Names That Mean Meaning

Fans of versatile, rising African- American actor Mekhi Phifer have begun to adopt his unusual first name for their sons.

A popular boy name in Iceland, possibly related to the color maroon, or a short form of names starting with Mar-.

The Polynesian place name Tahiti was given to the island by its natives, although the origins of this name have been lost to history. Tahiti was once a Polynesian kingdom, but today is a part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia.

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

The Social Security Lists show this name to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states. There are a few theories on its origins (an invented name created to honor William/Willard and a a female name ending in "-dine", or it may be an Anglicization of a Native American name). Either way, it has a willowy sweetness that deserves a comeback.

The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football. Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn, best known as the name of the seacoast town St. Merryn, is also related. The name is usually used for girls.

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.

One way to set up a superiority complex in your child is to call your child Czar as American actor Rockmond Dunbar did in 2016.

Mecca was the birthplace of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, making it the holiest city in Islam. Located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, millions of Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca each year.

An axe-wielding Filipino demon.

A popular name in Belgium, made famous by model Cilou Annys.

Common Japanese male name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Onnolee is a name immortalized in American legend. She was the last surviving member of the Munsee tribe of Native Americans, native to the Finger Lakes region of New York. In the 14th century, Onnolee was captured by Mickinac, the leader of the Mengnee tribe who slaughtered the Munsees. She stole an unsuspecting Mickinac's knife from his sheath and stabbed him in the heart before fleeing and jumping to her death. Onnolee's ghost is said to haunt the region.

An unusual but beautifully simple name, possibly a variation on Aelwen, that belongs to a river in north-east Wales. It may appeal if you like similar names like Arwen, Anwen and Olwen.

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').

A geographical name in Israel, where Mount Nitai is located.

Vowel-loaded, acronym-sounding Finnish name might have some problems here. Stick with ADA.

Name kids will relate to the space adventure book and family film of that name.

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.

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.