Names That Mean Wise, Intelligent, and Smart

  1. Sunita
    • Origin:

      Hindi and Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "good character, wise"
    • Description:

      Sunita is an easily-translated name brought to the American lexicon by astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams, who holds the record for most spacewalks by a woman.
  2. Shanahan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the wise one"
    • Description:

      Undiscovered Irish surname with a lot more bounce and masculine dash than Shannon.
  3. Nuha
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Semitic
    • Meaning:

      "goddess of the sun"
    • Description:

      Nuha is an Arabic name meaning wise, and also a name from Semitic mythology of unknown origin, belonging to an ancient sun goddess.
  4. Alohi
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "shining, brilliant"
    • Description:

      Just one letter separates Alohi from the famous Hawaiian greeting "aloha," but that one letter makes all the difference.
  5. Ulima
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "astute, wise"
    • Description:

      Unusual Arabic name with an inspiring meaning for a baby girl.
  6. Karasi
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "life and wisdom"
    • Description:

      This pretty African girls' name has not one but two admirable meanings.
  7. Sheenan
    • Origin:

      Irish surname, variation of Shannon
    • Meaning:

      "old and wise"
    • Description:

      Sheenan updates the longtime Irish favorite Shannon, which ranked in the US Top 100 through much of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Shanon fell off the Top 1000 about ten years ago, but Sheenan is a worthy substitute. You might also consider it a form of Sheena, itself a form of Jane or John, with the meaning "God is gracious".
  8. Gundruna
    • Origin:

      Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "divine wisdom"
    • Description:

      Baby-naming rule #487: it's probably best to avoid names whose only possible nickname is Gun.