Names That Mean Thankful or Gratitude

  1. Hallelujah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God be praised"
    • Description:

      This bold musical word name is given to just a handful of baby girls per year in the US, but it has a very contemporary sound. Hallie and Lou/Lulu would make for more mainstream nicknames. Lovers of the music and lyrics of Leonard Cohen might also appreciate the link to one of his most successful hits.
  2. Tehila
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "praise song"
    • Description:

      Tehila may at first appeal as a distinctive choice. Danger: might tend to sound like a mispronunciation of tequila.
  3. Erelieva
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "beloved respect"
    • Description:

      A Gothic name belonging to the wife of Theodemir, a 5th century king of the Ostrogoths, and the mother of Theodoric the Great. The name also belongs to a genus of moths.
  4. Osanna
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "praise the Lord"
    • Description:

      May rise along with other spiritually inclined names, but Americans might find it too close to Osama.
  5. Magomed
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Muhammad, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "praiseworthy"
    • Description:

      A strong choice for a Muslim child with Russian ancestry. The name is primarily heard in the Caucasus.
  6. Shaqir
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Shakir; Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "thankful"
    • Description:

      Shaquille O'Neal came almost as close as he could to a Junior when he selected this name for his son.
  7. Mahlet
    • Origin:

      Amharic, Ethiopian
    • Meaning:

      "song, hymn"
    • Description:

      The "mahlet" is a chant that priests in the Ethiopian Orthodox church perform during the night to praise and give thanks to God. Pronounced with three syllables, Mahlet is also used as a first name for girls.
  8. Yoav
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "praise Jehovah"
    • Description:

      Yoav is a variation of Joab, a name featured prominently in the Old Testament.
  9. Ejiro
    • Origin:

      Urhobo
    • Meaning:

      "praise God"
    • Description:

      Variation of Ejiroghene
  10. Zikomo
    • Origin:

      Ngono
    • Meaning:

      "thank you"
    • Description:

      Gracious African choice.
  11. Amlodd
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "great praise"
    • Description:

      A name from ancient legend: Amlodd (also spelled Amlawdd) Wledig is recorded as being an early British chieftain. Some sources name him as the father of Igraine, the mother of King Arthur. It has been co-opted as a suitable fantasy-sounding name into the online game Runescape.
  12. Hillel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "greatly praised"
    • Description:

      Hillel the Great was a famous Talmudic scholar, the spiritual and ethical leader of his generation, and his name is greatly honored by parents in Israel and, to some extent, here.
  13. Yehudah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "to praise"
    • Description:

      Anglicized as Judah, this name of a biblical patriarch is given symbolically to boys born on Chanukah; a form of it was spotlighted by violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.
  14. Tatenda
    • Origin:

      Shona
    • Meaning:

      "thank you"
    • Description:

      Unisex name with a gracious meaning, most often used in Zimbabwe.
  15. Polyhymnia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "one of many praises"
    • Description:

      Polyhymnia was one of the nine Muses of Greek mythology, associated with hymns, poetry, and dance. It's a whole lotta name for one girl, but now that Persephone and Calliope are on the table, Polyhymnia feels like much more of a possibility.
  16. Haleli
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "praise"
    • Description:

      A popular Jewish girl name in Israel, derived from the name Hallel.
  17. Sevasti
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "respected"
    • Description:

      A cool Greek name which is related to Sebastian.
  18. Thankful
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "conscious of benefit received"
    • Description:

      In the Plymouth Colony of the seventeenth century, Thankful was the third most popular of the abstract word names. It disappeared after 1700 and has virtually no chance of returning.
  19. Takaya
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "respectful"
  20. Shohei
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "respect; soaring peace"