Baby Names and Their Meanings

You might not realize it, but baby names often carry a great deal of meaning. While some names are simply a collection of interesting sounds and syllables, others are intriguing metaphors. Therefore, when naming your baby, you might not only want to consider a name that sounds good to you, but also one that has a meaning that is special to you.

Dreamy Names

There are some first names that are particularly dreamy, when it comes to their meaning. For instance, Aine means pleasure or delight, while Alanna means attractive and peaceful. Therefore, if you have a child that is especially pleasant, Aine or Alanna might be an appropriate name. If your baby is the embodiment of your dreams, consider the name Ashlyn. The baby girl name meaning for Ashlyn is “vision”.

Naming with the Eyes

Other names refer to an individual’s looks. For instance, if you have a thin boy, consider naming him Blaine. If he’s freckled, Breck is the best choice (the baby boy name meaning of Breck being “freckled”). If your daughter is dark-skinned or dark-eyed, Ciara, which means “black, ” would be appropriate. Similarly, if your boy has dark features, consider naming him Darci.

The Meaning Behind Biblical Baby Names

What’s particularly interesting about Bible baby names is their biblical baby name meanings, typically, multiple levels of meaning. For instance, not only does a name stand for a specific historical figure in the Bible—the word itself may also have special meaning. For instance, Abraham is Hebrew for “father of a multitude.” Abel is the Hebrew word for “breath,” while Abram carries the meaning of “exalted father.” Adam is Hebrew for “created by God”; Barnabas means “son of prophesy.” Daniel means “my judge is the Lord”; the biblical baby girl name Elizabeth means “God’s oath.”

Names with Identity

If you’re looking for a name with a real identity, there are several options from which to choose. For instance, Colleen is a girl, while Dacey is a Southerner. Darby is free, while Deirdre is a wanderer. Devan or Devin is a poet, while Alexander is a defender of mankind. Arsenio is masculine; Adrian, rich; Andrew, manly. Basil is royal, while Carsten is anointed. If you think your baby will be fond of St. Nicholas, but you don’t particularly like that name, try Colin, which means the same thing. Darius is wealthy, Cosmo, harmonious; and Demetrius is a lover of the earth. Consider all of these when selecting a new baby name.

You might be quite surprised at the meanings of some names. Camellia, for instance, means evergreen tree. Caprice is fanciful, while Carina means dear little one. Concetta is pure; Anna is gracious; Donna is a lady. Other names are derivatives of still other names. For instance, Chiara, Clarice, and Clarissa are all forms of Clara.

Baby Name Finders

A Baby Name Finder may be one of the quickest ways you can locate a possible name for your child. For instance, the iVillage Baby Name Finder on the Internet has been used by millions of people around the world. The name finder contains a collection of more than 10,000 names, so chances are good that you will find a name that is appealing to you. The name finder not only provides a list of names, it also gives baby names and their meanings. These tools offer a great way to find unusual baby names. In addition to this Quick Find device, the site also contains a list of famous names and a dictionary which is an alphabetical listing of all the names in the database. If you are already set on the first name, this service can also be used as a baby middle name finder.

Article By Michelle O'Connor Copyright 2006, Michelle O'Connor, All Rights Reserved
All rights reserved. Copyright MaternalYouth.com 2007