ances tree
- Aaron
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"high mountain; exalted, enlightened"Description:
Aaron is a name of subtle contrasts: an unusual spelling that is easily recognizable; a solid Biblical choice that doesn’t feel exclusively tied to religion; a well-established name for boys but sometimes confused with the girls’ name, Erin; used internationally but with notably different pronunciations; classic like Andrew but not out of place with recent favorites like Weston or Jayden.
- Abba
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father"Description:
Double exposure: 1970s rock sensation (Mamma Mia) and scholar/diplomat name in Israel.
- Abbott
Origin:
Hebrew, AramaicMeaning:
"father"Description:
Abbott is a neglected masculine surname with religious overtones as the head of a monastery. Though the feminine nickname Abby could be a slight drawback, Abbott is still an attractive offbeat possibility.
- Abel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"breath"Description:
Abel, the name of Adam and Eve's unfortunate younger son, compensates with positive connotations: capable, competent, ready and willing.
- Abell
Description:
Abell is a masculine name with ancient Hebrew roots, functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. It derives from the biblical Abel (meaning 'breath' or 'vapor'), son of Adam and Eve. The doubled 'l' spelling reflects its evolution through Medieval Latin and Old French forms. As a first name, Abell maintains biblical connections while offering a distinctive alternative to the more common Abel. Though rare in contemporary usage, it has historical presence across European cultures. The name carries positive associations of innocence and virtue from its biblical origins. With its short, strong sound and rich heritage, Abell appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with traditional roots and spiritual significance.
- Abiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my father"Description:
Abiah is a Biblical name that appears for both female and male figures. It may be considered the same as the name Abijah in the Bible; one female Abijah was a queen and ancestor of Christ. Abiah may also be considered a relative of the Arabic name Abia. However you spell or pronounce it -- a - BY -a or a - BEE - a -- this name can be an original way to the nickname Abi.
- Abigail
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"my father is joyful"Description:
Abigail has been in for so long -- the name has ranked in the US Top 100 since the late 1980s -- it's amazing that it isn't more out by now. But Abigail's biblical and historic roots make it a fashionable classic rather than a passing fad.
- Abijah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my father"Description:
Abijah is a truly unusual, truly unisex, truly appealing biblical name. There were several male Abijahs in the Bible, one of them, known as Abijah of Judah, was the fourth king of the House of David, and also a couple of females.
- Abilene
Origin:
English from HebrewMeaning:
"grass"Description:
New Testament, Texas, and Kansas place-name more fitting for a girl.
- Abner
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of light."Description:
This neglected Biblical name--it was the name of the commander of Saul's army and appears twice in the New Testament--is ready to flee Dogpatch. It was regularly used in the nineteenth century, but was pretty much demolished by the long-running hillbilly comic strip L'il Abner, which began in 1934 and ran through 1977. A more respectable namesake is Abner Doubleday, who has been credited with inventing baseball.
- Abraham
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abraham is among the most classic baby names that's still widely-used today, popular for its references to both the Bible and American history. The Biblical Abraham was the first of the Old Testament patriarchs and is considered the founding father of the Jewish people. He was originally named Abram, until, according to Genesis, he was told, "No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations."
- Abram
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
- Abu
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"father"Description:
Most names with the Ab beginning, including the more familiar Abigail and Abner, mean father, as does this streamlined Arabic choice. American children might recognize Abu as the name of Aladdin's pet monkey in the Disney film.
- Achsah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"adorned"Description:
Spelled with or without the final "h," Achsah, pronounced AK-suh, was the daughter of Caleb in the Old Testament. We can't imagine anyone finding it greatly appealing.
- Acton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"village with oak trees"Description:
This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist - credential for a name. For those with an adventurous edge, Acton is one of the highest peaks in Antarctica.
- Ada
Origin:
German or TurkishMeaning:
"noble, nobility, or island"Description:
Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.
- Adam
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"son of the red earth"Description:
Adam -- a primal Old Testament name -- was revived as a 1960s cowboy name. Adam is not as popular as it once was and feels ready for a respite, replaced by newer A names like Aidan/Aiden, Avery and Axel. Its most prominent current bearers include Adams Sandler, Levine, Brody and Driver -- who plays a character named Adam on Girls.
- Adams
Description:
Adams originated as a patronymic surname meaning 'son of Adam,' derived from the Hebrew name Adam ('man' or 'earth'). As a given name, Adams represents a modern trend of using surnames as first names, projecting strength and tradition. While primarily masculine, it sometimes appears as a middle name for both genders. In the United States, Adams carries historical significance through founding father John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, both presidents. The name has never been highly common as a first name but has steady, modest usage. It appeals to parents seeking a distinguished, intellectual-sounding name with historical resonance. Adams possesses a dignified, refined quality while maintaining simplicity and clear pronunciation.
- Addis
Origin:
Ethiopian, AmharicMeaning:
"new"Description:
This Ethiopian boy name looks like a shortening of popular Addison, but has separate roots. Nonetheless, with Addison's popularity, Addis would fit in while standing out as a boy's name in English-speaking countries. Addis means "new", as seen in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, meaning "new flower".
- Addison
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Adam"Description:
Despite its origin as a patronymic meaning "son of Adam", Addison really caught on for baby girls in the US around the turn of the millennium, following in Madison's footsteps to peak at #11 in 2007 and again in 2010.