Names with Inspirational Meanings
- Nechama
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Euroa
Origin:
Indigenous AustralianMeaning:
"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.
- Halimah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"gentle and patient"Description:
The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.
- Bravery
Origin:
Virtue nameDescription:
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.
- Earhart
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"honor, bravery"Description:
Conceivable middle name choice for admirers of flyer Amelia.
- Geela
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"joy"Description:
Gay, nearly giddy, gee-whiz feel; also too reminscent of a gila monster.
- Jamilla
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"beautiful, graceful"Description:
Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.
- Damita
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"little noblewoman"Description:
Has a petite, dainty charm.
- Hulbert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright grace"
- Feie
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"peace"Description:
A lovely meaning and sound -- if you're fluent in Dutch.
- Saladin
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"peace through faith"Description:
A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades.
- Rangimarie
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"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.
- Peace
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"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.
- Udoka
Origin:
IgboMeaning:
"peace is great"Description:
Udoka is an Igbo-Nigerian name derived from the word Udo, meaning peace.
- Tomyris
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"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.
- Fursey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Rongo
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"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?
- Folami
Origin:
Yoruba, AfricanMeaning:
"honor and respect me"Description:
Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.
- Mirko
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"peace, world"Description:
Mirko is a diminutive version of Miroslav but is now given as a full name.
- Frayda
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"joy"Description:
An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.