There are so many different ways to think of a baby name for your soon-to-be child.
Most parents will either type “unique baby names” into Google, browse through a baby name book they found at their local library, or look at recent data released by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
But how many of you have ever thought to look inside of a dictionary?
Believe it or not, “word names” are a growing trend in the United States as parents double down on their search for a name they won’t see in most classrooms or daycare centers across the country.
Now, we’re not saying you should name your child “Table” or “Chair,” but word names like Legend and Patience have beautiful meanings that can give your child purpose from the moment they’re born.
And if you’re a true dictionary lover, then you can always name your child “Merriam” or “Webster,” in honor of the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States.
Unique word names your child can grow old with
All jokes aside, word names offer an endless amount of inspiration when naming your child and some word names can even be found in the SSA’s annual list of most popular baby names in the US.
For example, Maverick, which means independent-minded, was the 37th most popular boys’ name in the US last year. Likewise, the name Grace, which means elegance, was the 39th most popular girls’ name.
And if you still don’t believe me that word names can work, just look at entertainer Nick Cannon, who has sons named Golden, Zion, Zillion, Legendary, and Zen.
He also has daughters named Powerful, Onyx, Rise, Beautiful, and Halo.
If word names are the type of baby name you’re looking for, here are 50 more prime examples to get your creative juices flowing!
50. Unique
Etymology: The word “unique” is partly borrowed from the French word “unique,” which comes from the Latin words “unicus” and “unus.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “unique” as “being the only one,” “being without a like or equal,” and “able to be distinguished from all others of its class or type.”
Synonyms: Rare, Quaint, Exclusive
Similar-sounding names: Monique, Danique, Angelique, Janique, Cherique, Verique, Anika, Yunique, Yanique, Unika
49. Powerful
Etymology: The word “powerful” comes from the Anglo-French “pouair,” Old French “povoir,” Latin “potis,” and Vulgar Latin “potere.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “powerful” as “having great power, prestige, or influence” and “leading to many or important deductions.”
Synonyms: Influence, Strong, Mighty, Puissant
Similar-sounding names: Percival, Palmer, Pavel, Powell, Parnell, Prosper, Paxton, Pharell, Parnel, Pharaoh
48. Grace
Etymology: The word “grace” comes from the Latin words “gratia” and “gratus,” which was adapted into Old French as “grace.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “grace” as “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification” and “a virtue coming from God.”
Synonyms: Favor, Mercy, Charm, Courtesy, Service
Similar-sounding names: Gracie, Gray, Grazia, Gracelyn, Greer, Gratia, Graciela, Gwen, Glace, Graycen
47. Charity
Etymology: The word “charity” comes from the French word “charité,” which is derived from the Latin words “caritas” and “carus.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “charity” as “generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering” and “benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity.”
Synonyms: Philanthropy, Gift, Foundation, Relief, Donation
Similar-sounding names: Chastity, Cherity, Clarity, Verity, Serenity, Amity, Carity, Cherise, Cherilyn, Chara
46. Honesty
Etymology: The word “honesty” comes from the Old French words “oneste” and “honesté,” which are derived from the Latin words “honestatem,” “honestas,” and “honestus.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “honesty” as “free from fraud or deception,” “worthy of praise,” and “marked by integrity.”
Synonyms: Legitimate, Truthful, Genuine, Real, Humble, Veracious
Similar-sounding names: Harmony, Charity, Destiny, Liberty, Trinity, Amity, Verity, Clarity, Felicity, Serenity
45. Destiny
Etymology: The word “destiny” comes from the Old French word “destinée,” which itself is derived from the Latin word “destinare,” meaning “make firm” or “establish.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “destiny” as “a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency” and “often suggests a great or noble course or end.”
Synonyms: Fate, Fortune, Luck, Doom, Chance, Portion
Similar-sounding names: Divinity, Serenity, Trinity, Infinity, Felicity, Charity, Amity, Liberty, Harmony, Unity
44. Hope
Etymology: The word “hope” comes from the Old English word “hopian,” meaning “to have trust or have confidence,” and is also related to Old Frisian “hopia,” Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, Dutch “hopen,” and Middle High German “hoffen.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “hope” as “to cherish a desire with anticipation,” “to want something to happen or be true,” and “to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.”
Synonyms: Desire, Wish, Dream, Expect, Await, Anticipate
Similar-sounding names: Holden, Homer, Houston, Howard, Horace, Holly, Honor, Hoku, Honey, Honora
43. Patience
Etymology: The word “patience” comes from the French word “pacience,” which is derived from the Latin words “patientia” and “patientem.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “patience” as “the capacity, habit, or fact of being patient,” which means to be “not hasty or impetuous” about something.
Synonyms: Tolerance, Restraint, Endurance, Fortitude, Stoicism
Similar-sounding names: Pascal, Patton, Payton, Paden, Paige, Patricia, Paloma, Paisley, Peyton
42. Precious
Etymology: The word “precious” comes from the Old French word “precios,” which is derived from the Latin words “pretiosus,” which means “costly,” and “pretium,” which means “value.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “precious” as “of great value or high price,” “highly esteemed or cherished,” and “excessively refined.”
Synonyms: Great, Valuable, Costly, Expensive, Exquisite, Priceless
Similar-sounding names: Preston, Prince, Pranav, Princeton, Pratham, Priscilla, Priya, Prisha, Princess, Pranavi
41. Melody
Etymology: The word “melody” comes from the Old French word “melodie,” which is derived from the Late Latin word “melodia” and Greek word “melōidia,” which means “a singing or chanting.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “precious” as “a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds” and “a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole.”
Synonyms: Tune, Song, Jingle, Music, Sing, Sound
Similar-sounding names: Mel, Melanie, Melissa, Melinda, Melvin, Million, Melina, Melville, Meghan, Melodia
40. Saga
Etymology: The word “saga” comes from the Old Norse word “saga,” which means “story” and the Old English word “sagu,” which means “a saying.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “saga” as “a prose narrative recorded in Iceland in the 12th and 13th centuries of historic or legendary figures and events of the heroic age of Norway and Iceland” or a “modern heroic narrative resembling the Icelandic saga.”
Synonyms: Story, Fable, Tale, Epic, Legend, Chronicle, Novella, Memoir
Similar-sounding names: Sage, Sarah, Savannah, Samantha, Samuel, Santiago, Samson, Saul, Saxton, Salma
39. Felicity
Etymology: The word “felicity” comes from the Old French word “felicite,” which is derived from the Latin words “felicitatem” and “felicitas,” meaning “happiness, fertility.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “felicity” as “the quality or state of being happy” or an “instance of happiness.” For example, having a baby would put anyone in a state of felicity.
Synonyms: Happiness, Joy, Bliss, Euphoria, Delight, Cheer, Satisfaction
Similar-sounding names: Felicia, Felina, Felina, Felipa, Felix, Felipe, Felton, Feliciano, Ferdinand, FeFerne, Feria, Fedra
38. Faith
Etymology: The word “faith” comes from the Anglo-French and Old French words “feid” and “foi,” which are derived from the Latin words “fides” and “fidere,” which mean “to trust.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “faith” as “allegiance to duty or a person” or “something that is believed especially with strong conviction.”
Synonyms: Trust, Belief, Confidence, Conviction, Optimism, Dependence, Reliance
Similar-sounding names: Fabian, Faris, Fahad, Fallon, Fabio, Farron, Fabiola, Farrah, Faye, Fatima, Fantasia
37. Harmony
Etymology: The word “harmony” comes from the Old French words “harmonie” and “armonie,” which are derived from the Latin and Greek word “harmonia,” meaning “agreement, concord of sounds.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “harmony” as “the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord,” “internal calm,” and “a pleasing arrangement of parts.”
Synonyms: Euphony, Poliphony, Together, Congruence, Joined, Accord
Similar-sounding names: Harper, Harlee, Harley, Harriett, Harika, Harrison, Harry, Harvey, Harold, Harlow
36. Cadence
Etymology: The word “cadence” comes from the French word “cadence” and Old Italian word “cadenza,” which itself is derived from the Latin words “cadentia,” “cadens,” and “cadere.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “cadence” as “the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity” or “a falling inflection of the voice.”
Synonyms: Rhythm, Tempo, Meter, Measure, Beat, Pulse
Similar-sounding names: Cadenza, Cade, Caden, Cadell, Cadogan, Cadman, Cadmar, Caleb, Cameron, Carter, Carlos
35. Chosen
Etymology: The word “chosen” comes from the Old English word “ceosan,” which is derived from the Proto-Germanic root “keus-,” meaning “to choose.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “chosen” as “one who is the object of choice or of divine favor,” “an elect person,” or “selected or marked for favor or special privilege.”
Synonyms: Pick, Choice, Selection, Option, Superior, Best, Finest, Premier
Similar-sounding names: Charlotte, Chloe, Chelsea, Chana, Charlene, Charity, Cheryl, Charles, Chase, Chandler, Christian, Christopher
34. Noble
Etymology: The word “noble” comes from the Old French word “noble,” which itself is derived from the Latin word “nobilis” and earlier “gnobilis,” from “gnoscere.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “noble” as “possessing outstanding qualities,” “of high birth or exalted rank” and “grand or impressive especially in appearance.”
Synonyms: Famous, Illustrious, Notable, Aristocratic, Virtuous, Righteous, Honorable, Honest, Worthy
Similar-sounding names: Noah, Nolan, Noel, Norbert, Norman, Nora, Noelle, Noelani, Nola, Noor, Norah
33. Halo
Etymology: The word “halo” comes from the Latin word “halo” and Greek word “halos,” meaning “ring of light around the sun or moon.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “halo” as “a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere.”
Synonyms: Light, Nimbus, Aureole, Glory, Disk, Radiance, Bright
Similar-sounding names: Hazel, Harry, Harlan, Hayes, Harley, Harris, Hasson, Hal, Haylee, Haven, Heaven, Harmony, Hannah
32. Story
Etymology: The word “story” comes from the Anglo-French words “storie” and “estorie,” as well as the Old French word “estoire,” which is derived from the Late Latin “storia” and Latin “historia.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “story” as “an account of incidents or events,” “a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question,” or “a fictional narrative shorter than a novel.”
Synonyms: Tale, Narrative, Recital, Chronicle, History, Legend, Myth, Saga
Similar-sounding names: Storm, Stormie, Storai, Stockton, Stone, Stover, Star, Starla, Stuart, Sterling, Stark, Stacy
31. Blithe
Etymology: The word “blithe” comes from the Old English word “bliþe,” which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “blithiz,” meaning “gentle, kind.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “blithe” as “lacking due thought or consideration” or “of a happy lighthearted character or disposition.”
Synonyms: Happy, Careless, Casual, Cheerful, Cheery, Animated, Gleeful, Jolly
Similar-sounding names: Blair, Blake, Blaire, Blakely, Blossom, Blasia, Blaine, Blanca, Bliss, Blaze, Bligh, Blue
30. Verity
Etymology: The word “verity” comes from the Old French word “verite,” which is derived from the Latin words “veritatem,” “veritas” and “verus,” meaning “true.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “verity” as “the quality or state of being true or real” or “the quality or state of being truthful or honest.”
Synonyms: Truthful, Honest, True, Real, Accuracy, Authentic, Credible
Similar-sounding names: Vera, Velvet, Veronica, Verona, Vesper, Vernon, Vergil, Verne, Vencio, Venn, Velma
29. Justice
Etymology: The word “justice” comes from the Old French word “justice,” which is derived from the Latin words “iustitia,” meaning “righteousness,” and “isutus,” meaning “just.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “justice” as “the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.”
Synonyms: Just, Fair, Impartial, Equity, Judge
Similar-sounding names: Justin, Justine, Justus, Julia, Juliana, Juliette, Judith, June, Juniper, Judah, Judson, Julio, Jude
28. Trinity
Etymology: The word “trinity” comes from the Old French word “trinite,” which is derived from the Latin words “trinitatem,” “trinus,” “trini,” and “tres,” all of which mean “three” or “triad.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “trinity” as “the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead according to Christian dogma.”
Synonyms: Trio, Triad, Trilogy, Triumvirate, Triple, Triplet, Trifecta
Similar-sounding names: Trina, Trisha, Trista, Tracy, Trudy, Treasure, Tru, Tristyn, Travis, Trevor, Trent, Truman, Troy
27. Cherish
Etymology: The word “cherish” comes from the Old French words “cheriss-,” “chierir” and “chier,” which are derived from the Latin “carus,” meaning “dear, costly, beloved.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “cherish” as “to hold dear” or “feel or show affection for.”
Synonyms: Adore, Love, Revere, Admire, Appreciate
Similar-sounding names: Cheryl, Charlene, Charity, Chiara, Chaya, Chester, Charlie, Chandler, Chase, Channing
26. Valor
Etymology: The word “valor” comes from the Old French words “valor” and “valour,” which are derived from the Latin words “valorem” and “valere,” meaning “value, worth.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “valor” as “strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness” and “personal bravery.”
Synonyms: Bravery, Courage, Fearless, Nerve, Heroism, Strong
Similar-sounding names: Valerie, Varun, Vanya, Valeria, Vayda, Vanessa, Valentina, Vaughn, Vance, Valentino
25. Revel
Etymology: The word “revel” comes from the Old French words “reveler” and “rebeller,” which are derived from the Latin word “rebellare,” meaning “take great pleasure in.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “revel” as “to take intense pleasure or satisfaction” or “a usually wild pary or celebration.”
Synonyms: Celebrate, Merry, Party, Feast, Festivity, Jollification, Spree
Similar-sounding names: Reverie, Remy, Renata, Rebekah, Renee, Rena, Remington, Rex, Reid, Renzo, Reiner, Reginald
24. Prosper
Etymology: The word “prosper” comes from the Old French word “prosperer,” which is directly derived from the Latin words “prosperare” and “prosperus,” meaning “cause to succeed, render happy.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “prosper” as “to succeed in an enterprise or activity” or “to become strong and flourishing.”
Synonyms: Bloom Blossom, Flourish, Thrive, Succeed
Similar-sounding names: Preston, Priscilla, Priya, Prisha, Princess, Pranavi, Prince, Princeton, Pratham, Pranay
23. Clarity
Etymology: The word “clarity” comes from the Old French words “clerte” and “clartet,” which are derived from the Latin word “claritas,” meaning “brightness, splendor.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “clarity” as “the quality of being clear,” “the quality of being easily understood” and “the state of having a full, detailed, and orderly mental grasp of something.”
Synonyms: Clear, Lucidity, Intelligible, Precise, Coherent, Simple, Understandable
Similar-sounding names: Claire, Clarence, Clara, Clarissa, Claribel, Clarise, Clayton, Clark, Clifford, Claiborne, Clint
22. True
Etymology: The word “true” comes from the Middle English “treu,” the West Saxon “triewe” and the Mercian “treowe,” meaning “faithful, trustworthy, honest, steady.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “true” as “being in accordance with the actual state of affairs” and “being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed.”
Synonyms: Correct, Accurate, Verifiable, Credible, Right, Honest, Frank, Sincere
Similar-sounding names: Truman, Trinity, Trudy, Tru, Truth, Truthful, Trevor, Travis, Trey, Trenton, Troy, Tracy
21. Anthem
Etymology: The word “anthem” comes from the Middle English “anteme” and Old English words “ontemn” and “antefn,” which are derived from the Latin Word “antefana” and Greek word “antiphona.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “anthem” as “a song or hymn of praise or gladness” and “a usually rousing popular song that typifies or is identified with a particular subculture, movement, or point of view.”
Synonyms: Hymn, Song, Chorale, Psalm, Chant, Tune, Melody
Similar-sounding names: Andrew, Anthony, Angelina, Andrea, Angelica, Antonio, Andre, Anderson, Angelo, Anders, Anwar, Anibal
20. Listen
Etymology: The word “listen” comes from the Old English word “hlysnan” and Proto-Germanic word “hlusinon,” meaning “to hear or attend to, obey.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “listen” as “to pay attention to sound,” “to hear something with thoughtful attention,” “give consideration” and “to be alert to catch an expected sound.”
Synonyms: Hear, Attend, Obey, Consider, Notice, Observe
Similar-sounding names: Lisa, Lisette, Lisha, Lisbeth, Lisandra, Linus, Lionel, Lincoln, Linden, Livia, Lilith
19. Comfort
Etymology: The word “comfort” comes from the Old French word “conforter,” which is derived from the Late Latin word “confortare,” meaning “to solace, to help or strengthen.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “comfort” as “to give strength and hope to” or “to ease the grief or trouble of.”
Synonyms: Console, Solace, Condolence, Sympathy, Support, Relief, Alleviation, Reassurance
Similar-sounding names: Colton, Conrad, Colby, Colin, Corwin, Cornelius, Cora, Colette, Coraline, Colleen, Cordelia, Corrine, Connie
18. Forever
tymology: The word “forever” is a combination of the words “for” and “ever,” which comes from the Old English word “æfre,” meaning “always”.
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “forever” as “for a limitless time,” “at all times” or “a seemingly interminable time.”
Synonyms: Always, Continually, Continuously, Constantly, Incessantly, Endless, Persistent, Eternal
Similar-sounding names: Fortune, Forest, Fontana, Flower, Floria, Florence, Flora, Ford, Forrest, Fatima, Francine, Finnegan
17. Legend
Etymology: The word “legend” comes from the Old French word “legende,” which is derived directly from the Medieval Latin word “legenda,” meaning “legend, story.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “legend” as “a story coming down from the past,” “a popular myth of recent origin” or “an inscription or title on an object.”
Synonyms: Myth, Saga, Epic, Folktale, Tale, Story, Fable, Folklore, Icon, Celebrity, Greatest
Similar-sounding names: LeBron, Leslie, Lexi, Lennox, Lenora, Levi, Leonard, Lennon, Leander, Leroy, Leland, Leo
16. Love
Etymology: The word “love” comes from the Old English word “lufu,” which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “lubo,” meaning “to care, desire, love.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “love” as a “strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties” and “unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.”
Synonyms: Fondness, Warmth, Intimacy, Romance, Adoration, Admire, Endearment, Devotion
Similar-sounding names: Lowell, Lola, Louella, Londyn, Logan, Lotus, Louis, Loren, Locke, Lou, Lorelei, Lorenzo
15. Peace
Etymology: The word “peace” comes from the Anglo-French word “pes” and Old French word “pais,” which are derived from the Latin words “pacem” and “pax,” meaning “compact, agreement.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “peace” as “a state of tranquility or quiet,” “freedom from civil disturbance” and “a state or period of mutual concord between governments or people.”
Synonyms: Tranquility, Calm, Silence, Quiet, Order, Harmony, Accord
Similar-sounding names: Pierce, Percival, Percy, Perseus, Persia, Persis, Persist, Peter, Pearl, Peony, Petunia
14. Secret
Etymology: The word “secret” comes from the Latin words “secretum” and “scretus,” meaning “a mystery” or “that which is hidden from general knowledge.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “secret” as “kept from knowledge or view,” “marked by the habit of discretion,” “not acknowledged” and “revealed only to the initiated.”
Synonyms: Mystery, Confidential, Restricted, Undisclosed, Unknown, Untold, Classified
Similar-sounding names: Serena, Serenity, Serene, Sean, Seamus, Sergio, Seymour, Severo, Selwyn, Seneca, Sentinel
13. Promise
Etymology: The word “promise” comes from the Old French word “promesse,” which is directly derived from the Latin words “promissum” and “promittere,” meaning “guarantee, assurance.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “promise” as “a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified” or “a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.”
Synonyms: Honor, Assurance, Pledge, Vow, Guarantee, Oath, Bond, Agreement, Commitment, Compact
Similar-sounding names: Preston, Priscilla, Prince, Pranika, Princess, Priya, Porter, Primrose, Phineas, Phoenix, Paxton
12. Sincere
Etymology: The word “sincere” comes from the French word “sincere,” which is derived from the Latin word “sincerus,” meaning “whole, clean, pure, unmixed.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “sincere” as “free of dissimulation,” “free from adulteration” and “marked by genuineness.”
Synonyms: Genuine, Heartfelt, Wholehearted, Profound, Deep, Real, True, Earnest, Honest, Cordial
Similar-sounding names: Cindy, Sidney, Silvester, Sinclair, Simon, Sigmund, Silvana, Simona, Sileas, Silas, Sienna, Silvia
11. Liberty
Etymology: The word “liberty” comes from the Old French word “liberte,” which is derived from the Latin word “libertatem,” meaning “civil or political freedom.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “liberty” as “the quality or state of being free,” “the power to do as one pleases,” “the power of choice,” and “permission especially to go freely within specified limits.”
Synonyms: Free, Freedom, Independence, Autonomy, Sovereignty, Rights, Choice
Similar-sounding names: Lincoln, Lionel, Linton, Liam, Lillian, Linda, Libby, Livia, Liana, Linnea, Lilac, Linford, Liron
10. Merry
Etymology: The word “merry” comes from the Middle English word “mirie” and Old English word “myrge,” which is derived from the Proto-Germanic “murgijaz” and the Middle Dutch word “mergelijc,” meaning “joyful.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “merry” as “full of gaiety or high spirits,” “marked by festivity or gaiety” and “giving pleasure.”
Synonyms: Happy, Joyful, Cheerful, Mirthful, Gaiety, Cheery, High-Spirited, Blithe, Bubbly
Similar-sounding names: Mercy, Meredith, Mary, Mercedes, Melrose, Merdia, Meryl, Mercer, Merlin, Merrick, Merritt, Melchoir
9. Keen
Etymology: The word “keen” comes from the Old English word “cene,” meaning “bold, brave, fearless,” but it’s unclear when the translation changed to mean “alert.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “keen” as “intellectually alert,” “having or characteristic of a quick penetrating mind” or “extremely sensitive in perception.”
Synonyms: Sharp, Sensitive, Perceptive, Observant, Powerful, Honed, Whetted
Similar-sounding names: Sean, Kevin, Ken, Kenneth, Keegan, Keaton, Keane, Keanu, Kenna, Keira, Keren, Kennedy, Kendra
8. Dream
Etymology: The word “dream” is believed to come from the Old Norse word “draumr” and the Proto-Germanic word “draugmas,” meaning “deception, illusion, phantasm.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “dream” as “a series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep” or “an experience of waking life having the characteristics of a dream.”
Synonyms: Fantasy, Nightmare, Vision, Hallucination, Ambition, Hope, Aspiration, Goal, Plan, Objective
Similar-sounding names: Dre, Drake, Drew, Drucilla, Drina, Draya, Drea, Drayden, Dristan, Diana, Dennis, Drone, Dreamy
7. Victory
Etymology: The word “victory” comes from the Anglo-French and Old French word “victorie,” which is derived from the Latin word “victoria,” meaning “victory.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “victory” as “the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist” and “achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.”
Synonyms: Win, Victor, Success, Triumph, Conquest, Landslide, Achievement
Similar-sounding names: Victor, Victoria, Violet, Vienna, Viviana, Vicky, Viridiana, Vincent, Vito, Vinnie, Vikram, Virgil, Vincenzo
6. Glory
Etymology: The word “glory” comes from the Old French word “glorie,” which is derived from the Latin word “gloria,” meaning “fame, renown, great praise, honor.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “glory” as “praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent” and “a state of great gratification or exaltation.”
Synonyms: Renown, Fame, Prestige, Honor, Kudos, Eminence, Acclaim, Praise, Splendor, Grandeur
Similar-sounding names: Gloria, Glenda, Glenna, Glynnis, Gloriana, Gladys, Glover, Glenn, Glen, Glyn, Glendon, Glade
5. Amnesty
Etymology: The word “amnesty” comes from the French word “amnistie,” which is derived from the Latin and Greek word “amnestia,” meaning “forgetfulness.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “amnesty” as “the act of an authority (such as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals” or “to pardom someone officially often before a trial.”
Synonyms: Pardon, Reprieve, Release, Discharge, Liberty, Freedom, Forgiveness, Remission, Liberate
Similar-sounding names: Amanda, Amelia, Amara, Amaya, Amethyst, Amalia, Amirah, Amaryllis, Amari, Amelio, Amadeo, Amery
4. Wish
Etymology: The word “wish” comes from the Old English word “wyscan,” which is derived from the Proto-Germanic root “wunsk-,” meaning “to desire, strive for.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “wish” as “to have a desire for something.”
Synonyms: Desire, Want, Hope, Yearning, Urge, Whim, Craving, Aspiration, Ambition, Dream
Similar-sounding names: Wilson, Willis, Windsor, Winnie, Wilder, William, Winston, Willow, Winter, Wilhelmina, Windy, Wanda
3. Charisma
Etymology: The word “charisma” is believed to be the Latinized form of the Greek word “kharisma,” which is related to the word “kharizesthai,” meaning “to show favor to,” and “kharis,” meaning “grace, beauty, kindness.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “charisma” as “a special magnetic charm or appeal” and “a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure.”
Synonyms: Charm, Presence, Aura, Personality, Magnetism, Individuality
Similar-sounding names: Charlotte, Chelsea, Charlene, Charity, Cheryl, Cherish, Chantal, Christa, Christina, Christopher, Charles, Chandler, Channing, Chance, Charlie, Chadwick
2. Quest
Etymology: The word “quest” comes from the Old French word “queste,” which is derived from the Medieval Latin word “questa,” meaning “search, inquiry.”
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “quest” as “a jury of inquest,” “an act or instance of seeking,” “to search for” and “a chivalrous enterprise in medieval romance usually involving an adventurous journey.”
Synonyms: Adventure, Search, Hunt, Pursuit, Journey, Goal, Expedition, Explore, Chase
Similar-sounding names: Quincy, Quinn, Quenton, Quiana, Quinley, Quanda, Quada, Quillan, Quinlan, Quincie
1. Echo
Etymology: The word “echo” comes from the Latin word “echo” and Greek word “ēkhō,” which was personified in Greek mythology as a mountain nymph who pined away until nothing was left of her but her voice.
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines “echo” as “the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves” or “the sound due to such reflection.”
Synonyms: Reflection, Sound, Repetition, Ringing, Repeat, Reverberation, Duplicate, Replica
Similar-sounding names: Ecaterina, Eclair, Ector, Ecco, Erin, Eric, Everly, Emory, Ellis, Enzo, Edward, Elwood, Emerald
Other unique word names to consider for your baby
A lot of the names listed above are tied to qualities, characteristics, adjectives, and descriptive words that tell the story of what we hope to see from our children as they grow.
But there are a lot of words in the dictionary and, therefore, a lot of potential baby names to choose from.
For example, you have place names (like Zion or Phoenix), nature names (like River or Willow), color names (like Blue or Hazel), and even animal names (like Fox or Wolf).
You also have occupational names (like Hunter or Mason) and object names (like Van or Stone).
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most unique word names tied to places, colors, animals, objects, occupations, and more.
Place names for babies
Place names, often referred to as toponyms, are names inspired by geographical locations such as cities, countries, states, regions, mountains, rivers, or other notable places.
Paris, Brooklyn, Austin, Madison, and Charlotte are examples of place names tied to cities and towns, while India and Asia are tied to countries and continents.
Other examples of place names include London, Sienna, Dakota, Aspen, Hudson, Zion, Phoenix, Jordan, Ireland, Kenya, Holland, and Israel.
Place names are perfect if you want to honor a hometown, a country your family has ties to, or even the country your child was conceived in!
Nature-inspired names for babies
Nature names are those inspired by elements of the natural world, including plants, trees, flowers, animals, weather patterns, celestial bodies, and landscapes.
Lily, Rose, Daisy, Ivy, Sage, Juniper, Aspen, Willow, and Petunia are all common baby names tied to plants and flowers, while River, Lake, Ocean, Brooke, and Delta are all related to bodies of water.
Animals that can be used for baby names include Wolf, Fox, Raven, Bear, Falcon, and Wren, while names like Rain, Snow, Sunny, Breeze, and Thunder are all tied to weather events.
Other nature-inspired names to consider for your baby include Luna, Orion, Stella, Phoenix, Aurora, Celeste, Sky, Storm, Forest, Stone, Ember, Sierra, Canyon, Meadow, Poppy, Colt, and Zephyr.
Color names
Color names have been a popular choice for babies for hundreds of years and parents are still adding new names to that category as they get more creative, curious, and daring.
For example, the names Violet, Scarlett, and Hazel all ranked inside the top 20 most popular girls’ names in 2023, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
And while color names aren’t as popular for baby boys, the name Grayson was the 44th most popular boys’ name in the US last year. A variant of that name, Greyson, ranked 117th.
Other color names to consider for your child include Amber, Blue, Azure, Emerald, Bronze, Coral, Jade, Indigo, Onyx, Lavender, Teal, Sage, Silver, and Carmine.
Occupational names
Occupational names are those derived from jobs, professions, or trades. They originated as surnames to indicate a person’s job or trade in their community and have since become popular as first names.
One of the most popular occupational names for girls is Harper, which ranked as the 11th most popular girls’ name in the US in 2023. The name refers to someone who plays the harp.
On the boy’s side, Oliver, which refers to an olive tree planter, was the third most popular boys’ name in 2023, while the names Asher (ash maker) and Mason (one who works with stone) were in the top 30.
Other occupational names that are popular as given names include Taylor, Piper, Bailey, Chandler, Spencer, Sawyer, Miller, Carter, Parker, Hunter, Cooper, Fletcher, Mercer, Porter, Shepherd, and Tanner.
Are you all-in or tapping out on word names for babies?
Word names are a bit of an acquired taste among parents today. Some parents love the idea of a name like Serenity or Power, while others struggle to see the hype.
At the end of the day, what’s most important is that you give your child a name that you and your partner agree with, but also one that your child will be proud of as they grow up.
That could be a word name, a place name, or even a unique name you came up with in a dream. As long as you know there’s no right or wrong answer when choosing a baby name — so don’t hinder yourself!
And if you get to a point where you’re stuck, just go ahead and open up a dictionary!
by Ryan Brennan, The Kansas City Star (TNS)
©2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
