Death Names
- Galen
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"calm, healer"Description:
Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The name still projects a gentle, scholarly image, while sharing sounds with more popular names like Aiden and Nathan. Bonus: it's also an anagram of Angel.
- Galen
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"healer, calm"Description:
The final n makes this choice infinitely more modern than Gail.
- Gaynor
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white and smooth, soft"Description:
Gaynor is an early androgynous name with a positive association, related to the Cornish megahit name Jennifer.
- Grisell
Origin:
Scottish variation of GriseldaDescription:
Two famous women, both with the same surname, feature this name in Scottish history. The first, Lady Grisell Hume Baillie, was an 18th century songwriter. The second, Grisell Baillie, was the first woman to be admitted to the position of Deaconess in the Church of Scotland.
- Imana
Description:
Imana is a feminine name with diverse cultural roots. In Rwandan and Burundian traditions, Imana refers to the supreme deity or creator, giving the name profound spiritual significance. It also appears in Japanese as a surname and has connections to Arabic origins where it relates to faith. The name features melodic vowel sounds creating a flowing, gentle pronunciation. Quite rare in Western countries, Imana offers cultural richness and uniqueness while remaining relatively simple to pronounce and spell. The name's global connections make it particularly meaningful for families with African heritage or those seeking a name with spiritual depth. Its uncommon nature allows a child to define the name rather than the reverse.
- Inanna
Origin:
MesopotamianMeaning:
"lady of heaven"Description:
An ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war and justice, with a name that fits modern tastes. In recent years it has become a rare but steady fixture near the bottom of the charts, and feels full of potential for parents looking for an offbeat name from mythology.
- Isabel
Origin:
Spanish variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Isabel derived from Elizabeth in southwest Europe during the Middle Ages. It was originally written as Elisabel, but the first syllable was dropped as it spread across the continent. In Spain and Portugal, Isabel and Elizabeth are considered to be variations of the same name, but they are treated as separate names in other European countries and the US.
- Isaiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Salvation of the Lord"Description:
Isaiah, like brethren Isaac and Elijah, is a once neglected biblical name now firmly back in favor, already surpassing such long-popular Old Testament stalwarts as Aaron and Adam. Isaiah has ranked on the US Top 1000 list for boys every year but two, 1969 and 1970.
- Isibeal
Description:
Isibeal is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Isabel or Elizabeth, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath.' Pronounced roughly as 'ISH-beal' or 'EE-sha-byal,' this name carries the rich cultural heritage of Ireland while offering an uncommon alternative to more familiar variations. Isibeal has deep historical roots in Celtic culture but remains relatively rare even in Ireland. The name possesses a lyrical, almost musical quality characteristic of Irish names, with their distinctive combinations of consonants and vowels. Parents might choose Isibeal to honor Irish ancestry or simply for its unique, melodic sound. While it might present pronunciation challenges outside Ireland, Isibeal offers a beautiful connection to Gaelic language and tradition.
- Izar
Origin:
BasqueMeaning:
"star"Description:
Used more for girls in Europe, but definitely sounds masculine enough for a boy here.
- Izar
Origin:
BasqueMeaning:
"star"Description:
A bright and sparky Basque name with a lovely celestial meaning.
- Jivanta
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"giver of life"Description:
A hauntingly lovely Indian name.
- Joby
Origin:
Diminutive of Job, HebrewMeaning:
"persecuted"Description:
A jaunty diminutive of Job, or simply a soundalike to Toby, Koby et al.
- Joby
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"persecuted"Description:
Reduces and lightens up the Job connection even further, sounding like a lively, Jody-like nickname name.
- Julia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"youthful or sky father"Description:
Julia was an ancient Roman imperial name given to females in the house of a Julius, as in Caesar. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
- Kataleen
Description:
Kataleen is a feminine name that represents a creative spelling variation of Katherine/Catherine and its derivative Kathleen. This unique orthographic form maintains the traditional Irish feel of Kathleen while giving it a distinctive visual identity. The name's roots trace back to the Greek 'Aikaterine,' possibly meaning 'pure,' though its etymology remains somewhat debated. Kataleen carries the same warm, classic appeal as Kathleen, which became particularly popular among Irish-American families in the mid-20th century. The 'K' beginning and 'een' ending preserve the name's Celtic character, while the middle spelling creates individuality. Though relatively uncommon, Kataleen appeals to parents seeking traditional sounds with contemporary spelling. The name evokes qualities of warmth, strength and cultural heritage while allowing its bearer a degree of uniqueness.
- Layla
Origin:
Variation of Leila, ArabicMeaning:
"night"Description:
A lovely musical name (remember the old Eric Clapton-Derek & the Dominos song?), Layla's seen a significant surge in popularity, partly partly all names with a double L are stylish, and partly because all the forms of the name push it into the Top 15 for girls.
- Leah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"weary"Description:
Strong but sweet, Leah is a classic name that doesn’t feel dull or dusty. It’s got plenty of dignity, grace, and pluck, making it a solid choice in the 21st century.
- Lisa
Description:
Lisa was so popular for girls in the late sixties and early seventies that according to government statistics some parents chose it for their sons, too. Either that or there were some serious mixups in the records bureau.
- Lisa
Origin:
English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, ItalianMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Elvis naming his daughter Lisa Marie and Nat King Cole's hit song "Mona Lisa" conspired to catapult one of Elizabeth's many offshoots to a high of #4 in 1970.