Names That Mean Meaning

A masculine name in Choctaw culture. In English, it resembles the feminine name Hallie.

We've been hearing a lot more of Silas and even of Cyrus, which means the obscure Tiras may have a shot at resurrection as a same-but-different name. And you can call him Ti. The Old Testament Tiras was a grandson of Noah.

A nickname-sounding surname associated with Russian sculptor and architect Naum Gabo. When model/actress Milla Jovovich gave her daughter the middle name Gabo, she explained that it was a combination of her parents' names--Galina and Bogie.

Miara is a Jewish surname that has sparingly been used as a first name since the 1990s. It is likely of Mizrahi Jewish origin — from North Africa and the Middle East — and evidence of the surname goes back to at least the 19th century.

Ancient Irish saint's name that's unlikely, because of its similarity to "ninny," to join cousin Finian in popularity.

Afro-Asian model, designer, and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons brought this name into the public eye and it enjoyed more than a decade in the Top 1000 during the 2000s and early 2010s. It peaked in 2008 when it reached the Top 300, but it has since been in decline, becoming an on-off visitor to the US charts.

The exact meaning of Kimora is unknown, though one possibility is that it's a nod the Japanese surname, Kimura, meaning "woods + village". Back in the US Top 1000 for 2023, Kimora could also feel like an updated form of Kim or Maura, and a spin on more popular Kora.

Yasuke was the first African samurai in Japan, who served as a retainer under Oda Nobunaga. He arrived in Japan in 1579 with Portuguese Jesuits and Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano. Nobunaga took a special interest in Yasuke, who joined his force.

Ezana of Aksum was the ruler of an ancient kingdom that is now in Eritrea and Ethiopia. He was the first monarch of Aksum to convert to Christianity and is a saint in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Name bestowed upon Choctaw men.

Basie is a fabulous jazz name to honor the Count, whose birth name was William, the influential pianist, organist, bandleader and composer who led his band for almost fifty years.

Of unknown origins, but speculated to be influenced by English names such as Wallace.

Brand new surname option that's equally appealing on girls and boys.

This name belongs to the eponymous heroine of Rossini's opera; 'Zelmira' (1822) about a (fictional) princess of Lesbos who saves her father and husband and her kingdom.

An attractive Hebrew name with an abundance of nickname options — Lev, Levi, Dov, and Dovi.

The connection to a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend gives this name a hint of nobility. Geraint Thomas was a Welsh cyclist who competed in the 2008 Olympics.

Unusual name associated with gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian single-named model.

Loke is a modern variant of Loki, the name of a Norse mythological figure. Loke is a Top 100 name in Sweden.

Cowboy swagger via the non-cowboy flick "The Guns of Navarone," chosen by Priscilla Presley.

The feminine form of Amir, a soft and regal baby name popular in the Muslim community.

Form of Eleanor found in the Pacific Islands, such as Fiji and Tonga. Other sources say it is used in Hawaii, but Elenoa has never been recorded as a name in the state.