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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.