Names with Inspirational Meanings

Long associated with Egyptian-born actor/bridge expert Omar Sharif, also a title bestowed on descendants of Muhammad.

The name of the Hindu elephant-headed god of success and wisdom, son of Shiva and Parvati.

The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.

A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades.

Gay, nearly giddy, gee-whiz feel; also too reminscent of a gila monster.

Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.

Has a petite, dainty charm.

A lovely meaning and sound -- if you're fluent in Dutch.

Conceivable middle name choice for admirers of flyer Amelia.

This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.

Rangimarie is the Maori words for peace, and is occasionally used as a feminine name. Dr Rangimarie Pere is a prominent New Zealander with this name.

Spaniards use Pax and Paz, Hebrew speakers Shalom, for Greeks it's Irene, so why can't we make the English word Peace a name? Peace Adzo Medie is the author of the novel His Only Wife.

Udoka is an Igbo-Nigerian name derived from the word Udo, meaning peace.

Mirko is a diminutive version of Miroslav but is now given as a full name.

Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread Christianity. He is buried in France.

Rongo is a masculine Maori name stemming from both the name of a god and also the Maori word for peace, "rangimarie", which itself is occasionally used as a feminine name. Rongo was the name of the Maori god of cultivated food and of peace. In Maori culture the two ideas are closely linked - food can only be cultivated and plentiful when communities are at peace and working together. If Ringo, Rango and Rocco can get a look in, why not Rongo?

Nigerian name with an honorable meaning.

Paciano is an appealing twist on all the newly fashionable names that suggest peace.

An old favorite in traditional Jewish families.