Common Baby Name Meanings

By Michele Meleen, M.S.Ed.

Michele Meleen, M.S.Ed.

Michele is a writer who has been published both locally and internationally.

Updated November 20, 2018

There are thousands of possible baby names for your child, but narrowing options by their meaning can help you make the right choice. Many parents look for these common meanings when picking out their baby's first and middle names.

Names That Mean Helper

Help your little one off to a great start in life with a reputation for generosity and a name that means "helper" or "supporter."

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Aida	Helper, Latin American
Halldis	Firm helper, Norwegian
Jaazah/Jaazar	Helper, Israeli
Nasira	Helper, African
Ophelia	Helper, Greek

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Alekos	Helper of mankind, Greek
Awan	Assister, Africa
Daud	Supporter, African
Ezra/Esri	Helper, Hebrew
Gallagher	Eager helper, Gaelic

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Aleksi/Alexi	Helper of man, Russian
Awani	Supporter, Islamic/Hindi
Nason	Helper, Biblical
Saidi	Helper, African
Sasha	Helper of mankind, Russian

Names Meaning Teacher

From Gurus and guides to teachers of all types, these wise and giving names are unique for babies and exotic too.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Deebasri	Teacher of God, Indian
Kirron	Wise teacher, Indian
Lodema	Guide, English
Tyshira	Masterful teacher, Indian
Vinetra	Guide, Sanskrit

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Alo	Spiritual guide, Native American
Dabir	Teacher, Indian
Ervad	Religious teacher, Indian
Guy	Guide, French
Murshid	Spiritual advisor, African

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Gurdeep	Light of the teacher, Indian
Gurleen	Person absorbed in Guru, Hindi
Ishva	Spiritual teacher, Indian
Shasta	Teacher, Africa
Wyatt	Guide, English

Names That Mean Selfless

Generous parents who want to give their all to their babies might opt for names that mean "selfless," "humble," or "generous."

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Agathi	One who is generous, Greek
Asra	Generous girl, Arabic
Corlissa	One who is generous, English
Eveleen	Unselfish, English
Tryssa	Generous person, English

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Agapios	Selfless, Greek
Anargiri	Unselfish, Greek
Fadil	Man who gives generously, Arabic
Nisang	Unselfish, Hindi
Udar	Generous, Sanskrit

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Eleasa	Humble being, Hebrew
Lilo	Person who is generous, Hawaiian
Miquita	Humble person, English
Namritameet	Humble friend, Sikh
Nariko	Humble child, Japanese

Names That Mean Love

Your baby is the ultimate love of your life. Let him or her know that from the start with a sentimental name meaning "love."

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Carys	Love, Welsh
Femi	Love me, Nigerian
Maitea	Love, Spanish
Milada	My love, Czechoslavakian
Vida	Beloved, Scottish

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Agapinor	Loving, Greek
Aziz	Beloved, Arabic
Davis	Beloved, Hebrew
Lowell	Dearly loved, English
Wilmer	Loved, Teutonic

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Aiko	Love child, Japanese
Amor	Love, French
Daryl	Beloved, French
Kendi	The loved one, African
Nayely	I love you, Native American

Names That Mean Good

Most parents want their baby to become a good person with a good life. Names that mean "good," "pure," or "good-natured" capture this sweet wish for your infant.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Agatha	Good, Greek
Bihter	Most good, Turkish
Bonita	Good, Latin
Euclid	Good glory, Greek
Glenda	Pure and good, Welsh

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Aitor	Good fathers, Basque
Avetis	Good news, Armenian
Darius	Possess good, Roman
Evander	Good man, Greek
Haluk	Good-natured, Turkish

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Chang	Good, Chinese
Feidlimid	Ever good, Gaelic
Goda	Good, Germanic
Jia	Good, Chinese
Lanh	Good, Vietnamese

Names Meaning Beautiful

Whether you have a beautiful baby girl or a beautiful and handsome baby boy, choosing a name that means "beautiful" goes beyond looks.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Aglaia	Beautiful, Greek
Calisti	Most beautiful, Greek
Linda	Pretty, Spanish
Ramana	Beautiful, Sanskrit
Zaina	Beauty, Arabic

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Akeno	Beautiful sunrise, Japanese
Calistos	Most beautiful, Greek
Camlo	Beautiful, Netherlands
Ervin	Beautiful, Scottish
Tayten	Beautiful Joy, African-American

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Bayle	Beautiful, American
Kitoko	Beautiful, African
Menefer	Beautiful city, Egyptian
Tegan	Beautiful person, English
Zene	Beautiful, African

Names Meaning Miracle

Parents who had trouble conceiving or are expecting a rainbow baby especially love names fitting of their little miracle baby.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Alazne	Miracle, Spanish
Ayah	Miracle, Arabia
Miracle	Wonder, Latin
Mirare	Miracle, Spanish
Naysa	Miracle of God, Israeli

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Badi	Marvelous wonder, African
Eijaz	Miracle, Arabic
Karamat	Miracle nobility, African
Manipi	Walking wonder, American
Milagro	Miracle, Spanish

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Jesse	Blessing, Hebrew
Loordes	Location of a miracle, Basque
Magic	Full of wonder, American
Marvel	To wonder, French
Maxima	Miracle worker, Latin American

Names Meaning Survivor

Babies who've had a difficult time in gestation or have beaten all odds against them deserve a proud, strong name that shows they are triumphant in life.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Aahna	Alive, Indian
Fauzia	Triumphant, Muslim
Intizara	Triumphant, Arabic
Tesha	Survivor, Indian
Vittoria	Triumphant, Latin

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Hothir	Remaining, Israeli
Ithran	Remaining, Israeli
Sanosuke	Is left, Japanese
Sarid	Remaining, Hebrew
Sindile	The survivor, African

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Owasinda	Survivor, Zulu
Selamat	Survivor, Indonesian
Torey	Triumphant, Scottish
Tulelo	Survivor, Hungarian
Ushindi	Triumphant, Swahili

Names That Mean Fire

If you're hoping to raise a future feminist, rebellion leader, or a baby who warms the world, fire names are strong and powerful.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Agnishikha	Flames of fire, Indian
Edana	Tiny flame, Irish
Ignatia	Fire, Latin
Kenna	Born of flames, Scottish
Palasa	Flame of the forest, Indian

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Aagney	Child of flames, Indian
Daha	Blazing, Indian
Joash	Fire of Yahweh, Hebrew
Ignatius	Fiery one, Latin
Rabbie	Bright flame, French

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Aed	Fire, Irish
Jyotis	Bright flame, Indian
Keighan	Small flames, Gaelic
Pele	Goddess of fire, Hawaiian
Pirro	Flame-colored hair, Spanish

Names That Mean Strong

Strength comes in many forms and these names help your baby have it in spades.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Bree	Strength, Irish
Hebe	Strength, Greek
Krateria	Very strong, Greek
Millicent	Strong in work, German
Valeria	Strong, Roman

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Ekon	Strong, African
Jedrek	Strong man, Polish
Oz	Strength, Hebrew
Takeo	Strong as bamboo, Japanese
Zale	Sea-strength, Greek

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Barett	Bear strength, German
Isa	Strong-willed, German
London	Fortress, English
Val	Strong, English
Wayan	Strength, Sanskrit

Names That Mean Feisty

If your little one is wild in the womb, you might want to choose a feisty name that captures his or her rebellious and spirited nature.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Allegra	Lively, Italian
Lykaia	Wolf-like, Greek
Moxie	Spirited, American
Tilly	Strength in battle, German
Zelia	Zealous, Greek

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Breaker	Person who breaks things, English
Emil	Rival, Latin
Rocket	Jet-propelled, English
Rogue	Mischievous person, English
Springer	Jumper, English

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Bibi	Alive, Latin
Caden	Little fighter, Welsh
Gale	Lively, English
Markku	Rebellious, Scandinavian
Rebel	Take part in rebellion, French

Names Meaning Hunger

To hunger for something means to have a strong desire for it. Names that mean "hunger" can be representative of a strong work ethic and drive in life.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Cassie	Empty, Latin
Euna	Hunger, Scottish
Ide	Act of eating, Irish
Messalina	Girl with insatiable appetite, Latin
Tanupa	Hunger, Indian

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Bresal	Pain, Irish
Cassius	Empty, Latin
Erisichthon	Cursed with insatiable hunger, Greek
Jaegar	Hunger, German
Zero	Empty, Arabian

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Cach	Empty, Latin
Daluh	A Desire, Arabic
Desi	Desire, Spanish
Maram	Desire, Arabic
Uduak	Desire, African

Names That Mean Death

If you prefer to embrace death as a new beginning, these meaningful names get the point across. On the other hand, if you just want a dark and powerful name, consider those that mean "death" along with evil baby names.

Feminine Names

Name:	Origin:
Dabria	Angel of death, English
Libitina	Goddess of funerals, Roman
Lorelai	Siren who brings death, German
Omisha	Spirit of birth and death, Hindi
Thana'	The death, Arabic

Masculine Names

Name:	Origin:
Ajal	Hour of death, Arabic
Azrail	Angel of death, Hebrew
Dearil	Call of death, German
Javaraya	God of death, Indian
Thanatos	He who brings death, Greek

Gender Neutral Names

Name:	Origin:
Aeron	Goddess of slaughter, Celtic
Alvah	Evil, Hebrew
Kritanta	God of death, Indian
Lefu	Death, African
Raven	Bird symbolizing death, Norse

Find Meaning in a Name

From first name meanings to the biblical meaning of names, you can find out the roots of nearly any name you choose. Many baby name websites such as BabyNames.com or Behind the Name feature a meaning of names dictionary or option to search boy and girl names by meaning.