

 Celeste (or Celestia)- female, French: heavenly

Crimsyn-female, English: deep red

 Crystal- female, Greek: ice

 Ciara- female, Irish: dark-haired one

 Colleen- female, Irish: girl

 Cecilia- female, Latin: dim-sighted or blind

 Clover- female, English: clover, a wild flower

 Cora- female, Greek: maiden fro the coral of the sea

 Cassidy- female, Irish: clever or curly-headed

 Carol- female, Gaelic: melody or song

 Cynthia- female, Greek: woman from Cynthos

 Cadman- male, Celtic: warrior, Welsh: warrior

 Calder- male, English: cold brook

 Calvin- male, Latin: bald

 Carl (or Karl)- male, English: strong, manly

 Carlisle- male, English: from the walled city

 Carter- male, English: drives a cart

 Cecil- male, Latin: blind

 Chadwick- male, English: from the warrior’s town

 Chandler- male, English: candlemaker, French: maker of candles

 Chase- male, English: huntsman

 Chester- male, Latin: camo

 Cian- male, Gaelic: ancient, Irish: ancient

 Clifford- male, English: lives near the ford by the cliff

 Clive- male, English: lives near a cliff

 “D”

Daesyn- female, English: beloved

 Dale- female, English: lives in the dell or valley

 Dallas- female, Scottish: from the field with the waterfall

 Damita- female, Spanish: little noblewoman

 Danica- female, Slavic: morning star

 Dawn- female, English: the first appearance of daylight

 Daria- female, Persian: rich

 Derora- female, Hebrew: free

 Deliliah- female, Hebrew: desired

 Dakota- female, North American: to be considered a friend or ally

 Daphne- female, Greek: laurel tree

 Danica- female, Slavic: morning star

 Dorian- female, greek: of the sea

 Doris- female, Greek: gift

 Drucillia- female, Latin: strong

 Donna- female, Italian: lady

 Dominique- female, Latin: of the Lord

 Diamonique- female, English: of high value, brilliant

 Desiree- female, French: the one desired

 Dominica- female, Latin: belongs to God

 Dorothy- female, Greek: a vision or gift of God

 Dorcas- female, Greek: gazelle

 Deanna (or Diana)- female, English: valley

 Darlene- female, English: darling

 Dinah- female, Hebrew: judged

 Deidra (Deirdre)- female, Gaelic- raging, Irish: melancholy

 Dalton- male, English: from the town near the dale

 Daren- male, English: great

 Dean- male, English: from the valley

 Derek (or Theodoric)- male, English: people’s ruler

 Derwin- male, English: friend of the deer

 Dexter- male, Latin: right

 Diarmin- male, Gaelic: free man

 Dillion (or Dylan)- male, Gaelic: faithful, Irish: faithful

 Doyle- male, Celtic: dark stranger, Gaelic: dark stranger

 Duncan- male, Gaelic: brown warrior

“E”

 Erica (or Erika)- female, Norse: eternal ruler, forever, or strong, Scandinavian: noble

 Eve- female, Hebrew: life

 Echo- female, Greek: sound

 Elberta (or Alberta)- English: bright, noble

 Eldoris- female, Greek: of the sea

 Elektra- female, Greek: the first sun

 Eda- female, English: wealthy, Greek: generation

 Elena (or Helen)- female, Greek: light

 Elga- female, Teutonic: holy

 Elaine (or Helen)- female, French: shining light

Elara- female, Greek: moon of Jupiter

 Ellen (or Helen)- female, English: light

 Eloise (Louise or Heloise)- female, French: renowned in battle

 Esmeralda- female, Spanish: emerald

 Emilia- female, Latin: industrious or striving

 Emerald- female, English: green gemstone

 Edolie- female, Teutonic: good humor

 Effie (or Euphemia)- female, English: fair flame, Greek: fair flame

 Eliana- female, Greek: daughter of the sun, Hebrew: my God has answered

 Elyse ( or Elissa)- female, German: noble, Greek: from the blessed isles

 Eunice- female, Greek: joyous victory

 Elsie- female, German: noble

 Elvira- female, Spanish: truth, white, or beautiful 

 Estella- female, Spanish: star

 Estrella- female, Spanish: star

 Esrellita- female, Spanish: star

 Earl- male, English: nobleman

 Eaton- male, English: town or settlement by the river

 Edan- male, Celtic: fire

 Edgar- male, German: prosperous spearman

 Edwin- male, English: wealthy friend

 Egan- male, Celtic: fiery

 Elliot (or Elijah)- male, English: the Lord is my God

 Elton- male, English: from the old town

 Emmett- male, English: industrious, strong

 Ephriam- male, Hebrew: fruitful

 Errol- male, German: nobleman

 Eugene- male, Greek: well born, noble

 Everett (Eberhard or Everard)- male, English: brave boar

 Ezekiel- male, Hebrew: God strengthens

 “F”

 Farica- female, Teutonic: tranquil leader

 Fatima- female, Arabic: captivating, sea fowl

 Faustine- female, Latin: fortunate one

 Fiona- female, Irish: fair

 Felicity- female, Latin: happy

 Florence- female, Latin: blooming, flourishing

 Fanny (or Frances)- female, English: free

 Francine- female, French: from France, free one

 Frieda- female, German: peaceful ruler

 Flavia- female, Latin: golden or blonde

 Fleta- female, English: swift

 Flora- female, Latin: flower

 Freda- female, German: peaceful ruler

 Frederica- female, German: tranquil leader

 Fabienne or Fabianne - female, French: bean grower

 Fanya- female, Slavic: free

 Faithe- female, English: faithful

 Fern (or Fernanda)- female, English: botanical name for a green plant that loves shade

 Fabian- male, Latin: bean farmer

 Farley- male, English: from the bull’s meadow or the sheep’s meadow

 Felix- male, French: happy, Latin: happy or lucky

 Ferris- male, Celtic: rock, highest choice

 Finian- male, Celtic: handsome, Irish: fair

 Finnegan- male, Irish: fair

 Floyd- male, Celtic: gray

 Francis- male, Latin: free one

 Frank- male, English: free man

 “G”

 Gabriella- female, Italian: God is my strength

 Gabrielle- female, Hebrew: God is my strength

 Gale (or Abigail)- female, English: joyful, Norse: lovely voice

 Genevieve- female, French: white wave

 Giselle- female, French: pledge, German: oath

 Gloria- female, Latin: glory, renown, or respect

 Gwendolyn- female, Welsh: fair bow, white, fair, and blessed

 Gwenhwyvar- female, Welsh: white

 Guinevere- female, Welsh: white and smooth or fair lady

 Genevieve- female, French: white wave

 Gretchen (or Margaret)- female, German: little pearl

 Greta (or Margaret)- female, German: pearl, Scandinavian: pearl

 Gertrude- female, German: spear of strength

 Gillian- female, English: youthful

 Geraldine- female, German: rules by the spear

 Glenda- female, Welsh: fair and from the glen

 Griselda- female, German: gray battle maiden

 Gisela- female, German: pledge

 Gweneth- female, Welsh: fair, blessed

 Gwyn- female, Welsh: fair, blessed

 Gypsy- female, English: wanderer

 Galvin- male, Gaelic: white

 Garrick- male, English: rules by the spear

 Garnet- male, English: armed with a spear

 Gerard- male, German: spear strength

 Gideon- male, Hebrew: feller of trees

 Gifford- male, English: brave

 Glenn- male, Celtic: from the valley

 Grant- male, English: bestow or great, tall

 Grayson- male, English: son of the reeve

 Grover- male, English: lives in the grove

 Gunther- male, German: batter, warriors

 “H”

 Holly- female, English: holly tree

 Haley- female, Scandinavian: heroine, brave one

 Hailey- female, dweller in the hay meadow

 Helen (or Helena)- female, Latin: light

 Harriet- female, English: rules her household

 Hilary- female, English: cheerful

 Henrietta (or Henriette)- female, German: keeper of the hearth, ruler of the household

 Helga- female, German: blessed, holy, Norse: blessed holy

 Halley (or Hailee)- female, English: from the meadow

 Harmony- female, Latin: unity, concord, musically in tune

 Heidi (Adelaide or Adelheid)- female, German: sweet or noble

 Hana- female, Arabic: bliss, Persian: shrub henna

 Hadley- female, English: from the heath or heather-covered meadow

 Hesper- female, Greek: evening star

 Hester (or Ester)- female, Greek: star or myrtle leaf

Hollis- female, English: the one who wanders among holly trees

 Huberta- female, German: bright in spirit

 Hyacinth- female, Greek: flower

 Hadden- make, English: from the heath

 Haines- male, English: from the vine-covered cottage

 Hale- male, English: from the remote valley

 Halen- male, Swedish: hall

 Harcourt- male, French: from the fortified famr

 Hawk- male, English: hunting bird

 Heath- male, English: an open area of land

 Hector- male, Greek: steadfast

 Hiram- male, Hebrew: exalted, noble

 Holden- male, English: from the hollow in the valley

 Horace- male, Latin: keeper of the hours

 Howard- male, English: high watchman

 Hubert- male, German: bright in spirit

 Hugh- male, English: intelligent, thoughtful

 Hyman- male, Hebrew: life

 “I”

 Irene- female, Greek: peace

 Ingrid- female, Scandinavian: beautiful

 India- female, English: from the Sanskrit for river

 Isla- female, Scottish: from an island off the Scottish coast

 Ida- female, English: prosperous, German: diligent, hard-working

 Iliana (or Helena)- female, Greek: light

 Irma- female, German: strength

 Ivana- female, Czech: God has been gracious

 Ilse- female, German: noble

 Imelda- female, Spanish: powerful fighter

 Imogene- female, Latin: image, likeness

Imrie- female, Hungarian: musical one

Inara- female, Arabic: shining light

 Iola- female, Greek: violet, dawn, Welsh: deemed worthy, valued by God

 Isolda- female, Celtic: the fair, German: rule of ice

 Isolde- female, Celtic: fair one

 Imogenia- female, Latin: image

 Irsia (or Iris)- female, Persian: rainbow

 Ivory- female, English: white, pure

 Ingram- male, English: angel, angelic

 “J”

 Jadira- female, English: the gemstone jade or the color green

 Julie- female, French: youthful

 Jamie- female, Scottish: supplanter

 Janet  Jeanette or Jane)- female, Hebrew: gift from God

 Jean (or Joan)- female, Scottish: gracious, a gift from God

 Jemima- female, Hebrew: little dove

 Josephine- female, Hebrew: May God give increase

 Joanna (or Joan)- female, English: gift from God

 Jillian- female, English: youthful

 Joan (or Jane)- female, Hebrew: God is gracious

 Joyce (or Jocelyn)- female, English: joyous, merry

 Judith- female, Hebrew: woman of Judea, praised one

 Juliana- female, Latin: youthful

 Jessie- female, Hebrew: rich

 Jill (Jillian or Gillian)- female, English: youthful

 Josie (or Josephine)- female, English: God will add

 Johanna- female, Hebrew: God is gracious

 Jolie- female, English: cheerful, pretty, French: beautiful

 Jewel- female, Latin: precious gem

 Jared- male, Hebrew: descending

 Jerome- male, French: rejoicing, Greek: sacred name

 Job- male, Hebrew: persecuted

 Julius- male, Latin: youth

 “K”

 Katie (Catherine or Katherine)- female, English: pure, innocent

 Karen- female, Danish: pure, innocent

 Karina (or Katherine)- female, Arabic: companion or accomplice, English: pure

 Kara- female, Greek: pure

 Kylie- female, Gaelic: victories, a narrow strait or channel

 Kathleen (or Catherine)- female, Irish: pure or innocent

 Kennedy- female, Irish: helmet-head

 Kendall- female, English: the Valley of Kent

 Keely- female, Celtic: beautiful

 Kerri- female, Irish: dusky, dark

 Kyra (or Cyra)- female, Latin: light

 Kyla- female, Gaelic: victorious, a narrow strait or channel

 Kirsten- female, Danish: Christian

 Krishna- female, Sanskrit: black, or dark, or dark blue

 Keanu- male, Hawaiian: cool breeze over the mountains

 Keith- male, Irish: forest

 Kellan- male, African: powerful, Gaelic: slender, fair

 Kenway- male, English: bold warrior

 Kingsley- male, English: from the kings meadow

 Kranich- male, German: crane

 “L”

 Lara (Larissa, Laura, or Laraine)- female, Greek: cheerful, happy, Latin: famous, shining

 Lucy (or Lucia)- female, Latin: light

 Larissa- female, Greek: cheerful

 Leandra- female, Greek: lioness

 Linda- female, Spanish: pretty, linden tree

 Lousie- female, German: renowned warrior

 Lorena (Laura or Lora)- female, English: laurel or sweet bay tree

 Louisa- female, German: famous in war

 Leilani- female, Hawaiian: child of heaven, heavenly flowers

 Lindsay (or Lindsey)- female, English: island of linden trees

 Liliana- female, Italian: lily

 Liana- female, French: lily

 Lilja- female, Finnish: lily

 Lucia- female, Latin: light

 Lilly- female, English: the flower of purity, innocence, and beauty

 Lea- female, Hawaiian: goddess of canoe builders

 Lori- female, English: laurel or sweet bay tree

 Loni- female, English: lioness, Hawaiian: sky

 Leonie- female, French: lion

 Leonora (or Helena)- female, Greek: light

 Leona- female, French: lioness

 Lark- male or female, English: songbird 

 Lowell- male, French: young wolf

 Lucan- male, Italian: light

 “M”

 Megan- female, Welsh: pearl

 Melanie- female, French: dark, Greek: dark

 Miriam (or Mary)- female, Armenian: rebellious, Hebrew: rebellious

 Mallory- female, French: unfortunate, ill-fated

 Meredith- female, Welsh: Magnificent chief or protector

 Merlyn- female, Celtic: from the hill or over the sea, Welsh: sea fortress

 Mara- female, English: bitter

 Marigold- female, English: Mary’s gold

 Myra (Meira or Myrna)- female, English: derived from the word myrrh

 Martha- female, Aramaic: lady

 Mahalia- female, Hebrew: tender

 Maisie (or Margaret)- female, Scottish: pearl

 Manda (or Amanda)- female, English: worthy of being loved, Hindi: pivotal

 Martina- female, Latin: warlike

 Marvela- female, Latin: miracle

 Matilda- female, German: might battle maiden, Swedish: brave in war

 Morgause- female, Welsh: queen

 Maureen (or Mary)- Irish: bitter

 Maxine- female, Latin: greatest

 Melita- female, Greek: honey

 Midori- female, Japanese: green

 Melody- female, Greek: melody, song, Persian: melody

 Milagros- female, Spanish: miracle

 Mavis- female, English: a type of bird

 “N”

 Nadia (or Nada)- female, Persian: dew, generous, Russian: hope

 Narda- female, Latin: fragrant, Persian: anointed

 Neda- female, African: born on Sunday, English: wealthy protector

 Neela- female, Sanskrit: sapphire blue or sky blue

 Nessa- female, Greek: pure, Scottish: from he headland

 Nicolette- female, French: people’s victory

 Nila- female, Hindi: blue

 Nina- female, Native American: strong, Russian: dreamer

 Nona- female, Latin: ninth

 Norma- female, Latin: front the north

 Nova- female, Latin: new, Native American: chases butterfly

Nehemiah- male, Hebrew: comforted by God

 “O”

 Octavia- female, Latin: eight

 Odelia (or Odila)- female, French: wealthy, prosperous, German: prosperous battle

 Olga- female, German: blessed, holy

 Oprah- female, Hebrew: fawn

 Ora- female, Greek: gentle breeze, Hebrew: light

 Oralie- female, Latin: golden

 Oriana- female, Celtic: blond, Italian: golden

 Orlena- female, French: golden

 Olive- female, Irish: olive

 Olwen- female, Welsh: white footprint

 Osborn- male, English: divine bear

 “P”

 Patricia- female, Latin: noble, patrician

 Paloma- female, Spanish: dove

 Penelope- female, Greek: bobbin worker, weaver

 Persis- female, Greek: from Persia, Latin: from Persia

 Peregrine- female, Latin: wanderer, voyager 

 Petrina- female, Greek: rock

 Phyllis- female, Greek: green bough

 Primrose- female, English: type of flower, Latin: first rose

 Priscilla- female, Latin: ancient, she was banished

 Prunella- female, Greek: plum

 Percival- male, French: pierce the valley

 “Q”

 Quenby- female, Scandinavian- womanly, Swedish: womanly

 “R”

Raine- female, French: queen

 Ramona- female, Spanish: wise defender

 Rania- female, Egyptian: delightful, Norse: nobility

 Regina- female, Latin: queen 

 Renata- female, Latin: reborn

 Rhea- female, Greek: a brook or stream

 Riva- female, Latin: regain strength

 Roberta- female, English: famous, Teutonic: sparkling flame

 Roderica- female, German: famous ruler

 Romilda- female, German: glorious battle maiden, Teutonic: glorified battle maiden

 Rosabel- female, Latin: beautiful rose

 Rosalba- female, Latin: white rose

 Rosalia- female, Italian: rose

 Rosanne- female, Hebrew: graceful rose

 Rosemary- female, Latin: dew of the sea

 Rowena- female, Celtic: fair-haired, English: famous friend

 Roxanne- female, French: dawn, Persian: dawn

 Reid- male, English: redhead

 Rudi- male, Spanish: famous wolf

 Rufus- male, Latin: red-haired

 “S”

 Salome- female, Hebrew: peaceful

 Samara- female, Hebrew: under God’s rule

 Sandra (or Alessandra)- female, Italian: defender of mankind

 Savannah- female, American: from the open plain

 Sela- female, Hebrew: rock

 Selma: female, Celtic: comely, Egyptian: secure

 Septima- female, Latin: seventh

 Serena- female, Latin: tranquil, serene

 Shani- female, African: wonderful

 Sharon- female, Hebrew: a plain

 Sheila (or Cecilia)- female, Irish: blind

 Shirley- female, English: from the bright meadow

 Silver- female, English: precious metal, white metal

 Sinead (or Jane)- female, Irish: gift from God

 Siobhan- female, Irish: God has been gracious

 Sorrel- female, English: a herb 

 Sirena- female, Greek: a siren

 Sorrel- female, English: a herb

 Suri- female, Persian: red rose

 Sandy- male, English: defender of man

 Sterling- male, English: of high quality

 “T”

 Tabitha- female, Aramaic: gazelle

 Talia (or Natalie)- female, Hebrew: dew of heaven

 Tamara (or Tamar)- female, Hebrew: palm tree

 Tatum- female, English: light-hearted

 Tawny- female, English: golden brown

 Templa- female, Latin: sanctuary, temple

 Teal- female, English: the bird teal

Teylie- female, Greek: blooming and plentiful

 Thalia- female, Aramaic: praise

 Thea- female, English: melting ice

 Theola- female, Teutonic: people’s ruler

 Thirza- female, Greek: divine

 Trina- female, Celtic: wise, prudent

 Taurus- male, Latin: bull

 Tristian- male, Latin: full of sorrows

 Tor- male, English: highly praiseworthy

 “U”

 Ululani- female, German: noble leader

 Uma- female, African: second

 Undine- female, Egyptian: little mother

 Ursa- female, Hebrew: God is my light

 Usha- female, French: little bear

 Urien- male, Hebrew: light, flame

 Uriens- male, Hebrew: light, flame

 “V”

 Valda- female, Latin: brave

 Valentina- female, Italian: healthy, strong, Latin: strong

 Vara- female, Greek: butterfly

 Veda- female, Latin: lively

 Vedette- female, French: from the valley

 Veronica- female, French: from the alder grove

 Violet- female, Hindi: happy girl

 Viviana- female, Italian: victor

 Vivien- female, Latin: full of life, lively

 “W”

 Wanda- female, Native American: eagle

 Wilhelmina- female, English: desires peace, German: resolute or peaceful

 Winona (or Guenievere)- female, German: peaceful friend

 Wren- male, English: from the farm

 “X”

 Xiomara- female, Greek: welcoming, hospitable

 “Y”

 Yasmine- female, Turkish: jasmine

 Yona- female, Native American: rain

“Z”

 Zippora- female, Italian: fair, light-skinned

 Zvi- male, African: good