Day Names for Babies

Among the Ewe people of Ghana and Togo, Yao is the name for babies born on Thursday.

A loveday in medieval England was a day when people engaged in a dispute would come together and try to resolve their differences amicably. The name was sometimes given to babies, male or female, who were born on such a day. The etymology of Loveday is English, yet historical use was mainly relegated to Cornwall, and it is considered a traditional Cornish name. Loveday is rarely used today, however, when it is, it is usually used for baby girls.

Christmas is a day name long and quietly used as a name for babies born at Christmas. Prettier and more modern than Noel or Noelle.

There are many lovely day/month/seasonal names -- and this is one of the most intriguing.

Sorley is an anglicization of the Irish name Somhairle, itself derived from the Old Norse Sumarliði, a nickname for a summer traveler (perhaps meaning a viking raider!). It is sometimes used as a boy name in Britain, but very rarely in the US. The similarity to the word "sorely" may put some off, but we still think it makes a jaunty, unusual surname-style option.

Most common in Japan in the mid-20th century, but to Western ears it doesn't sound dated.

Atieno is the feminine equivalent of Otieno, which is now more commonly seen as a surname in Eastern Africa.

Where as a serenade is an evening love song, an aubade is sung first thing in the morning.

Lively and engaging Scottish surname, particularly appropriate for a boy born on Monday.

Ebo is a powerful African day name that can be used to fit its definition.

Gry is becoming a popular name in Denmark where it is currently in the Top 50. Despite its beautiful meaning, the similarity of its sound to the English word gruel is unlikely to make this a winning choice for English-speakers.

The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this system (think Kofi Annan, whose name means born on a Friday).

Hespera is a variation of Hesperia, the feminine form of Hesperus. In Greek mythology, Hesperus is the Evening Star or the planet Venus. Hesperus is the son of the dawn goddess Eos or her Roman equivalent Aurora.

Nikini means full moon in the language of Sri Lanka. In a world of Lunas and Selenas, Nikini is a spunkier Eastern choice with a beautiful lunar meaning.

A popular Arabic name borne by a famed Lebanese actress and singer, could provide an intriguing alternative to Sarah.

Tish for the twenty-first century.

This popular Muslim name would more easily translate to English-speaking cultures in its Bahar form.

Midcentury macramé-maker.

Though this feels like a new invention, people have used day names such as Morning and Afternoon for centuries -- and so why not Evening too? It's a lovely word with an evocative meaning and makes a perfect addition to this newly stylish group.