Names  - Origins 

HADDEN: Old English for "heath." Relatives: Haddon, Hadley. Namesakes: Hadley Hemingway (Ernest's first wife), Hadley (Mass.).

HADRIAN: From the Greek for "wealthy" and a form of Adrian. The Roman Emperor Hadrian built a wall in England during the second century to keep the warrior Scots at bay.

HALEY: Norse for "hero" and Gaelic for "wise one." Relatives: Hailey, Hayley, Haylee, Haile, Hally, Halley, Halli, Hallie, Hale. Namesakes: Hayley Mills, Hallie Foote, Alex Haley, Nathan Hale, Arthur Hailey, Haley's Comet.

HALL: From the Old English for "meeting room." Namesake: Monty Hall.

HALLEY: Old English for "oneness." This nifty choice has a nineteenth century ring to it. Calico, braids, and Mary Janes. Relatives: Haley, Haleigh, Hallie, Hollis.

HAMLET: Old German for "home." This name will forever be linked with Shakespeare's tragedy about the Prince of Denmark. Still, the variations offer a chance to be or not to be Hamlet.. Relatives: Hamlit, Hamlin, Hamilton, Hammond, Hampton, Ham. Namesakes: Harry Hamlin, Alexander Hamilton, "The Pied Piper of Hamlin," Hammond Atlas, the Hamptons (N.Y.).

HANNAH: From the Hebrew for "God is merciful" or "graceful one." Hannah is a palindromic name. Hana means "young flower" in Japanese. Relatives: Hanna, Hana, Hannia, Hannya, Hanniah, Hania, Hanita, Hanka, Hannicka, Hannele, Channa. Namesakes: Hannah Arendt, Hana Mandikova, Daryl Hannah.

HANNIBAL: Old English for "steep incline." It was Hannibal who, in 200 B.C., invaded Italy from Spain by crossing the Alps with his army and his elephants. Relatives: Han, Hanley. Namesakes: "Hannibal Smith," Hannibal (Mo.)

HARDY: Old English for "good health." For the stalwart, robust, sturdy, intrepid baby. Relatives: Hardin, Harden, Harding, Hardley. Namesakes: Thomas Hardy, Warren G. Harding, "The Hardy Boys."

HARLAN: German for "flax" and Old English for "rabbit archer." The names in this group have a sense of geniality about them. Relatives: Harlin, Harley, Harlow, Harford. Namesakes: Harlan Ellison, Harley Davison, Jean Harlow.

HARMON: From the Greek for "harmony" and Old English for "soldier." Relatives: Harmony, Harman, Harmonie. Namesakes: Harmon Killebrew, Mark Harmon, Harmony (Md.)

HAROLD: From the Old German for "commander." A distinguished, traditional name with a powerful meaning. Relatives: Hereld, Harry, Hal, Hiraldo. Namesakes: Harold Washington, Hal Linden.

HARPER: From the Old Norse for "whaler." Calls to mind the musical harp, ancient symbol of Ireland. Relatives: Harpo, Harp. Namesakes: Harper Lee, Harpo Marx, Harper's Ferry, Harper's Magazine.

HARRIET: A feminine variation of Harry. Relatives: Harriette, Hariot, Harriott, Hattie, Hatty, Hetty, Happy, Etta, Etty. Namesakes: Harriet Tubman, Hattie McDaniel.

HARRY: An Old English form of Henry. We're just wild about this name. Although Charles and Di named their second princeling Henry, he is known as Harry. Relatives: Harris, Harrison. Namesakes: Harry Houdini, Harry S. Truman, Harrison Ford.

HART: Middle English for "stag." And we all know you've gotta have Hart. Relatives: Harte, Hartley, Hartman, Hartwell, Hartwig. Namesakes: Hart Crane, Gary Hart, Moss Hart, Bret Harte, "Mary Hartman."

HARVEY: From the Old German for "battle." For movie buffs, Harvey will forever be a large invisible rabbit. Relatives: Harve, Herve, Harv, Harvard. Namesakes: Harvey Korman, Laurence Harvey, Harvard University.

HASKEL: Anglo-Saxon for "ash tree." Relative: Haskell. Namesake: "Eddie Haskell."

HAVEN: From the Dutch for "harbor." A comforting name for a girl or boy. Relatives: Hagen, Hagan, Hogan, Hazen, Havis. Namesake: Richie Havens.

HAYDEN: Old English for "hay field." Get this baby pinstripe diapers and a subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Relative: Haydn. Namesakes: Rutherford B. Hayes, Susan Hayward.

HAZEL: Old English for "hazel tree." Relatives: Hazella, Hazela, Hazlit, Hazlet, Haslett. Namesakes: William Hazlitt, Hazel Scott, "Hazel."

HEATHER: From the Middle English for "a heath or a shrub." Heather is used regularly for girls. Heath is much less common, quite romantic, and will work for either sex. Relatives: Heath, Heathcliff. Namesakes: Heather Locklear, "Heath Barkley," Heath candy bar.

HECTOR: From the Greek for "anchor." A hero of the Trojan War. Relative: Hektor. Namesake: Hector Berlioz.

HEDIA: Hebrew for "God's voice." Relatives: Hediah, Hedya, Hedley.

HEDWIG: Old English for "hidden weapon." Relatives: Hedvig, Heddy, Hedy, Hedda, Havoise, Hedvick, Hedvicka. Namesakes: Hedda Hopper, Hedda Gabler.

HEIDI: A shortened version of Adelheid or Hedwig. The heroine of a favorite story for children written by Johanna Spyri. Relatives: Heidy, Haidee.

HELEN: From the Greek for "torch." It was Helen's abduction, according to the Greek myth, that brought about the Trojan War. Relatives: Helene, Helena, Helina, Helaine, Elaine, Elayne, Eleanor, Elinor, Eileen, Elena, Elene, Galina, Lenora, Lena, Lenny, Nelly, Jelena, Jelika. Namesakes: Helen of Troy, Helen Keller.

HELMUT: Anglo-Saxon for "helmet." Has a definite Teutonic shadow. Relatives: Hellmut, Helmaer. Namesakes: Helmut Schmidt, Helmut Newton.

HENDRICK: Old English for "lord's manor." A classy choice. Relatives: Hendric, Hedric, Hedrick, Hendrik, Henric. Namesakes: Hendrick Smith.

HENRIETTA: From the Old German for "house ruler" and a feminine variation of Henry. Relatives: Henriette, Hendrike, Henrika, Henriot, Henriqueta, Hetty, Enrica, Enriqueta.

HENRY: From the Old German for "house ruler." A favorite name of British kings for centuries. Charles and Diana chose it for their second son. Relatives: Henri, Harry, Hal Hawkin, Hawkins, Harrison, Harris, Henriot, Heinrich, Heinz, Henke, Henryk, Hank, Henny, Henderson, Hawke, Enrique, Enrico, Enzio, Parry, Petty. Namesakes: Prince Henry, Hank Aaron, Hal Holbrook, O. Henry, Patirck Henry.

HEPZIBA: Hebrew for "my love is with her." Not for the faint-hearted. Relatives: Hepzibah, Hphziba, Hephzibah.

HERBERT: From the Old English for "exalted ruler" and Old German for "shining army." This fine name has fallen out of faovr. Consider it. Relatives: Herbie, Herb. Namesakes: Herbert Hoover, Herbie Hancock, Herbie Mann.

HERMAN: Old german for "soldier." The variation Armand is a stronger sound closer to the original meaning of the name. Relatives: Hermann, Hermie, Hermy, Herm, Herrick, Armand, Armando, Ermanno. Namesakes: Herman Melville, Herman Badillo, Hermann Hesse, Armand Assante, Armand Hammer, Herman's Hermits.

HERMIONE: A feminine variation of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. A grand choice that defies nicknames. Say it several times: "Her-my-unee." Relative: Hermine. Namesake: Hermione Gingold.

HERSHEL: From the German for "deer." Relatives: Herschel, Hersh, Hersch, Hirsh, Hirsch, Hertz, Heshel, Hershey. Namesakes: Hershel Walker, Hershel Bernardi, Hershey bar, Hertz Rent-a-Car.

HESTER: A Latin variation of Esther. Perhaps not as popular as Hannah, Hester nevertheless has that same Old World charm. Relatives: Hesther, Hetty, Hetti, Hettie, Hetta, Hestia. Namesakes: "Hester Prynne," Hester Street.

HEZEKIAH: Hebrew for "God is my strength." Hezekiah appears in the Old Testament as a king of Judah who worked to stamp out idolaltry. Relatives: Hezekia, Hezekial, Hezeki, Hez.

HILA: Hebrew for "praise." Relatives: Hillah, Hilly, Hilla, Hillela, Hillel.

HILARY: From the Greek for "cheer." Although used for either sex, it has emerged as a more popular choice for girls in recent decades. this is a very proper proper name. Relatives: Hillary, Hilaire, Hilaria, Hilliard, Hilar, Hill, Hilly, Ilario, Laris. NAMESAKES: Saint Hillary, Hilaire Belloc, Sir Edmund Hillary, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

HILDA: From the Old German for "warrior." Hildy was the hero/heroine of The Front Page. Relatives: Hilde, Hildy, Hildegard, Hildegarde. Namesake: Saint Hilda

HILDEBRAND: Old German for "battle sword." A character from a German legend, Hildebrand was a superior warrior known for his outstanding swordsmanship. Relatives: Hildabrand, Hildreth, Hill.

HIRAM: Hebrew for "noble one." Relatives: Hyram, Hi, Hy. Namesake: Hiram Walker.

HOBART: From the Danish for "Bart's Hill." Relatives: Hobert, Hobie, Bart. Namesakes: Hobie Baker, Hobart (Tasmania), Hobie Cat, Hobart college, "Bart Simpson."

HODDING: From the Dutch for "bricklayer." Namesake: Hodding Carter.

HOGARTH: Old Norse for "hilltop garden." This name screams old family distinction. Virginia and Leonard Woolf chose it for their publishing company. Philadelphians reserve Hoagie for a submarine sandwich. Relatives: Hogie, Hoagy. Namesakes: Hoagy Carmichael, William Hogarth.

HOLDEN: Old English for "valley." William Holden's real surname was Beedle. What a difference a name makes. Relatives: Holdin, Holbrook. Namesake: "Holden Caulfield"

HOLLY: From the Old English for "holly bush." Traditional greenery associated with Christmas. Relatives: Hollye, Holli. Namesakes: Holly Near, Holly Hunter.

HOLM: Old Norse for "island." Which only goes to prove that some men are islands. Relatives: Holms, Holmes. Namesakes: Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Sherlock Holmes."

HOMER: Greek and Latin for "shown the way" and baseball for "home run." Namesakes: Homer, Winslow Homer, "Homer Simpson."

HONEY: From the German. Perhaps too cloying, this name suffers as a familiar alternative to "darling" or "dear." Relatives: Honig, Honeah.

HONOR: From the Latin for "dignified" and Old French for "nobleman." If this child becomes a judge, he or she would be known as your honor Honor or, if elected mayor, the honorable Honor. Relatives: Honore, Honora, Honoria, Nora, Norah, Noria, Norry. Namesakes: Honoré de Balzac, Honor Blackman.

HOPE: From the Old English for "faith." An ever-popular virtue name for a baby who is, after all, "the hope of the future." Namesames: Hope Lange, Bob Hope.

HORACE: Greek for "behold." A seldom-used classic. Relatives: Horacio, Horatio, Horatius. Namesakes: Horace, Horace Mann, Horace Greeley, "Horatio Hornblower."

HORTENSE: From the Latin for "gardener." A tiny bit old-fashioned but wears well. Relative: Hortensia.

HORTON: From the Latin for "garden" or "from the gray land." Namesakes: Willie Horton, Edward Everett Horton, HORTON HEARS A WHO.

HOSEA: Hebrew for "salvation." This is a beauty; start at trend. Relatives: Hosia, Hosiah.

HOUSTON: Anglo-Saxon for "town house" and Texan for "serious city." Namesakes: Sam Houston, Whitney Houston.

HOWARD: Anglo-Saxon for "protector of the home." The nickname Ward jazzes up this erstwhile favorite. Relatives: Howie, Ward. Namesakes: Howard Johnson, Howard Hughes, Howard Baker.

HOWE: Anglo-Saxon for "hill." Relatives: Hough, Houghton, Howell, Howel, Howells, Howden. Namesakes: Julia Ward Howe, Irving Howe, Gordie Howe, William Dean Howells, Howell Rains.

HOYT: Middle English for "small boat." This is distinguished. Relatives: Hoyle, Hoit. Namesakes: Hoyt Wilhelm, Hoyt Axton.

HUBERT: From the Old German for "shining spirit." Perhaps the media knew of this definition when they dubbed Hubert H. Humphrey the Happy Warrior. Relatives: Hubbard, Hubbell, Hub, Huberto, Hubie, Uberto. Namesake: "Old Mother Hubbard."

HUDSON: Old English for "son of Hud." Hudd is a long-forgotten form of Richard now more closely associated with Paul Newman's movie role.

HUGH: From the Old German for "bright soul." This name whispers the soft, green hills of Wales. Give it a whirl. Relatives: Hew, Huey, Hughie, Hughes, Huet, Hugi, Hugo, Ugo. Namesakes: Hugh Downs, Hugh Hefner, Huey Lewis, Huey Long, Langston Hughes, Victor Hugo, Hugh Grant.

HUME: Norse for "lakeside hill." Careful. In England it's pronounced "home." Relatives: Holm, Holmes. Namesakes: Hume Cronyn, David Hume.

HUMPHREY: From the Old English for "peaceful force." That phrase sums up the screen presence of Humphrey Bogart, the most famous namesake. Relatives: Humphry, Humfrey, Humpty, Humph, Humpy, Humfrid, Humfried. Namesake: "Humpty-Dumpty."

HUNT: From the Old English for "search." One of those nifty monickers recently discovered by yuppy parents. Perfect for an investment banker, real estate tycoon, or simply lazing at the club. Relatives: Hunter, Huntington, Huntley. Namesakes: Huntington, Hartford, Hunter S. Thompson, Evan Hunter, Chet Huntley.

HUXLEY: Anglo-Saxon for "ash tree field" and Old English for "from Hugh's meadow." Literary-minded friends might assume you are related to the Huxley dynasty. Relatives: Huxly, Huxford. Namesakes: Aldous Huxley, Thomas Huxley.

HYACINTH: Greek for "blue crystal," associated with the sapphire. According to Greek myth, Hyacinthus was a beautiful boy much admired by Apollo. He was accidentally killed, and on the spot where his blood seeped into the earth, flowers grew -- called hyacintha. Relatives: Hyacynth, Hyacinthia. Namesake: Saint Hyacinth.

HYMAN: From the Hebrew for "life." This name may suffer when the kids take health education. Relatives: Hyland, Hyatt, Hy. Namesakes: Hyman Rickover, Hyland Park (N.J.), Brian Hyland.

~ 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.