Virtue Names

One of the new generation of virtue names, with Peace and Justice taking over from the Puritans' Absolution and Forgiveness, but this one is still a bit heavy to carry.

This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.

Modesty is a virtue name dating to Roman times, but never widely used, except for hot 1960s movie spoof heroine, Modesty Blaise, based on a comic strip.

Believe it or not, Prudence is on the rise for girls in both the US and UK. Could Prudent be next?

Forget Patience and Charity: Here's a Colonial name (and sentiment) that seems perfect for modern times.

A warm and positive English word name, used by the Puritans for both sexes but now given to only around a dozen baby girls each year.

One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.

Honor-related names are climbing in popularity, such as Honesty, Honor, and now Honest.

Fidelity is an admirable virtue, yes, but as a name it tends to sound like a financial institution. Faith, Honor, or Patience would be easier to live with than Fidelity.

If you want to give your child the gift of...gab.

A Puritan-virtue type name that could possibly work for a modern baby with its rhythmic four-syllable sound and admirable meaning.

With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name.

A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name.

A winning unisex word name, fresher than Victoria or Victor.

An admirable quality to impart; Pleasant was used by Charles Dickens in Our Mutual Friend and in modern times is known via American Girl dolls creator Pleasant Rowland.

A handful of baby girls are named Awesome each year, and they better be.

The mother of all virtue names.

A lovely virtue to bestow upon a child for a bold namer.

Chivalry isn't dead, and what better way to prove it than by bestowing it as a name upon a newborn?

Warm and open, but way too much teasing potential.