Names That Mean New and New Beginnings

  1. Laverne
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "springlike"
    • Description:

      A name better left where it is, embroidered on a fifties poodle skirt.
  2. Wynonna
    • Origin:

      Sioux Indian
    • Meaning:

      "first-born daughter"
    • Description:

      Spelling used by country singer Wynonna Judd, one of two celebrities (the other is Winona Ryder) who brought this unusual Native American name widespread notice.
  3. Kady
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "first"
    • Description:

      Kady, though it has an authentic Irish meaning, may also be a variation of Katy short form of Kadence, or combination of initials K. and D. Though Kady is more distinctive, everyone will just hear it as Katy.
  4. Zera
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "seeds, beginnings"
    • Description:

      More than zero, but perhaps too close to Vera.
  5. Aviv
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "springtime, freshness, youth"
    • Description:

      Strongly associated with the city of Tel Aviv. For girls, may be lengthened to Aviva; for boys, might be better abbreviated to Avi.
  6. Kazuo
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "first son or harmonious man"
    • Description:

      Kazuo is a boys' name well-used in Japan though not well-known in the U.S. Kazuo Ishiguro is the author of Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. The emphasis is on the first syllable.
  7. Jarek
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "spring"
    • Description:

      Diminutive for all the Slavic names that start with Jar-. If for family or cultural reasons you're seeking such a name, then this is a reasonable short form.
  8. Zorina
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "golden dawn"
    • Description:

      Both a first and last name, Zorina has a pretty, ballerina-like quality.
  9. Spring
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Spring doesn't sound half as contemporary as Winter, which has become the cool season name.
  10. Issey
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "first-born"
    • Description:

      Japanese-born fashion designer Issey Miyake, known for his techno-clothes, could provide baby naming inspiration.
  11. Vermont
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "green mountain"
    • Description:

      Place-name waiting to be discovered.
  12. Haruko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "born in spring"
    • Description:

      A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.
  13. Viridius
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "green"
    • Description:

      Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.
  14. Neema
    • Origin:

      Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "born during good times"
    • Description:

      Offbeat name sometimes heard in the African-American community.
  15. Primus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "first"
    • Description:

      The revival of long-dormant Roman names would put this back in the lexicon if it wasn't so connected to a telecommunications network.
  16. Zelenka
    • Origin:

      Czech
    • Meaning:

      "green"
    • Description:

      A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.
  17. Sabik
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "one who comes in first"
    • Description:

      Sabik, a star in Ophiuchus, makes for a rather harsh-sounding name. If you're looking skyward for a baby name, you'd do better with Orion or Jupiter. But if you are searching for names that mean new beginnings, this is one unusual choice.
  18. Aadya
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "first, earth"
    • Description:

      An epithet of the goddess Durga, associated with the beginning of the earth.
  19. Veridian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "green"
    • Description:

      Veridian is a variation on Viridiana or Viridis, meaning green. Veridian is also the name of an American aeronautical company, so we recommend you stick with the alternatives.
  20. Primavera
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "spring"
    • Description:

      A bit syllable-heavy, but a pretty name for a springtime baby.