Names That Mean Good

Aimo was most common in Finland and Scandinavian during the first half of the 20th century.

Hebrew form of Tobiah, also used as a feminine form.

Attractive Middle Eastern choice.

In the Bible this was the name of a midwife who helped deliver Moses.

Think the letter X is always cool in names? Meet Eudoxia. An ancient name with a great meaning, associated with a number of saints and Byzantine royals. You might also like the similar Eudocia or Eudora.

An old-lady name in Scandinavia today, but Eivor may get a fresh start in the US, where it is associated with Assassain's Creed character Eivor Varinsdottir. Interestingly, the video game inspired several sets of parents to use the name for their sons in 2021 — the first year Eivor was ever recorded — but it has never made the charts for girls.

A virtuous and optimistic name whose most famous bearer is the former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.

In Greek Mythology, Eucleia was the spirit of glory and good repute. She was a member of the younger Charites.

Upbeat choice.

The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.

There aren't many Glendas under forty.

Merritt is an English surname but spelled Merit it becomes a word name. Both variations are on the rise.

This is a rarely heard multi-cultural name, related to a 14th century Jewish scholar named Kalonymous ben Kalonymous, who translated important texts from Arabic to Hebrew. It is also a Hungarian derivative of Colman, via the Latin Columba, meaning dove, and was the name of a 12th century king of Hungary. Its modern sound make it an interesting option.

The name of prize-winning American architect Robert Venturi would make a somewhat awkward first.

The modern Greek form of Eudocia.

An unusual and melodious New Testament name

Usher put this spin on an attractive and popular Iranian name when he chose it for his son.

Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would associate it with the Valley's main stem--Ventura Boulevard, and others might think of Ace or Jesse Ventura.

A sunny-sounding surname or an adjective meaning "only when the going's good" – as in, a fairweather friend.

If Angel is too popular for you, this super-rare related name might appeal, never given to more then 6 boys per year in the US.