Names That Mean Name
- Love
Origin:
English word name or Swedish variation of LouisMeaning:
"renowned warrior"Description:
In the Anglophone world, Love is more likely to be perceived as an English word name than the Swedish form of Louis.
- Cayo
Origin:
Latin, from the Roman family name CaiusMeaning:
"rejoice"Description:
Cayo is a rare and rhythmic Spanish name, all but unknown in the English-speaking world, that would make a lively choice.
- Brighton
Origin:
English, place name meaning "bright town"Meaning:
"bright town"Description:
Brighton has long been known as a holiday resort town on the south coast of England. A cheery unisex name, it was used for his daughter by Jon Favreau, but was a boy on the TV show The Nanny.
- Renley
Origin:
and leyMeaning:
"clearing, meadow"Description:
With the sprightly "Ren" and "Wren" currently in fashion, and "ley" a productive suffix to create new names, this combination was inevitable, and is chirpy and appealing. Renley has been on the US charts for girls since 2012, and for boys since 2013. It probably got a boost from the Game of Thrones character Renly Baratheon, albeit with a slightly different spelling.
- November
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
The menu of usable month names seems to expand every, well, month, with such choices as November, October, and January joining more established names like April, May, June and August. Logical November nicknames include Nova, Novi, or Ember, making this a natural (if adventurous) choice for a baby girl. November is also, obviously, one of the perfect names for November babies.
- January
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
Thanks to two cultural influences, January has joined March, April, June and August as a plausible month name.
- Aven
Origin:
Botanical name or IrishMeaning:
"white flower, beautiful sheen"Description:
Variant of Eaven, an Anglicization of Aoibheann. As a botanical name, it refers to a type of pretty white flower which thrives in mountainous regions.
- Rock
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of RoccoMeaning:
"rock or rest"Description:
Rock definitely has a macho image, if a somewhat caricatured one, ala The Rock. But with the rise of word names and also of tough guy names, Rock feels more plausible than it did a generation ago.
- Vitani
Origin:
Fictional name from SwahiliMeaning:
"demon of war"Description:
The name of one of the antagonists in the 1998 Lion King sequel Simba's Pride. The character was originally named Shetani, which means "devil" in Swahili, but this name was later combined with Swahili vita "war" to create the portmanteau name Vitani.
- Acheron
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"river name"Description:
A real Greek river, believe in ancient times to lead to the Underworld. It has been in (rare) use as a boy name from 2010 onwards, coinciding with the rising interest in mythological names.
- Birch
Origin:
Tree nameDescription:
Birch is a rarely used nature name that calls to mind the lovely image of the tall, strong but graceful white-barked tree.
- Sem
Origin:
Dutch form of Shem, HebrewMeaning:
"name"Description:
Popular name in the Netherlands that's arguably more attractive than the original Shem, who was one of the biblical sons of Noah. A Sam alternative, though you'll forever be explaining it.
- Rainey
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of Regina, LatinMeaning:
"queen"Description:
Has an old-time country feeling, perhaps due to Ma Rainey, considered the "Mother of the Blues". This is the most popular spelling of the name, given to about 50 girls last year, with half as many called Rainy and a quarter named Rainie, the spelling used by Andie MacDowell for her now-grown daughter.
- Nacho
Origin:
Word name or short form of IgnacioDescription:
Not unless you want your son to grow up to be just like a wacky Jack Black character.
- Dee
Origin:
Nickname for any girl name that starts with DDescription:
Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.
- Serge
Origin:
French variation of ancient Roman family name SergiusMeaning:
"servant"Description:
Old saints' and popes' name that went to France in the 1920s with the Russian Ballets Russes; in its Russian form, Sergei, it retains an artistic, almost effete air.
- Chip
Origin:
Pet name for CharlesDescription:
Only if you're madly nostalgic for sixties TV.
- October
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"month name"Description:
What is so rare as a month named June? October – and November and December – are a lot rarer. Brisk and substantial, they're so much more memorable and modern than April or May. October got its name via being the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. Some related, more feminine variations are Octavia and Ottavia.
- Deuce
Origin:
English word name or nicknameMeaning:
"two"Description:
Basketball's Jayson Tatum introduced this to the naming lexicon when he used it as a clever nickname for his son, Jayson Christoper Jr. It fits in with nicknames like Trey or Trip for boys who are the third in the family with their name; we've even heard Quatty and Quinto.
- Sable
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"animal name"Description:
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both associations carry hints of luxury.