Names That Mean Child

This form of Alannah was derived directly from the Gaelic term a leanbh, meaning "child." Though not as popular as the more traditional Alana spelling, it has consistently charted in the US since 2007. Alannah Myles is popularizing this spelling of Alana.

Strong Japanese unisex choice. Dragons are a symbol of power in Japan.

Traditional Swahili choice for the eldest child.

Kazuko is a Japanese feminine name that combines the character kazu ("harmony") with ko ("child"), creating a name that in total symbolises a child of peace. In Japan, names ending in ‘ko’ are rarely used as they now sound oldfashioned. More ‘trendy’ names are Kazumi (which means beautiful peace and can me used on both boys and girls), Kazuki (a masculine name meaning hope of peace) and Kazuo (also a masculine name meaning man of peace). The emphasis is on the first syllable, so it is said "KA-zoo-ko".

Common Japanese name rising for both sexes in the US.

Ochako Uraraka — also written as Ochaco — is a character in the anime series My Hero Academia.

Eminently usable Nigerian name that works for both sexes.

The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside variant Khadijah just below the Top 200).

A fresh and pretty Japanese name which would be an unusual route to the popular Emmy/Emi nickname. In Japanese, this name can be formed from a variety of different kanji combinations with different meanings, but "laughing child" and "beautiful child" are two appealing possibilities.

Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.

What parent wouldn't love this meaning?

Noriko is most common among Gen X Japanese women, making it a dated choice in Japan.

Ayako is a very common feminine name in Japan, where it is the name of Princess Ayako of Takamado (now Ayako Moriya), formerly of the Imperial House of Japan.

Either means "the flowers" or "the child" – lei can mean both. Either way, Kalei is a strong and pretty Hawaiian name.

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, and the first to reach the summits of the tallest peaks on all seven continents.

Leimomi was a common girl name in Hawaii a century ago, so according to the 100-Year Rule, it is due to be refreshed and revived. And what great timing, with the current popularity of the similar name Leilani.

Perfect choice for a child born on a snowy day.

Brought into prominence as the name of the Crown Princess of Japan

Most common in Japan in the mid-20th century, but to Western ears it doesn't sound dated.

Depending on the kanji used, this sweet name can have links to the number three, making it perfect for a third child.