Baby Names E-Book

Laura Emerson

• Herausgeber: Ryland Peters & Small
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Seitenzahl: 108

Beschreibung

Finding the perfect name for your baby is one of life's most memorable moments. A name is a gift to give to your child for his or her entire lifetime which is why it is so important to carefully consider all the options before making your choice. With a universe of names to choose from, it might seem like a monumental task but Baby Names will help you make this delightful decision less daunting by offering a most comprehensive list of names to chose from. From the traditional to the most unique and unusual, this book will provide the perfect guide to the thousands of options available. In addition, the meaning and significance of each name is uncovered to ensure that you are able to choose the perfect name to suit your little bundle of joy.

Leseprobe

baby names

baby names

more than 3000 names, with origins and meanings

Laura Emerson

Dedication

To my wonderful husband, for your support in all things.

Senior designer Toni Kay

Picture research Christina Borsi

Production Gary Hayes

Art directorLeslie Harrington

Editorial director Julia Charles

First published in 2013 by Ryland Peters & Small 20–21 Jockey’s Fields London WC1R 4BW

and

519 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, NY 10012 www.rylandpeters.com

Text copyright © Laura Emerson 2013

Design and illustrations copyright © Ryland Peters & Small 2013

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

eISBN: 978-1-84975-677-8 ISBN 978-1-84975-372-2

Printed and bound in China.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library.

Contents

introduction

girls names

boys names

picture credits andacknowledgments

Introduction

How do you give someone you’ve only just met a name that fits and will last them a lifetime? This is the daunting yet exciting task that faces all new parents. In the past, parents tended to use a family name or picked one from a handful of choices that expressed their religious beliefs. Today, the same may still be true for many of us, but more often new parents are searching among a sea of choices to find the ‘perfect’ name that possesses all the right qualities and positive associations. That’s not a bad thing, but as a result it seems as if perhaps there’s more pressure today than there used to be.

Choosing a name for your baby doesn’t have to be as challenging as it first seems. In fact, everyone has a naming style, even if it doesn’t seem obvious at first. You will discover that you naturally gravitate toward names with a certain sound, origin, or meaning. Browsing through different options will often lead to the perfect name for baby emerging as you go about your day. In the end, the right name will be the one that you love the best. Bear in mind that it has to sound right with your last name, and remember to avoid initials that create embarrassing words or acronyms.

In this book, you’ll find just the right number of names to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something classic, old-fashioned, international, trendy, biblical, nature-related, or unique, you’ll find it here. Along with the names you’ll also find a few themed lists to get your creative juices flowing.

Naming your child should be a pleasureable process with a wonderful result – a name that you will both love and enjoy for the rest of your lives. With the help of this book, I hope that’s exactly what happens for you.

Girls Names

A

Aaliyah (Hebrew) To ascend.

Aberdeen (Scottish) A city in Scotland, named for the meeting of two rivers.

Abia (Arabic) Great.

Abigail (Hebrew) A Biblical name meaning father’s joy. Abby, Abigale, Avigail

Abrielle (Hebrew) Mother of multitudes. From Abra, the feminine form of Abraham. Abra, Abréa, Abreana, Abria

Acacia (Greek) Name of the acacia tree.

Ada (German) Nobility.

Adalyn (Hebrew) God is my refuge. A variation of Adalia, but also inspired by the name Madeline. Adalia, Adalie

Addison (English) Son of the mighty warrior. Inspired by the surname Madison.

Adelaide (German) Noble, kind. Newly stylish again since its high point in the 1800s.

Adele, Adella (German) Nobility.

Adeline (French) Nobility. Diminutive of Adele. Adelina, Adelyn

Adelpha (Greek) Caring sister. Delfa, Delpha

Adora (Latin) Adored. Adore, Adoria, Dora

Adriana, Adrienne (Latin) Black earth. The feminine form of Adrian. Adria, Adriena

Africa The continent.

Afton (Scottish) A river in Scotland, made famous by the poet Robert Burns.

Agape, Agapi (Greek) Love.

Agatha (Greek) Good. Agace, Agasha, Aggie

Agave (Greek) Noble. Also the name of a plant and nectar.

Agnes (Greek) Virginal, chaste. Agnesa, Agnola, Nesa, Senga, Ynes

Agrippa (Latin) Born feet-first. Agrafina, Agrippina

Ailani (Hawaiian) Chief. Aelani, Ailana

Ailbhe (AL-va) (Irish) Noble, bright. Alva

Aileen (Irish) Light. Variation of Helen.

Ailey (French) Light. Variation of Aileen.

Ailsa (Scottish) Place name referring to Ailsa Craig, an island in Scotland.

Aimée (French) Beloved. French version of Amy.

Ainsley (Scottish) A meadow. Ainslee, Ainslie, Ansley

Aiofe (EE-fa) (Irish) Radiant, beautiful.

Airlea (Greek) Ethereal.

Aisha (Arabic) Woman. The name of Muhammad’s favourite wife.

Aisling (ASH-ling) (Irish) Dream, vision.

Aislinn (ASH-lyn) (Irish) Dream. Variation of Aisling. Ashlyn, Ashlynn

Aithne (ETH-na) (Irish) Fire. Feminine version of Aidan.

Aiyana (Native American) Eternal blossom.

Akira (Japanese) Intelligent, bright.

Alabama (Native American) Debated meaning. A place name with southern pride.

Alaina, Alayna (French) Bright, shining.

Alana (Irish) Fair. Feminine form of Alan. Alannah, Alanna

Alani (Hawaiian) Orange tree.

Alanis (Irish) Variation of Alana.

Alaya (Hebrew) To ascend. Alayah

Alba (English) Town on a white hill. Featured in the novel The Time Traveler’s Wife.

Albany (English) Place name from the state of New York.

Alberta (English) Noble. Feminine form of the less elegant Albert.

Alea (Arabic) Honourable. Aleah, Aleigha, Alia, Aliya, Aliyah

Alena (Greek) Light. Variation of Helen.

Alegria (Spanish) Joy. Alegra, Allegria

Alexandra (Greek) Man’s defender. Alexis, Alexia, Alexa, Alessandra, Alex, Alejandra

Aliana (Greek) Light. Often cited as a variation of Helen or Alana.

Alice (German) Noble. This name became a classic after achieving popularity in the 1950s.

Alicia (English) Noble. A variation of Alice.

Alina (Russian) Nobility, light.

Alisha (Sanskrit) Protected by God. Also a spelling variation of Alicia.

Alison (French) Noble. Variation of Alice. Allison, Alyson, Ali, Allie

Alissa (English) Noble. Variation of Alice. Alyssa

Alita (Spanish) Nobility.

Alivia (Latin) Olive tree. Up-and-coming variation inspired by Olivia. Alyvia

Aliza (Hebrew) Joyful.

Alizée (al-ee-ZAY) (French) Trade wind.

Allegra (Italian) Joyful.

Allete (French) Winged one.

Alma (Latin) Nurturing one.

Aloisia (German) Famous fighter.

Alondra (Greek) Man’s defender. A Spanish variation of Alexandra.

Alora (American) A created name stemming from Lora, a variation of Laura.

Alona (Hebrew) Oak tree. Allona, Alonia

Amalia (Latin) Industrious. Variation of Emily.

Amanda (Latin) Loved. Amandi, Amandine, Amata, Manda, Mandy

Amani (Arabic) Faith.

Amara (Greek) Lovely, immortal.

Amari (Hebrew) Eternal.

Amaya (Japanese) Night rain.

Amber (English) Semiprecious stone. Amberly

Ambrosia (Greek) Food of the gods.

Amelia, Amelie (Latin) Industrious. A variation of Emily.

America (English) Ruler of the home. A name that peaked after 9/11.

Amethyst (English) Semi-precious stone.

Amina (Arabic) Honest.

Amira (Arabic) Leader. Amirah

Amissa (Hebrew) Friend.

Amity (Latin) Friendship. A pretty and unexpected virtue name.

Amiya (Indian) Delight. Amiyah

Amor, Amora (Spanish) Love.

Amy (Latin) Beloved. Short and sweet. Amie, Aimée, Amelia, Amata

Ana, Anna (Hebrew) Grace. A variation of Hannah.

Anabella (English) A name invented by combining Ana, meaning Grace, and Bella, meaning beautiful. Annabella

Anabelle, Anabel (English) A variation of Anabella. Annabel, Annabelle

Anahi (Persian) Immortal.

Analia (Spanish) A combination of Ana and Lia.

Anamaria (Spanish) Ana and Maria combined.

Anastasia (Greek) Resurrection. Anastacia, Stacey, Tasiya

Anaya (Sanskrit) Free.

Andrea (Scottish) Womanly. Andra, Andriana, Andy

Andromeda (Greek) Leader or ruler of men. Mythological status.

Angel (Greek) Angel, messenger.

Angela (Greek) Angel, messenger. Angelina, Angelica, Angelique

Anika (Hebrew, Latin, and Sanskrit) Grace.

Anita (Spanish) Grace. A variation of Ann.

Aniya, Aniyah (Russian) Grace. A variation of Ann.

Ann, Anne (English) Grace. A classic name for ever associated with the Anne of Green Gables series of books. Annie

Analise (German) A combination of Anna and Elise. Annalise, Annaliese

Annika (Russian) Grace.

Annora (English) With honour. Nora, Norah, Onora

Ansley (Scottish) A meadow. Ainsley, Ainslee, Ainslie

Anthea (Greek) Flower.

Antoinette (French) Priceless.

Antonia (Latin) Priceless. A variation of Antoinette.

Anwen (Welsh) Fair, beautiful.

Anya, Aine (Latvian) Grace of God.

Aobh, Aiobh (EE-ve) (Irish) Beautiful, radiant.

Aoibhinn (EE-van) (Irish) Beautiful, radiant.

Aoife (EE-fa) (Irish) Beautiful, radiant.

Aparna (Sanskrit) Leafless.

Apona (Hawaiian) Encompassing.

Apple (English) Nature name famously (or infamously) used by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Appolonia (Greek) Feminine form of Apollo, borne by a saint. Meaning unknown.

April (Latin) To open. Sometimes given to girls born in April. Abril, Avril

Aqua (Latin) Water. Colour name.

Arabella (Latin) Beautiful altar.

Araceli (Spanish) Altar of heaven.

Araminta (Greek, English) Defender. Derived from the name Amyntas. Arameta, Minta, Minty

Arden (Latin) Forest. A unisex Shakespearean name from As You Like It.

Arella, Arely (Hebrew) Angel, messenger. A little less direct than Angela.

Aria (Italian) A musical term for an expressive melody.

Ariah (Hebrew) Lion. Used for both boys and girls.

Ariana (Welsh) Silver. Arianna, Aryanna, Aryana

Ariel (Hebrew) Lioness of God. Arielle, Arie, Ariella

Arista (Greek) Harvest.

Arizona (Spanish) Small spring. A place name that sounds both spirited and soft.

Arlene (English) Pledge.

Arlette (French) Free man. The feminine form of Charles. Arlet

Armani (Persian) Desire. A unisex name with high fashion flair.

Arwen (Welsh) Noble maiden. A name we associate with the Princess of the Elves from The Lord of the Rings.

Arya (Sanskrit) Noble, truthful.

Ashanti (African) The name of a region in western Africa.

Ashley (English) Ash tree. No longer exclusively a boy’s name.

Ashlyn, Ashlynn (English) Ash tree. This name is picking up where Ashley left off in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ashton (English) Ash tree. The actor Ashton Kutcher took this name into boy’s territory, but not completely.

Asia (English) Name of the continent.

Aspen (English) Tree. This is a unisex nature and place name, inspired by the city in Colorado.

Astrid (Scandinavian) God-like beauty. An intriguing, elegant name.

Athena (Greek) Goddess of wisdom.

Atlanta (English) Name of the city in Georgia.

Aubrey (English) Elf ruler. This pretty name is reaching new heights in popularity. Aubree, Aubri, Aubrie

Aubrianna (English) Elf ruler. Variation of Aubrey.

Auburn (English) Golden reddish-brown. A colour name that Amber didn’t even see coming.

Audra (English) Noble strength. Variation of Audrey.

Audrey (English) Noble strength. Made even more glamorous by the late Audrey Hepburn. Audrina

Audriana (English) Noble strength. Variation of Audrey. Audrianna

Augusta (Latin) Majestic. The feminine form of Augustus.

Augustine (Latin) Majestic. A softer variation of Augusta. Augustina, Agustina

Aurelia (ah-RAIL-ee-uh) (English) Gold or golden. Auriol

Aurelie (English) Gold. A variation of Aurelia. Oralie, Aurelle

Aurora (Latin) Dawn. Reminds us of the fairytale Sleeping Beauty and the Northern Lights.

Austria (German) Country in central Europe.

Autumn (American) The fall season.

Ava (Latin) Bird-like. One of the top 10 most popular names in America in recent years.

Avalon (Celtic) Island of apples.

Avani (Hindu) Earth.

Avery (English) Ruler of elves. Averi, Averie

Aviana (Latin) Bird-like. A variation of Ava.

Aviva (Hebrew) Spring.

Ayanna A modern invented name, most likely created as a variation of Anna.

Ayla (Hebrew) Mighty oak tree. Aila

Ayleen (Irish) Light. Gaelic variation of Helen. Increasingly popular.

Aylin (EY-lin) (Turkish) Moonlight, halo around the moon. A popular girl’s name in Turkey.

Azalea (Latin) Flower. An unusual and unexpected nature name. Azalia

Azaria (Hebrew) Helped by God.

Aziza (Hebrew) Strong.

Azriela (Hebrew) God is my strength.

Azura (French) Blue.

A baby is a little bit of heaven on earth.

UNKNOWN

B

Baha (Arabic) Splendor, glory.

Bailey (English) Bailiff. Recently given a boost thanks to singer Corinne Bailey Rae. Bailee, Baylee

Bambi (Italian) Child. Delicate and doe-eyed.

Barbara (Greek) Foreign woman. This name was fashionable in the 1950s, but has since faded. Babb, Babbette, Babs, Barb, Barbie

Basanti (Sanskrit) Spring.

Bay (English) Sea inlet. A unisex nature name.

Beatrice (Latin) She brings joy. Bea, Beatrix

Beatrix (Latin) She brings joy. A variation of Beatrice discovering new life.

Belen (bel-LEN) (Spanish) Bethlehem. Fitting for a girl born in the Christmas season.

Belinda (English) Dragon. A familiar name with a surprising meaning.

Belize The name of the country in the Caribbean.

Bella, Belle (French) Beautiful.

Bellamy (French) Fair friend.

Benita (Latin) God has blessed.

Bentley (English) Meadow of grass. Also, a luxurious automobile.

Berkeley (English) Birch-tree meadow.

Berlin Place name. The capital of Germany.

Bernadette (French) Brave as a bear. Catholic saint name and a character in the popular TV show The Big Bang Theory. Bernadina, Bernetta, Bernie, Bernita

Beth (Hebrew) God is my oath. A variation of Elizabeth.

Bethan (Welsh) God is my oath. This variation of Elizabeth is particularly popular in Wales.

Bethany (Hebrew) House of figs. Bethanie, Bethenny

Bethel (Hebrew) House of God. A biblical place name with a pleasing twist on Beth.

Beverly (English) Beaver stream.

Bevin (Scottish) Sweet singer. Anglicized form of the Gaelic Bébhinn.

Bianca (Italian) White.

Billie (English) Constant protector. One of the feminine forms of William.

Blaine (Irish) Slender.

Blair (English) A flat piece of land.

Blaise (English) One who stutters. A traditionally male name sometimes used for girls.

Blake (English) Fair-haired, and dark.

Blakely (English) Fair-haired, and dark. A variation of Blake and surname.

Blanca (Spanish) White.

Blanche (English) White.

Blessing Word name usually chosen as a middle name.

Blossom (English) Flower.

Blue (English) Colour name. A recent favourite with celebrities.

Blythe (English) Happy.

Bolivia Place name that puts a spin on Olivia.

Bonnie (Scottish) Beautiful, cheerful.

Braelynn, Braelyn A newly invented name.

Bramley An apple variety with naming potential.

Brandy (Dutch) Burnt wine.

Braylee A newly invented name similar to the English name Brayden.

Breanna