Names That Mean Meaning

One of the small number forenames used by the ancient Romans. Unlike Marcus, Lucius and Titus, this is not one that is popular in modern times; in fact, it's never been on the USA's baby name charts. In Roman times, Spurius became associated with a phrase meaning "born out of wedlock", and the English word "spurious" comes from this connection.

The name of one of the 35 tribes of ancient Rome, virtually unknown in the modern world

Photographer Richard Avedon's unique surname would make a stylish, one-of-a-kind first name for a baby of either sex.

In the same currently-popular style as Yareli and Yaretzi, this name is worn by Cuban-American boxer Yarisel Ramirez.

Modern Dutch invention — the name of a 2013 science fiction movie and its lead character.

This is the clumsiest and least popular version of the classic Greek name Zoe. Little wonder this variation has fallen nearly 200 places in the US popularity rankings in just 2 years. We recommend you stick with the beautiful and elegant Zoe (which, for those of you looking to avoid overly-used names, is less popular than the American spelling 'Zoey').

Narek became a given name in Armenia in the first century, inspired by Saint Gregory of Narek, also know as Grigor Narekatsi. He wrote the Book of Lamentations, an exemplar of mythical literature.

In Greek mythology, Nete was one of the Muses of the lyre. One of the lyre's seven notes is named for her.

Laís is a common female name in Brazil, although not one that is currently popular for babies. In 2016, Morena Baccarin and Ben McKenzie named their daughter Frances Laiz, a variation of Laís. Baccarin is Brazilian herself.

Xhelile may be the Albanian variation of Jalila — an Arabic name meaning "illustrious."

A masculine name from the Choctaw tribe of Mississippi and Oklahoma.

A Spanish boy name that is especially popular in the Canary Islands.

Associated with a villainous character in the Naruto franchise.

A possible addition to the international Lil family of names, but having four L's in its four syllables makes it a bit of a tongue twister.

Rumors abound about Waneta, which is a Canadian place name. Some say it's an Anglicization of Juanita, while others claim it's a Native American name. Interestingly, Waneta is a common name among the American Amish.

A rarer spelling of Dashiell, a handsome route to the nickname Dash. Neither variation is common for girls — Dashiell, at its peak, was given to six baby girls in a single year — but actress Milla Jovovich chose this spelling for her daughter, born in 2015.

A Cornish king whose legend inspired Shakepeare to write King Lear, he supposedly had a daughter named Cordelia who was crowned queen after his death.

Masculine name in the Choctaw tradition.