Names are an important part of cultural and personal identity. The name we are given often reflects our family’s background, traditions, and values. Many names have meanings and origins that provide clues to a person’s heritage. This article explores some of the most common forenames used in English-speaking countries and their significances. By understanding the definitions behind popular names, we gain greater insight into naming trends over time as well as recurring themes that parents have found important when choosing the perfect name for their new arrival.
Common Girl Names and their Meaning
Abigail – Father’s joy
Adalynn – Noble, beautiful
Adele – Noble
Adeline – Noble
Adelyn – Noble
Alana – Herb or prosperous
Alexandria – Defender of man
Alice – Noble
Amelia – Hardworking, industrious
Arabella – Beautiful prayer
Aria – Song or melody
Ariana – Very holy
Audrey – Noble strength
Aurora – Dawn
Autumn – Fallen leaves
Ava – Life
Avery – Elf ruler
Bella – Beautiful
Blake – Black, pale
Brianna – Strong, virtuous, honorable
Brielle – Strength of God
Brooke – Stream
Brynn – Hill
Cadence – Rhythm
Callie – Beautiful voice
Camille – Youth attendant
Carmen – Poem or song
Catalina – Pure
Cecilia – Blind
Charlie – Free man
Charlotte – Free woman
Chloe – Blooming, fertile
Clara – Clear, bright
Clementine – Merciful
Dahlia – Valley of flowers
Daisy – Day’s eye
Danielle – God is my judge
Daphne – Laurel tree
Darcy – Wild boar of the sea
Deja – Already
Delaney – Dark challenger
Delilah – One who hangs loose or licks
Diana – Divine
Dixie – Ten dollar bill
Eden – Delight, paradise
Elaina – Light
Eleanor – Shining light
Elena – Shining light
Eliana – Yahweh has answered
Elise – God is my oath
Elizabeth – God is my oath
Ella – Fairy queen
Emery – Powerful
Emilia – Rival
Emily – Eager, industrious
Emma – Universal or whole
Esme – Esteemed
Esther – Star
Eva – Life
Evelyn – Wished for child
Everleigh – Wild boar meadow
Everly – Abundant or curved ridge
Faye – Enchantress
Felicity – Happiness
Fiona – Fair, white
Flynn – Tawny, yellow-haired
Francesca – Free, frank
Gabriella – God is my strength
Genevieve – Of good lineage
Gianna – God is gracious
Grace – Grace, graciousness
Hadley – Heather field
Hailey – Hay field
Hallie – High stability
Hannah – Favor, grace
Harper – Harp player
Hazel – Hazelnut tree
Hazel – Tree and shrub
Hope – Hope
Irene – Peace
Iris – Rainbow
Isabella – God’s promise
Jade – Precious stone
Jasmine – Gift from God
Jenna – God is gracious
Josie – God will increase
Juliet – Youthful
Kaia – Pure
Kaylee – Keen-sighted meadow
Kennedy – Ugly headed
Kinsley – Royal estate
Kylie – Boiling water
Lauren – Crowned with laurel leaves
Layla – Wine, intoxicating
Leah – Weary
Leona – Lioness
Lillian – Lily
Lily – Pure, innocence
Lucy – Light
Luna – Moon
Lydia – Beautiful
Madeline – Magdalene, tower
Madison – Gift of God
Maeve – Intoxicating
Magnolia – Large flower
Mara – Sea
Margot – Pearl
Mariah – God’s gift, bitterness
Maya – Water
Melanie – Blackbird
Melody – Tune, strain of music
Mia – Mine or beloved
Mila – Dear, beloved, gracious
Morgan – Bright as the sea
Naomi – Pleasing
Natalia – Christmas tree
Natalie – Birthday of the Lord
Nina – Little fire
Nora – Honorable
Nova – Novelty or new
Olivia – Olive tree
Ophelia – Help
Paige – Attendant, page
Parker – Parke keeper
Payton – Protected town
Penelope – Weaver
Peyton – Peaked village and fair-haired one
Piper – Pipe player
Piper – Reed pipe or pan pipes player
Quinn – Wise
Raelynn – Standard bearer
Ramona – Wise protector
Reagan – Little queen
Reese – Ardent, passionate
Remi – Oarsman, strong worker
Riley – Courage, valor
Riley – Rye clearing
Rose – Flower name
Rowan – Small and red-haired
Ruby – Precious stone
Sage – Wise
Samantha – Listener
Sarah – Princess
Savannah – Flowering plain
Scarlett – Scarlet cloth
Selena – Moon
Serenity – Tranquility, calmness
Sienna – From Siena, Italy
Sky – Sky
Skye – Cloud
Skylar – Scholar
Sloane – Ravine
Sophia – Wisdom
Stella – Star
Sydney – Flaxen-haired
Teagan – Little poet
Tessa – Harvest, reaper
Thea – Gift of God
Valeria – Strong, courageous
Vera – Faith, truth
Victoria – Victory
Violet – Purple flower
Viva – Lively, cheerful
Vivian – Alive
Willow – Tree
Zariah – Sunrise
Zoe – Life
Zoey – Life
Common Boy Names and their Meaning
Aaron – illuminated or teacher
Aaron – Teacher; enlightened
Abraham – Father of multitude
Adam – Man
Adrian – Deriving from Hadria
Aiden – Fiery
Alex – Defender
Alexander – Defender of man
Andrew – Manly and strong
Angel – Messenger of God
Anthony – Worthy of praise
Apollo – Destroyer
Arthur – Bear
Ashton – Ash tree town
Austin – Praiseworthy
Axel – Father of peace
Benjamin – Son of right hand
Brayden – Brave as a thunderbolt
Brendan – Prince
Caleb – Faithful
Carlos – Manly
Carson – Son of Carr
Carter – Transporter of goods
Charles – Man, free man
Chase – Hunter
Christian – Follower of Christ
Christopher – Bearing Christ
Cody – Helper
Connor – Lover of hounds
Damian – Man of calm waters
Daniel – God is my judge
David – Beloved
Diego – Supplanter
Dominic – Belonging to the Lord
Dominick – Of the Lord
Donovan – Brown-headed chief
Dylan – Son of the wave
Eli – God ascending
Elias – Jehovah is my God
Elijah – God is Lord
Elliot – Bright shining; cheerful
Ethan – Strong, enduring
Evan – Gift
Everett – Brave boar
Ezra – Helper
Finn – Fair or white; chief
Francisco – Frenchman
Gabriel – God is my strength
Gavin – White hawk
Grayson – Son of a steward
Henry – Estate ruler
Hunter – Huntsman
Isaac – Laughter
Isaiah – God is salvation
Isaiah – Salvation of the Lord
Jace – Healer
Jack – God is gracious
Jackson – God’s son
Jacob – Supplanter
Jason – Healer
Jasper – Bringer of treasure
Jayce – Healer
Jayden – Thankful
Jayson – Healer
Jesus – Salvation
John – God is gracious
Jonah – Dove
Jonathan – Gift of God
Jordan – Descender
Jose – God will increase
Joseph – God will increase
Joshua – God is salvation
Juan – Merciful; God is gracious
Julian – Youthful
Justin – Just
Kane – Handsome; warrior
Kevin – Handsome
Killian – Little fiery one
Kyrie – Lord
Landon – Long hill
Leonardo – Lion-hearted
Liam – Determined protector
Logan – Little hollow
Lucas – Diminutive form of Lucius, which means “light”
Luke – Man from Lucania
Malachi – Messenger
Mark – Dedicated to Mars
Mark – Polite, shining
Mason – One who works with stone
Mason – Stoneworker
Mateo – Gift of God
Matthew – Gift of Yahweh
Maximus – Greatest
Maxwell – Great stream; maximum
Micah – Who resembles God?
Michael – Who is like God?
Mohammad – Praiseworthy
Nathan – Gift of God
Nathaniel – God has given
Nicholas – Victory of the people
Noah – Rest or peace
Octavio – Eighth
Oliver – Olive tree
Parker – Son of the keeper
Paul – Small
Phoenix – Dark red
Rafael – God has healed
Richard – Brave power or ruling
Robert – Bright fame
Ryan – Little king
Samuel – God has heard
Santiago – Saint James, protector
Saul – Asked for; prayed for
Sebastian – Reverent, reverend
Silas – Of the forest
Simon – He has heard
Steven – Garland or wreath
Theodore – Gift of God
Thomas – Twin
Timothy – Honoring God
Tyler – Tiler
William – Determined protector
Wyatt – Brave in war
Xander – Defender of man
Xavier – Bright; splendor
Zane – Gift of God
Zayn – Graceful
Common Last Names and their Meaning
Adams – Son of Adam
Alexander – Protector of men
Allen – Handsome or beautiful
Anderson – Son of Andrew
Armstrong – Strong in arms
Arnold – Strong as an eagle
Atkins – Son of Atkin
Atkinson – Son of Atticus
Bailey – Official bailiff or steward
Baker – One who bakes bread
Beauchamp – Fine/handsome field
Beck – Brook or stream
Best – Better than all others
Bishop – Ecclesiastical officer and overseer
Black – Having dark hair or dark complexion
Blake – Pale or fair-complexioned
Bowman – Operator of a bow
Bradley – Broad wood or meadow
Brooks – Lives near a brook
Brown – Having brown hair or complexion
Burns – Descendant of Br…n or Bruin
Bush – Dweller near bushes or underbrush
Cabrera – He-goat or Billy goat herder
Campbell – Crooked mouth
Carroll – Charcoal burner
Castro – Castle
Chandler – Candle maker
Christensen – Son of Christian
Clark – Clerk or scholar
Clarke – Clerk or scribe
Coleman – Dweller by the columbine flower
Cook – One who cooks
Cooley – Lives near a pool or pond
Cox – Cook or maker of boxes
Cummings – Prosperous or wealthy
Cunningham – Son of Coinneach or Kenneth
Davis – Son of David
Deleon – From Leon, a region in Spain
Diaz – Son of Diego
Duncan – Dark warrior or bold fighter
Dunn – From Britain’s River Dun
Echols – Ewes or sheep
Edwards – Son of Edward
Elliot – Hardy, cheerful
Estrada – Cobblestone or paved road
Figueroa – Mulberry tree
Fischer – Fisherman or descendent of a fisherman
Fitzgerald – Son of Gerald
Flowere – Lesser freeholder or craftsman
Foley – Descendant of a Norman warrior
Foster – One who cares for or rears children
Fox – Crafty or sly as a fox
Frazier – Straw or thatch worker
Garcia – Hardy or brave
George – Farmer or earth worker
Gilmore – Servant of Saint Mary
Gomez – Cousin
Gonzalez – Son of Gonzalo
Gray – Having gray hair
Green – Living near a green or meadow
Greer – One from Greece
Gutierrez – Son of Gutierre or Gonzalo
Hall – Dwelling or residence
Hanson – Son of John
Harris – Son of Harry
Hawkins – Son of Hakin or Hake
Henderson – Son of Henry
Hill – One who lives on or near a hill
Holloway – Lives near a hole or valley
Holmes – Lives near or in a grove of trees
Horn – Prominent or distinguished
Hughes – Protector or minder
Hull – Dwelling place
Hyde – Wood or grove
Jackson – Son of Jack
Jackson – Son of Jack
James – Supplanter
Jensen – Son of John or Johan
Jimenez – Son of Diego
Johnson – Son of John
Jones – Son of John
Kelly – Descendant of Cilln or Ceallach
Kennedy – Helmet head
King – Ruler or leader
Lane – Dweller on or near a lane or path
Lane – Lane or alleyway
Lee – Meadow or pasture
Lewis – Dedicated to Saint Luke
Maldonado – Ill-advised or unlucky
Marshall – Official in charge of military affairs
Martin – Dedicated to Mars, the god of war
Martinez – Son of Martin
Maxwell – Man from Maxwell’s settlement
Medina – Middle
Miller – One who mills grain
Mitchell – One who will shine or be prominent
Montgomery – Duncan’s mountain
Moore – Steward or property manager
Moreno – Dark skinned or Moorish
Morgan – Dweller by the sea
Morrison – Descendant of Muireadhach
Murphy – Champion of the sea
Nelson – Son of Nathan
Nichols – Victory of the people
Olson – Son of Olaf or Ole
Orr – Shore or promontory
Ortega – From a place with an orchard
Osborne – Divine strength
Owens – Descendent of Eugene
Padilla – Little toad or frog
Page – Servant, valet or attendant
Park – Pasture or park
Parks – Park or meadows
Patterson – Son of Padraig
Pearson – Son of Peter
Perez – Son of Pedro
Perry – Pear tree
Petersen – Son of Peter
Pierce – Wooden palisade, from Latin “petra”
Pittman – Little man
Powell – Small, young and active
Price – High, respectable or principal
Ramos – Branches, derived from Abraham
Reeves – Crown official
Reyes – Kings
Rhodes – Rose grower
Rivas – By the bank of a river
Rivera – From a river location
Roberts – Son of Robin
Robinson – Son of Robert
Rodriguez – Son of Rodrigo
Rogers – Son of Roger
Romero – One who has been to Rome
Ruiz – Son of Rodrigo
Ryan – Little king or chieftain
Sanders – Son of Alexander
Schneider – Tailor
Schultz – Son of a scholar or student
Scott – Irish or Scottish
Shepherd – Sheep herder or pastor
Short – Having a short stature
Silva – From the forest
Smith – Blacksmith or metalworker
Snyder – Armorer, tinsmith or tailor
Spencer – Dispenser of provisions
Stewart – Steward or majordomo
Stone – Occupational name for a stonemason or quarryman
Sutton – South farmstead or settlement
Swanson – Son of Sven or Svan
Taylor – One who tailors cloth
Terry – Potter or clay worker
Thomas – Twin
Thompson – Son of Thom or Thomas
Torres – From the towers or battlements
Vasquez – Son of Diego or Diego the Bastard
Walker – Carter of wains (wagons)
Wallace – Welshman
Ward – Watchman or guard
Watson – Son of Walter
Weber – Shoemaker
Welch – Of Welsh descent, from Wales
Wheeler – One who drives or repairs wagons
White – Person with fair skin
Wilkerson – Son of Will or Wilfred
Wilkins – Descendant of Will or Wilfred
Williams – Son of William
Wilson – Son of Will
Winters – One who lives in an enclosed farm area
Woods – Dweller near trees or in a forested area
Wright – Architect or builder
Young – Youthful
