Catholic Baby Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

Macarius, the name of several early saints, is virtually unknown in the U.S. though its Spanish forms Macario and the feminine Macaria are sometimes used. With the revival of many ancient s-ending names, Macarius might rise again, and it does carry the user-friendly nickname Mac.

This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.

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

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

Michelina Matelli was a wealthy Italian woman who became a nun. She was made Saint Michelina in the 1700s.

Auria is a highly unusual choice with a pleasant aura. As cousin names Aurelia and Aurora become more prominent, as we predict they will in coming years, Auria will get some attention too.

Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.

Latin form of Jacob, also used in Dutch and Afrikaans.

Rarely heard in modern times, it was used by Norman Mailer for the hero of his book The Deer Park.

Saint Wenceslas (known as Vaclav in modern Czech) was a 10th-century duke of Bohemia murdered by his brother. He is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The name has also belonged to several Bohemian kings.

This rare sixth-century saint's name has a modern, merry feel.

Columba is an early saint's name that rhumbas to a modern beat. While the original St. Columba is male, the name sounds more appropriate for a girl in the modern world. Leave variations Colm and Callum for the boys.

St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry. Her name may derive from Kythere ("the red one"), a title of the Phonecian mother-goddess Astarte, perhaps via Greek Kythereia, an epithet of Aphrodite. The French version is Quitterie.

As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.

Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century archbishop of Cologne, He is also known as, less attractively, Hanno of Worms, which is one of the oldest cities in Germany.

Attractive attenuated form of the popular Christopher, well used throughout Europe, appearing as Christophe in France and Christoph in Germany.

Zosimus is a quirky Z starting name with a long history. It has been the name of several early saints and a pope, as well as the Byzantine author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the sixth century CE.