100 Stunning Baby Names With Meaning

Some parents, sure, they choose a baby name just because they like the way it sounds. Others see a baby name as a statement of values, and want to choose a name that shows off their ideals.

When looking at the top 1,000 boy names and girl names put out by the Social Security Administration (SSA) this year, we can see that meaningful baby names are on the rise. Looking at the just top 10, you can find names with deep definitions, like Sophia (which means "wisdom"), Theodore ("gift of God") and Evelyn ("desired").

So for parents who want to go backwards, and start with the definition and then choose the name, these meaningful baby names offer up great inspiration.

Names That State Their Values

Certain "virtue names" don't have a hidden meaning — they're English word names that state their intentions loud and clear.

1. Charity

2. Chosen

3. Earnest

4. Faith

5. Glory

6. Grace

7. Harmony

8. Honor

9. Hope

10. Joy

11. Justice

12. Liberty

13. Loyal

14. Lucky

15. Mercy

16. Prudence

17. Royal

18. Saint

19. True

20. Valor

While many of these names are traditionally girl names, it's the traditional boy names that are actually growing in popularity. Chosen (and Chozen), True and Saint all made the SSA's list of the fastest-climbing names for boys. (Joy is the only one that made the fast-climbing girl list.)

Names That Mean "Wise," "Smart" or "Intelligent"

If what parents want most is to cultivate the mind, these names are a perfect match, since they all pay homage to wisdom, cleverness or intelligence.

1. Akilah

2. Akira

3. Alden

4. Aldo
   

5. Alfred

6. Athena

7. Hugh

8. Keen
   

9. Minerva

10. Ramona/Raymond

11. Sage

12. Sophia/Sofia

13. Sonya
    

14. Thanh

15. Veda
    

Looking for more great baby names? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides: Disney Baby Names | Indian/Hindu Boy Names | Indian/Hindu Girl Names | Italian Baby Names | French Baby Names | Hispanic Boy Names | Hispanic Girl Names | Irish Boy Names | Irish Girl Names | Long Names for Boys | Long Names for Girls | Short Names for Boys | Short Names for Girls

Baby Names That Mean "Strong"

In this case, "strong" could mean either a physical strength, or an inner sense of strength and resilience. These are great names to consider for strong babies.

1. Amari

2. Andrea

3. Andrew

4. Audrey

5. Brian

6. Ethan

7. Evander
   

8. Griffin
   

9. Hamza
   

10. Kenji

11. Liam

12. Matilda
    

13. Millie

14. Valentina
    

15. Valerie

Names That Mean "Gift of God" or "God Is Gracious"

Babies are a gift — they must be if there are so many names that mean some variation of "God's gift," or "God is gracious," hailing from so many different cultures and in different languages. Parents who want to pay tribute to a higher power may want to take note.

1. Ayaan

2. Ayansh

3. Dorothy

4. Gianna

5. Ivan

6. Jack

7. Jane

8. Jasmine

9. Jesse

10. Joan

11. Joanna

12. Jonathan/John

13. Matthew/Matteo

14. Nael

15. Nathaniel

16. Sean

17. Siobhan

18. Thaddeus

19. Theodore/Theodora/Theo

20. Zane

Baby Names That Mean "Joy" or "Happiness"

As mentioned earlier, Joy is a name in and of itself, but for parents who want to keep it a little under-the-radar, here are other names that bring about good feelings.

1. Abgail

2. Alaia

3. Alan
   

4. Asher

5. Beatrice

6. Blythe
   

7. Caius
   

8. Felicity

9. Felix
   

10. Gaius

11. Isaac

12. Lettie

13. Naim

14. Sayid

15. Tate
    

Names That Mean "Noble" or "Wealthy"

If the goal is to be healthy, wealthy and wise, well, you can't forget that middle part. These are names that invoke high status, riches and nobility.

1. Adele/Della

2. Alice

3. Dhani

4. Eamon

5. Earl

6. Edward/Edwin

7. Elodie

8. Grady

9. Heidi

10. Karim

11. Odette

12. Otis

13. Otto

14. Owen

15. Patrick

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