Laura Emerson - Baby Names: More than 3000 names, with origins and meanings

baby namesbaby names more than 3000 names, with origins and meanings Laura Emerson Dedication To my wonderful husband, for your support in all things. Senior designer Toni Kay Picture research Christina Borsi Production Gary Hayes Art directorLeslie Harrington Editorial director Julia Charles First published in 2013 by Ryland Peters & Small 2021 Jockeys Fields London WC1R 4BW and 519 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, NY 10012 www.rylandpeters.com Text copyright Laura Emerson 2013 Design and illustrations copyright Ryland Peters & Small 2013 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. eISBN: 978-1-84975-677-8
ISBN 978-1-84975-372-2 Printed and bound in China. A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library. Contents How do you give someone youve only just met a name that fits and will last them a lifetime? This is the daunting yet exciting task that faces all new parents.

In the past, parents tended to use a family name or picked one from a handful of choices that expressed their religious beliefs. Today, the same may still be true for many of us, but more often new parents are searching among a sea of choices to find the perfect name that possesses all the right qualities and positive associations. Thats not a bad thing, but as a result it seems as if perhaps theres more pressure today than there used to be. Choosing a name for your baby doesnt have to be as challenging as it first seems. In fact, everyone has a naming style, even if it doesnt seem obvious at first. You will discover that you naturally gravitate toward names with a certain sound, origin, or meaning.

Browsing through different options will often lead to the perfect name for baby emerging as you go about your day. In the end, the right name will be the one that you love the best. Bear in mind that it has to sound right with your last name, and remember to avoid initials that create embarrassing words or acronyms. In this book, youll find just the right number of names to choose from. Whether youre looking for something classic, old-fashioned, international, trendy, biblical, nature-related, or unique, youll find it here. Along with the names youll also find a few themed lists to get your creative juices flowing.

Naming your child should be a pleasureable process with a wonderful result a name that you will both love and enjoy for the rest of your lives. With the help of this book, I hope thats exactly what happens for you. A Aaliyah (Hebrew) To ascend. Aberdeen (Scottish) A city in Scotland, named for the meeting of two rivers. Abia (Arabic) Great. Abby, Abigale, AvigailAbrielle (Hebrew) Mother of multitudes. Abby, Abigale, AvigailAbrielle (Hebrew) Mother of multitudes.

From Abra, the feminine form of Abraham. Abra, Abra, Abreana, AbriaAcacia (Greek) Name of the acacia tree. Ada (German) Nobility. Adalyn (Hebrew) God is my refuge. A variation of Adalia, but also inspired by the name Madeline. Adalia, AdalieAddison (English) Son of the mighty warrior.

Inspired by the surname Madison. Adelaide (German) Noble, kind. Newly stylish again since its high point in the 1800s. Adele, Adella (German) Nobility. Adeline (French) Nobility. Adelina, AdelynAdelpha (Greek) Caring sister. Delfa, DelphaAdora (Latin) Adored. Adore, Adoria, DoraAdriana, Adrienne (Latin) Black earth. Adore, Adoria, DoraAdriana, Adrienne (Latin) Black earth.

The feminine form of Adrian. Adria, AdrienaAfrica The continent. Afton (Scottish) A river in Scotland, made famous by the poet Robert Burns. Agape, Agapi (Greek) Love. Agatha (Greek) Good. Agace, Agasha, AggieAgave (Greek) Noble.

Also the name of a plant and nectar. Agnes (Greek) Virginal, chaste. Agnesa, Agnola, Nesa, Senga, YnesAgrippa (Latin) Born feet-first. Agrafina, AgrippinaAilani (Hawaiian) Chief. Aelani, AilanaAilbhe (AL-va) (Irish) Noble, bright. AlvaAileen (Irish) Light.

Variation of Helen. Ailey (French) Light. Variation of Aileen. Ailsa (Scottish) Place name referring to Ailsa Craig, an island in Scotland. Aime (French) Beloved. Ainsley (Scottish) A meadow. Ainslee, Ainslie, AnsleyAiofe (EE-fa) (Irish) Radiant, beautiful. Airlea (Greek) Ethereal. Aisha (Arabic) Woman. Aisha (Arabic) Woman.

The name of Muhammads favourite wife. Aisling (ASH-ling) (Irish) Dream, vision. Aislinn (ASH-lyn) (Irish) Dream. Variation of Aisling. Ashlyn, AshlynnAithne (ETH-na) (Irish) Fire. Aiyana (Native American) Eternal blossom. Akira (Japanese) Intelligent, bright. Alabama (Native American) Debated meaning. Alabama (Native American) Debated meaning.

A place name with southern pride. Alaina, Alayna (French) Bright, shining. Alana (Irish) Fair. Feminine form of Alan. Alannah, AlannaAlani (Hawaiian) Orange tree. Alaya (Hebrew) To ascend. AlayahAlba (English) Town on a white hill. AlayahAlba (English) Town on a white hill.

Featured in the novel The Time Travelers Wife.Albany (English) Place name from the state of New York. Alberta (English) Noble. Feminine form of the less elegant Albert. Alea (Arabic) Honourable. Aleah, Aleigha, Alia, Aliya, AliyahAlena (Greek) Light. Alegria (Spanish) Joy. Alegra, AllegriaAlexandra (Greek) Mans defender. Alexis, Alexia, Alexa, Alessandra, Alex, AlejandraAliana (Greek) Light. Alexis, Alexia, Alexa, Alessandra, Alex, AlejandraAliana (Greek) Light.

Often cited as a variation of Helen or Alana. Alice (German) Noble. This name became a classic after achieving popularity in the 1950s. Alicia (English) Noble. A variation of Alice. Alisha (Sanskrit) Protected by God. Alisha (Sanskrit) Protected by God.

Also a spelling variation of Alicia. Alison (French) Noble. Variation of Alice. Allison, Alyson, Ali, AllieAlissa (English) Noble. Variation of Alice. Alivia (Latin) Olive tree. Alivia (Latin) Olive tree.

Up-and-coming variation inspired by Olivia. AlyviaAliza (Hebrew) Joyful. Alize (al-ee-ZAY) (French) Trade wind. Allegra (Italian) Joyful. Allete (French) Winged one. Aloisia (German) Famous fighter. Alondra (Greek) Mans defender. Alondra (Greek) Mans defender.

A Spanish variation of Alexandra. Alora (American) A created name stemming from Lora, a variation of Laura. Alona (Hebrew) Oak tree. Allona, AloniaAmalia (Latin) Industrious. Variation of Emily.