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A
AARON:
Hebrew for "shining light" or "high mountain"
and Arabic for "messenger." Alternative spelling:
Aaren, Aron, Aren
ABBOTT:
From the Arabic and Aramaic for "father." English
variation of Abraham "Father of many". Alternative
spelling: Abbot, Abot, Abott.
ABBY:
Latin for "head of a monastery." A variation or
nickname for Abigail which means "father's joy".
Alternative spelling: Abbee, Abbey, Abbi, Abbie.
ABEL:
From the Hebrew for "breath." Adam and Eve's son,
killed by brother Cain. Alternative spelling: Abil, Able,
Abyl
ABIGAIL:
From the Hebrew for "a father's joy." Alternative
spelling: Abigale, Abigayle, Abygail, Abygalle, Abygayle,
also see Abby
ABNER:
From the Hebrew for "father of light." Namesakes:
Abner Doubleday, "Li'l Abner."
ABRAHAM:
From the Hebrew for "father of many." Abe and Bram
are nice nicknames that work well on its own. Alternative
spelling: Abrahem, Abrahym, Abreham, Abrehem, Abrehym, Abryham,
Abryhem
ACADIA:
Origin unknown, but probably related to the Acadians of Canada
(Nova Scotia). A nice melodic sound; this works well as a
middle name. Relatives: Cadie, Caddie.
ACKLEY:
Old English for "meadow of oaks."
ACTON:
Old English for "town with many oaks." Anne Bronte
picked this name for her pseudonym, "Acton Bell."
ADA:
From the Hebrew for "adorned" and Latin for "of
noble birth." This name also comes from African background
for "first daughter" and Scottish for "happiness".
ADAM:
From the Hebrew for "earth." The first male to walk
the earth! Alternative spelling: Adem, Adym.
ADDISON:
Old English for "Adam's son." Alternative spelling:
Adisen, Adison, Addysen, Addyson, Adysen, Adyson.
ADELAIDE:
French variation of the German for "noble kind."
Alternatives include: Adalia, Adeline, Aline, Adele, Adelle,
Della.
ADENA:
From the Hebrew for "delicate." Relatives: Adina,
Adinna, Adenna.
ADLER: German for "eagle." More common as a last
name, it makes an impresive first name, too.
ADRIAN:
A variation of "Hadrian," Greek for "rich"
and Latin for "dark one." Also known in Greek as
"Manly" or "Brave". Alternative spelling:
Adryan, Adrien, Adryen. Nice as a girls name as well - Adriana,
Adriene.
AIDA:
Old English for "joyful" and Arabic for "reward".
Alternative spelling: Ayda.
AIDAN:
Irish name for "fire". Alternative spelling: Aiden,
Aidyn.
AIKEN:
Old English for "made of oak."
AIMEE: Variation of "Amy" which is French for "Beloved".
Alternative spelling: Amy, Aimi, Aimie, Aimey.
AINSLEY:
Scottish for "my meadow." A delicate name. Alternative
spelling: Aynsley, Ainsly, Ainslee
ALAN:
Gaelic for "handsome." Can be used in different
forms for a boy or gir. Alternative spelling: Allan, Alen,
Allen, Allyn, Alyn.
ALANA: Irish for "Traveller". Feminine form of Alan.
Alternative spelling: Alanna.
ALASTAIR:
A Scottish version of Alexander. Alternative spelling: Alistair,
Alistaire, Alastaire, Alister, Alaster, Alasdair.
ALBERT:
A German compound of "noble" and "bright."
Relatives: Alberta, Alberto, Albertina, Albertine, Albertus,
Albrecht, Adelbert, Aubert, Elbert, Bertel, Berty, Bertie,
Al, Alby, Albie.
ALCOTT:
Old English for "old cottage," but its literary
associations are what comes to mind today. Relatives: Alcot,
Walcott, Walcot.
ALDEN:
From the English "wise guardian". Relatives: Aldan,
Aldwin.
ALDER:
Middle English for a type of birch tree and Old English for
"revered one."
ALEXANDER:
Greek for "protector of mankind." Relatives: Alec,
Alek, Aleks, Alex, Alesandro, Alessandro, Alejo, Alexei, Alysander,
Alexandre, Alejandro, Aleksander, Alastair, Iksander, Ixsander,
Sandro, Sander, Sanders, Sandor, Sandy, Sandie, Sacha, Sasha,
Xander.
ALEXANDRA:
Feminine form of "Alexander." Relatives: Alexa,
Alexia, Alexis, Alexandria, Alesandra, Alessandra, Allesandra,
Aleksey, Alexine, Aleka, Alya, Aliki, Alejanda, Lexy, Lexie,
Sandra, Zandra, Sanie, Sandy.
ALI:
A variation of "Allah" and American Indian for "little."
Alternative spelling: Ally, Alley, Aly, Allie.
ALICE:
From the Old German for "noble" and Greek for "truth."
Relatives: Alicia, Alise, Alison, Allison, Alyse, Alix, Alyce,
Alexis, Alika, Aliki, Ali, Allie, Ally.
ALIDA:
Greek for "beautifully dressed." Relatives: Aleda,
Aletta, Alette, Allida, Allidia, Alidia, Lida.
ALLEGRA:
Latin for "brisk and cheerful." Allegro is a musical
notation for a composition that is to be played at a fast
tempo.
ALMA:
Latin for "soul" or "nourishing."
ALTHEA:
Greek for "healer." Relatives: Allie, Alethea, Alithea,
Thea.
ALVIN:
Old English for "elf wine." Relative: Alwyn.
AMANDA:
From the Latin for "love." Relatives: Mandy, Mandie.
AMBER:
English for "orange-yellow."
AMBROSE:
From the Greek for "immortal." Ambrosia was the
mythical drink of the gods and was thought to bring immortality
to anyone who tasted it. Relative: Ambrosia.
AMELIA:
From the Latin for "flatterer" and Greek for "melodious".
Relatives: Ameilie, Amalia, Amela, Amala, Emelia.
AMON:
Irish variation of Edmund. A nice name, the Irish "Eamon"
spelling is particularly attractive. Relatives: Eamon, Eammon.
AMORY:
From the Latin for "loving." Terrific choice for
boy or girl, whatever the spelling. Relatives: Emory, Emery.
ANABELLE:
A lacy name with a Victorian sensibility. But Queen Elizabeth
deemed it too "yuppie" for the baby who is Princess
Beatrice of York. Relatives: Anabel, Annabel, Ann, Anna, Belle,
Bella, Annabelle, Annabella.
ANAIS:
Origin unknown, possibly a variation of Ann. However you pronounce
this name ("AH-na-ees," Ah-NAY-iss"), it's
a beauty.
ANASTASIA:
Greek for "resurrection." Relatives: Anastasio,
Anastace, Anastasius, Anastice, Anstasie, Stacia, Stasa, Stacy,
Stacey, Natasha, Tasia, Tasha.
ANCEL:
Old German for "diety." Relatives: Ansel, Ancell,
Ancelot, Anselm.
ANDERSON: "Son of Andrew." Most common as a surname,
gaining popularity as a first name. Relatives: Anderson, Anders,
Andy.
ANDREW:
From the Greek for "valiant, courageous." Relatives:
Anders, Andres, Andre (French), Andrei, Andros, Andy, Andie,
Andrews, Drew.
ANGELA:
From the Greek for "heavenly messenger." Relatives:
Angelica, Ange, Angel, Angell, Angelo, Angelico, Angie, Anjelica.
ANGUS:
From the Gaelic for "superb" or "unique."
According to Gaelic mythology, Angus was the god of love.
ANNALYNN:
This compound name is sweetly euphonic. Relatives: Annalynne,
Analyn, Analynne
ANNE:
From the Hebrew for "gracious." Relatives: Ann,
Anna, Annis, Annys, Anya, Anika, Annie, Annice, Anita, Anca,
Anneka.
ANNETTE:
A French variation of "Ann."
ANSON:
Anglo-Saxon for "son of a nobleman" or "son
of Ann or Hans." A good, clear Celtic sound. Relatives:
Ansen, Ansonia, Hansen, Hanson.
ANTHONY:
From the Latin for "priceless" and Greek for "flourishing."
The classic for an Italian-Ameican boy; Antonia for a girl
is much less common and quite nice. Relatives: Antonius, Antoine,
Anton, Antony, Antonia, Antonio, Antoinette, Antoinetta, Tony,
Toni, Tonio, Tonia, Tonya, Toinette.
APRIL:
From the Latin for "blooming" and the spring month.
Relatives: Avril, Aprille, Ava. Namesakes: Jean Avril, Ava
Gardner.
ARABELLE:
German for "beautiful eagle." A unique turn on the
more popular Anabelle. Relatives: Arabel, Arabelle, Arabella.
ARCHIBALD:
Anglo-Saxon for "bold prince." . Relatives: Arch,
Archie, Archy, Arkady, Arky.
ARDEN:
From the Latin for "passionate" and an English place
name. Could be used as a girl or boy name. Relatives: Ardelia,
Ardis, Ardon.
ARIADNE:
In Greek mythology, Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos
of Crete. She gave Theseus the threat that led him out of
the labrynth and was subsequently dumped for her trouble.
Relatives: Arianne, Arianna, Aria.
ARIEL:
From the Hebrew for "lion of God" and more recently
the "little mermaid". Relatives: Arial, Aryel, Ario,
Ari, Ariella, Ariela.
ARION:
Arion was Greek poet who was rescued by dolphins after being
thrown into the sea.
ARMAND:
A variation of Herman, but a stronger sound closer to its
original meaning of warrior. Relatives: Armond, Herman, Hermann.
ARNOLD:
From the German for "eagle" and "powerful."
e. Relatives: Arnaud, Arnault, Arnie, Arnald, Arno, Arne,
Arnell, Arnel, Arness, Arnot, Arnald.
ARTHUR:
Welsh for "bear hero" and shrouded in the mists
of British history. Relatives: Artur, Art, Arta, Artie, Arty,
Arturo, Arte, D'Artagnan.
ASA:
From the Hebrew for "healer." Alternative spelling:
Assa
ASHER:
From the Hebrew for "fortunate." Relatives: Asser,
Ashe, Ashbel, Anschel.
ASHLEY:
Old English for "ash-tree." Another name great for
both girls and boys. Relatives: Ashleigh, Ashford, Ash, Ashe,
Ashby, Ashlie, Ashling.
ASTIN:
A variation of August. Relatives: Austin, Austen.
ASTRID:
From the Greek for "star" and Old Norse for "super
strength." Relatives: Astra, Astera, Astred, Asta, Astyr.
AUBREY:
German for "elf rule."
AUBURN:
Latin for "fair." and a Reddish-Brown colour in
English most often referred to in hair colours. Relatives:
Alban, Aubin.
AURELIA:
From the Latin for "gold." Relatives: Aurora, Aurea,
Aurore, Aurelie.
AVERILL:
Old English for "boar-warrior" and a variation of
April. Relatives: Averil, Averell, Everill, Everil, Haverl,
Haverhill. .
AVIVA:
From the Hebrew for "springtime." Relatives: Avital,
Avi, Avia, Avivah.
AZURA:
Persian for "sky-blue." Relative: Azure.
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