Names That Mean Exalted

Atalia or Athalia is a biblical name with a gory history. But it's an attractive name in step with the current fashion for A-starting and -ending names that are both distinctive and deeply rooted.

One of the sweet simple unisex names balanced enough to stand on its own. Ali can either be used as a shortening of Al- beginning names and is also an Arabic name in its own right.

Biblical name from the Old Testament, and a nice full form of the sweet nickname Jory.

Popular in the Hispanic world, in honor of Saint Augustine. It peaked at Number 561 in 2001.

This fanciful Irish extension of Bridget is known here through the wacky Amelia Bedelia books for kids -- an association your child may or may not like.

Soundalike cousin of Sammy, cute but slight on its own.

Arabic form of Aaron, featured in the tales of The Thousand and One Nights. The name Harun also appears several times in the Quran.

Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et al. Whatever form it takes, Brighid is one of the most classic and enduring Irish names for girls.

Brida, which may also be spelled Breda, is one of the many variations, Irish and otherwise, of the ancient saintly name Brighid. It's virtually unknown in the US, given to fewer than five baby girls in the most recent year counted.

A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.

Pronounced 'breed', this is among the common Irish names for girls in the Emerald Isle, but would have major pronunciation problems in the US. Better to stick with Bridget.

Pipsa is a nickname for the Finnish names PIpkka and Pirjo, both of which are variations of Bridget. In Finland, Peppa Pig is called Pipsa Possu.

Classic Scandinavian form of Bridget. Saint Birgitta of Sweden is the patron saint of Europe.

A pretty and unusual name with a multi-cultural feel--Hebrew, Greek, and a dash of Russian.

Ewella is one of the modern Cornish word names plucked straight from the dictionary. It's very name-like with its -ella ending, but the Ew up front gives us pause.

Technically a pet form of Brigid and very commonly heard in Ireland, but pronunciation problems complicate Bride as a name choice in America.

Written with a dotted I in Turkish and Azerbaijani, this name derives from a rare Arabic name.

Interesting Irish diminutive of Bridget or Bríd.

Unisex name from the Old Testament, perhaps an underused alternative to Isaiah.

Bridget variation that's the root of the unattractive nickname Biddy. Bedelia is another spelling.