Names That Mean Person

Sebastian is an ancient martyr's name turned literary, and Little Mermaid hero—think Sebastian the Crab—that's more popular than ever, as a classic-yet-unconventional compatriot for fellow British favorites T Theodore and Oliver.

A highly unusual Italian word-name that is nevertheless attractive and easy to pronounce and spell.

In this form, or as Sebastian or as Bas, Bastien is a fashionable Euro name with a possible future in America.

Eren ranks among the Top 50 boys' names in Turkey, among the Top 1000 in England and Wales, and is virtually unknown in the US. With a sound that's similar to Aaron or Erin, it may be mistaken for one of those more familiar choices but does make an easily-translated and attractive name. Eren entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, with parents potential inspired by the character Eren Yeager in the popular Japanese manga series Attack on Titan.

A Japanese name with a great meaning, a cool Kai sound, and lots of potential to become an international export.

A dramatic-sounding demonym for someone from the city of Gaeta, on the Mediterranean coast of Italy, with roots that stretch back to Ancient Rome, Cayetana is among the Top 100 Spanish baby names. It lends itself well to several sweet nicknames, such as Cay and Ana.

Attractive, simple Japanese choice that, while not strictly unisex, could work even better for a girl, especially now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use it as the nickname for their daughter North. Nori is also the name of an edible seaweed used in wrapping sushi.

Ivey can be considered an alternate spelling of the botanical name Ivy, but it also has separate origins as a surname. For the Anglo-Saxon Ivey line, Ivey means "son of Ive," while for the English-Norman Iveys, it means "person from Ivoy," a commune in the Cher department of France.

Most commonly associated with artist M.C. Escher, Escher makes a great hero name that would fit in nicely with the surname names of today.

Corliss, eccentric yet well-established, has an independent and artistic air.

As a given name, Kemper is a rare gender-neutral choice, given to fewer than 50 American babies at last count. It's much more familiar as a surname, as in that of Ellie Kemper, an actor from The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Sebastian has many international nicknames, and Tian is the short form of choice in Slovenia. It is also spelled Tijan.

Usually pronounced without the W in English, this cool surname name derives from the English place name Fenwick, found in Northumberland, Strathclyde and Yorkshire. The place name in turn denotes a farm in fenland. Fenn could be a cool short form.

Move over Maia, Mia and Mara - there's a new melodious M name on the block! Maiara has a great meaning and a soft flowing sound which fits in with current trends.

Heavily perfumed word name that peaked a few years ago.

Bas is a fashionable name in its own right in the Netherlands, where it's been in the Top 10. Used throughout Europe, it may have a future here as a straightforward-but-charming nickname name. Baz is another, similar and more appealing possibility.

Rekker comes to us thanks to actor Cam Gigandet, who gave his son this phonetic spelling of badass word name Wrecker. Use at your own peril.

Seppo has two separate Finnish origins. The first is as a nickname for Sebastian, a name used widely across Europe. The second version is derived from the Finnish word seppä, meaning "smith."

A new, hyper-intelligent word name that first appeared on the charts in 2008.

Reality TV star Raven Gates gave her on-trend s-ending surname to her son, named Gates Zev. Gates joins an impressive lineup of celebrity babies with similar names, including Hillary Duff's Banks and Emma Roberts' Rhodes. Gates is also famously the surname of Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft.