Names with Inspirational Meanings

  1. Nechama
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "comfort"
    • Description:

      Traditional Hebrew name that has never entered the American mainstream, though it is popular among Hasidic parents and was found to be the quirky favorite girls' names of New Jersey in our survey of baby names that enjoy outsized popularity in each state.
  2. Euroa
    • Origin:

      Indigenous Australian
    • Meaning:

      "joyful"
    • Description:

      In the language of the Ngurelban people, 'Yera-o' is said to mean "joyful". This Anglicization is reminiscent of other feminine nameslike Eulalia and could work well for those looking for a less familiar choice.
  3. Halimah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "gentle and patient"
    • Description:

      The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.
  4. Bravery
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Description:

      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.
  5. Earhart
    • Origin:

      German surname
    • Meaning:

      "honor, bravery"
    • Description:

      Conceivable middle name choice for admirers of flyer Amelia.
  6. Geela
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "joy"
    • Description:

      Gay, nearly giddy, gee-whiz feel; also too reminscent of a gila monster.
  7. Jamilla
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful, graceful"
    • Description:

      Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.
  8. Damita
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "little noblewoman"
    • Description:

      Has a petite, dainty charm.
  9. Hulbert
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "bright grace"
  10. Feie
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      A lovely meaning and sound -- if you're fluent in Dutch.
  11. Saladin
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "peace through faith"
    • Description:

      A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades.
  12. Rangimarie
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      Rangimarie is the Maori words for peace, and is occasionally used as a feminine name. Dr Rangimarie Pere is a prominent New Zealander with this name.
  13. Peace
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      Spaniards use Pax and Paz, Hebrew speakers Shalom, for Greeks it's Irene, so why can't we make the English word Peace a name? Peace Adzo Medie is the author of the novel His Only Wife.
  14. Udoka
    • Origin:

      Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "peace is great"
    • Description:

      Udoka is an Igbo-Nigerian name derived from the word Udo, meaning peace.
  15. Tomyris
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "family"
    • Description:

      This unusual choice could work for parents looking for a striking, unflowery girls name that could be shortened to Tommy. Tomyris was an Persian warrior-queen noted for defeating Persian ruler Cyrus the Great when he tried to invade her country. That's a strong namesake for the modern girl. Tomiris is an alternative form.
  16. Fursey
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "virtue"
    • Description:

      Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread Christianity. He is buried in France.
  17. Rongo
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      Rongo is a masculine Maori name stemming from both the name of a god and also the Maori word for peace, "rangimarie", which itself is occasionally used as a feminine name. Rongo was the name of the Maori god of cultivated food and of peace. In Maori culture the two ideas are closely linked - food can only be cultivated and plentiful when communities are at peace and working together. If Ringo, Rango and Rocco can get a look in, why not Rongo?
  18. Folami
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, African
    • Meaning:

      "honor and respect me"
    • Description:

      Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.
  19. Mirko
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "peace, world"
    • Description:

      Mirko is a diminutive version of Miroslav but is now given as a full name.
  20. Frayda
    • Origin:

      Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "joy"
    • Description:

      An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.