Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most exciting parts of becoming a parent. And it’s no wonder that more and more parents are looking for names with deep meanings, rich in history, culture and beauty.
Our handpicked list of the top 100 meaningful baby names for boys and girls has got you covered. From girl names that shine bright like Stella and Lucia to brave and bold names for boys like Ethan and Idris, you’re sure to find your perfect meaningful baby name in this list.
The top 50 meaningful girl names
1. Adele
Meaning: Noble
Origin: German
Adele is a celeb-inspired girl name that has a bold meaning: noble! It has German origins.
2. Amara
Meaning: Eternal
Origin: Sanskrit
Amara is an unusual yet meaningful name that has a beautiful meaning: eternal. It has Sanskrit origins.
Read Next: Baby Names That Mean Soul: Discovering Deeply Meaningful Names for Your Child
3. Anara
Meaning: Pomegranate flower
Origin: Kazakh
Anara is another unusual name for girls that has Kazakh origins. It means ‘pomegranate flower’.
4. Aria
Meaning: air; melody
Origin: Italian
Aria – pronounced ‘ARE-EE-AH’ – means ‘air’ or ‘melody’. The name has Italian origins.
5. Astrid
Meaning: Divinely beautiful
Origin: Scandinavian
Astrid is a name inspired by the beauty of the solar system. It means ‘divinely beautiful’ and has Scandinavian roots.
6. Beatrix
Meaning: Bringer of joy
Origin: Latin
Beatrix is an unusual yet traditional name that means ‘bringer of joy’ – the perfect meaning for a brand new baby! It has Latin origins.
7. Calista
Meaning: Most beautiful
Origin: Greek
Meaning ‘most beautiful’, Calista has Greek origins.
8. Carys
Meaning: Love
Origin: Welsh
Carys is a name with Welsh origins. It means ‘love’.
9. Celeste
Meaning: Heavenly
Origin: Latin
Celeste means ‘heavenly’ – it’s a beautiful angel-inspired name! The name has Latin origins.
10. Dalia
Meaning: Gentle; slender branch
Origin: Hebrew/Arabic
Dalia has Hebrew and Arabic origins and means ‘gentle’ or ‘slender branch’. It’s pronounced ‘DAR-LIA’.
11. Dara
Meaning: Wisdom
Origin: Hebrew
Dara means ‘wisdom’ and has Hebrew origins.
12. Eira
Meaning: Snow
Origin: Welsh
Eira is an unusual name for girls that has Welsh origins. It means ‘snow’, so is great for a winter baby, and it’s pronounced ‘AY-RAH’.
13. Elara
Meaning: Happy
Origin: Greek
Elara has Greek origins and means ‘happy’.
14. Eliana
Meaning: God has answered
Origin: Hebrew
Eliana is an elegant and meaningful name that means ‘God has answered’. It has Hebrew origins.
15. Evangeline
Meaning: Bearer of good news
Origin: Greek
Evangeline is another celeb-inspired name (think Evangeline Lilly!) that means ‘bearer of good news’. It has Greek origins.
16. Faye
Meaning: Fairy
Origin: English
Faye means ‘fairy’ and has English origins.
17. Freya
Meaning: Noble woman
Origin: Norse
Freya is an increasingly popular name for girls that means ‘noble woman’. It has Norse origins.
18. Giselle
Meaning: Pledge
Origin: German
Giselle means ‘pledge’ and has German origins.
19. Imara
Meaning: Strong; resolute
Origin: Swahili
Imara is a name with Swahili origins. It means ‘strong’ and ‘resolute’.
20. Irene
Meaning: Peace
Origin: Greek
Irene is a vintage name for girls that means ‘peace’. It has Greek origins.
21. Isla
Meaning: Island
Origin: Scottish
Isla is pronounced ‘EYE-LAH’. It has Scottish origins and means ‘island’.
22. Jasmine
Meaning: Gift from God
Origin: Persian
Jasmine is a nature-inspired name for girls that means ‘Gift from God’. It has Persian origins.
23. Kiara
Meaning: Light; clear
Origin: Italian
Kiara is a name that means ‘light’ and ‘clear’. It has Italian origins.
Read Next: Discover 100 Charming Italian Names with Their Meanings
24. Liora
Meaning: My light
Origin: Hebrew
Liora is an unusual and meaningful girl name that means ‘my light’ – a wonderful meaning to pass on to a new baby! The name has Hebrew origins.
25. Lucia
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
Lucia is another beautiful girl name that means ‘light’. It has Latin origins.
26. Mara
Meaning: Sea
Origin: Hebrew
Mara is an ocean-inspired name that has Hebrew origins. It’s perfect for little girls growing up on the coast!
27. Melina
Meaning: Little honey
Origin: Greek
Melina – pronounced ‘MEL-EE-NA’ – means ‘little honey’ and has Greek origins.
28. Mira
Meaning: Wonderful
Origin: Latin/Sanskrit
Mira means ‘wonderful’ and has both Latin and Sanskrit origins.
29. Nadia
Meaning: Hope
Origin: Slavic
Meaning ‘hope’, Nadia is a name with Slavic roots.
30. Naomi
Meaning: Pleasant
Origin: Hebrew
Naomi means ‘pleasant’ and has Hebrew origins.
31. Niamh
Meaning: Bright
Origin: Irish
Pronounced ‘NEEVE’, Niamh is an Irish girl name that means ‘bright’.
32. Noor
Meaning: Light
Origin: Arabic
Noor has Arabic origins and is another meaningful name on this list that means ‘light’.
33. Orla
Meaning: Golden princess
Origin: Irish
Meaning ‘golden princess’, Orla is a stunning Irish girl name.
34. Penelope
Meaning: Weaver
Origin: Greek
Penelope is a name for girls with Greek origins. It means ‘weaver’.
35. Priya
Meaning: Beloved
Origin: Sanskrit
Priya is pronounced ‘PREE-YA’. It has Sanskrit origins and means ‘beloved’.
36. Raina
Meaning: Queen
Origin: Slavic
Raina is a unique girl name that has Slavic origins. It means ‘Queen’.
37. Rhea
Meaning: Flowing
Origin: Greek
Rhea is pronounced ‘REE-AH’. It has Greek origins and means ‘flowing’.
38. Rosalie
Meaning: Rose
Origin: Latin
Rosalie is an elegant Latin name that’s linked to nature. It means ‘rose’.
39. Sabine
Meaning: Woman of the Sabine people
Origin: Latin
Sabine is pronounced ‘SAH-BEEN’. It has Latin origins and means ‘woman of the Sabine people’.
40. Sarai
Meaning: Princess
Origin: Hebrew
Sarai means ‘princess’ – the perfect meaning for a new baby girl in the family! It has Hebrew origins and is pronounced ‘SAIR-EYE’.
41. Selene
Meaning: Moon
Origin: Greek
Selene is a nature-inspired girl name that means ‘moon’. It has Greek origins.
42. Seraphina
Meaning: Fierywinged
Origin: Hebrew
Seraphina means ‘fierywinged’ – a highly unusual meaning! It has Hebrew origins.
43. Shira
Meaning: Song
Origin: Hebrew
Shira means ‘song’ and has Hebrew origins.
44. Sofia
Meaning: Wisdom
Origin: Greek
Sofia has Greek origins and has a beautiful meaning: wisdom.
45. Stella
Meaning: Star
Origin: Latin
Stella means ‘star’ and has Latin origins.
46. Talia
Meaning: Dew from God
Origin: Hebrew
Talia means ‘dew from God’ and has Hebrew origins.
47. Tzafira
Meaning: Morning star
Origin: Hebrew
Tzafira is an unusual name for girls that means ‘morning star’. It has Hebrew origins and is pronounced ‘ZAH-FIA-RAH’.
48. Valeria
Meaning: Strong
Origin: Latin
Valeria is an elegant Latin name that means ‘strong’.
49. Vera
Meaning: Faith
Origin: Russian
Vera has Russian roots and means ‘faith’.
50. Zara
Meaning: Princess; to shine
Origin: Arabic/Hebrew
Zara means ‘princess’ and ‘to shine’. It has both Arabic and Hebrew origins.
The top 50 meaningful boy names
51. Azriel
Meaning: God is my help
Origin: Hebrew
Azriel is an unusual and meaningful boy name that means ‘God is my help’, so it’s a great choice for religious families. It has Hebrew origins.
52. Abel
Meaning: Breath
Origin: Hebrew
Abel means ‘breath’ and has Hebrew origins.
53. Amir
Meaning: Prince, ruler
Origin: Arabic
Amir means ‘prince’ and ‘ruler’ and has Arabic origins.
54. Archer
Meaning: Bowman
Origin: English
Archer is a traditional boy name that has English origins. It means ‘bowman’.
55. Asher
Meaning: Happy, blessed
Origin: Hebrew
Asher has a beautiful meaning: ‘happy’ and ‘blessed’. It has Hebrew origins.
56. Atticus
Meaning: Man of Attica
Origin: Greek
Atticus is a unique name for boys that means ‘Man of Attica’. It has Greek origins.
57. Axel
Meaning: Father of peace
Origin: Scandinavian
Axel is a cool boy name that means ‘Father of peace’. It has Scandinavian roots.
58. Bodhi
Meaning: Enlightenment
Origin: Sanskrit
Bodhi is another super cool name for boys that means ‘enlightenment’. It has Sanskrit origins.
59. Caius
Meaning: Rejoice
Origin: Latin
Pronounced ‘K-EYE-US’, this unique name for boys means ‘rejoice’. It has Latin origins.
60. Caleb
Meaning: Faithful, devotion
Origin: Hebrew
Caleb is pronounced ‘KAY-LEB’. It has Hebrew origins and means ‘faithful’ and ‘devotion’.
61. Darius
Meaning: Upholder of good
Origin: Persian
Darius means ‘upholder of good’ and has Persian origins.
62. Eamon
Meaning: Wealthy protector
Origin: Irish
Eamon is an Irish boy name that’s pronounced ‘AY-MON’.
Read Next: Discover 20 Classic and Charming Irish Names for Boys
63. Elio
Meaning: Sun
Origin: Italian/Spanish
Elio is an unusual name for boys that means ‘sun’. It has both Italian and Spanish origins.
64. Emrys
Meaning: Immortal
Origin: Welsh
Emrys is a Welsh name for boys that means ‘immortal’. It’s pronounced ‘EM-RIS’.
65. Ethan
Meaning: Strong, firm
Origin: Hebrew
Ethan is a popular boy name that means ‘strong’ and ‘firm’. It has Hebrew origins.
66. Evander
Meaning: Good man
Origin: Greek
Evander has Greek origins and means ‘good man’.
67. Felix
Meaning: Happy, fortunate
Origin: Latin
Felix means ‘happy’ and ‘fortunate’. It has Latin origins and is a seriously cool name for little boys!
Read Next: The Top Exceptional and Unique Baby Names for Your Little Boy or Girl
68. Gideon
Meaning: Hewer, one who cuts trees
Origin: Hebrew
Gideon is a Hebrew name that means ‘one who cuts trees’.
69. Hugo
Meaning: Mind, intellect
Origin: Germanic
Hugo has a wonderful meaning – ‘mind’ and ‘intellect’ – and has Germanic origins.
70. Idris
Meaning: Studious, prophet
Origin: Arabic, Welsh
Idris is a celebrity-inspired name for boys that has a strong meaning: ‘studious’ and ‘prophet’. The name has Arabic and Welsh origins.
71. Isaiah
Meaning: Salvation of the Lord
Origin: Hebrew
Isaiah – pronounced ‘EYE-ZAY-AH’ – is a Hebrew name that means ‘Salvation of the Lord’.
72. Jasper
Meaning: Treasurer
Origin: Persian
Jasper is an old money boy name that means treasurer. It has Persian roots.
73. Jonah
Meaning: Dove
Origin: Hebrew
Jonah is a popular name in the US that means ‘Dove’. It has Hebrew origins.
74. Kai
Meaning: Sea
Origin: Hawaiian
Kai is pronounced ‘K-EYE’. It’s great for little boys growing up on the coast as the name means ‘sea’. It has Hawaiian origins.
Read Next: Captivating Baby Names Inspired by the Ocean (with meanings)
75. Kian
Meaning: Ancient, enduring
Origin: Irish
Kian means ‘ancient’ and ‘enduring’ and has Irish origins. It’s pronounced ‘KEY-AN’.
Read Next: 20 Unforgettable and Unique Irish Boy Names with Deep Meaning
76. Leander
Meaning: Lion man
Origin: Greek
Leander has a strong and stoic meaning: ‘lion man’. It has Greek origins and is a very unusual boy name in the US!
77. Leo
Meaning: Lion
Origin: Latin
Leo means ‘lion’ and has Latin origins.
78. Liam
Meaning: Strongwilled warrior
Origin: Irish
Liam is a popular name for boys with Irish origins. It means ‘strongwilled warrior’.
79. Lucian
Meaning: Light
Origin: Latin
Lucian is an unusual name for boys that means ‘light’. It has Latin origins.
80. Malachi
Meaning: My messenger
Origin: Hebrew
Malachi is pronounced ‘MAL-AHK-EYE’ and has Hebrew origins. It means ‘my messenger’.
81. Mateo
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Spanish
Pronounced ‘MAH-TAY-OH’, Mateo has Spanish origins and means ‘gift of God’.
82. Milo
Meaning: Soldier, merciful
Origin: Germanic
Milo is a super cute and meaningful boy name that means ‘soldier’ and ‘merciful’. It has German origins.
83. Nash
Meaning: By the ash tree
Origin: English
Nash is an unusual boy name that means ‘by the ash tree’. It has English origins.
84. Nathaniel
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Hebrew
Nathaniel means ‘Gift from God’, so it’s a great name for religious families. It has Hebrew origins.
85. Nico
Meaning: Victory of the people
Origin: Greek
Nico is pronounced ‘NEE-KOH’. It has Greek origins and means ‘victory of the people’.
86. Odin
Meaning: Inspiration
Origin: Norse
Odin means ‘inspiration’ and has Norse origins.
87. Orion
Meaning: Hunter in Greek mythology
Origin: Greek
Orion is a sparkling name for a boy. It has Greek origins and means ‘hunter’ in Greek mythology.
88. Oscar
Meaning: God spear, champion warrior
Origin: Irish
Oscar is a traditional name for boys that means ‘God spear’ and ‘champion warrior’. It has Irish origins.
Read Next: 20 Unforgettable and Unique Irish Boy Names with Deep Meaning
89. Raphael
Meaning: God has healed
Origin: Hebrew
Raphael is a Hebrew name that means ‘God has healed’. It’s pronounced ‘RAF-EYE-EL’.
90. Reid
Meaning: Redhaired
Origin: English
Reid is an English name for boys that means ‘redhaired’. The name is pronounced ‘REED’.
91. Ronan
Meaning: Little seal
Origin: Irish
Ronan is a name with Irish origins that means ‘little seal’. It’s a great choice for families living by the sea!
92. Rowan
Meaning: Little red one
Origin: Irish
Rowan is a beautiful Irish boy name that means ‘little red one’.
93. Sebastian
Meaning: Revered
Origin: Latin
Sebastien is a super cute name for boys that means ‘revered’. It has Latin origins and is often shortened to ‘Seb’.
94. Soren
Meaning: Stern
Origin: Scandinavian
Soren is a Scandinavian name for boys that means ‘stern’. It’s a very unusual name in the US.
95. Theodore
Meaning: Gift of God
Origin: Greek
Theodore is often shortened to ‘Theo’. It means ‘Gift of God’ and has Hebrew origins.
96. Thorin
Meaning: Thunder
Origin: Norse
Thorin has Norse origins and means ‘thunder’.
97. Tobias
Meaning: God is good
Origin: Hebrew
Tobias can be shortened to ‘Toby’ and means ‘God is good’. It has Hebrew origins.
98. Valen
Meaning: Strong, healthy
Origin: Latin
Valen is pronounced ‘VAY-LEN’. It has Latin roots and means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy’ – perfect for a brand new baby boy in the family!
99. Wesley
Meaning: Western meadow
Origin: English
Wesley means ‘western meadow’ and has English origins. It’s an unusual name in the US and can be shortened to ‘Wes’.
100. Zane
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Zane is a super cool name for boys with Hebrew origins. It means ‘God is gracious’.
Conclusion
Naming a new little one in the family is such a personal and significant journey. And such a significant decision deserves meaningful choices. Whether you’re drawn to names with ancient roots, those that mean strength, or even names linked with nature’s beauty and tranquility, there’s something special for every family on this list.
Whatever name you choose, it will be uniquely theirs – a name they’ll carry with them through all of life’s wonderful adventures!
From our family to yours…
