Names  - Origins 

GABRIEL: From the Hebrew for "God is my strength." The archangel Gabriel has played important roles in the mythology of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The name has a musical quality to it, perhaps because he heralds Judgment Day with his trumpet. Relatives: Gabryel, Gabriello, Gavrila, Gabby, Gab, Gabe, Gable. Namesakes: Gabe Kaplan, Gabby Hayes, Clark Gable, Roman Gabriel.

GABRIELA: From the Hebrew for "God is my strength" and a feminine version of Gabriel. The exotic quality of this name makes it a winning choice. Relatives: Gabriella, Gabrielle, Gavrila, Gavra, Galia, Galya, Gabby, Gabi. Namesake: Gabrielle Roy.

GAGE: Old French for "pledge." This is unusual and handsome. Namesake: Thomas Gage.

GAIL: Irish for "stranger," Old Norse for "to sing," and an abbreviated form of Gaylord or Abigail. A short, sweet name that works for boys or girls, though it is usually assumed to be feminine. Relatives: Gayle, Gale, Galatea. Namesakes: Gail Strickland, Gale Sayers, Gale Storm

GAINES: Middle English for "increase in wealth." You couldn't do better for a future stockbroker. Relatives: Gaynes, Gainsborough, Gainor, Gaynor. Namesakes: Thomas Gainsborough, Rowdy Gaines, Gainesville (Fla.).

GALEN: From the Greek for "tranquil." Galen was second-century physician and philosopher who is called the grandfather of modern medicine.

GALLAGHER: Celtic for "eager aide." Relatives: Gallagher, Gahan. Namesakes: "Gallagher," Gahan Wilson.

GALLOWAY: From the Latin for "from Gaul." Evokes distant times and faraway places. Relative: Galway. Namesakes: Galway Kinnell, James Galway.

GAMAL: Arabic for "camel." Relatives: Jamal, Jammal, Gamali. Namesake: Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

GARDINER: From the Danish for "garden keeper." A noble profession and a vivid name. Relatives: Gardener, Gardenor, Gardner, Gardnard, Garden, Gar. Namesakes: Erle Stanley Gardner, John Gardner.

GARETH: Norse for "enclosure" and Old French for "watchful." Sir Gareth was the knight of the Round Table responsible for freeing Lady Lynette from the dreaded Sir Ironside. Relatives: Garth, Garret, Garrett, Garreth, Gareth, Garit, Gary, Garry, Gar. Namesakes: Garrett Morris, Garrett Simmons.

GARFIELD: Old English for "promontory." A name for fat cats. Relative: Gar. Namesakes: James Garfield, "Garfield."

GARLAND: Old French for "wreath." Pretty name. Relatives: Garlan, Garlon, Garlyn, Gar. Namesakes: Garland Jeffries, Judy Garland.

GARNER: From the Latin for "granary." Namesakes: James Garner, John Nance Garner.

GARNET: Latin for "red seed." It is the birthstone for January babies. Relative: Garnett.

GARRISON: From the Old French for "fort." A slightly more formal twist on Gary. Relative: Garson. Namesakes: Garrison Keillor, Garson Kanin, Greer Garson.

GARY: From the Old German for "spear carrier." Relatives: Garry, Garrie, Garvey, Garvie, Garvin, Gervis, Gervais, Gervase, Garrick. Namesakes: Garry Trudeau, Gary Larson, Gary Cooper, Steve Garvey.

GASPAR: Persian for "treasure bearer." Gaspar was one of the three wise men; his gift to the Christ child was frankincense, representing divinity. Relatives: Gasper, Jasper.

GAVIN: Welsh for "hawk." A proper name for a future pilot. Relatives: Gavan. Namesakes: Gavin McLeod, Gavin Maxwell, John Gavin.

GAWAIN: Welsh for "courteous." Brave knight of the Round Table who tried to find and recover the Holy Grail. Relatives: Gawaine, Gawen.

GAY: From the Old French for "merry." Relatives: Gaye, Gae, Gai, Gaea, Gaia (Greek for "the earth"). Namesakes: Gay Talese, Gae Exton, John Gay.

GAYLORD: From the Old French for "brave." Relatives: Gaylard, Gayelord, Gay. Namesakes: Gaylord Perry.

GELSEY: A variety of jasmine (gelsemium). One of the more unusual floral names. Relatives: Gelsi, Gelsy. Namesake: Gelsey Kirkland.

GEMMA: Latin for "precious stone." A lovely name more popular in Britain than in the United States. Try pronouncing it with a soft "g," as in "gemstone." Relative: Jemma.

GENEVA: From the Old French for "juniper berry." An interesting change from Jennifer. Relatives: Genevia, Genny. Namesake: Geneva (Switzerland).

GENEVIEVE: Old Welsh for "white wave." Exquisite. A truly lovely-sounding name. Relative: Genny. Namesake: Genevieve Bujold.

GEORGE: Greek for "farmer." Saint George is the patron saint of England and is commonly depicted as the mighty dragon-slayer and damsel-saver. Relatives: Georg, Georges, Georgio, Giorgio, Giorgis, Georgius, Georgie, Georgi, Georgy, Geordie, Goran, Jorge, Jorges, Jorgen, Jerzy, Jiri, Juro, Jurik, Jur, Jeorg, Juergen, Jurgen, Jurek, Jorrin, Jurgi, Yegor, Yura, Yurchik, Yurik, Yusha, Yurko, Yoyi, Yuri, Egor, Zhorka, Seiorse. Namesakes: King George III, George Washington, George Bernard Shaw, George M. Cohan, George Gershwin, George Balanchine, George Burns, McGeorge Bundy, Jorge Amado, "Curious George."

GEORGIA: Greek for "farmer" and a feminine version of George. The great southern state of Georgia was named in honor of England's King George II. It's a name always on one's mind. Relatives: Georgea, Georgina, Georgianna, Georgine, Georgette, Georgeen, Georgeena, Georgeanne, Georgienne, Giorgia, Georgie, Georgy, Gina, Gerda, Gruzia, Jirka, Jirca, Jirina, Jorgina. Namesakes: Georgia Hampton, Georgia O'Keeffe, Georgette Klinger, "georgette" lace, Georgy Girl.

GERALD: Old French for "spear warrior." You can see how popular this one is in Europe by the wealth of variations. Relatives: Gerard, Geraud, Gerardo, Gerhard, Gerhardt, Gerhart, Geraldo, Garold, Gerek, Gerrit, Garrod, Garrard, Gerbert, Girard, Girauld, Girault, Giraut, Gerry, Jerry, Jerard, Jarett, Jarrett. Namesakes: Gerard Manley Hopkins, Geraldo Rivera.

GERALDINE: Old German for "hard spear" and a feminine version of Gerald. Relatives: Geraldene, Gereldine, Geraldyne, Gerry, Geri, Gerrie. Namesakes: Geraldine Page, Geraldine Ferraro, Geraldine Chaplin.

GERMAIN: Middle English for "bud" and related to "German." A bit Teutonic perhaps, but pleasant sounding. Relatives: German, Germain, Jarman, Jermyn, Jermain, Jermayne, Jermaine, Jermana. Namesakes: Saint Germain, Germaine Greer, Jermaine Jackson.

GERTRUDE: Old German for "adored warrior." Although the name sounds a bit dated, consider the charming variations. Relatives: Gerta, Gerda, Gerte, Gertie, Gerty, Gert, Jera, Jerica, Trude, Truta, Trudy, Trudie, Trudi, True. Namesakes: Hamlet's mother, Gertrude Stein.

GIDEON: From the Hebrew for "mighty warrior." According to the Old Testament, Gideon tricked his enemy into thinking he led a massive army by breaking crockery and sounding the trumpets. Relatives: Giddy, Gid. Namesakes: Gideon Putnam, Gideon Bible.

GIFFORD: Middle English for "a worthy gift." Relative: Giff. Namesake: Frank Gifford.

GIG: Middle English for "horse-drawn carriage" and vaudevillian for "one-night stand." Namesake: Gig Young.

GILBERT: Old German for "bright desire." Gilberta is a feminine version. Relatives: Gilberto, Guilbert, Giggon, Gil, Gilly, Gip, Gipper, Gib, Gibby, Gibbs, Gibson, Gillett, Gillette, Wilbert, Wilbur, Bert. Namesakes: Gilbert Roland, John Gilbert, W.S. Gilbert, Astrid Gilberto.

GILDA: Celtic for "servant of God" and Old English for "gold-coated." A variation on Golda. Relative: Gylda. Namesakes: Gilda Radner, Rigoletto's daughter.

GILES: From the Greek for "shield of hides" and French for "youth." Sounds like the name of a British butler. Saint Giles is the patron saint of the physically handicapped. Relatives: Gyles, Gilles, Gilean, Gileon, Gil, Gillette, Gillian, Egedio, Egide, Egidius. Namesake: "Giles Goat Boy."

GILFORD: Old English for "a ford near the wooded ravine." Relatives: Guilford, Gilmore, Gilroy. Namesake: Jack Gilford.

GILLA: Hebrew for "my joy is in the Lord." Relatives: Giliah, Gilana, Gila, Gilah.

GILLIAN: A variation of Juliana, popularized in Britain during the Middle Ages. May be pronounced with either a hard "g" (as in"glue") or a soft "g" (as in "gem"). Relatives: Gillianne, Gilliana, Gilly, Gill.

GISELLE: Anglo-Saxon for "sword pledge." Perfect for a future ballerina.. Relatives: Gisella, Gisela, Gizella, Gizelle. Namesake: Giselle.

GITA: Hebrew for "good." Relatives: Gitah, Gitel, Gittel.

GITANA: Spanish for "gypsy." For the baby who responds to violins and tambourines. Relatives: Gitane, Gypsy, Gipsy. Namesakes: Gypsy Rose Lee, Gitane bicycles, Gitane cigarettes.

GLADYS: A Welsh version of Claudia. Relatives: Gladiss, Gladyce, Gleda. Namesake: Gladys Knight

GLEN: Celtic for "secluded wooded valley." Thanks to actress Glenn Close, this name has found a new following among girl babies. Relatives: Glenn, Glena, Glenda, Glyn, Glynn, Glynnis, Glynis, Glenard, Glenon, Glendon. Namesakes: Glenn Miller, Glenn Ford, Glenn Close, Glenda Jackson, Glynis Johns, John Glenn.

GLORIA: Latin for "glory." Gloriana was the fairy queen in Spenser's epic poem. The name was intended as a tribute to the dedicatee, Queen Elizabeth I. Relatives: Glora, Glorya, Glory, Gloriana, Glorianne Namesakes: Gloria Swanson, Gloria Steinem, Gloria Vanderbilt, morning glory

GODFREY: Old German for "God's peace." Relatives: Goddard, Gottfried, Gotfrid, Goffredo, Giotto, Godofredo, Govert, Godrick, Godwin, Godin, Goddenn, Godding, Godard, Godhart, Gotthardt. Namesakes: Godfrey Cambridge, Arthur Godfrey, My Man Godfrey.

GODIVA: Old English for "gift of God." Sounds like an Aussie greeting.. This name will be associated with the saucy lady who rode through town in nothing but a curtain of her own knee-length hair. Her husband had jokingly said he wouldn't levy taxes on the townspeople if she performed the stunt. Never joke with a Lady named Godiva. Namesake: Godiva chocolates.

GOLDA: Old English "to shine." Relatives: Gold, Goldie, Golden, Goldman, Goldwin, Goldwyn. Namesakes: Golda Meir, Goldie Hawn, Golden Richards, Samuel Goldwyn.

GORDON: Old English for "fertilized pasture." A Scottish clan name with a lovely tartan of navy blue, hunter green, yellow, and white. Relatives: Gordan, Gordie, Gordy, Gordo, Gorton, Gore, Gorham, Gorrell. Namesakes: Gordon Cooper, Gordon Parks, Gordie Howe

GOWER: Old English for "crooked coastline" or Old French for "harness maker." Relatives: Gowell, Gowar. Namesake: Gower Champion.

GRACE: From the Latin for "grace." According to Roman mythology, the Graces personified truth, beauty, and charm. The Greeks called them Charities. Their individual names were Thalia (Flowering), Aglaia (Wisdom), and Euphrosyne (Joy). Grace is coming back into favor. Relatives: Gracey, Gracie, Graza, Grazia, Grazina. Namesakes: Grace Kelly, Grace Slick, Grace Paley, Gracie Allen.

GRADY: From the Latin for "rank." Namesake: Grady Tate.

GRAHAM: Latin for "grain" and Anglo-Saxon for "gray home." Graham flour (which is made from wheat kernels) is named for American physician Sylvester Graham. Relatives: Gram, Grahame. Namesakes: Graham Kerr, Graham Greene, Graham Nash, Gram Parsons, Graham crackers.

GRANGER: From the Old French for "farm steward." Namesake: Stewart Granger.

GRANT: From the Old French for "to give." A refined name that suggests a certain elegance. Namesakes: Grant Wood, Grant Tinker, Cary Grant, Ulysses S. Grant, Hugh Grant.

GRANVILLE: Old French for "big town." An appropriate choice for a baby born in a major league town.

GRATIA: From the Latin for "grateful." And let's not forget Gracias, Spaseba, Merci, Thanks, and Danke. Relative: Gratiana.

GRAY: Old English for "to shine." For the baby who sees more than just black and white. Relatives: Grey, Grayson, Graydon, Griswold, Greeley. Namesakes: Joel Grey, Horace Greeley.

GREER: From the Greek for "watchful." Works well for a boy or girl. Relatives: Grier, Gregoria. Namesakes: Greer Garson, Rosie Grier

GREGORY: From the Greek for "watchman." This name has lent itself to the Gregorian chant and the Gregorian calendar in honor of Pope Gregory I and Pope Gregory XIII, respectively. Relatives: Gregorius, Gregori, Gregoire, Gregor, Gregorio, Gregoor, Griogair, Grioghar, Gregus, Gragos, Greis, Grischa, Grigor, Grigori, Gries, Gero, Greg, Graig, Greig, Gregg, Gregson, Grig, Grigg, Grigson, McGregor. Namesakes: Pope Gregory, Gregory Peck, Dick Gregory, "Greg Brady."

GRIFFIN: A mythological beast -- half lion and half eagle -- that is charged with watching over golden treasures. Relatives: Gryphon, Griffon, Griffith, Griff. Namesakes: Griffin Dunne, Griffon Bell, Merv Griffin, Andy Griffith.

GRISELDA: Old German for "gray warrior." In Boccaccio's tale, "The Decameron," Griselda's husband doubted her love for him and put her through tests of anquish and heartbreak. Yet her love proved constant, and he was at last satisfied. Relatives: Grizelda, Grishilda, Grishilde, Griseldis, Grisa, Gris, Chriselda, Selda, Zelda.

GROVER: Anglo-Saxon for "one who tends the groves." Akin to Farmer, Gardiner, and Forester. Relative: Grove. Namesakes: Grover Cleveland, Grover Washington, "Sesame Street" character.

GUINEVERE: Celtic for "white wave." King Arthur's lady and a jewel of a name. The French version, Genevieve, is also lovely. Relatives: Guenevere, Gwendoline, Gwendolyn, Gwendaline, Gwendolen, Gwen, Gwenn, Gwenne, Gwenith, Gwenyth, Gwyneth, Gwyn, Guenn, Gwynne, Gwyndolyn, Jennifer. Namesakes: Lady Guinevere, Gwendolyn Brooks, Gwen Verdon, Gwyneth Jones.

GUNNAR: Old Norse for "war." A great name for a child with the proper Norse heritage. Relatives: Gunn, Gunther, Gunter, Guntar. Namesakes: Gunnar Nelson, Günter Grass, "Peter Gunn."

GUSTAVE: Swedish for "from the Goth." Relatives: Gustavo, Gustavus, Gustav, Gustaf, Gus. Namesakes: Gustave Flaubert, Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler, Gustavus Adolphus.

GUTHRIE: Celtic for "war hero" and American for "folk singer." Namesakes: Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie.

GUY: From the Old French for "guide." Guy, like Bud and Mac, is a generic term for "hey, you." Namesakes: Guy Burgess, Guy de Maupassant, Guy Fawkes.

~ THE BEST NAME FOR YOUR BABY: A CREATIVE GUIDE TO PROPER NAMES, by Barbara Binswanger and Lisbeth Mark. Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1990.