GABRIEL:
From the Hebrew for "God is my strength."
The archangel Gabriel has played important roles in
the mythology of Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The
name has a musical quality to it, perhaps because he
heralds Judgment Day with his trumpet. Relatives: Gabryel,
Gabriello, Gavrila, Gabby, Gab, Gabe, Gable. Namesakes:
Gabe Kaplan, Gabby Hayes, Clark Gable, Roman Gabriel.
GABRIELA:
From the Hebrew for "God is my strength" and
a feminine version of Gabriel. The exotic quality of
this name makes it a winning choice. Relatives: Gabriella,
Gabrielle, Gavrila, Gavra, Galia, Galya, Gabby, Gabi.
Namesake: Gabrielle Roy.
GAGE:
Old French for "pledge." This is unusual and
handsome. Namesake: Thomas Gage.
GAIL:
Irish for "stranger," Old Norse for "to
sing," and an abbreviated form of Gaylord or Abigail.
A short, sweet name that works for boys or girls, though
it is usually assumed to be feminine. Relatives: Gayle,
Gale, Galatea. Namesakes: Gail Strickland, Gale Sayers,
Gale Storm
GAINES:
Middle English for "increase in wealth." You
couldn't do better for a future stockbroker. Relatives:
Gaynes, Gainsborough, Gainor, Gaynor. Namesakes: Thomas
Gainsborough, Rowdy Gaines, Gainesville (Fla.).
GALEN:
From the Greek for "tranquil." Galen was second-century
physician and philosopher who is called the grandfather
of modern medicine.
GALLAGHER:
Celtic for "eager aide." Relatives: Gallagher,
Gahan. Namesakes: "Gallagher," Gahan Wilson.
GALLOWAY:
From the Latin for "from Gaul." Evokes distant
times and faraway places. Relative: Galway. Namesakes:
Galway Kinnell, James Galway.
GAMAL:
Arabic for "camel." Relatives: Jamal, Jammal,
Gamali. Namesake: Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
GARDINER:
From the Danish for "garden keeper." A noble
profession and a vivid name. Relatives: Gardener, Gardenor,
Gardner, Gardnard, Garden, Gar. Namesakes: Erle Stanley
Gardner, John Gardner.
GARETH:
Norse for "enclosure" and Old French for "watchful."
Sir Gareth was the knight of the Round Table responsible
for freeing Lady Lynette from the dreaded Sir Ironside.
Relatives: Garth, Garret, Garrett, Garreth, Gareth,
Garit, Gary, Garry, Gar. Namesakes: Garrett Morris,
Garrett Simmons.
GARFIELD:
Old English for "promontory." A name for fat
cats. Relative: Gar. Namesakes: James Garfield, "Garfield."
GARLAND:
Old French for "wreath." Pretty name. Relatives:
Garlan, Garlon, Garlyn, Gar. Namesakes: Garland Jeffries,
Judy Garland.
GARNER:
From the Latin for "granary." Namesakes: James
Garner, John Nance Garner.
GARNET:
Latin for "red seed." It is the birthstone
for January babies. Relative: Garnett.
GARRISON:
From the Old French for "fort." A slightly
more formal twist on Gary. Relative: Garson. Namesakes:
Garrison Keillor, Garson Kanin, Greer Garson.
GARY:
From the Old German for "spear carrier." Relatives:
Garry, Garrie, Garvey, Garvie, Garvin, Gervis, Gervais,
Gervase, Garrick. Namesakes: Garry Trudeau, Gary Larson,
Gary Cooper, Steve Garvey.
GASPAR:
Persian for "treasure bearer." Gaspar was
one of the three wise men; his gift to the Christ child
was frankincense, representing divinity. Relatives:
Gasper, Jasper.
GAVIN:
Welsh for "hawk." A proper name for a future
pilot. Relatives: Gavan. Namesakes: Gavin McLeod, Gavin
Maxwell, John Gavin.
GAWAIN:
Welsh for "courteous." Brave knight of the
Round Table who tried to find and recover the Holy Grail.
Relatives: Gawaine, Gawen.
GAY:
From the Old French for "merry." Relatives:
Gaye, Gae, Gai, Gaea, Gaia (Greek for "the earth").
Namesakes: Gay Talese, Gae Exton, John Gay.
GAYLORD:
From the Old French for "brave." Relatives:
Gaylard, Gayelord, Gay. Namesakes: Gaylord Perry.
GELSEY:
A variety of jasmine (gelsemium). One of the more unusual
floral names. Relatives: Gelsi, Gelsy. Namesake: Gelsey
Kirkland.
GEMMA:
Latin for "precious stone." A lovely name
more popular in Britain than in the United States. Try
pronouncing it with a soft "g," as in "gemstone."
Relative: Jemma.
GENEVA:
From the Old French for "juniper berry." An
interesting change from Jennifer. Relatives: Genevia,
Genny. Namesake: Geneva (Switzerland).
GENEVIEVE:
Old Welsh for "white wave." Exquisite. A truly
lovely-sounding name. Relative: Genny. Namesake: Genevieve
Bujold.
GEORGE:
Greek for "farmer." Saint George is the patron
saint of England and is commonly depicted as the mighty
dragon-slayer and damsel-saver. Relatives: Georg, Georges,
Georgio, Giorgio, Giorgis, Georgius, Georgie, Georgi,
Georgy, Geordie, Goran, Jorge, Jorges, Jorgen, Jerzy,
Jiri, Juro, Jurik, Jur, Jeorg, Juergen, Jurgen, Jurek,
Jorrin, Jurgi, Yegor, Yura, Yurchik, Yurik, Yusha, Yurko,
Yoyi, Yuri, Egor, Zhorka, Seiorse. Namesakes: King George
III, George Washington, George Bernard Shaw, George
M. Cohan, George Gershwin, George Balanchine, George
Burns, McGeorge Bundy, Jorge Amado, "Curious George."
GEORGIA:
Greek for "farmer" and a feminine version
of George. The great southern state of Georgia was named
in honor of England's King George II. It's a name always
on one's mind. Relatives: Georgea, Georgina, Georgianna,
Georgine, Georgette, Georgeen, Georgeena, Georgeanne,
Georgienne, Giorgia, Georgie, Georgy, Gina, Gerda, Gruzia,
Jirka, Jirca, Jirina, Jorgina. Namesakes: Georgia Hampton,
Georgia O'Keeffe, Georgette Klinger, "georgette"
lace, Georgy Girl.
GERALD:
Old French for "spear warrior." You can see
how popular this one is in Europe by the wealth of variations.
Relatives: Gerard, Geraud, Gerardo, Gerhard, Gerhardt,
Gerhart, Geraldo, Garold, Gerek, Gerrit, Garrod, Garrard,
Gerbert, Girard, Girauld, Girault, Giraut, Gerry, Jerry,
Jerard, Jarett, Jarrett. Namesakes: Gerard Manley Hopkins,
Geraldo Rivera.
GERALDINE:
Old German for "hard spear" and a feminine
version of Gerald. Relatives: Geraldene, Gereldine,
Geraldyne, Gerry, Geri, Gerrie. Namesakes: Geraldine
Page, Geraldine Ferraro, Geraldine Chaplin.
GERMAIN:
Middle English for "bud" and related to "German."
A bit Teutonic perhaps, but pleasant sounding. Relatives:
German, Germain, Jarman, Jermyn, Jermain, Jermayne,
Jermaine, Jermana. Namesakes: Saint Germain, Germaine
Greer, Jermaine Jackson.
GERTRUDE:
Old German for "adored warrior." Although
the name sounds a bit dated, consider the charming variations.
Relatives: Gerta, Gerda, Gerte, Gertie, Gerty, Gert,
Jera, Jerica, Trude, Truta, Trudy, Trudie, Trudi, True.
Namesakes: Hamlet's mother, Gertrude Stein.
GIDEON:
From the Hebrew for "mighty warrior." According
to the Old Testament, Gideon tricked his enemy into
thinking he led a massive army by breaking crockery
and sounding the trumpets. Relatives: Giddy, Gid. Namesakes:
Gideon Putnam, Gideon Bible.
GIFFORD:
Middle English for "a worthy gift." Relative:
Giff. Namesake: Frank Gifford.
GIG:
Middle English for "horse-drawn carriage"
and vaudevillian for "one-night stand." Namesake:
Gig Young.
GILBERT:
Old German for "bright desire." Gilberta is
a feminine version. Relatives: Gilberto, Guilbert, Giggon,
Gil, Gilly, Gip, Gipper, Gib, Gibby, Gibbs, Gibson,
Gillett, Gillette, Wilbert, Wilbur, Bert. Namesakes:
Gilbert Roland, John Gilbert, W.S. Gilbert, Astrid Gilberto.
GILDA:
Celtic for "servant of God" and Old English
for "gold-coated." A variation on Golda. Relative:
Gylda. Namesakes: Gilda Radner, Rigoletto's daughter.
GILES:
From the Greek for "shield of hides" and French
for "youth." Sounds like the name of a British
butler. Saint Giles is the patron saint of the physically
handicapped. Relatives: Gyles, Gilles, Gilean, Gileon,
Gil, Gillette, Gillian, Egedio, Egide, Egidius. Namesake:
"Giles Goat Boy."
GILFORD:
Old English for "a ford near the wooded ravine."
Relatives: Guilford, Gilmore, Gilroy. Namesake: Jack
Gilford.
GILLA:
Hebrew for "my joy is in the Lord." Relatives:
Giliah, Gilana, Gila, Gilah.
GILLIAN:
A variation of Juliana, popularized in Britain during
the Middle Ages. May be pronounced with either a hard
"g" (as in"glue") or a soft "g"
(as in "gem"). Relatives: Gillianne, Gilliana,
Gilly, Gill.
GISELLE:
Anglo-Saxon for "sword pledge." Perfect for
a future ballerina.. Relatives: Gisella, Gisela, Gizella,
Gizelle. Namesake: Giselle.
GITA:
Hebrew for "good." Relatives: Gitah, Gitel,
Gittel.
GITANA:
Spanish for "gypsy." For the baby who responds
to violins and tambourines. Relatives: Gitane, Gypsy,
Gipsy. Namesakes: Gypsy Rose Lee, Gitane bicycles, Gitane
cigarettes.
GLADYS:
A Welsh version of Claudia. Relatives: Gladiss, Gladyce,
Gleda. Namesake: Gladys Knight
GLEN:
Celtic for "secluded wooded valley." Thanks
to actress Glenn Close, this name has found a new following
among girl babies. Relatives: Glenn, Glena, Glenda,
Glyn, Glynn, Glynnis, Glynis, Glenard, Glenon, Glendon.
Namesakes: Glenn Miller, Glenn Ford, Glenn Close, Glenda
Jackson, Glynis Johns, John Glenn.
GLORIA:
Latin for "glory." Gloriana was the fairy
queen in Spenser's epic poem. The name was intended
as a tribute to the dedicatee, Queen Elizabeth I. Relatives:
Glora, Glorya, Glory, Gloriana, Glorianne Namesakes:
Gloria Swanson, Gloria Steinem, Gloria Vanderbilt, morning
glory
GODFREY:
Old German for "God's peace." Relatives: Goddard,
Gottfried, Gotfrid, Goffredo, Giotto, Godofredo, Govert,
Godrick, Godwin, Godin, Goddenn, Godding, Godard, Godhart,
Gotthardt. Namesakes: Godfrey Cambridge, Arthur Godfrey,
My Man Godfrey.
GODIVA:
Old English for "gift of God." Sounds like
an Aussie greeting.. This name will be associated with
the saucy lady who rode through town in nothing but
a curtain of her own knee-length hair. Her husband had
jokingly said he wouldn't levy taxes on the townspeople
if she performed the stunt. Never joke with a Lady named
Godiva. Namesake: Godiva chocolates.
GOLDA:
Old English "to shine." Relatives: Gold, Goldie,
Golden, Goldman, Goldwin, Goldwyn. Namesakes: Golda
Meir, Goldie Hawn, Golden Richards, Samuel Goldwyn.
GORDON:
Old English for "fertilized pasture." A Scottish
clan name with a lovely tartan of navy blue, hunter
green, yellow, and white. Relatives: Gordan, Gordie,
Gordy, Gordo, Gorton, Gore, Gorham, Gorrell. Namesakes:
Gordon Cooper, Gordon Parks, Gordie Howe
GOWER:
Old English for "crooked coastline" or Old
French for "harness maker." Relatives: Gowell,
Gowar. Namesake: Gower Champion.
GRACE:
From the Latin for "grace." According to Roman
mythology, the Graces personified truth, beauty, and
charm. The Greeks called them Charities. Their individual
names were Thalia (Flowering), Aglaia (Wisdom), and
Euphrosyne (Joy). Grace is coming back into favor. Relatives:
Gracey, Gracie, Graza, Grazia, Grazina. Namesakes: Grace
Kelly, Grace Slick, Grace Paley, Gracie Allen.
GRADY:
From the Latin for "rank." Namesake: Grady
Tate.
GRAHAM:
Latin for "grain" and Anglo-Saxon for "gray
home." Graham flour (which is made from wheat kernels)
is named for American physician Sylvester Graham. Relatives:
Gram, Grahame. Namesakes: Graham Kerr, Graham Greene,
Graham Nash, Gram Parsons, Graham crackers.
GRANGER:
From the Old French for "farm steward." Namesake:
Stewart Granger.
GRANT:
From the Old French for "to give." A refined
name that suggests a certain elegance. Namesakes: Grant
Wood, Grant Tinker, Cary Grant, Ulysses S. Grant, Hugh
Grant.
GRANVILLE:
Old French for "big town." An appropriate
choice for a baby born in a major league town.
GRATIA:
From the Latin for "grateful." And let's not
forget Gracias, Spaseba, Merci, Thanks, and Danke. Relative:
Gratiana.
GRAY:
Old English for "to shine." For the baby who
sees more than just black and white. Relatives: Grey,
Grayson, Graydon, Griswold, Greeley. Namesakes: Joel
Grey, Horace Greeley.
GREER:
From the Greek for "watchful." Works well
for a boy or girl. Relatives: Grier, Gregoria. Namesakes:
Greer Garson, Rosie Grier
GREGORY:
From the Greek for "watchman." This name has
lent itself to the Gregorian chant and the Gregorian
calendar in honor of Pope Gregory I and Pope Gregory
XIII, respectively. Relatives: Gregorius, Gregori, Gregoire,
Gregor, Gregorio, Gregoor, Griogair, Grioghar, Gregus,
Gragos, Greis, Grischa, Grigor, Grigori, Gries, Gero,
Greg, Graig, Greig, Gregg, Gregson, Grig, Grigg, Grigson,
McGregor. Namesakes: Pope Gregory, Gregory Peck, Dick
Gregory, "Greg Brady."
GRIFFIN:
A mythological beast -- half lion and half eagle --
that is charged with watching over golden treasures.
Relatives: Gryphon, Griffon, Griffith, Griff. Namesakes:
Griffin Dunne, Griffon Bell, Merv Griffin, Andy Griffith.
GRISELDA:
Old German for "gray warrior." In Boccaccio's
tale, "The Decameron," Griselda's husband
doubted her love for him and put her through tests of
anquish and heartbreak. Yet her love proved constant,
and he was at last satisfied. Relatives: Grizelda, Grishilda,
Grishilde, Griseldis, Grisa, Gris, Chriselda, Selda,
Zelda.
GROVER:
Anglo-Saxon for "one who tends the groves."
Akin to Farmer, Gardiner, and Forester. Relative: Grove.
Namesakes: Grover Cleveland, Grover Washington, "Sesame
Street" character.
GUINEVERE:
Celtic for "white wave." King Arthur's lady
and a jewel of a name. The French version, Genevieve,
is also lovely. Relatives: Guenevere, Gwendoline, Gwendolyn,
Gwendaline, Gwendolen, Gwen, Gwenn, Gwenne, Gwenith,
Gwenyth, Gwyneth, Gwyn, Guenn, Gwynne, Gwyndolyn, Jennifer.
Namesakes: Lady Guinevere, Gwendolyn Brooks, Gwen Verdon,
Gwyneth Jones.
GUNNAR:
Old Norse for "war." A great name for a child
with the proper Norse heritage. Relatives: Gunn, Gunther,
Gunter, Guntar. Namesakes: Gunnar Nelson, Günter
Grass, "Peter Gunn."
GUSTAVE:
Swedish for "from the Goth." Relatives: Gustavo,
Gustavus, Gustav, Gustaf, Gus. Namesakes: Gustave Flaubert,
Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler, Gustavus Adolphus.
GUTHRIE:
Celtic for "war hero" and American for "folk
singer." Namesakes: Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie.
GUY:
From the Old French for "guide." Guy, like
Bud and Mac, is a generic term for "hey, you."
Namesakes: Guy Burgess, Guy de Maupassant, Guy Fawkes.
