Baby Names Starting
with A - Aaron
- Azura
AARON: Hebrew for
"shining light" or "high mountain" and
Arabic for "messenger." Aaron was Moses'
brother. This name has been the surprise hit of the 1980s.
Relatives: Aron, Ahron, Arron. Namesakes: Aaron Burr, Hank
Aaron.
ABBOTT: From the
Arabic and Aramaic for "father." Especially
popular in the nineteenth century. Relatives: Abbot, Abba,
Abbe. Abbott and Costello, Abba Eban.
ABBY: Latin for
"head of a monastery." A nickname for Abigail,
but also nice on its own terms. Relatives: Abbey, Abbe,
Abbie. Namesakes: "Dear Abby," Abbie Hoffman,
Abbey Road, Abbe Lane.
ABEL: From the
Hebrew for "breath." Adam and Eve's son, killed
by brother Cain. This name was very common in the Middle
Ages. Relatives: Able, Abell. Namesakes: Elie Abel.
ABELARD: Old German
for "resolute" and Middle English for
"keeper of the abbey larder." He was the
twelfth-century monk who seduced Heloise; their love
letters are far better know than his theological writings.
ABIGAIL: From the
Hebrew for "a father's joy." Abigail has an Old
World charm and has been consistently popular in the
twentieth century. Relatives: Abagail, Abigayle, Abigale,
Abby, Abbie, Gail. Namesakes: Abigail Adams, Abigail Van
Buren.
ABNER: From the
Hebrew for "father of light." Popular in the
nineteenth century. Namesakes: Abner Doubleday, "Li'l
Abner."
ABRAHAM: From the
Hebrew for "father of a multitude." Almost a
guarantee that your child will grow up to be very wise.
Bram is a nice nickname that works well on its own.
Relatives: Abram, Avraham, Avram, Avrom, Abe, Abie, Abra,
Ibrahim, Braham, Bram. Namesakes: Abraham Lincoln, Bram
Stoker, F. Murray Abraham.
ACADIA: Origin
unknown, but probably related to the Acadians of Canada
(Nova Scotia). A nice melodic sound; this works well as a
middle name. Relatives: Cadie, Caddie. Namesake: Acadia
National Park.
ACKLEY: Old English
for "meadow of oaks." This is one of those names
that sounds as if it's been in the family for generations.
ACTON: Old English
for "town with many oaks." Anne Bronte picked
this name for her pseudonym, "Acton Bell."
ADA: From the Hebrew
for "adorned" and Latin for "of noble
birth." A short, sweet palindromic name. Relatives:
Adailia, Adalee, Adara, Adah, Eda, Etta. Namesakes: Ada
Louise Huxtable.
ADAM: From the
Hebrew for "earth." This is it, the original
boy's name. Extremely popular in the nineteenth century;
peaked again in the 1970's. Relatives: Adams, Adamson,
Adie. Namesakes: Adam Clayton Powell, Adam Smith,
"Adam Cartwright."
ADDISON: Old English
for "Adam's son." Adison, Addisen. Joseph
Addison, "David Addison."
ADELAIDE: French
variation of the German for "noble kind."
Popular in nineteenth-century England, it was given a
boost in the United States around the turn of the century
by the popular song "Sweet Adeline." But that
variation suffers today from its barbershop-quartet image.
Try one of the others. Adalia, Adeline, Aline, Adele,
Adelle, Della.
ADENA: From the
Hebrew for "delicate." Relatives: Adina, Adinna,
Adenna. Namesakes: Adena (Ohio.)
ADIE: Most often
used as a nickname, but this occasionally stands on its
own. Relatives: Addie, Addy. Namesake: Addie Joss.
ADALAI: From the
Hebrew for "refuge of God" and Arabic for
"just." A strong but seldom-used name. Namesake:
Adlai Stevenson.
ADLER: German for
"eagle." More common as a last name, it makes an
impresive first name, too. Namesakes: Mortimer Adler.
ADOLPH: German for
"noble wolf." For obvious reasons, its
post-World War II use has been limited. Adolphus is a
possibility, with Dolph the preferred nickname. Relatives:
Adolf, Adolphe, Adolphus, Adolfus. Namesake: Adophe Menjou.
ADRIAN: A variation
of "Hadrian," Greek for "rich" and
Latin for "dark one." Very popular among popes.
Sylvester Stallone gave it a seemingly permanent prefix
with the line "Yo, Adrienne" in the ROCKY
movies. Relatives: Adrien, Adrienne, Adria, Adrea,
Adriana, Adrianna, Adrie, Hadrian. Namesake: Adrienne
Rich.
AGATHA: Greek for
"good." Agatha was a thrid-century saint. The
French spelling. Agethe, livens this one up, but may
present pronunciation problems. Relatives: Agathe, Agace,
Aggie, Aggy. Namesake: Agatha Christie.
AGNES: Latin for
"lamb." Agnes was an extremely popular saint in
the third century. John Keats wrote a very sensual poem of
the same name in the nineteenth century. Relatives: Agnese,
Agnesa, Aggie, Aggy, Agenta, Inez, Ines, Nessa, Neza, Ynes,
Ynez. Namesakes: Saint Agnes, Agnes de Mille, Agnes
Moorehead, AGNES OF GOD.
AHAB: From the
Hebrew for "uncle." Both a kind of Isreal and
the hunter of Moby Dick had this name. Namesake:
"Ahab the Arab."
AIDA: Old English
for "joyful." A grand opera by Verdi; the
elephants come on stage for this one. Namesake: Princess
of Ethiopia held captive in Egypt.
AIDAN: Middle
English for "help." Namesakes: Saint Aidan,
Aidan Quinn.
AIKEN: Old English
for "made of oak." Namesakes: Conrad Aiken,
William Aiken.
AINSLEY: Scottish
for "my meadow." A delicate name. Relatives:
Aynsley, Ainsly, Ainslee, Ainsworth. Namesake: Aynsley
china.
ALAN: Gaelic for
"handsome." The feminine form, Alana, is
currently in vogue. The "y" variations are also
an interesting choice for a girl. Relatives: Allen, Allan,
Alana, Alain, Alaina, Alyn, Allyn, Alun. Namesakes: Alan
Alda, Alan Shepard, Alana Davis, Alana Hamilton.
ALASTAIR: A Scottish
version of Alexander. Conventionally a boy's name,
occasionally used for a girl. Relatives: Alistair,
Alistaire, Alastaire, Alister, Alaster, Alasdair.
Namesakes: Alistair Cooke, Alistair MacLean.
ALBAN: From the
Latin for "white," whence comes
"albino." Albion was an early name for England,
probably first used to describe the white cliffs of Dover.
Relatives: Alben, Albin, Albion. Namesakes: Saint Alban,
Alben Barkley, Albany (N.Y.).
ALBERT: A German
compound of "noble" and "bright."
Extremely popular at the turn of the century both in this
country and abroad, perhaps because of Queen Victoria's
husband, Prince Albert. Relatives: Alberta, Alberto,
Albertina, Albertine, Albertus, Albrecht, Adelbert, Aubert,
Elbert, Bertel, Berty, Bertie, Al, Alby, Albie. Namesakes:
Albert Einstein, Albert Schweitzer, Alberto Salazar,
Alberta Hunter.
ALCANDER: Origin
unknown. Relatives: Alcindor, Alcandor. Namesake: Lew
Alcindor.
ALCINA: A Greek
enchantress who reigned over an island of sensual
oblivion. She was celebrated in Hanel's opera, ALCINA.
ALCOTT: Old English
for "old cottage," but its literary associations
are what comes to mind today. Relatives: Alcot, Walcott,
Walcot. Namesakes: Amos Bronson Alcott, Louisa May Alcott,
Derek Walcott.
ALDEN: From the
Middle English for "antique." A real Plymouth
Rock of a name. Relatives: Aldan, Aldwin. Namesake:
"Why don't you speak for yourself, John
(Alden)?"
ALDER: Middle
English for a type of birch tree and Old English for
"revered one." Relatives: Elder, Aldus.
ALDOUS: From the Old
German for "old wealthy." Relatives: Aldus,
Aldo. Namesakes: Aldous Huxley, Aldo Ray.
ALDRICH: Old English
for "old king." This will look good on his
prep-school diploma. Relatives: Aldrych, Aldred, Aldren,
Aldridge. Namesakes: Thomas Baily Aldrich, "Henry
Aldrich," Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller.
ALEXANDER: Greek for
"protector of mankind." Extremely popular in all
its forms, especially in royal circles. Take your pick.
Relatives: Alec, Alek, Aleks, Alex, Alesandro, Alessandro,
Alejo, Alexei, Alysander, Alexandre, Alejandro, Aleksander,
Alastair, Iksander, Ixsander, Sandro, Sander, Sanders,
Sandor, Sandy, Sandie, Sacha, Sasha, Xander. Namesakes:
Alexander the Great, Alexander Graham Bell, Alec Guinness.
ALEXANDRA: Feminine
form of "Alexander." A favorite of models and
soap opera divas, as well as princesses and empresses.
Relatives: Alexa, Alexia, Alexis, Alexandria, Alesandra,
Alessandra, Allesandra, Aleksey, Alexine, Aleka, Alya,
Aliki, Alejanda, Lexy, Lexie, Sandra, Zandra, Sanie,
Sandy. Namesakes: Empress Alexandra of Russia, Alexis
Smith, Sandra Day O'Connor, Zandra Rhodes.
ALFRED: Old English
for "wise cousel." Seldom used these days
despite some terrific antecedents. Relatives: Alf, Alfric,
Alfie, Alfrid, Allie, Elfred, Fred, Freddie. Namesakes:
Alfred the Great, Alfred Hitchcock, "Alfred Doolittle,"
"Alf."
ALGER: Old German
for "noble warrior." Strongly associated with
famous namesakes Horatio Alger and Alger Hiss. Relatives:
Elgar, Elger. Namesake: Sir Edward Elgar.
ALGERNON: Old French
for "mustachioed." "Algie" is the
nickname, so be careful. Namesakes: Algernon Swinburne,
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON.
ALGREN: Origin
unknown and more familiar as a surname, but it has a
certain ring to it. Namesake: Nelson Algren.
ALI: A variation of
"Allah" and American Indian for
"little." Namesakes: Ali Baba, Ali MacGraw,
Muhammad Ali.
ALICE: From the Old
German for "noble" and Greek for
"truth." It was Lewis Carroll's
"Alice" who journeyed through Wonderland and
also stepped through the looking glass. Relatives: Alicia,
Alise, Alison, Allison, Alyse, Alix, Alyce, Alexis, Alika,
Aliki, Ali, Allie, Ally. Namesakes: Alice Liddell, Alice
B. Toklas, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, ALICE ADAMS, Alison
Lurie, "Kate and Allie."
ALIDA: Greek for
"beautifully dressed." Perfect for the child of
a compusive shopper. Relatives: Aleda, Aletta, Alette,
Allida, Allidia, Alidia, Lida.
ALLARD: Old English
for "noble and brave." Relative: Alard.
Namesake: Allard K. Lowenstein.
ALLEGRA: Latin for
"brisk and cheerful." This name has cultural
overtones perhaps because Allegro is a musical notation
for a composition that is to be played at a fast tempo.
Namesake: Allegra Kent.
ALLSTON: Old English
for "Al's town." Relatives: Alston, Alton.
Namesakes: Alton Maddox, Walter Alston.
ALMA: Latin for
"soul" or "nourishing." Namesakes:
Alma Schindler, alma mater, Alma College.
ALPHONSE: Old German
for "nobel estate." Seldom used these days.
Relatives: Alfonse, Alfons, Alphonso, Alonso, Alonzo,
Alonza. Namesake: Alphonse D'Amato.
ALTHEA: Greek for
"healer." Relatives: Allie, Alethea, Alithea,
Thea. Namesake: Althea Gibson.
ALVIN: Old English
for "elf wine." A favorite cartoon friend.
Relative: Alwyn. Namesake: Alvin Ailey, "Alvin the
Chipmunk."
AMADEUS: Latin for
"love of God." Strongly associated with the play
and film about Mozart. Relatives: Amado, Amadis. Namesake:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
AMANDA: From the
Latin for "love." Enormously popular. Singer
Barry Manilow paid tribute to the nickname "mandy."
Relatives: Mandy, Mandie. Namesakes: Amanda Blake, Amanda
Plummer, Amanda Pays.
AMBER: Arabic for
"yellow-brown." Making a deserved comeback, and
a nice middle name, too. Relative: Ambert. Namesake:
FOREVER AMBER.
AMBROSE: From the
Greek for "immortal." Ambrosia was the mythical
drink of the gods and was thought to bring immortality to
anyone who tasted it. Relative: Ambrosia. Namesakes: Saint
Ambrose, Ambrose Bierce.
AMELIA: From the
Latin for "flatterer." Similar feel to Amanda,
but not as trendy. Yet. Relatives: Ameilie, Amalia, Amela,
Amala, Emelia. Namesakes: Amelia Earhart, "Amelia
Bedelia."
AMES: From the Latin
for "loves." Simple, clean, classy, not over
used. Namesakes: Ames Brothers, Ames (Iowa).
AMHERST: Originally
a British place name. A little pretentious, perhaps, even
for the most devoted alumnus. Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a
British general who refused a command in the Colonies
during the American Revolution. Namesake: Amherst College.
AMON: Irish
variation of Edmund. A nice name, the Irish "Eamon"
spelling is particularly attractive. Relatives: Eamon,
Eammon. Namesake: Eamonn Coghlan.
AMORY: From the
Latin for "loving." Terrific choice for boy or
girl, whatever the spelling. Relatives: Emory, Emery.
Namesakes: Amory Houghton, Cleveland Amory, Emory
University.
AMOS: Hebrew for
"troubled." Pretty name, but reconsider if you
already have child name Andy. Namesakes: Amos Otis, Amos
Oz.
AMY: Latin for
"beloved." One of the great names, conventional
but not plain, popular but not trendy. Relatives: Aimee,
Amia, Amity. Namesakes: "Amy March," Amy Alcott,
Amy Irving, Anouk Aimee.
ANABELLE: A lacy
name with a Victorian sensibility. But Queen Elizabeth
deemed it too "yuppie" for the baby who is
Princess Beatrice of York. Relatives: Anabel, Annabel,
Ann, Anna, Belle, Bella, Annabelle, Annabella. Namesake:
"Annabel Lee."
ANAIS: Origin
unknown, possibly a variatio of Ann. However you pronounce
this name ("AH-na-ees," Ah-NAY-iss"), it's
a beauty. And a lovely perfume as well. Namesake: Anais
Nin.
ANASTASIA: Greek for
"resurrection." A very rhythmic name that
conjures up images of old Russia. Relatives: Anastasio,
Anastace, Anastasius, Anastice, Anstasie, Stacia, Stasa,
Stacy, Stacey, Natasha, Tasia, Tasha. Namesakes: Grand
Duchess Anastasia.
ANATOLE: Greak for
"from the east." The kind of name that might be
appreciated by an adult, but tough to live with for a kid.
Relative: Anatoly. Namesakes: Anatole Broyard, Anatoly
Scharansky, Anatole France.
ANCEL: Old German
for "diety." Underutilized, would work equally
well for a future athlete or artist. Relatives: Ansel,
Ancell, Ancelot, Anselm. Namesakes: Saint Anselm, Ansel
Adams.
Anderson: "Son
of Andrew." Most common as a surname, gaining
popularity as a first name. You can get away with this one
even if it's not a family name. Relatives: Anderson,
Anders, Andy. Namesakes: Hans Christian Anderson, Sherwood
Anderson.
ANDRE: French
variation of "Andrew." An apropos choice if you
have French antecedents, and becoming popular even among
those who don't. Namesakes: Andre Malraux, Andre the
Giant, Andre Dawson.
ANDREW: From the
Greek for "valiant, courageous." A classic. The
feminine form, Andrea, has always been popular but never
to the degree of the masculine version. Relatives: Anders,
Andres, Andre, Andrei, Andros, Andy, Andie, Andrews, Drew.
Namesakes: Saint Andrew, Andrew Young, Andrew Jackson,
Andrew Carnegie, Andrea Jeager, Andrea Mitchell, Andrea
Martin, Drew Barrymore, ANDREA DORIA, "Andy
Hardy."
ANGELA: From the
Greek for "heavenly messenger." Relatives:
Angelica, Ange, Angel, Angell, Angelo, Angelico, Angie,
Anjelica. Namesakes: Angela Davis, Anjelica Huston, Angel
Cordero, Angie Dickinson.
ANGUS: From the
Gaelic for "superb" or "unique."
According to Gaelic mythology, Angus was the god of love.
Aonghus Turimleach is a legendary figure in Scottish
history. Namesakes: Angus Wilson, Black Angus cattle.
ANNABETH: A
delightful compound name. Relative: Anabeth.
ANNALYNN: This
compound name is sweetly euphonic. Relatives: Annalynne,
Analyn, Analynne. Namesake: Annalynn Swan.
ANNE: From the
Hebrew for "gracious." Always in good taste,
with or without the "e." Relatives: Ann, Anna,
Annis, Annys, Anya, Anika, Annie, Annice, Anita, Anca,
Anneka. Namesakes: Princess Anne of England, Anne Boleyn,
Ann Landers, Anne Archer, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.
ANNETTE: A French
variation of "Ann." For many, this name will
always conjure up images of beach blankets, Mouseketeers,
and peanut butter. Namesakes: Annette Funicello, Annette
O'Toole.
ANSON: Anglo-Saxon
for "son of a nobleman" or "son of Ann or
Hans." A good, clear Celtic sound. Relatives: Ansen,
Ansonia, Hansen, Hanson. Namesakes: Anson Williams.
ANTHONY: From the
Latin for "priceless" and Greek for
"flourishing." The classic for an Italian-Ameican
boy; Antonia for a girl is much less common and quite
nice. Relatives: Antonius, Antoine, Anton, Antony,
Antonia, Antonio, Antoinette, Antoinetta, Tony, Toni,
Tonio, Tonia, Tonya, Toinette. Namesakes: Anthony Quayle,
Mark Anthony, Toni Morrison, MY ANTONIA.
APRIL: From the
Latin for "blooming" and the spring month.
Relatives: Avril, Aprille, Ava. Namesakes: Jean Avril, Ava
Gardner.
ARABELLE: German for
"beautiful eagle." A unique turn on the more
popular Anabelle. Relatives: Arabel, Arabelle, Arabella.
ARAM: Assyrian for
"high place." An Old Testament name that doesn't
get much mainstream use today. Aram was Noah's grandson.
Namesake: Aram Saroyan.
ARCHIBALD:
Anglo-Saxon for "bold prince." The nicknames
take the starch out of this hefty moniker. Relatives:
Arch, Archie, Archy, Arkady, Arky. Namesakes: Archibald
MacLeish, Archie Bell and the Drells, Archie Leach,
"Archie."
ARDEN: From the
Latin for "passionate" and an English place
name. Lovely for a girl, chancy for a boy. Relatives:
Ardelia, Ardis, Ardon. Namesakes: Eve Arden, Elizabeth
Arden, Forest of Arden.
ARGUS: Greek for
"bright." In Greek mythology the name of a
creature with one hundred eyes, the builder of Jason's
ship, and Odysseus's dog. But it still sounds Scottish to
us.
ARIADNE: In Greek
mythology, Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of
Crete. She gave Theseus the threat that led him out of the
labrynth and was subsequently dumped for her trouble.
Relatives: Arianne, Arianna, Aria. Namesakes: Arianna
Stassinopoulos, ARIADNE AUF NAXOS (by Richard Strauss.)
ARIEL: From the
Hebrew for "lion of God" and Shakespeare's
sprite from THE TEMPEST. Yours will not be the only Ariel
in the playground. Relatives: Arial, Aryel, Ario, Ari,
Ariella, Ariela. Namesakes: Ariel Durant.
ARION: Arion was
Greek poet who was rescued by dolphins after being thrown
into the sea.
ARLAND: Derived from
Orlando. A poetic group of names. Relatives: Arles,
Arleigh, Arlo, Arly, Arlie, Arlen, Arliss, Arlyss.
Namesake: Arlo Guthrie.
ARLENE: Origin
unknown, possibly derived from Charles. Relatives: Arleen,
Arline, Arlette, Arlynn, Arlyn, Arleine. Namesake: Arlene
Francis.
ARMAND: A variation
of Herman, but a stronger sound closer to its original
meaning of warrior. Relatives: Armond, Herman, Hermann.
Namesakes: Armand Hammer, Armand Assante.
ARNOLD: From the
German for "eagle" and "powerful."
Schwarzenegger is helping dispel a wimpy image. Relatives:
Arnaud, Arnault, Arnie, Arnald, Arno, Arne, Arnell, Arnel,
Arness, Arnot, Arnald. Namesakes: Arnold Palmer, Benedict
Arnold.
ARNON: From the
Hebrew for "rushing stream." Seldom-used name
from the Old Testament
ARTEMIS: Originally
the Greek goddess of hunting and childbirth but now
considered mascuine as well as feminine. Relatives:
Artemus, Artie. Namesake: Artemus Ward.
ARTHUR: Welsh for
"bear hero" and shrouded in the mists of British
history. A name that deserves to be more popular than it
is currently. Relatives: Artur, Art, Arta, Artie, Arty,
Arturo, Arte, D'Artagnan. Namesakes: King Arthur, Arturo
Toscanini, Artie Shaw, Art Garfunkel.
ASA: From the Hebrew
for "healer." Namesakes: Asa Briggs, "Asa
Buchanan."
ASHER: From the
Hebrew for "fortunate." Relatives: Asser, Ashe,
Ashbel, Anschel. Namesakes: Arthur Ashe.
ASHLEY: Old English
for "ash-tree." Almost exclusively used for
girls these days. Relatives: Ashleigh, Ashford, Ash, Ashe,
Ashby, Ashlie, Ashling. Namesakes: Ashley Putnam, Ashley
Montagu, "Ashley Wilkes."
ASTIN: A variation
of August. A nice name but probably confushing if your
last name is Martin. Relatives: Austin, Austen. Namesakes:
Austin Dickenson (Emily's brother), Austin Pendelton, Jane
Austen, John Astin, Aston Martin automobiles.
ASTRID: From the
Greek for "star" and Old Norse for "super
strength." A good choice for a New Age family.
Relatives: Astra, Astera, Astred, Asta, Astyr. Namesake:
Astrid Gilberto.
ATHOL: A Scottish
place name. Lends itself to being deviously mispronounced.
Relative: Avery. Namesake: Athol Fugard.
AUBREY: German for
"elf rule." Interesting. Namesakes: Aubrey
Beardsly, John Aubrey, "Jack Aubrey."
AUBURN: Latin for
"fair." A seldom-used color name. Relatives:
Alban, Aubin. Namesake: Auburn University.
AUDREY: Old English
for "noble strength." Shakespeare's choice for
the country wench in AS YOU LIKE IT. Relatives: Audry,
Audra, Audey, Audie. Namesakes: Audrey Hepburn, Audie
Murphy.
AUGUST: From the
Latin for "exalted." This one gets better the
more you hear it. Relatives: Augustine, Augustina, Augie,
Augustus, Augusta, Gus, Gussy, Gussie, Gusta. Namesakes:
Augusta Wilson, August Busch, Augustus Caesar.
AURELIA: From the
Latin for "gold." Relatives: Aurora, Aurea,
Aurore, Aurelie.
AVERILL: Old English
for "boar-warrior" and a variation of April.
Relatives: Averil, Averell, Everill, Everil, Haverl,
Haverhill. Namesakes: Averell Harriman, Earl Averill.
AVIVA: From the
Hebrew for "springtime." This lively name sounds
like a stadium cheer. Relatives: Avital, Avi, Avia, Avivah.
AXEL: Swedish for
"divine source of life." Relative: Axtel.
Namesakes: Axel Munthe, Axel Rose, "Axel Foley."
AZURA: Persian for
"sky-blue." A name with a New Age quality to it.
Give this child a crystal for a baby present. Relative:
Azure.
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