Adjective Names

A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world.

Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

A pretty and almost unique word name to add to the galaxy of astral appellations. More distinctive than the better-known Celeste, it was given to only 20 girls last year. Celestial is also the title of several band albums, and is heard in the video game and comics worlds.

As dated as Merry and Gay.

Bright is a rare yet intriguing word name used for a female character in Ann Patchett's novel The Dutch House.

Many emotional, virtuous word names are coming back into style, but Happy is one that is unlikely to be revived.

This English word name meaning bright, clever, talented, and radiant, may be a lot to live up to. Brilliant would make a unique and offbeat virtue name for a parent with big dreams for their little one.

A glittering alternative to Stormi.

Able takes this name in the direction of the word denoting someone capable and handle, and that is not a bad way to go.

Blessed and Blessing are two new entrants in the word name and virtue name categories, gaining popularity for both boys and girls.

As Ireland becomes fashionable as a place name, bouncing on and off of the US girls charts thanks to Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin choosing it for their daughter, some parents may start to consider the adjective form Irish for either a boy or girl.

Surname with strong ties to singer Taylor Swift and writer Jonathan Swift. It could make a fun and quirky middle name.

New is a middle name name with meaning: Your baby, after all, is new to the world and you may hope will continue to approach life and experience as if everything is new and exciting.

An unassuming virtue, that is also a surname name.

Not the most aspirational word names you could give to a child, although it does work as a nickname. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's daughter Chicago is often called Chi, pronounced "shy."

Word names are often genderless, but Lovely feels particularly feminine (cue Isn't She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder). Chris Brown chose this name for his daughter, born in 2022, which may give the name a boost.

One of the classic hippie word names. In the 1970s, actors Barbara Hershey and David Carradine gave this name to their son...who later changed it to Tom.

This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising virtue name possibility for either gender.

Marvelous is a unique virtue name that could work for a boy or a girl, but would definitely make a statement. Marvel is a shorter version that has a history of use as a girls' name, but would work just as well for a boy.