Ideally, picking out a meaningful baby name should be one of the best parts of preparing to have a child. Whether you go for a traditional baby name or a unique baby name, it’s one of the first major decisions you’ll make as a new parent. That coupled with the fact that your child will be called this name for their entire life means you’ll likely want to pick a name carefully.
But it’s not always easy sorting through baby name meanings and deciding which will be the best one for your new little one. For that reason, we’ve rounded up a list of the most meaningful baby names for girls and the most meaningful baby names for boys.
As you sort through the list, keep in mind that you not only want something that flows with your last name, but you’ll want to also avoid a baby name that has an unintentional double entendre meaning. (No one wants to be named the same thing as some random French laxative).
Once you’ve settled on a few meaningful baby names to decide between, you’re one step closer to having the little one of your dreams with potentially the coolest name ever. Enjoy!
Related: 150 Cool Baby Names Like Arya, Orion, and Zaire
Getty / skaman306
Meaningful Baby Girl Names
There’s nothing more beautiful than naming your daughter something that means “strong,” “wise,” or “holy.” If you’re looking for meaningful baby girl names, here are the best options.
- Abigail: Hebrew – The father’s joy.
- Alessia: Italian – Defending warrior.
- Alexandra: Greek – Helper; defender of mankind.
- Alice: English – Noble; kind.
- Amara: Latin – Strong.
- Amelia: German – Industrious; striving.
- Anne: Hebrew – Favored grace.
- Arabella: Latin – Lovely; elegant.
- Audree: French – Nobility; strength.
- Arianna: Greek – Holy.
- Avery: French – Wise.
- Callie: Greek – Most beautiful.
- Calynn: Gaelic – Powerful in battle.
- Charlotte: French – Petite; feminine.
- Charvi: Sanskrit – Beautiful.
- Claire: Latin – Bright; clear; famous; brilliant.
- Cora: Greek – Filled heart.
- Darlene: English – Darling, loved one.
- Della: German – Noble; bright.
- Diana: Latin – Moon Goddess.
- Eleanor: Greek – Bright, shining one; sun rays.
- Ella: English – Light; beautiful fairy woman.
- Eva: Hebrew – Life.
- Farrah: Arabic – Happy.
- Faye: French – Loyalty; confidence; trust; belief.
- Gabriella: Hebrew – Devoted to God.
- Grace: Latin: Goodness; generosity.
- Hannah: Hebrew – Favor; grace of God.
- Isabelle: Hebrew – God is my strength; devoted to God.
- Jocelyn: Latin – Happy; joyful.
- Kaitlyn: Greek – Pure.
- Kalila: Arabic – Heap of love.
- Layla: Egyptian – Dark beauty.
- Mackenzie: Gaelic – Child of the wise leader.
- Malia: Hawaiian – Beloved.
- Mia: Latin – Mine; wished-for child.
- Mila: Russian – Industrious; hardworking.
- Millie: Latin – Free-born; strength; determination.
- Naila: Arabic – Successful.
- Nora: Greek – Shining light.
- Reagan: Irish – Little ruler.
- Reveka: Hebrew – Captivating.
- Samantha: Hebrew – Listener.
- Sarah: Hebrew – Princess.
- Shayna: Yiddish – Beautiful; God is gracious.
- Sophia: Greek – Wisdom.
- Stella: Greek – A star.
- Vivian: Latin – Full of life.
- Zahra: Arabic – Flower.
- Zoe: Greek – Life.
Getty / Catherine Delahaye
Meaningful Baby Boy Names
Let’s be honest, deciding on a meaningful baby boy name that means “free” or “healer” is a huge flex. (And who wouldn’t want that for their little one?) Below, here are the most meaningful names for boys.
- Aaron: Hebrew – Enlightened.
- Aiden: Celtic – The sun god; fiery.
- Alexander: Greek – Defender of men.
- Amell: German – Power of an eagle.
- Amory: German – Leader; divine; brave; powerful.
- Andrew: Greek – Strong; manly; courageous.
- Anthony: Latin – Priceless.
- Asher: Hebrew –Happy or blessed.
- Austin: Latin – Majestic dignity.
- Azai: Hebrew – Strength.
- Aziel: Hebrew – God is my power.
- Caelan: Irish – Powerful warrior; victorious people.
- Chance: English – Good fortune.
- Charlie: English – Free.
- David: Hebrew – Beloved.
- Edric: English – Power and good fortune.
- Edward: English – Wealthy guardian.
- Elliot: Hebrew – Lord is my God.
- Ethan: Hebrew – Strong; safe; firm.
- Ezra: Hebrew – Helper.
- Felix: Latin – Happy; fortunate.
- Gabriel: Hebrew – Devoted to God; a hero of God; God is my strength.
- Henry: German – Ruler of the household.
- Ian: Scottish – God is gracious.
- Isaac: Hebrew – He will laugh.
- Isaiah: Hebrew – Salvation of the lord.
- Jayce: Greek – Healer.
- Jonathan: Hebrew – God gives.
- Josiah: Hebrew – Fire of the Lord; healer.
- Julian: Latin – Father of the skies.
- Kano: Japanese – One’s masculine power; capability.
- Levi: Hebrew – Joined in harmony.
- Liam: Irish – Strong-willed warrior and protector.
- Lucas: Latin – Light-giving; illumination.
- Magnus: Latin – Greatest.
- Matthew: Hebrew – Gift from God.
- Miles: Latin – Soldier.
- Milo: German – Merciful.
- Nathan: Hebrew – He gave.
- Ned: English – Wealthy guardian.
- Noah: Hebrew – Rest; comfort.
- Nolan: Gaelic – A descendant of a chariot fighter or champion; famous; noble
- Oswald: English – Divine power.
- Owen: Welsh – Young warrior; well-born; noble.
- Robert: German – Bright fame.
- Ryan: Irish – Descendent of the king; little king.
- William: German – Strong-willed warrior; resolute protection.
- Xander: Greek – Protector of men.
- Zachary: Hebrew – Remembered by God.
- Zane: Hebrew – God’s gracious gift.
Alessia Santoro (she/her) is the senior SEO editor at PS, where she guides SEO strategy and assists the brand’s editorial team in maintaining and creating search-intended content across multiple categories, including health, fitness, beauty, parenting, astrology, and more. Prior to shifting to SEO in 2021, she spent nearly seven years as a family editor for the brand, with focuses on parenting content, baby names, and family entertainment.
