Names That Mean Freedom

This nouveau spelling peaked at Number 583 in 2004. In spite of its trend-making K and "ee" ending, Karlee is much less popular than the original Carly.

Good way to honor Scandinavian roots, or an ancestor named Carl or Charles.

Liber was the name of the Roman god of wine, freedom, and male fertility. It is etymologically linked to the word "libation," referring to the ritual practice of sharing drinks.

Fanya might make an international and unusual short form for the classic Frances, or could stand as a full name on its own. Definitely classier than Tanya but with the same Eastern European flavor.

French variation of Lysander.

A worldly and attractive choice for a child of any background. Two early New World explorers were Hernandos — de Soto and Cortés.

In Roman mythology, Libera was the female equivalent of the god Liber. She would eventually become assimilated into the goddess Prosperina.

Fanchon is a sweet and affectionate Gallic choice.

Erkin is an Uzbek vocabulary word from Old Turkic, and is widely used as a unisex name in Turkey. In English-speaking countries, it is unknown but straightforward and with a great meaning.

Friendly Slavic rarity.

The story behind this name is positive: it was first used as a virtue name by the 19th-century liberal thinker Vladimir Jovanović (who also named his daughter Pravda, "justice"). However, it is now tainted by the former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milošević ⁠— the only wearer most English speakers know. Some may also find the first syllable off-putting.

An uncommon Hebrew name that can still sometimes be heard in Jewish communities.

The name of an important figure in the Book of Judges, a judge from Gilead who helped the Israelites defeat the hated Ammonites. Jephthah and its various derivative spellings have seldom been used as first names since Biblical times, but that may change going forward, thanks to Duck Dynasty castmember Jules Jeptha "Jep" Robertson.

Outlook in this country: paltry.

A sixties-style name that might work best as a middle.

This would make an interesting South American heritage choice. One famous bearer was Quispe Sisa, an Inca princess in the 16th century. It is also a surname.

Frank is cool again. Frankie is cute. But frankly, Frankito is a couple of diminutives too many.

Libertad is the forceful name recently given to his daughter by Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal. English equivalent Liberty has been in use for girls for some time. Libertad might be considered a Spanish virtue name or word name. See our list of other Spanish word names.

An offbeat way to celebrate this virtue.

Properly spelled Özgür, this is a familiar unisex name and surname in Turkey, though little-known in the rest of the world. The pronunciation is not far removed from Oscar, which could be a helpful reference point or cause confusion.