Choosing a baby name or curious about your own? Start with its meaning and origins, listen to how it sounds when you say it aloud, and explore the story behind it.
Get to know a few names in more detail. Open a name to explore its origins, pronunciation and related forms, then try saying your favourites with your family name.
Scottish · English: /ˈaɪ.lə/ — EYE-luh
A Scottish island name with a soft, open sound: Isla combines a short written form with a strong sense of place.
Arabic · Arabic /ˈsaː.miː/; Finnish /ˈsɑ.mi/
Sami combines a compact, gentle sound with two distinct backgrounds: an Arabic name of elevation and a Finnish short form of Samuel.
Hebrew · Czech /ˈɦa.na/; Japanese /ha.na/; Arabic هناء /haˈnaːʔ/.
Hana can carry a grace, happiness or flower meaning, depending on its language and original spelling.
Latin · English: /ˈfiːlɪks/; German: /ˈfeːlɪks/
A Latin name with an uplifting meaning and a soft opening that ends in a crisp x sound.
Spanish · Spanish: /maˈte.o/, approximately mah-TEH-oh; three syllables, stress on the middle one.
Mateo carries the meaning “gift of God” in a Spanish form of Matthew. Its soft opening and three-part rhythm give it, to our ear, a relaxed warmth.
Slavic · Croatian /ˈluː.ka/; approximately LOO-kah
Luka combines a soft opening with a crisp k and an open ending. Explore its Slavic use, Greek roots and relationship to Luca and Luke.
Discover names through shared origins, sounds and cultural connections.
The latest additions to our English name collection. Find a new name to get to know.
Think through meanings, nicknames and family connections as you narrow down your choices.
Baby names
Shared initials, similar endings or a family connection can be lovely. Here is how to decide which pattern you want to keep—and when to make room for a name you love on its own.
Baby names
An unappealing meaning does not have to rule out a favourite name. Separate its history from what it means to you, then decide which concern you can live with.
Baby names
A family connection can live in a shared initial, a second given name or a story you pass on. Work out what you want to preserve before choosing how.