Names That Mean Blessed

This spelling of Bennett is typically seen as a surname, but gets moderate use as a first name for baby boys and girls.

Too close to "payola."

Bente, pronounced ben-tah, is a popular girls' name in both The Netherlands and Denmark though largely unknown in the English-speaking world. It suffers by being a near-homonym of the English word bent, not the best dictionary equivalent for a first name. Still, if you're looking for a girls' name that equates to Ben or Benjamin or Benedict, this may be one of your best bets.

Once you get past the pronunciation hurdle, a smooth and elegant choice. In French, it's spelt with a circumflex: Benoît.

A French form of Benedict that makes a smooth and elegant choice, although the pronunciation may trip people up in an English speaking environment.

This Italian form of Benedict sidesteps the Benedict Arnold association that still clouds the English version.

Macarius, the name of several early saints, is virtually unknown in the U.S. though its Spanish forms Macario and the feminine Macaria are sometimes used. With the revival of many ancient s-ending names, Macarius might rise again, and it does carry the user-friendly nickname Mac.

Macario is used in the modern US, the Spanish form of the ancient Greek Makarios or Latinized Macarius, the name of several early saints. Accessible and worldly, Macario can lead to the friendly nickname Mac.

In Greek mythology, Elysium, or the Elysian Fields, was the paradise inhabited by the blessed and righteous after death. Greek poet Homer attested that the Elysian Fields were on the western edge of Earth.

Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.

A male name in Wales, Gwyn has been mostly feminine in the US thanks to its resemblance to the more familiar Gwen. It derives from the same Celtic root as the popular Finn family of names.

The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.

Triss is a short form of Beatrice used for one of the heroic characters in The Witcher. She is a sorceress and ally of the protagonist Geralt whose magic is used for good.

A famous bearer is Carwyn Jones, leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister of Wales since 2009. Feminine version is Carwen.

Think of this as the Hebrew equivalent of Benedict or Benito; best for observant Jews.

Benthe is a popular Dutch abbreviation of the feminine for Benedict.

Gwion is a name from old Welsh literature: according to "The Tale of Taliesin", it was the name of the legendary poet Taliesin before he transformed into a bard. Gwion is used steadily in small numbers in Wales. Elsewhere in the world, it would strike a good balance of uncommonness and simplicity, and be pretty unique.

Saintly, and a Mother Superior to boot.

The double 'n's in this spelling variation of vintage Winifred aesthetically looks closer to the loveable nickname Winnie which is likely the appeal for many parents. Winnifred, along with several other Win names, from vintage revivals Winnie and Winona to modern Winter and Winslow, is on the rise.

Winnet is a long-forgotten nickname for Winifred that was used in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries. These days, it's more often found in South Africa.