Picking a unique baby name based on its meaning is a fun, and pretty practical, approach. With so many beautiful baby names to choose from, looking into the etymology is a solid baby naming strategy that can get you closer to a name that feels right.
Self-proclaimed “name nerds” on Reddit offered their baby name picks based on their interesting definitions. As one parent noted, “I personally feel the meaning of a name has ~power~ and I want my kid to feel bad*ss when they learn theirs.”
These are 71 of the most unique baby names based on their meanings.
Girl Names
“Ylva: she wolf.” – penguinsfrommars
“Ursa: she bear.” – penguinsfrommars
“Torvi: thunder.” – penguinsfrommars
“Matilda: powerful in battle.” – penguinsfrommars
“Sophie: wisdom.” – penguinsfrommars
“Branwen: white raven.” – penguinsfrommars
“Eira: snow.” – penguinsfrommars
“Stella: means star, but also the tough, no nonsense fairy from Winx Club :D.” – User Unknown
“Alexandra: strength and defend.” – User Unknown
“Victoria: winner, plus literary connotations.” – User Unknown
“Beatrice : one who brings joy.” – User Unknown
“Avery: wise.” – User Unknown
“Margaret: pearls (which are beautiful, but also very tough, and are formed by clams as a defense to threats).” – User Unknown
“Lana: calm as still waters [Hawaiian].” – User Unknown
“Amanda: worthy of love.” – User Unknown
“Elizabeth: God is my oath.” – User Unknown
“Seraphina: fiery one.” – User Unknown
“Leona: lioness.” – moonsugar6
“Liana: vines.” – moonsugar6
“Gaia: earth.” – moonsugar6
“Evren: cosmos, universe.” – moonsugar6
“Asteria: star.” – moonsugar6
“Aveline: hazelnut, desired.” – moonsugar6
“Talvi: winter.” – moonsugar6
“Irene: peace.” – moonsugar6
“Lola: sorrows.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Jemima: dove.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Guinevere: white wave [Welsh].” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Selene: moon goddess.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Talia: gentle dew from heaven.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Evanthe: good flower.” – moonsugar6
“Ida: industrious one.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Emma: whole, universal.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Simone: one who hears God, hearkening.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Winifred: peaceful friend.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Abigail: father’s joy.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Adelaide: noble natured.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Adina: gentle, mild.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Celeste: heavenly.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Eleanor: light-hearted, shining light.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Josephine: shall grow.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Louisa: famous warrior.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Marceline: young warrior.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Mirabel: wondrous, of wondrous beauty.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Salome: peace.” – KhaleesiofNZ
Boy Names
“Arthur: bear.” – shaboogami
“Bran: raven.” – penguinsfrommars
“Ambrose: immortality.” – penguinsfrommars
“Arcturus: guardian of the bear – this is actually the name of a star, but I personally think it would make a good boys name.” – penguinsfrommars
“Alfred: elf-counsel.” – penguinsfrommars
“Morgan: sea chief or sea bright.” – penguinsfrommars
“Norbert: means ‘bright north’, also my grandfather’s name.” – _opossumsaurus
“Lionel: the little lion.” – User Unknown
“Isaac: one who laughs/rejoices.” – User Unknown
“Silas: man of the forest.” – User Unknown
“Leander: lion man.” – moonsugar6
“Todd: fox.” – moonsugar6
“Darby: free from envy.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Baldwin: bold friend.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Ronan: little seal.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Douglas: black water.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Odin: inspiration.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Ezra: helper.” – Intrepid_Source_7960
“Orson: bear cub.” – moonsugar6
“Silvan: forest.” – moonsugar6
“Stellan: calm.” – moonsugar6
“Evander: good man.” – moonsugar6
“Alden: old friend.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Asher: happy.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Franklin: landowner of free not not noble origin.” – KhaleesiofNZ
“Lucas: bringer of light.” – KhaleesiofNZ
