A
Aaron, Aron
The exact meaning of the name is not completely agreed upon by all authorities. Based on varying Hebrew roots it could mean: "teaching, singing, to shine, mountain." Taken from the Arabic roots it would mean "messenger."
Aatami
Finnish form of Adam.
Abba
From the Arabic, Hebrew or Syrian root meaning "father," and having the connotation of ruler or leader.
Abbey, Abby
Popular diminutive forms of Abigail.
Abigail
Of Arabic and Hebrew origin meaning "father's joy," or "my father is joy."
Abraham, Avraham
The origional name was Abram meaning "exalted father" or "father of might." It was later changed to Abraham meaning "father of a mighty nation," or "father of a multitude." The Persian form of Abraham is Ibrahim while in Arabic it is the familiar Ali Baba.
Adam, Adams (the surname derivative)
A number of meanings have been ascribed to it, but the most common is "earth." Some claim that it means "like (God)." These explanations are based on Hebrew roots. Taken of Phoenician or Babylonian origin it means "man," or "mankind."
Adena, Adina
From the Hebrew and Greek meaning "noble, desired, slender or adorned." It also has the meaning of "delicate."
Adrian
Adrian is either a derivative of the Greek meaning "rich," or from the Latin meaning "black."
Agatha
From the Greek meaning "good."
Agnes
From the Greek and Latin meaning "lamb," symbolizing purity and chastity. Inez is a Portuguese variant.
Aharon, Aharona
The Hebrew form of Aaron.
Ahava, Ahuva
From the Hebrew meaning "love" or "beloved."
Aimee
Aimee is the French form of the Latin Amy, meaning "I love," or "beloved."
Akiva
Famous scholar and teacher of the first century. Of Hebrew derivation, similar to the name Jacob, and interpreted to mean either "supplant, held by the heel, or protect."
Alan, Allan, Allen
The exact origin is speculative, but is usually taken from the Celtic meaning "harmony, peace," or from the Gaelic meaing "fair, handsome."
Aleeza, Aliza
From the Hebrew meaning "joy or joyous one."
Alex, Alexander, Alexandra
Alex is the short form of Alexander, meaning "protector of men." The Italian form is Alessandro while the Scots shortened it to Sandy.
Alice, Alicia
Alice is of Teutonic origin meaning "noble or noble cheer," although according to some authorities it is of Greek origin meaning "truth."
Alisa, Alison, Allison, Alissa
Variant forms of Alice.
Aliza, Alizah
Variant of Aleeza.
Amalia, Amaliah
From the Hebrew meaning "the work of the Lord," or "industrious."
Amanda
From the Latin meaning "to love." Mandy is often used as a pet form.
Amber
From the Arabic meaning 'amber or brownish-yellow."
Amelia
From the Latin meaning "to work, industrious." Amalie is a German variant form and Emily is the English version.
Ami
From the Hebrew word meaning "my people."
Amiel
A name of Hebrew origin meaning "God of my people."
Amitai
From the Hebrew word meaning "truth." Amitai was the father of Jonah in the Bible.
Amy
The English form of the French Aimee.
Andrea
the feminine form of the Greek Andrew meaning "valiant, strong, courageous."
Andrew, Andy
From the Greek meaning "manly, strong, valiant, courageous." The forms Andy and Tandy are Scottish variants, while in Denmark the derivative name Anders was widely used, hence the surname Anderson.
Angela, Angelica
From the Latin meaning "angel," or from the Greek meaning "messenger."
Ann, Anna, Anne, Annie, Anita
All forms of the Hebrew Chana (Hannah) meaning "gracious, merciful." Anna is a Hellenized form recorded in the Greek New Testament.
Annabel
It is generally assumed that Annabel means "Anna the beautiful." Another theory is that it is a variant form of the Latin Amabel meaning "lovable," which may be the origin of Mabel.
Anthony, Antony
From the Greek meaning "flourishing," or from the Latin meaning "worthy of praise." The diminutive form, Tony, dates back to the 17th century.
Ariel, Ariela, Ariella
From the Hebrew meaning "lion or lioness of God," and having the connotation of strength.
Arthur
Taken either from the Celtic or Gaelic with various meanings: "noble, lofty, hill" or "bear," and having the connotation of height and strength; or from the Icelandic meaning "a follower of Tur" (Thor was the Norse god of war), and ahving the connotation of fighter, warrior.
Aryeh
From the Hebrew meaning "lion," and having the connotation of strength.
Ashira
From the Hebrew meaning "wealthy."
Ashley
From the Old English meaning "a field of ash trees."
Astrite
From the Latin meaning "star-stone."
Atara
From the Hebrew meaning "a crown."
Aurora
From the Latin meaning "dawn." Zora and Zorica are Slavic variant forms.
Austin
An English variant form of August, from the Latin meaning "revered, exalted."
Avery
A variant form of Aubrey, from the Teutonic meaning "elf ruler," and having the connotation of rich and powerful.
Avi
From the Hebrew meaning "my father" or "my lord."
Avinoam
From the Hebrew meaning "father of delight."
Aviva, Avivah
From the Hebrew meaning "springtime," and connoting youthfulness, freshness.
Ayelet
From the Hebrew meaning "a deer, a gazelle."
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B
Barak
A Hebrew name meaning "lightning" or "flash of light," and having the connotation of brightness.
Barbara
From the Greek meaning "strange" or "stranger." The ancient Greeks applied the term "barbaros" to all strangers.
Barnaby
From the Aramaic meaning "speech" or "exhortation."
Barnet, Barnett
A form of Bernard meaning "bear," and having the connotation of strength.
Barrie, Barry
According to one opinion, these names are derived from the Barry Islands in Wales, which were named after Baruch, a devout man interred there, hence, the connotation of blessedness. Others take it as a Welsh patronymic form of Harry (Ap-Harry and Ab-Harry) meaning "ruler of the home." A third opinion is that Barry is an Old Celtic name meaning "good marksman."
Barth
From the Anglo-Saxon meaning "a shelter, dwelling."
Batya
From the Hebrew meaning "daughter of God."
Bela, Bella, Belle
Either a form of Isabella meaning "God's oath," or from the Hungarian meaning "nobly bright," or from the Latin meaning "beautiful one." Belle is a French form.
Belinda
An Old Germanic name derived from the Latin meaning "beautiful serpent," having the connotation of wise, shrewd. Snakes were once regarded as sacred animals.
Ben
From the Hebrew meaning "son." Often is the diminutive form of Benjamin.
Ben-Ami
From the Hebrew meaning "son of my people."
Benjamin, Benyamin
From the Hebrew meaning "son of my right hand," and having the connotation of strength.
Bertha, Berta
From the Teutoni meaning "bright" or "beautiful," or "famous."
Beryl
From the Greek and also the Sanskrit meaning "a precious stone," or a Yiddish diminutive of the Teutonic meaning "a bear," and having the connotation of strength. In Persian and Arabic the meaning is "crystal" or "crystal clear."
Boris
From the Slavic meaning "fighting warrior."
Bram
In England and among the Dutch, Bram was a variant form of Abraham.
Brand
From the Anglo-Saxon meaning "raven" or "sword," and having the connotation of strength or warrior.
Brenda
From the Celtic meaning "dark-haired."
Bret, Brett
From the Celtic meaning "a Breton," or "a native of Brittany."
Brian, Bryan
From the Celtic or Gaelic meaning "strength, nobly born," or "one who is eloquent."
Bridget, Bridgit, Brigit
From the Celtic meaning "strength."
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C
Caasi, Casy, Cassie
A diminutive form of Catherine.
Calvin
From the Latin meaning "bald."
Camilla, Camille
From the Latin meaning "an attendant (at a sacrafice) or "a messenger," and having the connotation of helper.
Candace, Candice, Candida, Candide, Candy
From the Greek meaning "the fire-white or incandescent," or from the Latin meaning "pure, unsullied." Candide is the French form.
Cara, Carla, Carlotta
See Caroline, of which these are shortened forms.
Carey, Cary
From the Welsh or Cornish meaning "stoney or rock island."
Carl, Carol, Carrol, Carroll
Carol, Carrol and Carroll are all forms of Carl meaning "strong, stalwart man." (See also "Carol")
Carlton
Derived from Carl, and meaning "from Carl's farm."
Carma, Carmel, Carmeli, Carmelit, Carmen
Either of Hebrew origin meaning "vineyard, park" or from the Arabic meaning "field of fruit." Carmen is the Spanish form of Carmel. Carmiela means "vineyard of the Lord." Each of these names are also spelled with a K.
Carol
Either from the Gaelic meaning "melody, song" or diminutive form of Caroline.
Caroline, Carolyn, Carrie
Caroline is of Teutonic origin meaning "valiant, strong." the origional form of these names is the Latin Carl.
Caspar
From the Teutonic meaning "imperial."
Catherine, Cathleen, Cathy
Cathleen and Cathy are forms of Catherine meaning "pure, purity" in Greek, and having the connotation of righteous, truthful. Katherine is a variant spelling.
Cecil, Cecilia, Cecile
From the Latin meaning "blind" or "dim-sighted." The origional form is Cecil. In ancient Rome there was a famous family whose founder was said to have been blind.
Cedric
A Welsh name meaning "bountiful."
Celeste
From the Latin meaning "heavenly."
Celia
Either a form of Cecilia, or from the Latin meaning "heavens, heavenly."
Chad
From the Celtic meaning "battle" or "warrior."
Chaim
A Hebraic name meaning "life." French Jews translated it into "Vive."
Chana, Chanah, Channa, Channah
Hebraic forms of Hannah.
Charity
From the Latin meaning "love, affection."
Charlene, Charlet, Charlot, Charlotte
Variant forms of Caroline derived from the Teutonic meaning "strong, valiant."
Charles
Charles is of Teutonic origin and is a variant form of Carl meaning "strong."
Charlton
A French-German name derived from Charles, and meaning "Charles' farm."
Chaya
From the Hebrew meaning "life, living."
Cheri, Cherie, Cheryl
From the French meaning "dear, beloved, sweetheart." Cheryl is alsoa variant spelling of Sheryl.
Chesna
A Slavic name meaning "peaceful."
Chester
From the Latin meaning "fortress" or "camp," and having the connotation of protection.
Christina, Christine
A purely Christian name derived from Christ, meaning "annoint," or "the annointed one" in Greek.
Christopher
A Christian name meaning "Christ-bearer." St. Christopher was martyred in 250 C.E. at the hands of the Romans.
Cindy
Usually a diminutive form of Cynthia.
Claire, Clara, Clarisse
From the Latin meaning "fair, bright, clear."
Clarence
From the Latin meaning "illustrious."
Clark
From the Old English meaning "clergyman or learned man." A clark, or clerk, was origionally a member of a clerical order. The opportunity to study and become a scholar was origionally confined, in the main, to members of the clergy.
Claude, Claudette, Claudia
From the Latin meaning "lame." A euphemistic interpretation would give these names the connotation of "swiftness." In Wales, Gladys is considered the Welsh form of Claudia.
Clement, Clementine
From the Latin meaning "merciful" or "gracious."
Cliff
Either a short form of Clifford or Clifton, or an independant Old English name meaning "from the cliff or high place."
Clifford
An English local name meaning "the ford or crossing near the cliff."
Clifton
An Old English name meaning "the farm near the cliff."
Clive
Origionally a place-name in England meaning "cliff, hill" or "mountain."
Clyde
From the Welsh meaning "heard from afar."
Coleman
From the Latin meaning "dove," or from the Icelandic meaning "head man." It is also taken by some as of occupational origin meaning "charcoal maker."
Colin
A diminutive of Nicholas meaning "victory." In Celtic Colin means "a cub, young animal."
Conan
From the Celtic meaning "chief or king." In Ireland it carries the added meaning of "intelligent."
Connie, Constance
Connie is a diminutive of Constance meaning "constant, firm, faithful" in Latin.
Corey, Corie, Cory
From the Gaelic meaning "a ravine, a deep hollow."
Craig
From the Scottish meaning "from the crag or rocks."
Cynthia
The Greek goddess of the moon, who is also known as Phoebe. Cindy and Sindy are diminutive forms.
Crawford
An Old English name meaning "the ford or stream where the crows flock."
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D
Dahlia
The name of a flower, or a variant spelling for Dalia.
Daisy
Usually taken as a nickname for Margaret and derived from St. Margherita of Itlay who took the daisy (flower) as her symbol. Daisy may also be a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon meaning "day's eye," symbolic of the dawn.
Dale
From the Anglo-Saxon meaning "a dweller in a vale between the hills."
Dalia
From the Hebrew meaning either "a branch, a bough" or "to draw water."
Dan
Dan was one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Bible and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Dan is derived from the Hebrew meaning "he judged."
Dani
Derived from Dan and meaning "my judge."
Dania, Danya
Variant forms of the masculine name Dan. From the Hebrew "judgement of the Lord."
Daniel, Daniela, Daniella, Danielle
Derived from the Hebrew meaning "God is my judge."
Daphna, Daphne, Daphnit
From the Greek meaning "a bay-tree" or "a laurel," the symbol of victory. In Greek mythology Daphne was a nymph who, pursued by Apollo, managed to escape capture by turning into a laurel tree. Laurel leaves were worn by victors in honour of Apollo.
Darin, Darren
Probably variant forms of the Persian Darius.
Darius
From the Persian meaning "one who possesses wealth." Darius was a king of Persia mentioned in the Bible.
Dasi, Dassi
Diminutive forms of Hadassah.
David, Davida
From the Hebrew meaning "beloved, friend."
Dawn
The translation of the Greek aurora is "dawn." Aurora was the Roman goddess of dawn.
Debbi, Debby
Pet forms of Deborah.
Deborah, Debra
From the Hebrew meaning either "a swarm of bees" or "to speak kind words." Debra, Devora and Devra are all variant forms.
Deena, Dena, Denna
Variant Hebraic forms of the biblical Dinah meaning "judgement." Dena is also derived from the Anglo-Saxon meaning "from the valley."
Delano
Either from the Old French meaning "of the night" or from the Erse meaning "a healthy dark person."
Denis, Dennis, Denys
Derived from Dionysius, Greek god of wine and drama. He was origionally the god of vegetation and fruitfulness.
Derek
An English form of the Gothic name Theodoric, meaning "ruler of the people."
Diana, Diane, Dianne
From the Latin meaning "bright, pure as day." Diana was the moon goddess in Roman mythology.
Dinah, Dina
From the Hebrew meaning "judgement." Dena, Dina and Deena are variant spellings.
Dolly
Dolly is either a form of Dorothy meaning "gift of God" in Greek, or is an independant name, from the Old English meaning "doll."
Dolores
Origionally a purely Christian name from the Latin, meaning "lady of sorrows."
Dominic, Dominick
From the Latin meaning "belonging to God."
Donald
From the Celtic or Scottish meaning "proud chief," or "world ruler."
Donna
From the Latin and Italian meaning "lady of nobility."
Dora, Doreen, Dorene
Dora is a pet form of Dorothy. Doreen and Dorene are diminutive forms of Dora. All are derived from the Greek meaning "gift of God."
Dorothea, Dorothy
From the Greek meaning "gift of God." The origional form of the name is Theodora.
Douglas
Either from the Scottish meaning "dark water," or from the Celtic meaning "dark grey." Doug is a pet form.
Drew
A diminutive form of Andrew.
Dudley
An Old English name meaning "Duda's meadow," a place in Worcesterchire, England.
Dwight
Either from the Teutonic meaning "white or fair," or a variant form of Denis.
Dylan
From the Welsh meaning "the sea."
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