Common Baby Name Meanings

Updated November 20, 2018
Four babies playing with blocks

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.

Closeup of baby wearing black glasses

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."

newborn baby wearing love hat

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.

baby dressed as an angel

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.

fiesty newborn baby lying on blanket

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.

Common Baby Name Meanings