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Names that Mean Red or Redhead

  1. Red
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Description:

      Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname. Instead, check out other names that mean red: Rory, Rowan, Ruby.
  2. Damek
    • Origin:

      Slavic variation of Adam
    • Meaning:

      "son of the red earth"
    • Description:

      Damek, which you might think of as Adam with a Slavic accent, considerably freshens up the original.
  3. Vermilion
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Description:

      This vivid reddish orange color name is an undiscovered possibility -- kind of a female equivalent of Cerulean for boys.
  4. Rowen
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Rowan, Scottish and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rowan tree; little redhead"
    • Description:

      With its soft sounds, its unisex appeal, and its nature connection, Rowan has become a very popular name for both boys and girls, given to nearly four boys for every girl. The Rowen variation maintains the same gender split but is much less popular for both sexes, with nearly four times as many babies named Rowan as Rowen.
  5. Aidan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little and fiery"
    • Description:

      Aidan is an ancient Irish saint's name with a fire meaning that's mega popular for boys, most often spelled as Aiden. The name is occasionally used for girls, sometimes as Aidyn or Ayden, as well. Aidan was the name of a famous seventh-century Irish saint, and is related to the Irish word for fire.
  6. Akane
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "deep red"
    • Description:

      A popular choice right now in Japan, where it recently ranked in the Top 10.
  7. Garnet
    • Origin:

      Jewel name, from the French
    • Meaning:

      "pomegranate"
    • Description:

      One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.
  8. Rogan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "redhead"
    • Description:

      Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan.
  9. Sherry
    • Origin:

      Phonetic variation of French Cheri; also a Spanish fortified wine
    • Description:

      Peppy cheerleader name of the 1960s and 70s that's sure to evoke the Four Seasons song of that name.
  10. Coahoma
    • Origin:

      Choctaw, Native American
    • Meaning:

      "red panther"
  11. Derry
    • Origin:

      Diminutive or Derek or Dermot or Irish place-name
    • Meaning:

      "like an oak"
    • Description:

      With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.
  12. Humaira
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "red"
    • Description:

      This name was given to Aisha by Muhammed because of her characteristically rosy cheeks. Humaira is the common Urdu spelling of this name, which can also be written as Humayra. The name ranks in the UK Top 1000 and has done since at least the 90s.
  13. Scarlette
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Scarlett
    • Meaning:

      "brilliant red"
    • Description:

      Although we think Scarlett is plenty feminine enough without the girly -ette suffix, this variation entered the US Top 1000 in 2011, where it remained for more than a decade. In 2023, it dropped off the list, however, it was still given to 240 girls that same year.

      The traditional Scarlett is used 26 times more often its more elaborate counterpart, but Scarlette could could have the plus side of drawing people's eyes away from the "Scar" syllable and onto the second part of the name. For anyone hoping to use nickname Lettie, Ettie, or Etta - or plan to use it to honor a Charlotte - this form could be more appealing.
  14. Rustyn
    • Aiden
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "little and fiery"
      • Description:

        Aiden/Aidan is just beginning to wander into the girls' side of the name popularity list, but it's so huge for boys in all its spellings that it will be a long time before it can be called a unisex name.
    • Reed
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "red-haired"
      • Description:

        Sleek, unisex surname rarely heard for girls -- which could be seen as an asset.
    • Ruadh
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "red"
      • Description:

        Also spelt Rua, Ruadh is a strong and simple Irish name with a fiery meaning. Ruadhan is a popular related name.
    • Arun
      • Origin:

        Masculinization of Aruna, Sanskrit, Hindi
      • Meaning:

        "reddish brown"
      • Description:

        Arun is the common masculinization of the name Aruna, the Hindu god who drives the sun god Surya across the sky in his chariot. Aruna is also used as a female name.
    • Kurenai
      • Origin:

        Japanese
      • Meaning:

        "crimson"
      • Description:

        This Japanese color name is not bestowed upon baby girls, but it's been used for many fictional characters.
    • Rumo
      • Origin:

        Cornish
      • Meaning:

        "red"
      • Description:

        Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.