Best Baby Names for 2019

F

Fabian

Meaning: Bean grower

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: FAY bee en

Description: The name Fabian comes from the Latin surname Fabianus, which is generally held to refer to a family of bean growers. Several Roman emperors have been called this, as well as a total of 16 saints. This is a very popular name over the whole of Europe.

Alternative spellings: Fabien, Fabiun

Fabio

Meaning: Bean grower

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: FAB ee oh

Description: Fabio is the Spanish equivalent of the name Fabian.

Alternative spellings: Fabeo, Fabyo

Meaning: Settlement on the marsh

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FEN ton

Description: Fenton is an English surname meaning ‘settlement on the marsh’. Though uncommon, it is sometimes used as a boys’ given name.

Alternative spellings: Fennton, Fentonn, Fentton

Fergus

Meaning: Man of force

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: FUR gus

Description: Fergus is a name of Gaelic origin, and has been popular in both Ireland and Scotland for many years. It is said to mean ‘man of force,’ and was the name given to an Irish prince who crossed the sea to settle in Argyll, Scotland. It is once again proving popular across the UK.

Fernando

Meaning: Intelligent

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation: fehr NAN doh

Description: Fernando is a boys’ given name of Spanish origin, meaning ‘intelligent’ and ‘brave’. It is a popular name in Spain.

Alternative spellings: Fernandho, Fernandoh

Fernley

Meaning: Fern field

Origin: English

Pronunciation: fern LEE

Description: Fernley is an Old English name meaning ‘fern field’ or ‘fern meadow’. This is a name that follows the historical trend of using place names as first names.

Filip

Meaning: Lover of horses

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: FIL ip

Description: Filip is a Polish variation of the Greek name Phillip. The use of the version spelt Filip is unusual in Britain with Phillip being the more prominent version.

Alternative spellings: Philip, Phillip

Finbar

Meaning: Fair-haired

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: fin BAR

Description: Finbar is derived from the Old Irish word ‘fionnbharr’ meaning ‘fair-haired’. The shortened, anglicised version of the name is Barry.

Alternative spellings: Finbarr, Finbarre, Finnbar

Meaning: One who fishes

Origin: English

Pronunciation: fish ER

Description: Fisher was an English occupational surname given to those who fished for a living. Like Taylor and Hunter, these occupational names are very popular modern baby name choices.

Fletcher

Meaning: Arrow maker

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FLETCH er

Description: The name Fletcher first came into use as a surname in England in the Middle Ages, used to describe a maker of arrows. This is because the Old French word ‘fletch’ means ‘arrow’.

Alternative spellings: Fletcha

Florian

Meaning: Blooming; flowering

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: floor EE an

Description: Florian is a Latin name that comes from the Roman name Florianus. The prefix ‘flōs’ suggests the blooming or flowering of plants.

Alternative spellings: Florien

Flynn

Meaning: Red-haired

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: FLIN

Description: Flynn is a unisex name and also a common surname, first recorded in 1255. It is popular in Ireland.

Alternative spellings: Flinn, Flinne, Flyn

Ford

Meaning: Someone who lives near a ford

Origin: English

Pronunciation: ford

Description: Ford is an old English surname that refers to someone who lived near a ford. It is now better known as a famous American car manufacturer.

Forrest

Meaning: Forest

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FAWR est

Description: Forrest is from an English surname meaning ‘forest,’ which belonged to someone who lived near a forest. The world’s most famous Forrest is perhaps Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks in the 1994 movie of the same name.

Alternative spellings: Forest

Foster

Meaning: Forester

Origin: English

Pronunciation: fos TUR

Description: Foster is an old English occupational name that refers to someone who keeps the forest. Like Taylor or Hunter, Foster can now be used as a first name choice.

Fox

Meaning: Animal of the same name

Meaning: Spear; sincere

Origin: German

Pronunciation: FRANK

Description: Frank is an English form of the French name ‘Francois’, from the German tribe the Franks. The name was first derived from the German for ‘spear’ or ‘javelin’. As an English vocabulary word, Frank also has the meaning of ‘sincere’.

Alternative spellings: Franke

Frankie

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Franklin

Meaning: Liberated

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FRAN klen

Description: The name Franklin comes from an Old English word meaning ‘liberated’. In medieval England a franklin was a man who owned his own portion of land but was not a man of gentility. Franklin owes its use as a first name to American Benjamin Franklin, as people named their children in honour of him.

Alternative spellings: Franklen, Franklyn

Franky

Meaning: He who is free

Origin: French

Pronunciation: FRAN kee

Description: Frankie as a name in itself is perhaps most widely used as a girls’ name, whereas Franky is most usually the pet form of one of the masculine French names, either Frank or Francis – both of which share the meaning ‘He who is free’. Frankie may be popularised by the fame of The Saturdays’ singer Frankie Bridge.

Alternative spellings: Frankie

Fraser

Meaning: Unknown

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FRAY zer

Description: Fraser is a Scottish surname transferred into a given name. It is ultimately derived from the Norman place name and is of uncertain meaning.

Alternative spellings: Frasier, Frazer

Frazer

Meaning: Of the forest men

Origin: French

Pronunciation: fr aa SHER

Description: Frazer is a variant of the male name Fraser. There is also a possible Old English meaning belonging to the name and it is that of ‘curly hair’. Although the name is close to the French word ‘fraise’ meaning strawberry, it is not believed to have any association.

Alternative spellings: Fraiser

Fred

Meaning: Peaceful ruler

Origin: English

Pronunciation: FRED

Description: A short form of Alfred and Frederick, now given as a first name in its own right.

Alternative spellings: Fread

Freddie

Meaning: Peaceful ruler

Origin: German

Pronunciation: FRED dee

Description: A pet form of Frederick, Fred and occasionally Frederica, the name Freddie is now seen as a unisex given name.

Alternative spellings: Freddi, Freddy

Frederick

Meaning: Peaceful ruler

Origin: German

Pronunciation: FRED ur rik

Description: Frederic is of Old German origin and is comprised of the words for ‘peace’ and ‘ruler’. The name failed following its Norman introduction, but was resurrected in the 18th century.

Alternative spellings: Frederic, Frederik, Fredric, Fredrick, Fredrik

G

Gabriel

Meaning: Strength from God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: GAY bree uhl

Description: A biblical name borne by archangel Gabriel, who according to the Old Testament appeared to Daniel after he was thrown into the lion’s den. In the New Testament, Gabriel announced Christ’s immaculate conception to Mary.

Alternative spellings: Gabrial

Gael

Meaning: Irishman

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: GUY el

Description: Gael is a Gaelic name that refers to a group of people from a Celtric tribe and, as such, means ‘Irishman’.

Gage

Meaning: Oath

Origin: French

Pronunciation: GAY ge

Description: Gage is a French name created in the 14th century that means ‘oath’ or ‘pledge’. It was a surname originally but has become a first name in modern times.

Gale

Meaning: Father of exaltation

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: GAYL

Description: Gale, the male form of the girls’ name Gail, is a character in the hugely popular Hunger Games, book and film, and because of that may be a popular choice for boys.

Alternative spellings: Gael

Gareth

Meaning: Gentle

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: GA reth

Description: Gareth was first seen in the 15th century in Malory’s Morte d’Arthur tales and is said to mean ‘gentle’.

Alternative spellings: Garreth

Garrett

Meaning: Spear strength

Origin: German

Pronunciation: GARE ett

Description: Garrett is a name that is derived from the German elements of ‘gēr’ meaning ‘spear’ and ‘hard’ or ‘strong’. While it is usually found as a surname in the UK, it is a popular given name choice in the US.

Alternative spellings: Garret

Gary

Meaning: Spear

Origin: German

Pronunciation: GA ree

Description: Gary was originally a surname that derived from the Old English word ‘gar’ meaning ‘spear’.

Alternative spellings: Garey, Garry

Gavin

Meaning: White hawk

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: GAV en

Description: Gavin is a popular British boys’ name derived from the Welsh name Gawain, meaning ‘white hawk’.

Alternative spellings: Gavan, Gaven, Gavyn

Gene

Meaning: Noble

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JEEN

Description: Gene is a unisex name derived from the masculine name Eugene.

Alternative spellings: Gine, Jean

George

Meaning: Farmer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JORJ

Description: St George is the patron saint of England, and is well known from the legend of St George and the dragon. Popularity was bolstered in the 18th century when George I became king of England.

Alternative spellings: Jeorge, Jorge

Georgie

Meaning: Farmer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JORGE ee

Description: Georgie is used as a pet name for the names George, Georgina and Georgiana. The names are commonly associated with knighthood and chivalry due to heavy use of the name in legends associated with dragons.

Alternative spellings: Georgi, Georgy, Jorgie, Jorgy

Gerard

Meaning: Strength of the spear

Origin: German

Pronunciation: JEH rard

Description: Gerard is a boys’ given name of German origin, popular in English-speaking countries. The name means ‘strength of the spear’.

Alternative spellings: Geraud, Gerrard, Jerard

Gethin

Meaning: Dark

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: GETH in

Description: A Welsh name that would have originally been given as a surname, but eventually developed into a first name. Welsh names went out of popularity until the 19th century, and Gethin has been popular since.

Gian

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: Jee ahn

Description: Gian is a unisex name of Hebrew and Italian origin. It is commonly used as the shortened form of Giovanni or other names starting with Gian-.

Alternative spellings: Giann, Jian

Gianluca

Meaning: John Luke

Origin: Italian

Pronunciation: jee an LEW ka

Description: Gianluca is an Italian boys’ name that translates into English as ‘John Luke’. It is the shortened version of Giovanni Luca.

Alternative spellings: Gianluka

Gianni

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: jee AN nee

Description: Gianni is a name of Hebrew and Italian origin. It is a variant of the name Giovanni, which means ‘God is gracious’.

Alternative spellings: Giani, Jianni

Gibson

Meaning: Son of Gib

Origin: Scottish

Pronunciation: GIB sun

Description: Gibson is a Scottish name and refers to someone who was the son of Gib (or Gilbert).

Gideon

Meaning: Mighty warrior

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: Gid EE On

Description: This name derives from the transcription of Gidon in Hebrew, which means ‘mighty warrior’. The name is also in the Old Testament and belongs to an Israelite judge. For this reason it is seen as a very biblical name.

Alternative spellings: Gidion

Gilbert

Meaning: Bright promise

Origin: French

Pronunciation: GILL bert

Description: Gilbert is the English variant of the French name of the same spelling. The French pronunciation has a soft ‘g’ making it sound like ‘Jilber’. It was popular at the beginning of the 20th century but is far less common in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Gilburt, Guilbert

Giles

Meaning: Small goat

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JYE ulls

Description: Giles is a common surname in England, and was once a relatively popular given name. It refers to goatskin from which ancient shields were made.

Alternative spellings: Gilles, Gyles, Jiles, Jyles

Giorgio

Meaning: Farmer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JIYOR jiyo

Description: Giorgio is a boys’ given name of Greek and Italian origin. It is a variant of the Greek name George, meaning ‘farmer’.

Alternative spellings: Georgio, Giorgi

Giovanni

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Italian

Pronunciation: GEE oh VAR nee

Description: Giovanni is the Italian form of the name John, which means ‘God is gracious’.

Alternative spellings: Giovani, Giovannie

Glen

Meaning: Valley

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: GLEN

Description: Glen is a boys’ name coined from the Scottish word ‘glen’, meaning ‘valley’.

Alternative spellings: Glenn

Glyn

Meaning: Valley

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: GLIN

Description: Taken from the Welsh word ‘glyn’, meaning ‘valley’, this boys’ name is mostly found in Wales.

Alternative spellings: Glin, Glynn

Gordon

Meaning: Place name; hill

Origin: Scottish, English

Pronunciation: GORE dun

Description: Thought to be derived from one of a number of place names, including Gordon in Berwickshire.

Alternative spellings: Gordan, Gorden

Gracie

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Gracjan

Meaning: Grace

Origin: Polish

Pronunciation: GRAY shan

Description: Gracjan is an uncommon Polish boys’ name meaning ‘grace’.

Alternative spellings: Gracian, Graczan

Meaning: Son of a grey-haired man

Origin: English

Pronunciation: GRAY sun

Description: Greyson is a variation of the name Grayson. The name has Old English roots, and as the name itself suggests, the meaning refers to a man who is the ‘son of a grey-haired man’.

Alternative spellings: Grayson

Griff

Meaning: Lord; prince

Origin: English

Pronunciation: Griff

Description: Griff is a variation, and the English form of the Welsh name Gruffudd, meaning ‘lord’ or ‘prince’. It can also be a nickname for the names Griffin and Griffith.

Griffith

Meaning: Lord; strong fighter

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: GRIH fith

Description: Griffith is a name of Welsh origin meaning lord, strong fighter or strong leader.

Alternative spellings: Griffeth, Gruffudd, Gruffydd

Gruffydd

Meaning: Lord

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: gruf FITH

Description: Gruffydd is the old Welsh form of the name Griffith. Both are considered to be equally standard forms of the same name. Unlike Griffith, Gruffydd is very uncommon in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Griffith

Guillermo

Meaning: Protection

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation: GEE eyre mo

Description: Guillermo is the Spanish version of the name William, and as such shares the same meaning of ‘protection’. Guillermo del Toro is a famous Mexican film director.

Gunnar

Meaning: Fighter; soldier; warrior

Origin: Nordic

Pronunciation: GOON ar

Description: Gunnar is a popular Nordic first name composed of the elements of ‘gunnr’ meaning ‘war’ and ‘arr’ meaning ‘warrior’.

Alternative spellings: Gunar

Gus

Meaning: Strong choice

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: GUS

Description: Gus is often a diminutive for names such as Angus, August, Augustine or Augustus. However, it can also be a stand-alone name that is derived from the Old Irish word ‘gusmhar’ or ‘gusair’ meaning ‘strength’ or ‘force’ and ‘gusto’ meaning ‘choice’.

Guto

Meaning: Lord; prince

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: gi TAW

Description: Guto is the diminutive of the Welsh name Gruffudd. The name is derived from two Welsh elements – the first part is of uncertain meaning, but ‘udd’ means ‘lord’ or ‘prince’. It was a common name among medieval Welsh royalty.

Guy

Meaning: Guide

Origin: French

Pronunciation: GAI

Description: The name Guy derives from the French word for ‘guide’, ‘guider’. It is also British slang for a man.

Gwion

Meaning: Anger

Meaning: Home ruler

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HANK

Description: Hank is a diminutive form of the name Henry, but has been a rather uncommon name in the UK and is more commonly found in the United States.

Meaning: Strong mountain

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Heath; place

Origin: English

Pronunciation: Hee th

Description: Originally used as a surname for those who lived near a heath, the word has now become a well-loved first name for both boys and girls.

Alternative spellings: Heathe, Hethe

Heathcliff

Meaning: From the heath cliff

Origin: English

Pronunciation: heeth CLIFF

Description: Heathcliff is an English place name referring to someone who is ‘from the heath cliff’. Of course, Heathcliff is also a character in Emily Brontë’s novel, Wuthering Heights.

Hector

Meaning: Anchor

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: HEK tor

Description: Latinised form of the Greek Hektor, this name is popular as both a first name and surname. In Greek legend Hector was a Trojan champion killed by Achilles during the Trojan War.

Alternative spellings: Hecktor, Hektor

Helios

Meaning: Sun

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: HEE lee os

Description: Helios is a name of Greek origin. In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun who rode his chariot across the sky each day.

Alternative spellings: Helius, Hellios

Hemi

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Maori

Pronunciation: hemmy

Description: Hemi is of Maori origins and means ‘God is gracious’. It is the Maori version of James, and therefore shares the same meaning.

Alternative spellings: Hemy, Hemmy

Henderson

Meaning: Son of Henry

Origin: Scottish

Pronunciation: hen DER sun

Description: Henderson was originally a Scottish last name meaning ‘son of Henry’. This is a very common last name in Scotland. This follows the contemporary trend of using last names as first names.

Hendrix

Meaning: Home ruler

Origin: Dutch

Pronunciation: hen DRICKS

Description: Hendrix is the Dutch version of the name Henry, meaning ‘home ruler’. Comprised of ‘haim’ (home) and ‘ric’ (power; ruler), Henry is a German name adopted by Normans who introduced it to Britain. The name was borne by numerous British kings including Henry VIII in the Tudor period.

Alternative spellings: Hendricks, Henryk

Henley

Meaning: High wood

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HEN lee

Description: The name Henley originated as a place name and then a surname. It is made up of the Old English words ‘heah’ meaning ‘high’ and ‘lea’ meaning ‘clearing’. It is part of the growing trend to use surnames as unisex first names.

Alternative spellings: Henlay, Henlee, Henleigh

Henry

Meaning: Ruler of the home

Origin: German

Pronunciation: HEN ree

Description: Henry is a German name adopted by Normans who introduced it to Britain. It quickly became a favoured royal name and was most notoriously borne by King Henry VIII.

Alternative spellings: Henrey, Henri, Henrie

Henryk

Meaning: Home ruler

Origin: Polish

Pronunciation: hen RICK

Description: Henryk is the Polish form of the name Henry, which is originally a German name meaning ‘home ruler’. Comprised of haim (home) and ric (power; ruler), Henry is a German name adopted by Normans who introduced it to Britain. A more common spelling variation of this name is Henrick.

Alternative spellings: Hendrix, Hendricks

Hephaestus

Meaning: He who shines by day

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: heh FYE stuss

Description: In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the god of technology, blacksmiths, craftsmen and fire.

Alternative spellings: Hephaestos, Hephastus, Hephestus

Heracles

Meaning: Glory of Hera

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: HER ah kleez

Description: In Greek mythology, Heracles was a divine hero and the son of Zeus.

Alternative spellings: Heraclus, Herakles, Hercules

Herb

Meaning: Bright warrior

Origin: German

Pronunciation: herb

Description: Herb is a German name and a shortened form of Herbert, so the name shares the same meaning of ‘bright warrior’. It can also refer to the English vocabulary word of the same name.

Herbert

Meaning: Famous soldier

Origin: German

Pronunciation: HER bert

Description: The name Herbert is derived from the Germanic words ‘hari’ and ‘berht’ meaning ‘soldier’.

Alternative spellings: Herburt

Herbie

Meaning: Famous soldier

Origin: German

Pronunciation: HER bee

Description: Herbie is the pet form of the masculine name Herbert. It became popular in the 19th century when it became fashionable to adopt aristocratic surnames as given names.

Alternative spellings: Herbi, Herby

Hercules

Meaning: Glory of Hera

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: HERK yoo lees

Description: Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek demi-god Heracles.

Alternative spellings: Heracles, Heraclus, Herakles

Hermes

Meaning: Travel

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: HER meez

Description: In Greek mythology, Hermes was the god of travellers, shepherds, literature and commerce.

Alternative spellings: Hermees, Hermeez

Heston

Meaning: From Heston

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HES ton

Description: Heston is an English surname and occasional given name. It literally means ‘from Heston’, which is a borough of London.

Alternative spellings: Hesston, Hestan, Hestonn

Hippolytus

Meaning: Loosener of horses

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: hee POL ee tus

Description: In Greek mythology, Hippolytus was cursed by his own father, Theseus, and subsequently was dragged under the ocean’s waves by horses.

Alternative spellings: Hippolitus

Hira

Meaning: Diamond

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: HIH rar; HIH rah

Description: The name Hira can be used for both boys and girls and comes from an old Sanskrit word said to mean ‘diamond’. The masculine form is pronounced ‘hih-rar’ whereas the feminine form is pronounced ‘hih-ra’.

Alternative spellings: Hirah, Hirra

Hirohi

Meaning: Abundant benevolence

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: hee RO hee

Description: This Japanese name can be written using the character ‘hiro’, which means ‘abundant’, and ‘hito’, meaning ‘benevolence’. We can therefore take the name to mean ‘abundant benevolence’.

Alternative spellings: Hirohie

Hiroki

Meaning: Wide trees

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: hee RO key

Description: Hiroki can be written using the Japanese character ‘hiro’ when it means ‘large and wide’ with ‘ki’, meaning ‘woods’ – to mean ‘large woods’. It is also possible to write it ‘hiro’ for ‘abundance’ and ‘ki’ for ‘radiance’ – to mean ‘abundant radiance’.

Alternative spellings: Hirokie

Hiromi

Meaning: Abundant beauty

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: hi row mee

Description: Hiromi is a unisex name often found in Japan. It consists of the characters ‘hiro’, meaning ‘abundance’, and ‘mi’, meaning ‘beauty’.

Alternative spellings: Hiromie, Hiromy

Hiromitsu

Meaning: Large light

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: hee ROW mee tsoo

Description: The name Hiromitsu is made up of the Japanese characters ‘hiro’ and ‘mitsu’. ‘Hiro’ can either mean ‘wide and large’ or ‘abundance’, while ‘mitsu’ could mean ‘ray of light’ or ‘support’.

Alternative spellings: Hiromittsu

Hisham

Meaning: Generous

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: Hunter

Origin: English

Pronunciation: HUN tur

Description: Hunter comes literally from the English noun. It was originally a surname, given to a family who hunted as a profession, but like a lot of surnames it has been taken up as a boys’ name. In its original usage as a first name it was specifically a masculine name, but it has now become popular as a name for both girls and boys.

Ian

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: EE en

Description: Ian originated as the Scottish form of John and is sometimes found spelt Iain, especially in Scotland.

Alternative spellings: Ean, Iain

Ianis

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: YAN iss

Description: Ianis is a variant spelling of the name Yannis, meaning ‘God is gracious’. Both are variants of the popular boys name John.

Alternative spellings: Yannis

Iasus

Meaning: Fire bringer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: EYE ah suss

Description: In Greek mythology, Iasus was a king of Argos.

Alternative spellings: Iaisos, Iasos

Ibraheem

Meaning: Father of nations

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: ib ra HEEM

Description: Ibraheem, a variant of Ibrahim, is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Abraham.

Alternative spellings: Abraham, Ibrahim, Ibrahime

Icarus

Meaning: He follows

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: IK ah rus

Description: In Greek mythology, Icarus attempted to escape from King Minos by flying to safety with wings made by his father. Icarus flew too close to the sun, melting the wax that held the wings together, and he fell into the ocean.

Alternative spellings: Icaros, Ikarus

Idris

Meaning: Fiery leader

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: ID riss

Description: Idris was the name given to a giant in Welsh legend who was said to have an observatory on Cader Idris. The giant had a feisty nature and so the name carries these connotations.

Alternative spellings: Idrees, Idreez, Idriss, Idriz

Iestyn

Meaning: Righteous

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: YES tin

Description: Iestyn is a popular name in Wales derived from the Latin word for ‘righteous’. The name could also be considered a Welsh variation on the name Justin, which means ‘just’.

Alternative spellings: Iestin

Ieuan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: YUGH yan

Description: Ieuan is the Welsh version of the popular boys’ name John. It is a very uncommon name, even in Wales. It is a unique alternative to Ewan and Ian.

Ifan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: EEF an

Description: Ifan is the Welsh variant of the name John, more widely found in its anglicised form Evan. Ifan can also be found as a surname.

Alternative spellings: Ifanne

Iggy

Meaning: Fire

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: igg EE

Description: Iggy is a name derived from the Latin word ‘ignis’ meaning ‘fire’. It is sometimes a shortened form of Ignatius.

Alternative spellings: Iggie

Igor

Meaning: Warrior

Origin: Scandinavian

Pronunciation: EYE gore

Description: The name Igor derives from the English name George and is very common in Polish-, German- and Russian-speaking countries. It can also be considered a variation of the Irish, Welsh and Scottish name Ivor.

Alternative spellings: Egor

Ihsan

Meaning: Perfection

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: ih SAHN

Description: In Islamic belief the concept of ihsan is to take your inner faith and project it into the world by performing deeds and duties. The word Ihsan is also found in Hindu belief where it can refer to the third eye of the deity Shiva. As a baby name it means ‘perfection’.

Alternative spellings: Isaan, Isan

Meaning: Gift from God

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: yo AN

Description: Ioan is the Welsh version of the popular baby name John. It has been popular in Wales for many years, although has only recently become popular in other countries.

Iolo

Meaning: Handsome lord

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: eye OH lo

Description: Iolo is the diminutive of Iorwerth, a Welsh boys’ name meaning ‘handsome lord’. This name is sometimes used as a Welsh form of Edward.

Alternative spellings: Iolyn, Iorwerth

Iona

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Iosif

Meaning: God shall add another son

Origin: Romanian

Pronunciation: yo SEEF

Description: Iosif is the Russian, Romanian and Greek form of the biblical name Joseph. The name itself means ‘God shall add another son’. It was an important biblical name, although it was uncommon in Britain until the mid-17th century.

Alternative spellings: Yosif, Yousif

Irfan

Meaning: Wisdom

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: EER fahn

Description: Irfan is an uncommon boys’ given name of Arabic origin, meaning ‘wisdom’ or ‘wise one’.

Alternative spellings: Irfahn, Irrfan

Isaac

Meaning: To laugh

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: EYE zak

Description: Isaac is a biblical name borne by the son of Abraham, who was close to being sacrificed by his father. Instead, a ram was sacrificed, as Abraham had proven his devotion to God.

Alternative spellings: Isaak, Isack, Issac, Izaak

Isha

Meaning: The Lord

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: Ee Shaa

Description: Isha can be used as a girls’ or boys’ name and is often found in India. As a feminine name it means ‘woman’ and is the name of the goddess Durga, whereas in the male form it means ‘the Lord’.

Alternative spellings: Esha, Ishah

Ishaan

Meaning: Guardian of the sun

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: ee sh AAAN

Description: This male name is predominantly used in Indian speaking countries. It is also a variation of the name Ishan, which can also be spelt Isan. Within the Hindu tradition Ishan is the guardian of the North East and is often associated with Lord Shiva. The Indian meaning of this name is ‘guardian of the sun’.

Alternative spellings: Ishan

Ishaaq

Meaning: To laugh

Origin: Muslim

Pronunciation: ee SHAACK

Description: Ishaaq is the Muslim version of the biblical name Isaac, meaning ‘to laugh’. Isaac is a biblical name borne by the son of Abraham, who was close to being sacrificed by his father until God changed his mind. Instead, a ram was sacrificed, as Abraham had proven his devotion.

Alternative spellings: Isaac, Issac

Ishan

Meaning: The Lord Vishnu; sun guardian

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: ee SHAN

Description: Ishan is an increasingly popular Hindi boys’ name of Sanskrit origin and the male form of the name Ishana.

Alternative spellings: Eshaan, Ishaan

Ishaq

Meaning: To laugh

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: EES hak

Description: Ishaq is the Arabic variant of the Hebrew name Isaac, which is said to mean ‘to laugh’.

Alternative spellings: Ishak

Isaiah

Meaning: Salvation of the Lord

Origin: Aramaic

Pronunciation: eye ZYE ah

Description: Isaiah is a biblical name, and was the name given to one of the sons of Amos. It has slowly been growing in popularity in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Issaiah, Isaia

Ismaeel

Meaning: God will hear

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: ees ma EHL

Description: Ismaeel is a variant of the Arabic name Ishmael, which is of Hebrew origin and means ‘God will hear’. It is often seen as religious as Ishmael is said to have built the temple of Kaaba in Mecca.

Alternative spellings: Ishmaeel, Ishmael, Ishmail, Ismael, Ismail

Israel

Meaning: God will conquer

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: IZ rale

Description: Israel is used in the Bible as the name of the land of Israel, and is now the name of a state in the Middle East tracing its roots back to this biblical land. It is now used as a unisex given name.

Alternative spellings: Israelle, Israil

Issa

Meaning: Salvation

Origin: African

Pronunciation: Ess ah

Description: Issa is a variant of the African name Essa, meaning ‘salvation’ or ‘protection’. It is a unisex name.

Alternative spellings: Essa, Essah

Ivan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: EYE van

Description: Ivan is the Slavic version of the English name John. Widely used in Russia, it was the name of many rulers, including the infamous ‘Ivan the Terrible’.

Alternative spellings: Eivan

Ivo

Meaning: Yew

Origin: French

Pronunciation: EE voh

Description: Ivo is an uncommon name of French and German origin. It is a form of the French name Yves.

Alternative spellings: Ivoh, Yvo

Ivor

Meaning: Bow warrior; archer

Origin: Norse

Pronunciation: EYE vor

Description: Ivor is an Old Norse name that is made up of the elements ‘yr’ meaning ‘bow’ and ‘arr’ meaning ‘warrior’. Together, it creates the name’s meaning of ‘bow warrior’. It was brought to Britain by Scandinavian settlers in the Middle Ages.

Alternative spellings: Ivorr

Iwan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: EE wan

Description: Iwan is the Welsh variation of Ivan, which itself comes from the Hebrew name John. Iwan is quite an unusual name as its variants Evan or Ivan are more popular.

Alternative spellings: Ewan, Iwun

Izaan

Meaning: Obedience

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: IZ aan

Description: Izaan is an uncommon Arabic name for boys meaning ‘obedience’ and ‘disciplined’.

Alternative spellings: Izan, Izzan

J

Meaning: Spear man

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JAAR vis

Description: Jarvis is the English form of the German last name Gervais, which in turn comes from the uncommon name Gervasius. The meaning of the names is derived from the Germanic element of ‘ger,’ meaning ‘spear’.

Javier

Meaning: The new house

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation: HAV yer

Description: Javier is the Spanish form of the name Xavier. Both names come from the Catholic saint, Francis de Xavier, where Xavier is his birthplace. The place name comes from the word ‘etxaberri,’ which in Basque means ‘new house’.

Alternative spellings: Xavier

Jason

Meaning: Healer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: JAY sun

Description: Jason comes from the Greek name Iason, borne by the mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts. The name comes from the Greek word ‘iasthai’, meaning ‘to heal’.

Alternative spellings: Jaison, Jayson

Jasper

Meaning: Treasurer

Origin: Persian

Pronunciation: JASS per

Description: Jasper is the modern English form of Casper, the name of one of the three wise men (or Magi) who brought gifts to Jesus Christ at his birth.

Alternative spellings: Jaspar

Jawad

Meaning: Generous

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: jah WAHD

Description: Jawad is an Arabic word meaning ‘open-handed’ or ‘generous’. It can also be used as a name, though it is uncommon. Jawad is said to be one of the names used to describe Muhammad. It is also the name of a town in India.

Alternative spellings: Jahwad, Jawaad, Jawahd

Jax

Meaning: Son of Jack

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JACKS

Description: Jax is a modern shortened form of the English name Jackson, which literally means ‘son of Jack’. It is often given as a nickname to boys named Jack.

Alternative spellings: Jacks, Jaxx

Jaxon

Meaning: Son of Jack

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JAX sun

Description: The name Jaxon can be seen as a variant of the name Jason or a variant spelling of the name Jackson.

Alternative spellings: Jackson, Jakson, Jaxson, Jaxxson

Jay

Meaning: Victory

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: JAY

Description: Jay is an Indian name meaning ‘victory’ in Sanskrit. It can also be seen as a shortened form of names beginning with J, like Jason. Although it is most commonly found as a boys’ name, it is unisex.

Alternative spellings: Jai

Jaya

Meaning: Victory

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: JAY ah

Description: Jaya is a unisex name originating from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘victorious’. In Hindu belief Jaya is one of the gatekeepers of the domain of the god Vishnu.

Alternative spellings: Jaia

Jayce

Meaning: Healer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: jays

Description: Jayce is a different spelling of the name Jace, which in turn is a shortened form of the Greek name Jason. The name comes from the Greek name Iason, borne by the mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, who sailed to Colchis to discover the golden fleece. Jason fell in love with sorceress Medea during this adventure, but was later killed by a timber beam falling from his ship the Argo. The name comes from the Greek word ‘iasthai,’ meaning ‘to heal’.

Alternative spellings: Jaice, Jays

Jaydan

Meaning: Thankful

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JAY den

Description: Jaydan is a very popular boys’ name in America and originates from the Hebrew name Jadon. The spelling variant Jayden can sometimes be used as a unisex name.

Alternative spellings: Jadan, Jaden, Jadon, Jaidan, Jaiden, Jaidon, Jayden, Jaydon

Jaylan

Meaning: Calm

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JAY lan

Description: Jaylan is a unisex name that has seen increased popularity in America in recent years. It is a modern variant of Jaylen, which descends from Jalon who was a descendant of Judah.

Alternative spellings: Jaelan, Jaelon, Jailan, Jalan, Jaylen, Jaylon

Jean

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Jed

Meaning: Loved by God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JED

Description: The name Jed was originally used as a pet form of the name Jedidiah. This name is first seen in the Bible and derives from the element of ‘yahew’, which means ‘beloved’.

Alternative spellings: Jedd

Jedidiah

Meaning: Beloved of Yahweh

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: jed I DIE ya

Description: Jedidiah is a Hebrew name, derived from the name Yedidyah, meaning ‘beloved of Yahweh’. In the Old Testament, this was a name given by God to Solomon, who is King David’s second son.

Jeevan

Meaning: Life; bringer of life

Origin: Indian

Pronunciation: jee VAAN

Description: Jeevan is a male Indian given name meaning ‘life’ or ‘bringer of life’. It comes from the Sanskrit language but is most often a Punjabi name.

Alternative spellings: Jevan

Jeffrey

Meaning: God’s peace

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JEFF rey

Description: Jeffrey is a common English boys’ name. The name Geoffrey is the precursor to Jeffrey, from the German word Gottfried meaning ‘God’s peace’.

Alternative spellings: Geoffrey, Jeffery, Jeffory, Jefrey, Jeffry

Jem

Meaning: He who supplants

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JEM

Description: Jem is an uncommon boys’ name, often used as a nickname for James or Jeremy. It is a variant of the Hebrew name James, meaning ‘he who supplants’.

Alternative spellings: Gem, Jemm

Jensen

Meaning: Son of Johannes

Origin: Scandinavian

Pronunciation: JEN son

Description: The name Jensen has Scandinavian roots and is said to mean ‘son of Jens’. It could also be the Scandinavian version of the surname Johnson.Jensen is part of a group of surnames growing popular as first names.

Alternative spellings: Jenson, Jensun

Jenson

Meaning: Son of Jan

Origin: Scandinavian

Pronunciation: jen SUN

Description: Jenson is an unusual name, it that is hard to find much history of its usage. It can be traced back to Scandinavia, and is thought to be a variation on the name Janson, which literally means ‘son of Jan’. It is rare as a first name, but does occur as a boys’ name, although more commonly it is a surname.

Alternative spellings: Jensen

Jeremiah

Meaning: Appointed by God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: jer eh MY yah

Description: Jeremiah has biblical associations as the name of the prophet Jeremiah. He wrote the Book of Jeremiah and it is also believed that he wrote the Book of Lamentations.

Alternative spellings: Jeremia, Jerimiah

Jeremy

Meaning: Appointed by God

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: JEH ruh me

Description: Jeremy is an anglicised form of the biblical name Jeremiah. The name Jeremy may be seen in the Authorised Version of the New Testament.

Alternative spellings: Jeremey, Jeremie

Jermaine

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Jerome

Meaning: Sacred name

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: jeh ROME

Description: The name Jerome comes from the biblical word ‘hieros’, which means ‘holy’ or ‘sacred’, and also the word ‘onoma’, which means ‘name’.

Alternative spellings: Gerome, Jerrome

Jerry

Meaning: Spear ruler

Origin: English

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Joao

Meaning: God has given

Origin: Portuguese

Pronunciation: zh WOW

Description: Joao is the Portuguese form of the common boys’ name John, which means ‘God has given’. The name is a prominent one in the Bible and is of great importance to early Christianity, since it was borne by many saints. It is also the name of 23 popes.

Jobey

Meaning: Persecuted

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: joe BEE

Description: Jobey is a Hebrew name meaning ‘persecuted’ and is also a variation of the name Joby. This name can also be used for girls.

Alternative spellings: Joby

Jocelyn

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Jody

Meaning: From Judea

Origin: English

Pronunciation: JO dee

Description: Jody is a unisex name evolving from numerous other names such as George, Jude and Joseph. It is thought to mean ‘from Judea’ as it is similar to the name Jude.

Alternative spellings: Jodi, Jodie

Meaning: Supplanter

Origin: Lithuanian

Pronunciation: jok OO bas

Description: Jokubas is the Lithuanian version of the name Jacob. The name means ‘supplanter’ and is from the Hebrew, Yaakov. Jacob was borne by the biblical father of 12 sons, who gave their names to the 12 tribes of Israel. Son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Esae, Jacob was the cunning younger twin who tricked his brother into trading his inheritance for a bowl of soup. He later tricked his blind, dying father into blessing him instead of Esau.

Meaning: God has given

Origin: Cornish

Pronunciation: joh WAAN

Description: Jowan is the Cornish version of the common boys’ name John. It is a prominent biblical name meaning ‘God has given,’ and is used many times in the Bible. It is also the name of many saints and 23 popes.

Juan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Spanish

Pronunciation: WAHN

Description: Juan is the Spanish variant of the Hebrew name John. It is a very popular name in Spain and in Spanish-speaking communities worldwide.

Alternative spellings: Huon, Juwan

Judah

Meaning: Praised

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: joo DAH

Description: In the Bible, Judah was the fourth of Jacob’s 12 sons. The name is rising in popularity in recent years. The Greek form of the name is Judas and is very rarely used due to the infamy of the betrayer Judas Iscariot.

Alternative spellings: Juda, Yudah

Jude

Meaning: Praise

Origin: Greek

Kabir

Meaning: The Great

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah BEER

Description: Kabir is a common boy’s name originating from the Arabic Al-Kabir, which means ‘The Great’ – the 37th name of God in Islam. Kabir was a mystic poet and saint of India whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement.

Alternative spellings: Kaabir, Kabeer

Kade

Meaning: Round

Origin: English

Pronunciation: Kayd

Description: Kade is a different spelling of the name Cade, which comes from an Old English surname meaning ‘round’.

Alternative spellings: Cade

Kaden

Meaning: Son; spirit of battle

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAY den

Description: Kaden is the popular anglicised form of Kaiden. Kaiden is Celtic in origin and is said to mean ‘warrior’.

Alternative spellings: Caden, Cadon, Caiden, Caidon, Cayden, Caydon, Kadan, Kaden, Kaedan, Kaeden, Kaidan, Kaydan Kayden

Kaede

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Kaelan

Meaning: Slender

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAY lan

Description: Kaelan is a unisex name of Gaelic origin. Its meaning is debated but some agree that it means ‘slender’. It is most commonly used for boys.

Alternative spellings: Caelan, Caolan, Caylan, Kaolan, Kaylan

Kai

Meaning: The sea

Origin: Hawaiian

Pronunciation: KY

Description: Kai is a Hawaiian word meaning ‘the sea’. The Welsh version of this name means ‘keeper of the keys’. It has recently become more popular as a baby name in Britain.

Alternative spellings: Ky, Kye

Kain

Meaning: Acquire

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: KAYN

Description: Kain is an uncommon given name but a popular surname. It is a variant of Kenan, which is a Hebrew name meaning ‘acquire’. It could also be considered a variant of the Gaelic name Kane.

Alternative spellings: Caine, Cane, Kaine, Kane, Kayne

Kaine

Meaning: Spear

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAYN

Description: Kaine is a variant form of the masculine Gaelic name Kane. It could also be considered a variant of the Hebrew name Cain.

Alternative spellings: Caine, Cane, Kaine, Kane, Kayne

Kairo

Meaning: Victorious

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: KYE ro

Description: Kairo is an uncommon Arabic boys’ name and is a variant of Cairo, which is also the capital of Egypt and the oldest city in the Arabic world. It is derived from ‘al Qahir’, which is the Arabic name of the planet Mars.

Alternative spellings: Cairo, Kyro

Kairon

Meaning: Dark-haired

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KYE ron

Description: Kairon is a less popular variant of the Irish name Kieran, although the two are pronounced differently. It is also an uncommon Indian name, named after a small Indian village.

Alternative spellings: Kyron

Kaiser

Meaning: Emperor

Origin: German

Pronunciation: KAI sur

Description: Kaiser is the German word for ‘emperor’ and refers to the title that the ruler holds. This is an unusual boys’ name choice and could be a good option for more adventurous parents.

Kaison

Meaning: No meaning

Origin: American

Pronunciation: KAI sun

Description: Kaison is an invented, modern name and as such has no meaning. It can also be spelt in a variety of different ways.

Alternative spellings: Kayson, Kason, Cayson, Cason

Kajus

Meaning: Rejoice

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: KAH ee us

Description: Kajus is a variant of the Roman surname Caius, related to the Latin term ‘guadere’, meaning ‘Aelto rejoices’. The name also features in the Bible, belonging to a saint.

Alternative spellings: Caius, Cajus, Kaius

Kaleb

Meaning: Dog

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: KAY leb

Description: Kaleb is an alternative spelling of Caleb. It is a biblical name that means ‘dog’. Caleb was one of Moses’ followers, and the change to add a K at the start of the name would have been a modern construction.

Alternative spellings: Caleb

Kaleem

Meaning: Lecturer

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah LEEM

Description: Kaleem is an uncommon name of Arabic origin, meaning ‘lecturer’.

Alternative spellings: Caleem, Kahleem

Kalen

Meaning: Slender

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAY len

Description: Kalen is an uncommon name of Gaelic origin, meaning ‘slender’ or ‘uncertain’.

Alternative spellings: Caelan, Kaelen

Kamar

Meaning: The moon

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: KAH maar

Description: Kamar is an Arabic boys’ name meaning ‘the moon’. This name is not to be confused with Kumar, which has a different meaning.

Alternative spellings: Qamar

Kamil

Meaning: Sacrifice

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah MEAL

Description: The name Kamil derives from the name Camillus, which means ‘altar server’. It is most popular in Arabic-, Polish- and Czech-speaking countries.

Alternative spellings: Camil, Kamill

Kamile

Meaning: Sacrifice

Origin: Italian

Pronunciation: kah MEEL

Description: Kamile is the Polish variant of the French Camille, a name used for both boys and girls that originates from Roman mythology.

Alternative spellings: Camile, Camille, Kamille

Kamran

Meaning: Crooked nose

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: CAM ren

Description: Kamran is one of the many spelling variations for the name Cameron. This spelling also has a Persian meaning, which is ‘prosperous’.

Alternative spellings: Cameron, Camron, Kameron, Kamron

Kane

Meaning: Battle; a spear

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: KAYN

Description: The name Kane is a variation of Cain. In the Bible, Cain killed his brother, Abel. In English the name Cane derived from the medieval word for ‘cane’ or ‘reed’.

Alternative spellings: Caine, Cane, Kaine

Kaoru

Meaning: Fragrant

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: Kah o roo

Description: This name can most commonly be found in Japan and is written using only one Japanese character meaning ‘fragrant’. It can be adopted as both a girls’ and a boys’ name.

Alternative spellings: Kaoruh, Kayoru

Karam

Meaning: Generous

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: KAH raam

Description: This Arabic name is most commonly used for boys, but can be found as a girls’ name. The name is thought to have derived from the name Karim, which can also be spelt Kareem.

Alternative spellings: Karaam, Kharam

Karan

Meaning: Ear

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: kar AHN

Description: Karan is an old Indian name that has been transliterated from Sanskrit as meaning ‘ear’. It is also the name of a town in Mali.

Alternative spellings: Kaaran, Karaan

Karim

Meaning: Generous

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah REEM

Description: Karim is a popular name among Muslim families, thought to mean ‘generous’.

Alternative spellings: Kareem, Kareme

Karl

Meaning: Free man

Origin: German

Pronunciation: KARL

Description: Karl is a German variant of the English name Charles. It is also a variant spelling of the name Carl.

Alternative spellings: Carl

Karol

Meaning: Free man

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: KA rawl

Description: The name Karol comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles. The form Karol is rarely found in Britain.

Alternative spellings: Carol

Karson

Meaning: Carr’s son

Origin: English

Pronunciation: karr SUN

Description: Karson is a variation of the English name Carson. It was originally a surname given to someone who hailed from a marshy area, or whose father had lived there. It has developed into a first name throughout history, but is rare in the UK today.

Alternative spellings: Carson

Karter

Meaning: Cart transporter

Origin: English

Pronunciation: kar TUR

Description: Kartor is a modern, variant spelling of the English name Carter. Carter is taken from the surname originally given to those who transported goods in a cart. The use of the letter K breathes fresh life into the traditional name.

Alternative spellings: Carter

Kasey

Meaning: Vigilant guard

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAY see

Description: Kasey is a spelling variant of the names Casey and Kaci. It derives from the Gaelic name Cathasaigh and is popular in America and Ireland.

Alternative spellings: Casey, Casie, Cayce, Caycie, Caysie, Kacey, Kaci, Kacie, Kacy, Kasie, Kaycee, Kaycie, Kaysie

Kasim

Meaning: Divided

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah SEEM

Description: Kasim is an alternative spelling of the Arabic boys’ name Kassim. It is more common as a surname but has increased in popularity as a given name in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Kaseem, Kassim

Kason

Meaning: No meaning

Origin: American

Pronunciation: kay SUN

Description: Kason is a different version of the name Kayson. Both names are modern American inventions and as such have no real meaning.

Alternative spellings: Kayson, Cason, Cayson

Kasper

Meaning: Treasurer

Origin: Persian

Pronunciation: KASS per

Description: Kasper is a popular Danish name of Persian origin, meaning ‘treasurer’.

Alternative spellings: Caspar, Casper, Kacper, Kaspar

Kay

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Kaya

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Kayan

Meaning: High status

Origin: Persian

Pronunciation: kai YAAN

Description: Kayan is a Persian name meaning ‘high status,’ referring to someone who is important. It also has Indian connections, and in Hindi the name means ‘name of a dynasty of King Kaikobad’.

Alternative spellings: Cayan

Kayd

Meaning: Barrel maker

Origin: English

Pronunciation: KAYD

Description: Kayd is a modern variant of the name Cade, said to refer to a barrel maker. It is now used as a unisex name. Kayd may also be found used as an abbreviation of the masculine name Kaden, which is Celtic in origin and means ‘warrior’.

Alternative spellings: Cade, Caid, Cayde, Kayd

Kaylan

Meaning: Slender

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KAY lan

Description: Kaylan is a modernised and American version of the Gaelic name Caelan. Though previously uncommon, the name has increased in popularity in recent years as a given name for both boys and girls.

Alternative spellings: Caelan, Caolan, Caylan, Kaelan, Kaolan

Kaylum

Meaning: Peace

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: KAY lum

Description: Kaylum could be a variation of the name Calum, which comes from the Latin word ‘columba’, meaning ‘dove’. It is a very popular name in Britain, especially in Scotland.

Alternative spellings: Caylum

Kayson

Meaning: Healer

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: KAY sun

Description: Kayson is a name of Greek origin. It is a modern coinage thought to be based on the name Jason, which has become popular in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Cayson, Kasen, Kason

Kazumi

Meaning: Beautiful harmony

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: Ka zoo mee

Description: This Japanese name is written using the characters of ‘kazu’, meaning ‘peace and harmony’, along with ‘mi’, which means ‘beautiful’. It is most commonly found in Japan and can be used for both boys and girls.

Alternative spellings: Kazumie

Kazuo

Meaning: First born

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: ka ZOO oh

Description: This Japanese name means ‘first born’, so is most commonly given to sons who are born first in the family.

Alternative spellings: Kazuoh, Kazzuo

Keagan

Meaning: Fiery

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: KEE gan

Description: Keagan is an Irish baby name that has connotations of fire and therefore means ‘fiery’. This name would be ideal for a little redheaded baby.

Alternative spellings: Keegan

Keane

Meaning: Ancient

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KEEN

Description: Keane is the pet form of the name Keenan, but is also used in its own right. Both are Gaelic in origin and are said to mean ‘ancient’.

Alternative spellings: Kean, Keene

Keanu

Meaning: Cool breeze from the mountains

Origin: Hawaiian

Pronunciation: ki AH nu

Description: Keanu is a Hawaiian name meaning ‘cool breeze blowing down from the mountains’.

Alternative spellings: Kearnu

Keaton

Meaning: Kite town

Origin: English

Pronunciation: KEE ton

Description: Keaton is of Old English origin, meaning ‘shed’ or ‘kite town’. It is more commonly found as a surname.

Alternative spellings: Keeton, Keyton

Keegan

Meaning: Fiery

Origin: Irish

Pronunciation: KEE gan

Description: Keegan is a variant spelling of the Irish name Keagan, and shares the same meaning of ‘fiery’.

Alternative spellings: Keagan

Keelan

Meaning: Graceful

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: Key lan

Description: Keelan is the unisex version of the Gaelic name Keeley. Depending on which origin is taken, Keelan could mean ‘graceful’ or ‘slender’.

Alternative spellings: Ceelan, Keylan

Keenan

Meaning: Ancient

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KEE nan

Description: Keenan, a name that means ‘ancient’ or ‘distant’, is a more anglicised version of the Irish name Cian. Keenan is more commonly found as a surname.

Alternative spellings: Keenen, Keenon, Kenan

Kei

Meaning: Joyful

Origin: Japanese

Pronunciation: KAY i

Description: Kei is a unisex name more commonly found on boys. This name was originally a pet form of the name Keiko; however, over time it has transferred into a forename in its own right.

Alternative spellings: Kehi

Keir

Meaning: Dark-haired

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KEE er

Description: Keir is an uncommon boys’ name of Gaelic origin. The meanings vary and include ‘dusky’, ‘dark-haired’, ‘dark-skinned’ and ‘swarthy’.

Alternative spellings: Keer, Keirr

Keith

Meaning: Woodland

Origin: Gaelic

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Keston

Meaning: Area in London

Origin: English

Pronunciation: kes TUN

Description: Keston is a place name, specifically a town in the London Borough of Bromley and on the border of Greater London and Kent.

Alternative spellings: Kestin, Kesten

Kevin

Meaning: Beloved

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KEH vin

Description: Kevin is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Caoimhin. It is a popular name worldwide, but has fallen from the top 100 boys’ names in the UK.

Alternative spellings: Keven, Kevyn

Keyaan

Meaning: Kingly

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: keh YAHN

Description: Keyaan seems to be a masculine name of Arabic origin. Its meaning is believed to be ‘kingly’.

Alternative spellings: Keyahn, Keyarn

Keyan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: kee YAN

Description: Keyan is a variation of the Gaelic name Kiyan, meaning ‘God is gracious’. The names are in turn a variant of Ewan, from John, which means they all share the same meaning.

Alternative spellings: Kiyan

Khalid

Meaning: Immortal; eternal

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: KAH leed

Description: Khalid is a popular name among the Arabic community and is said to mean ‘immortal’ or ‘undying’. It has grown in popularity in the UK in recent years.

Khalil

Meaning: Friend

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: kah LEEL

Description: Khalil is an Arabic name meaning ‘friend’. It is rare in the UK.

Alternative spellings: Kalil, Khaleel

Kian

Meaning: Ancient

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KI an

Description: Kian is the anglicised version of Cian.

Alternative spellings: Cian, Kean

Killian

Meaning: Feisty

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KILL yan

Description: Killian is an alternate spelling of the Gaelic name Cillian. Both names are said to have originated with meanings associated with war, but as a given name we would assume the meaning of Cillian to be ‘feisty’

Alternative spellings: Cillian

Kim

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Kimberley

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Meaning: Bearer of Christ

Origin: English

Pronunciation: kip

Description: Kip, like Kit, is a shortened version of Christopher and as such, shares the same meaning of ‘bearer of Christ’.

Kiran

Meaning: Beam of light

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: KEE ran

Description: Kiran is a unisex name of Sanksrit origin, said to mean ‘beam of light’. It could also be considered a spelling variant of the Gaelic name Kieran.

Alternative spellings: Ciaran, Keiran, Keiron, Kieran, Kieron

Kieron

Meaning: Dark one

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KIER ron

Description: This name is mainly used in English-speaking countries such as America, Canada, England and Australia. This spelling is a variant of the English and Irish name Kieran. There is also a Hindi variation of this name, which is spelt Kiran. In Hindi it means ‘beam of light’.

Alternative spellings: Kieran

Kishan

Meaning: Krishna

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: kee SHAAN

Description: Kishan is an uncommon boys’ name of Sanskrit origin. It is a modern form of Krishna, the name of a Hindu deity believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Alternative spellings: Keeshan, Kishaan

Kit

Meaning: Follower of Christ

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: KIT

Description: Kit is an abbreviation of the name Christopher, meaning ‘follower or bearer of Christ’. It is especially popular in America.

Alternative spellings: Kitt

Kiva

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Kiyan

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KEE yan

Description: Kiyan is a boys’ name of Gaelic and Hebrew origins. It is a variant of Ewan, from John, meaning ‘God is gracious’. It has risen in popularity in recent years.

Alternative spellings: Kean, Keon, Kian, Kion

Klay

Meaning: Clay

Origin: English

Pronunciation: CAH lay

Description: Klay is a different spelling of the name Clay. Clay is a name that either exists as a shortened form of Clayton, a transferred surname or a name given to somebody who lived on clay soils.

Alternative spellings: Clay

Knox

Meaning: Round hill

Origin: English

Pronunciation: NOX

Description: Knox is an unusual boys’ name of Old English origin, where it originally meant ‘hill with a rounded peak’.

Alternative spellings: Nox

Kobe

Meaning: Supplanter

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: koh BEE

Description: Kobe is a rather uncommon baby name and is likely to be a diminutive form of the name Jacob. A famous bearer of the name is Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers basketball player – although his parents chose Kobe due to the Japanese beef.

Alternative spellings: Kobi, Kobie, Koby, Cobe, Coby

Kodi

Meaning: Helpful

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KOH dee

Description: Kodi is a modern variant of the common Gaelic name Cody, meaning ‘helpful’. It can be used for girls and boys.

Alternative spellings: Codey, Codie, Cody, Kody

Kofi

Meaning: Born on Friday

Origin: Ghanaian

Pronunciation: KOH fi

Description: Kofi is a Ghanaian boys’ name signifying birth on a Friday.

Alternative spellings: Kofey, Kofii, Kofy

Kohen

Meaning: Priest

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: koe EN

Description: Kohen is an alternative spelling of the name Cohen, which is borne by a priest and the brother of Moses in Jewish belief. It could also be the anglicised version of the Old Irish surname Cadhan.

Alternative spellings: Cohen

Kole

Meaning: Dark

Origin: English

Pronunciation: kole

Description: Kole is a variation of the common boys’ name Cole, which is an English surname that was transferred into a given name. It is taken from the Old English word ‘cola,’ meaning ‘dark complexion’. Other sources suggest the name to be a short form of the name Coleman.

Alternative spellings: Cole

Konrad

Meaning: Bold counsel

Origin: German

Pronunciation: KON rad

Description: Konrad is a German name meaning ‘brave’, ‘counsel’ or ‘ruler’, often seen just as ‘bold counsel’.

Alternative spellings: Conrad

Korenl

Meaning: Horn

Origin: English

Pronunciation: corn EL

Description: Kornel is most likely a modern respelling of the traditional name Cornel, which is a diminutive of Cornelius. The name means ‘horn’, because it comes from the Latin element of ‘cornu’. The respelling injects an element of fresh modernity into the name.

Alternative spellings: Cornel

Korey

Meaning: Spear

Origin: Norse

Pronunciation: KOR ree

Description: The name Korey is a variant of Cory, a given name common for both boys and girls in America. It comes from a surname that was possibly either derived from the Gaelic ‘corra’, meaning ‘spear’, Old Norse given name Kori (meaning ‘the chosen one’) or from ‘ravine’ in Gaelic, ‘hollow’ in Irish, ‘seething pool’ in Scots, or ‘horn’ in French.

Alternative spellings: Coree, Corey, Corie, Cory, Koree, Kory

Kostas

Meaning: Constant; steadfast

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: kos TAS

Description: Kostas is a short form of the Greek name Konstantinos. The name is the Greek version of the name Constantine and means ‘constant’ or ‘steadfast’.

Alternative spellings: Costas

Krishan

Meaning: Black

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: KRISH an

Description: Krishan is a variant of the name Krishna. The spelling of the Hindu god Krishna varies from region to region. The name is said to derive from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘black’.

Alternative spellings: Krishaan, Krishann

Krishna

Meaning: Deity

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: KRISH naa

Description: Krishna is the name of a Hindu deity believed to be an incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Alternative spellings: Krishnah

Kristian

Meaning: Follower of Christ

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: KRIS ti en

Description: Kristian is the Scandinavian version of the name Christian. It is unisex and means ‘follower of Christ’.

Alternative spellings: Christian, Christien, Cristian, Krystian

Krzysztof

Meaning: Bearer of Christ

Origin: Polish

Pronunciation: kriss TOFF

Description: Krzysztof is the Polish version of the name Christoph, meaning ‘bearer of Christ’. The roots of the name come from the Greek words ‘christo’ referring to Christ, and ‘phero’ meaning to bear or carry. Early Christians used this as a metaphorical name to express how they always carry Christ in their hearts.

Alternative spellings: Kristophe, Christophe

Ksawery

Meaning: The new house

Origin: Polish

Pronunciation: ksa VE ri

Description: Ksawery is the Polish version of the name Xavier, which in turn is a Hispanicised version of the Basque place name ‘etcheberria,’ meaning ‘the new house’.

Kuba

Meaning: Supplanter

Origin: Polish

Pronunciation: kuw BAH

Description: Kuba may sound like Cuba (as in the Caribbean island), but it is actually a Polish diminutive of the Hebrew name Jacob, and as such shares the same meaning with it.

Alternative spellings: Cuba

Kunal

Meaning: Lotus

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: koo NAL

Description: Kunal has several meanings in Sanskrit including ‘lotus’, ‘bird with beautiful eyes’ and ‘one with beautiful eyes’.

Alternative spellings: Kunall

Kurt

Meaning: Courageous

Origin: German

Pronunciation: KURT

Description: Kurt is a boys’ name popular in America. It is a variant of Conrad, which is of Old German origin.

Alternative spellings: Curt, Kert

Kurtis

Meaning: Considerate

Origin: French

Pronunciation: KER tiss

Description: Kurtis is a spelling variation of the name Curtis. Both names come from the word ‘courteous’.

Alternative spellings: Curtis

Kush

Meaning: Son of Lord Rama

Origin: Sanskrit

Pronunciation: KUSH

Description: Kush is a variant of Kusha, who was one of the twin sons of Lord Rama in Hindu mythology. It is an uncommon name in English-speaking countries as Kush is the name given to a strain of cannabis.

Alternative spellings: Koosh, Kuush

Kyan

Meaning: Little king

Origin: English

Pronunciation: KYE un

Description: Kyan is a modern variation of the name Ryan and is especially popular in America.

Alternative spellings: Kyanne

Kye

Meaning: Key keeper

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: KY

Description: Kye is the phonetically anglicised version of the Welsh name Kai, meaning ‘keeper of the keys’. The name Kai also originates from Hawaii, where it means ‘ocean’.

Alternative spellings: Kai, Ky

Kylan

Meaning: Narrow water

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KI lan

Description: Kylan derives from an Irish place name, referring to a place where water becomes very narrow. It is also a variant of the name Kyle.

Alternative spellings: Kylanne, Kylon

Kyle

Meaning: Narrow water

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: KY all

Description: Kyle is derived from a term that means a narrow channel between two land masses.

Alternative spellings: Kyill

Kylo

Meaning: No meaning

Origin: English

Pronunciation: KY loh

Description: Kylo is an invented name and as such, there is no meaning. It has grown in popularity in recent times due to the Star Wars character, Kylo Ren, played by actor Adam Driver in the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Kymani

Meaning: Adventurous traveller

Origin: Jamaican

Pronunciation: ki MAN ee

Description: Kymani, often written Ky-Mani, is a Jamaican boys’ name. It literally means an ‘adventurous traveller’.

Alternative spellings: Kymanee, Kymanie, Kymany

Kyran

Meaning: Black

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: keer AN

Description: Kyran is a Gaelic name that has been popular for many years, although you may recognise the alternative spelling of Keiran.

Alternative spellings: Keiran

Kyron

Meaning: Master

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: KYE ron

Description: The name Kyron derives from the Greek legend of Chiron the centaur. It is thought that the name inspired the modern name Tyrone, used widely in the UK and US. Kyron is mainly found in Europe and Russia. It could also be considered a variant spelling of the Gaelic name Kairon.

Alternative spellings: Kairon

L

Lacey

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Lachlan

Meaning: Viking settler

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: LAHK lin

Description: Lachlan is a Gaelic name originally used in Scotland as a name for the settling Vikings. It then spread to Canada and Australia, where it is particularly popular.

Alternative spellings: Laclan, Laklan, Lochlan

Laertes

Meaning: Avenger

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: Lye ER teez

Description: In Greek mythology, Laertes was the king of the Cephallenians and father of Odysseus. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Laertes is the brother of Ophelia.

Alternative spellings: Laertees, Layertees

Laith

Meaning: Lion

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: LAYTH

Description: Laith is an uncommon Arabic boys’ name that means ‘lion’, ‘strong’ or ‘brave’. It is more commonly seen as a surname in the Arabic world.

Alternative spellings: Laithe, Lathe, Layth

Lance

Meaning: Land

Origin: French

Pronunciation: LANCE

Description: Lance is a popular boys’ name of French origin, derived from the Old German name Lanzo, meaning ‘land’.

Alternative spellings: Lanse, Lantz

Lando

Meaning: Famous throughout the land

Origin: Italian

Pronunciation: lan DOH

Description: Lando is an Italian variation of the name Roland, meaning ‘famous throughout the land’. Lando Calrissian is a character in the Star Wars franchise.

Landon

Meaning: Long hill

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LAN don

Description: Landon is a boys’ name of English origin that means ‘long hill’. It is a variant of Langdon.

Alternative spellings: Landan, Landen

Laney

See entry in ‘Names for Baby Girls A–Z’

Landry

Meaning: Land ruler

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LAN dree

Description: Landry is a name with English and French origins and means ‘ruler’. It was imported into Britain by the Normans.

Alternative spellings: Landrey

Larry

Meaning: Man from Laurentum

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LAIR ee

Description: Larry is a shortened version of the name Laurence, meaning ‘man from Laurentum’. Both names come from the name Laurentius.

Larson

Meaning: Son of Lars

Origin: Scandinavian

Pronunciation: LAAR sun

Description: Larson is a Scandinavian surname meaning ‘son of Lars’. Lars comes from the Roman name Laurentius. This follows the contemporary trend of using last names as first names.

Laurel

Meaning: Laurel

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LOH rul

Description: Originally Laurel was a feminine name, deriving from the Old English laurel tree. Recently the name has picked up popularity as a boys’ name, possibly due to the fame of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Alternative spellings: Loral

Laurence

Meaning: From Laurentum

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LOR rents

Description: Laurence originates from the Roman name Laurentius. It can be found as a male English name and a French feminine name.

Alternative spellings: Laurince, Laurynce, Lawrence, Lorence

Laurie

Meaning: Victory

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LAW ree

Description: The name Laurie can be used as a unisex name, as it was originally a shortened version of the names Laura and Laurence. It is now used as a name in its own right and is seen to mean ‘victory’.

Alternative spellings: Lauri, Laury, Lawrie, Lowry

Lawrence

Meaning: Crowned with a laurel

Meaning: Land lying fallow

Origin: English

Pronunciation: Lee lund

Description: Leland is an Old English surname, sometimes given as a unisex given name. It has risen in popularity as a given name in the last five years.

Alternative spellings: Leeland, Leelund

Lennie

Meaning: Brave lion

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LEN nee

Description: Lennie is a variant of the Old German name Leonard, meaning ‘brave lion’.

Alternative spellings: Lenney, Lenni, Lenny

Lennon

Meaning: Dearest

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LEN on

Description: Lennon is a commonly found surname that has been adopted as a given name for boys. Popularity of this name is highly likely to be linked with the fame of the Beatles star John Lennon.

Alternative spellings: Lenon

Lennox

Meaning: Field on River Leven

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: Len KNOCKS

Description: Lennox is a name made from the Scottish ‘ach’, meaning ‘field’, and ‘llyfn’, meaning ‘smooth’ or ‘docile’. It was originally given as a surname for those living by the River Leven.

Alternative spellings: Lennux, Lenox, Lenux

Lenny

Meaning: Brave Lion

Origin: German

Pronunciation: len NEE

Description: Lenny is an abbreviated version of the German name Leonard. St. Leonard is the patron saint of peasants and horses.

Leo

Meaning: Lion

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LEE oh

Description: From the Latin for ‘lion’. It is borne by numerous Christian saints and is most commonly found as the pet name for Leonardo.

Alternative spellings: Leoh, Lio

Leon

Meaning: Lion

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LEE on

Description: Leon is a derivative of Leo, the Latin personal name meaning ‘lion’.

Alternative spellings: Leeon

Leonard

Meaning: Brave lion

Origin: German

Pronunciation: LEN ard

Description: Leonard is an Old French name, comprised of German elements to mean ‘brave lion’. A French saint named Leonard lived in the 5th century and was the patron of peasants and horses.

Alternative spellings: Lenard, Leonerd

Leonardo

Meaning: Brave lion

Origin: German

Pronunciation: lee on ARDdough

Description: Leonardo is an elongation of the German name Leonard, despite the two names having different pronunciations of the ‘leo’ element.

Alternative spellings: Lionardo

Leonidas

Meaning: Strong

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: lee on EYE dass

Description: Leonidas was borne by the legendary King of Sparta who is said to have held off the entire Persian army with only 300 of his guard. To this day the name carries connotations of bravery and strength.

Alternative spellings: Leonydas, Lionidas

Leopold

Meaning: Bold people

Origin: German

Pronunciation: lee UH pold

Description: Leopold is a name of German origin. The name comes from the German words ‘liut’ meaning ‘people’ and ‘bold’ meaning ‘brave’. Then ‘liut’ was altered to the Latin ‘leo’.

Alternative spellings: Leopolde, Leupold

Leroy

Meaning: The king

Origin: French

Pronunciation: LEE roy

Description: Leroy is a French name that was popular in English-speaking countries in the early 20th century, though its popularity has decreased in recent years. The meaning of Leroy is ‘the king’, from the French phrase ‘Le roi’.

Alternative spellings: Leeroy, Leroi

Leslie

Meaning: Holly garden

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: LEZ lee

Description: Leslie derives from the Scottish surname, meaning ‘garden of holly’. It is also used as a unisex given name.

Alternative spellings: Leslee, Lesley, Lesli, Lesly

Levi

Meaning: Allied

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: LEE vye

Description: Levi could be a shortened version of the name Levon. Levi is also a brand of jeans and so the forename may be derived from this. It is unisex but more commonly found on boys.

Alternative spellings: Leevi

Levin

Meaning: Dear friend

Origin: German

Pronunciation: LEH vin

Description: Levin is a modern German version of the Old German name Leobwin or Liebwin, meaning ‘dear friend’. An English variation of this name is Lewin.

Levison

Meaning: Son of Levy

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: leh VEE sun

Description: Levison is traditionally a Jewish last name meaning ‘son of Levy’. It is rarely used as a first name but could be an adventurous choice for parents looking for something more unusual.

Levy

Meaning: Joining

Origin: Hebrew

Pronunciation: lev EE

Description: Levy is a Hebrew surname meaning ‘joining’. It is also a surname found in Scotland and is a shortened form of Donlevy, meaning ‘brown mountain’.

Alternative spellings: Levi

Lewis

Meaning: Famous warrior

Origin: French

Pronunciation: LOO iss

Description: Lewis first appeared as an English form of the French name Louis. It could have also derived from the surname Lewis.

Alternative spellings: Lewys, Loui, Louie, Louis, Luis

Lewys

Meaning: Famed warrior

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: LOO is

Description: Lewys is the Welsh variant of the English name Lewis, which is the anglicisation of the French name Louis, meaning ‘renowned fighter’. It is a popular name in Wales but the spelling is uncommon elsewhere.

Alternative spellings: Lewis, Loui, Louie, Louis, Luis

Leyton

Meaning: Meadow settlement

Origin: English

Pronunciation: lay TON

Description: The name Leyton is a variant of the Old English name Leighton, which has been used as a first name since the early 1800s. Can also be spelt Lleyton or Layton. It is found as both first name and surname, but currently isn’t found very often as either.

Alternative spellings: Layton

Lex

Meaning: Defender of man

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: LEX

Description: Lex is a shortened form of the Greek name Alexander, meaning ‘defender of man’. It is a common boys’ name in the Netherlands. Lex Luthor is the fictional nemesis of Superman.

Alternative spellings: Lecks, Lexx

Lexus

Meaning: Law

Origin: Latin

Pronunciation: LEX us

Description: Lexus derives from the Latin word for ‘law’ and is now used as a unisex forename.

Alternative spellings: Lexsus, Lexuss

Liam

Meaning: Protection

Origin: German

Pronunciation: LEE uhm

Description: Liam was originally a shortened version of the name William, but is now a name in its own right.

Alternative spellings: Lyam

Liev

Meaning: Lion

Origin: Russian

Pronunciation: lee EHV

Description: Liev is the Russian form of Leo, and means ‘lion’. Liev Schreiber is a famous American actor with this name.

Lincoln

Meaning: Lake settlement

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LINK on

Description: This name is derived from the city of Lincoln in England, and has now become a very popular forename. It is also found as a surname.

Alternative spellings: Lincon

Linden

Meaning: Lime tree hill

Origin: German

Pronunciation: LIN den

Description: Linden is a name of German origin. Linden can also be a variant of the name Lyndon. The linden tree is a deciduous tree known as a ‘lime’ tree in British English, though not related to the citrus tree of the same name.

Alternative spellings: Lindan, Lindon, Lyndan, Lyndon

Linus

Meaning: Flax

Origin: Greek

Pronunciation: LYE nus

Description: In Greek mythology Linus is the musician son of Apollo. This is an uncommon boys’ name.

Alternative spellings: Linas, Linnus

Lleyton

Meaning: Leek settlement

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LEY ton

Description: Lleyton is a modern variant of the Old English name Leighton, which literally means ‘leek or meadow settlement’.

Alternative spellings: Laiton, Layton, Leighton, Leyton

Lloyd

Meaning: Grey

Origin: Welsh

Pronunciation: LOYD

Description: Lloyd is the transferred use of a Welsh surname that originates from a nickname meaning ‘grey-haired’.

Alternative spellings: Loyd, Loyde

Lochlan

Meaning: Viking settler

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: LOK lahn

Description: Lochlan comes from the Gaelic name Lochlann, a term used in the Highlands for ‘Viking settlers’.

Alternative spellings: Lochlann, Lockan Locklan

Lockie

Meaning: From the land of the lakes

Origin: Scottish

Pronunciation: lock EE

Description: Lockie is a Scottish name meaning ‘from the land of the lakes,’ thought to have been used originally for Norse immigrants.

Alternative spellings: Locky

Logan

Meaning: Hollow

Origin: Gaelic

Pronunciation: LO gun

Description: Logan is a Scottish surname that has now transferred into a forename for both girls and boys. It is popular in Canada and New Zealand.

Alternative spellings: Logun

Loki

Meaning: Mischievous

Origin: Norse

Pronunciation: LOCK ee

Description: Loki is an uncommon boys’ name of Old Norse origin. In the Old Norse mythology, Loki was the mischievous troublemaker in the Norse pantheon of gods.

Alternative spellings: Lokee, Lokey Lokie

Lorcan

Meaning: Wise

Origin: Arabic

Pronunciation: LUK mahn

Description: The name Luqman is found in early Arabic and Turkish literature and also features in the Quran. It carries the meaning of ‘wise one’.

Alternative spellings: Lukman, Lukmahn, Luqmahn

Lyle

Meaning: Island

Origin: English

Pronunciation: lie YAL

Description: Lyle is an English surname derived from the French word l’isle, meaning ‘island’.

Lyndon

Meaning: Lime tree hill

Origin: English

Pronunciation: LIN don

Description: Lyndon is the name of an area of Leicestershire. It most likely started as a family name for those from Lyndon, then became a boys’ first name.

Alternative spellings: Lindan, Linden, Lindon, Lyndan