MEGAN
f
Usage: Welsh, English
Pronounced: MEG-an, MAY-gan
Welsh pet form of MARGARET
MEGHAN
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEG-an, MAY-gan
Variant of MEGAN
MEL
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL
Short form of MELVIN, MELANIE, or MELISSA
MELANIE
f
Usage: English, Dutch
Pronounced: MEL-a-nee
Derived from Greek melaina meaning "black, dark". This was the name of a
Roman saint who gave all her wealth to charity in the 5th century.
MELANY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-a-nee
Variant of MELANIE
MELBA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-ba
From the surname of singer Nellie Melba. This was a stage name which she
got from the name of the city Melbourne, where she was born.
MELIA (1)
f
Usage: English
Short form of AMELIA
MELICENT
f
Usage: English
Variant of MILLICENT
MELINDA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: me-LIN-da
Modern name, a combination of Mel (from names such as MELANIE and
MELISSA) with the popular name suffix inda.
MELISA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: me-LIS-a
Variant of MELISSA
MELISSA
f
Usage: English, Greek Mythology, Ancient Greek
Pronounced: me-LIS-a
Means "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young
Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero
escape from the witch Alcina in the poem 'Orlando Furioso' by Ariosto.
MELITA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: me-LEE-ta
Variant of MELITTA
MELITTA
f
Usage: Ancient Greek, English
Pronounced: may-LEE-ta, me-LEE-ta
Ancient Attic Greek form of MELISSA
MELLONY
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of MELANIE
MELODY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-ah-dee
Means simply "melody" from the English word, which derives from Greek
melos "song" combined with aeidein "to sing".
MELVA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-va
Perhaps a feminine form of MELVIN
MELVILLE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-vil
From a surname that was originally from a French place name meaning "bad
settlement". Herman Melville was an American author who produced several
novels including 'Moby Dick'.
MELVIN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-vin
Possibly from the Old English name Maethelwine which meant "counsel
friend".
MELVYN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-vin
Variant of MELVIN
MELYSSA
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Pronounced: me-LIS-a
Variant of MELISSA
MERCIA
f
Usage: English
Latinate form of MERCY. This was also the name of an old Anglo-Saxon
kingdom, though it has a different origin.
MERCY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-see
Simply means "mercy" from the English word. This was one of the many virtue
names favoured by the Puritans.
MEREDITH
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-e-dith
From the Welsh name Maredudd, possibly meaning "great lord" or "sea lord".
A famous bearer of this name as surname was George Meredith, novelist and
poet from England.
MERIDETH
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-i-deth
Variant of MEREDITH
MERIEL
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-ee-el
Variant of MURIEL
MERILYN
f
Usage: English
Variant of MARILYN
MERIT
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-it
Variant of MERRITT. Otherwse it can simply mean "merit" from the English
word.
MERIWETHER
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-ee-we-thur
From a surname meaning "happy weather" in Middle English, originally
belonging to a cheery person. A notable bearer of the name was Meriwether
Lewis, who, with William Clark, explored the west of North America.
MERLA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-la
Feminine form of MERLE
MERLE
f,m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MURL
Variant of MERRILL or MURIEL. The spelling has been influenced by the
French word merle meaning "blackbird".
MERLETTA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: mur-LET-a
Pet form of MERLE
MERLIN
m
Usage: Welsh Mythology, English
Pronounced: MUR-lin
Form of the Welsh name Myrddin (meaning "sea fortress") used by Geoffrey
of Monmouth in his 12th-century Arthurian tales. He likely chose the form
Merlinus over Merdinus in order to prevent associations with French merde
"excrement". In the earliest legends Myrddin is a prophetic madman who lives
in the Caledonian Forest, but in later tales Merlin is a wizard, the sorcerer and
counselor for King Arthur.
MERLYN
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-lin
Variant of MERLIN, sometimes used as a feminine form. It has perhaps been
influenced by the Welsh word merlyn meaning "pony".
MERRICK
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-ik
From a surname which was originally derived from the first name MAURICE.
MERRILL
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-il
From a surname which was derived from the first name MURIEL.
MERRILYN
f
Usage: English
Variant of MARILYN
MERRITT
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-it
From a surname meaning "boundary gate" in Old English.
MERRY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MER-ee
Pet form of MERCY. Otherwse it can simply mean "merry" from the English
word.
MERTON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-tun
From a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "town on a
lake" in Old English.
MERV
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MURV
Short form of MERVYN
MERYL
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MERL, MER-ul
Variant of MURIEL
MICAH
m
Usage: Biblical, English
Pronounced: MIE-ka
Means "who is like (YAHWEH)?" in Hebrew. Micah was a minor prophet of the
Old Testament who predicted the destruction of Jerusalem.
MICHAEL
m
Usage: English, German, Czech, Biblical
Pronounced: MIE-kul
From the Hebrew name Miyka'el which meant "who is like God?". This was
the name of one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one
identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation in the New
Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven's armies, and thus is
considered the patron saint of soldiers. This was also the name of nine
Byzantine emperors and a czar of Russia. Other more modern bearers of this
name include the 19th-century chemist/physicist Michael Faraday and
basketball player Michael Jordan.
MICHAELA
f
Usage: English, German, Czech
Feminine form of MICHAEL
MICHAYLA
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of MICHAELA
MICHEAL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-kul
Variant of MICHAEL
MICHELLE
f
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: mee-SHEL (French), mi-SHEL (English)
French feminine form of MICHAEL
MICHELYNE
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Pet form of MICHELLE
MICK
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIK
Short form of MICHAEL
MICKEY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIK-ee
Pet form of MICK. This is the name that Walt Disney gave to Ub Iwerks'
cartoon character, who was originally named Mortimer Mouse.
MIDGE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIJ
Variant of MADGE
MIKE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIEK
Short form of MICHAEL
MILBURN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-burn
From a surname which was from a place name meaning "mill stream" in Old
English.
MILDRED
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-dred
Means "gentle strength" from the Old English elements milde "gentle" and
þryð "strength". Saint Mildred was a 7th-century abbess, the daughter of the
Kentish princess Saint Ermenburga.
MILES
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-ulz
The meaning of this name is not known for certain. It is possibly from Latin
miles "soldier" or else from a pet form of MICHAEL. This name was introduced
to Britain by the Normans.
MILFORD
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-furd
From a surname which was originally derived from various place names all
meaning "ford by a mill" in Old English.
MILLA
f
Usage: English, Finnish
Short form of CAMILLA and other names that end in milla.
MILLARD
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-ard
From a surname which meant "guardian of the mill" in Old English.
MILLICENT
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-i-sent
From the Norman French name Melisende, which was itself derived from the
Germanic name Amalaswinth, composed of the Germanic elements amal
"work, labour" and swinth "strength". This was the name of a daughter of
Charlemagne.
MILLIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-ee
Pet form of MILLICENT or CAMILLA
MILO
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-lo
Latinized form of MILES
MILTON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIL-tun
From a surname which was from an English place name meaning "mill town"
in Old English. A famous bearer of the surname was John Milton, the poet
who wrote 'Paradise Lost'.
MINA
f
Usage: English, Italian
Short form of names ending in mina. This is the name of a character in
'Dracula' by Bram Stoker.
MINDY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIN-dee
Short form of MELINDA
MINNIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIN-ee
Pet form of WILHELMINA
MIRABELLE
f
Usage: French, English
A recently coined name meaning "wonderful" from Latin mirabilis.
MIRACLE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIR-a-kul
Means simply "miracle" from the English word for an extraordinary event,
ultimately deriving from Latin miraculum "wonder, marvel".
MIRANDA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: mur-AN-da
Derived from Latin mirandus meaning "admirable, wonderful". The name was
created by Shakespeare for the heroine in his play 'The Tempest'. This is also
the name of one of the moons of Uranus.
MIRIAM
f
Usage: Jewish, English, Biblical
Pronounced: MIR-ee-am
Hebrew form of MARY used in the Old Testament, where it belongs to the
elder sister of Moses and Aaron.
MISSIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIS-ee
Pet form of MELISSA
MISTI
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Pronounced: MIS-tee
Variant of MISTY
MISTY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIS-tee
Simply means "misty" from the English word.
MITCH
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MICH
Short form of MITCHELL
MITCHELL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MICH-el
From a surname, which itself derives from the name MICHAEL.
MO
f,m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MO
Short form of MAUREEN, MAURICE or MOSES.
MODESTY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHD-es-tee
Means simply "modesty" from the English word.
MOLLIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHL-ee
Pet form of MARY
MOLLY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHL-ee
Pet form of MARY
MONA (1)
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: MO-na
Anglicized form of MUADHNAIT
MONDAY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUN-day
From the English word for the first day of the week, which derives from Old
English mona "moon" and dæg "day". This was formerly given to girls born on
Monday.
MONICA
f
Usage: English, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian
Pronounced: MAHN-i-ka
Possibly means "advisor" from Latin moneo, but it is most likely of unknown
North African or Phoenician origin. Saint Monica was the mother of Saint
Augustine.
MONNA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MO-na
Variant of MONA (1)
MONROE
m
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: mun-RO
From a Scottish surname meaning "the mouth of the Roe" in Gaelic. The Roe
is a river in Ireland. Two famous bearers of the surname were American
president James Monroe and American actress Marilyn Monroe.
MONTAGUE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHN-ta-gyoo
From a surname meaning "pointed mountain" in French.
MONTANA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: mahn-TAN-a
From the name of the American state which means "mountainous" in Latin.
MONTE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHN-tee
Variant of MONTY
MONTGOMERY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: mahnt-GUM-ur-ee, mahnt-GUM-ree
From a surname meaning "Gomeric's mountain" in French. Gomeric is a
Germanic name meaning "man power". A notable bearer was Bernard
Montgomery, a British army commander during World War II.
MONTY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MAHN-tee
Pet form of MONTAGUE or MONTGOMERY
MORA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-a
Either an elaboration of MÓR or a variant of MAURA (2).
MORDECAI
m
Usage: Biblical, Jewish, English
Pronounced: mor-de-KIE
Means "servant of Marduk" in Persian. Marduk was the chief Babylonian god.
In the Old Testament Mordecai was the cousin and foster father of Esther.
MORDIKAI
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: mor-de-KIE
Variant of MORDECAI
MOREEN
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: MOR-een
Pet form of MÓR sometimes used as a variant of MAUREEN.
MORGAN
m,f
Usage: Welsh, English
Pronounced: MOR-gan
From the Old Welsh masculine name Morcant, which was possibly derived
from Welsh mor "sea" and cant "circle". As a (possibly unrelated) feminine
name it was used by Geoffrey of Monmouth for the Arthurian sorceress
Morgan le Fay.
MORGANA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: mor-GAN-a
Feminine form of MORGAN
MORIAH
f
Usage: Biblical, English
Pronounced: mo-RIE-a
Possibly means "seen by YAHWEH" in Hebrew. This is a place name in the
Old Testament, both the land where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac and the
mountain upon which Solomon built the temple. They may be the same place.
It is sometimes used as a feminine given name.
MORLEY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-lee
From a surname which was originally from an Old English place name
meaning "marsh clearing".
MORRIS
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-is
Medieval form of MAURICE
MORT
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MORT
Short form of MORTON or MORTIMER
MORTIMER
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-ti-mur
From an Old French surname that meant "still water".
MORTON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-tun
From a surname that was originally from a place name meaning "moor town"
in Old English.
MORTY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MOR-tee
Pet form of MORTON or MORTIMER
MOSES
m
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: MOZ-es
From the Hebrew name Mosheh which is most likely derived from Egyptian
mes meaning "son", but could also possibly mean "deliver" in Hebrew. The
meaning suggested in the Old Testament of "drew out" from Hebrew mashah
is unlikely. The biblical Moses was drawn out of the Nile by the pharaoh's
daughter. He led the Jews out of captivity in Egypt and received the Ten
Commandments from God.
MOSS
m
Usage: English, Jewish
Medieval form of MOSES
MUNRO
m
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: mun-RO
Variant of MONROE
MUNROE
m
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: mun-RO
Variant of MONROE
MURIEL
f
Usage: English, French, Irish
Anglicized form of MUIRGHEAL
MURPHY
m,f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: MUR-fee
From the Irish surname Ó Murchadha, which means "descendent of
MURCHADH".
MURRAY
m
Usage: Scottish, English
Pronounced: MUR-ee
From a Scottish surname that derives from the region in Scotland called
Moray.
MYA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-a
Variant of MAIA (1)
MYLES
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-ulz
Variant of MILES
MYRA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MIE-ra
Created by the 17th-century poet Fulke Greville. He possibly based it on Latin
myrra meaning "myrrh". Myrrh is a fragrant resin obtained from a tree.
MYRANDA
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Pronounced: mur-AN-da
Variant of MIRANDA
MYRIAM
f
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: MIR-ee-am
Variant of MIRIAM
MYRON
m
Usage: English, Ancient Greek
Pronounced: MIE-run (English), MOO-ron (Ancient Greek)
Means "myrrh" in Greek. Myrrh is a fragrant resin obtained from the bark of an
Arabian tree. Myron was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek sculptor. Saints
bearing this name include a 3rd-century bishop of Crete and a 4th-century
martyr from Cyzicus who was killed by a mob.
MYRTIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-tee
Pet form of MYRTLE
MYRTLE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: MUR-tul
Simply means "myrtle" from the English word for the evergreen shrub.
NADIA (1)
f
Usage: French, English
French and English form of NADYA (1)
NAIDA
f
Usage: English
Possibly derived from the word naiad "water nymph" (ultimately of Greek
origin).
NAN
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NAN
Pet form of ANN and a short form of NANCY or NANAEA.
NANCY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NAN-see
Pet form of ANN. A city in France bears this name, though it derives from a
different source.
NANDY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NAN-dee
Pet form of FERDINAND
NANETTE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: na-NET
Pet form of ANNE
NANNIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NAN-ee
Pet form of ANN
NAOMI (1)
f
Usage: English, Jewish, Biblical
Pronounced: nay-O-mee
From the Hebrew name No'omi which meant "pleasantness". In the Old
Testament she was the mother-in-law of Ruth. After the death of her husband,
Naomi took the name Mara (see Ruth 1:20).
NAPIER
m
Usage: English
From a surname which meant "linen keeper" in Old French.
NARCISSA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: nar-SIS-a
Feminine form of NARCISSUS
NARELLE
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Meaning unknown, perhaps an invented name.
NASH
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NASH
From a surname which was derived from the Middle English phrase atten ash
"at the ash tree". A famous bearer of the surname was the mathematician
John Nash.
NAT
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NAT
Short form of NATHAN or NATHANAEL
NATALEE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: nat-a-LEE (French), NAD-a-lee (English)
Variant of NATALIE
NATALIE
f
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: nat-a-LEE (French), NAD-a-lee (English)
From the Late Latin name Natalia, which meant "Christmas Day" from Latin
natale domini.
NATASHA
f
Usage: Russian, English
Pronounced: na-TASH-a
Russian pet form of NATALIE. This is the name of a character in Leo Tolstoy's
novel 'War and Peace'.
NATHAN
m
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: NAY-than
Means "giver" in Hebrew. In the Old Testament this is the name of a prophet
and also a son of King David. This name can also function as a short form of
JONATHAN or NATHANAEL.
NATHANAEL
m
Usage: Biblical, English, Scandinavian
Pronounced: nay-THAN-ee-el, nay-THAN-yel
From the Hebrew name Nethane'el which meant "God has given". In the New
Testament this is the name of an apostle also known as Bartholomew.
NATHANIEL
m
Usage: English, Biblical (Variant)
Pronounced: nay-THAN-ee-el, nay-THAN-yel
Form of NATHANAEL used in the some versions of the New Testament.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of 'The Scarlet Letter', is a famous bearer of
this name.
NATILLE
f
Usage: English
Variant of NATALIE
NEAL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEE-ul
Variant of NEIL
NED
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NED
Short form of EDWARD or EDMUND
NEELY
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEE-lee
Pet form of NEIL
NEIL
m
Usage: Irish, Scottish, English
Pronounced: NEE-ul
From the Gaelic name Niall, which is of disputed origin, possibly meaning
"champion" or "cloud". This was the name of a semi-legendary 4th-century
Irish king. A famous modern bearer of this name was American astronaut Neil
Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon.
NELDA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL-da
Either a short form of names ending in nelda or a combination of NELL and
the popular name suffix da.
NELL
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL
Medieval pet form of ELEANOR or HELEN
NELLA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL-a
Short form of names ending in nella.
NELLE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL
Medieval pet form of ELEANOR or HELEN
NELLIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL-ee
Medieval pet form of ELEANOR or HELEN
NELLY
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL-ee
Medieval pet form of ELEANOR or HELEN
NELSON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NEL-sun
From a surname meaning "son of NEIL". Lord Horatio Nelson was a British
admiral of the 19th century. His most famous battle was the Battle of Trafalgar,
in which he repulsed the fleet of Napoleon, but was himself killed. Another
notable bearer is the South African statesman Nelson Mandela.
NENA
f
Usage: English
Variant of NINA (1)
NEO (2)
m
Usage: English (Modern)
From the prefix meaning "new", ultimately derived from Greek neos.
NERISSA
f
Usage: English
Derived from Greek nereis meaning "nymph" or "sea sprite". This is the name
of a character in Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice'.
NESSA (1)
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NES-a
Short form of VANESSA and other names ending in nessa.
NETTA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NED-a
Short form of names ending in netta.
NETTIE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NED-ee
Pet form of names ending in nette.
NEVADA
f,m
Usage: English
Pronounced: ne-VAD-a
From the name of the American state, which means "snow-capped" in
Spanish.
NEVAEH
f
Usage: English
The word heaven spelled backwards, a recently created name.
NEVIL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NE-vil
Variant of NEVILLE
NEVILLE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NE-vil
From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning
"new town" in Norman French.
NEWT
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOOT
Short form of NEWTON
NEWTON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOO-tun
From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning
"new town" in Old English. A famous bearer of the surname was the physicist
Sir Isaac Newton.
NIC
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIK
Short form of NICHOLAS or DOMINIC
NICHOLA
f
Usage: English
Feminine form of NICHOLAS
NICHOLAS
m
Usage: English, French
Pronounced: NI-ko-las (English), nee-ko-LA (French)
From the Greek name Nikolaos which meant "victory of the people" from
Greek nike "victory" and laos "people". Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century
bishop who, according to legend, saved the daughters of a poor man from
lives of prostitution. He is also known as Santa Claus (from Dutch Sinterklaas),
the bringer of Christmas presents. He is the patron saint of children, sailors
and merchants, and Greece and Russia. Nicholas was also the name of two
czars of Russia and five popes.
NICHOLE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: ni-KOL
Variant of NICOLE
NICK
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIK
Short form of NICHOLAS
NICKOLAS
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NI-ko-las
Variant of NICHOLAS
NICKY
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIK-ee
Pet form of NICHOLAS or VERONICA
NICODEMUS
m
Usage: Biblical, English
Pronounced: ni-ko-DEE-mus
From the Greek name Nikodemos which meant "victory of the people" from
Greek nike "victory" and demos "the people". This was name of a character in
the New Testament who helped Joseph of Arimathea entomb Jesus.
NICOLA (2)
f
Usage: English
Latinate feminine form of NICHOLAS
NICOLE
f
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: nee-KOL (French), ni-KOL (English)
French feminine form of NICHOLAS, commonly used in the English-speaking
world.
NICOLINA
f
Usage: English
Pet form of NICOLA (2)
NIGEL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIE-jel
From Nigellus, a Latinized form of NEIL. It is sometimes associated with Latin
niger "black".
NIGELIA
f
Usage: English
Feminine form of NIGEL
NIGELLA
f
Usage: English
Feminine form of NIGEL
NIKKI
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIK-ee
Pet form of NICOLE or NICOLA (2)
NIKKOLE
f
Usage: English (Modern)
Pronounced: nee-KOL (French), ni-KOL (English)
Variant of NICOLE
NIKOLAS
m
Usage: English, Greek
Variant of NICHOLAS
NIKOLE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: nee-KOL (French), ni-KOL (English)
Variant of NICOLE
NILES
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NIE-ulz
Form of NEIL
NIMBUS
m
Usage: English (Modern)
Pronounced: NIM-bus
Recently coined name meaning "rain cloud" or "halo" in Latin.
NINA (1)
f
Usage: Russian, English, German, French
Pronounced: NEE-na
Short form of names that end in nina. This name also coincides with the
Spanish word niña meaning "little girl".
NIRVANA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: nir-VAN-a
Modern name coined from the Sanskrit word for the final state of bliss.
NITA
f
Usage: English
Short form of names ending in nita. This name may also mean "bear" in a
Native American language.
NIVEK
m
Usage: English (Modern)
The name KEVIN spelled backwards.
NOAH (1)
m
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: NO-a
Derived from the Hebrew name Noach meaning "rest, comfort". In the Old
Testament Noah was the builder of the ark which allowed him, his family, and
animals of each species to survive the great Flood. After the Flood he
received the sign of the rainbow as a covenant from God.
NOBLE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NO-bul
From a surname meaning "noble, notable" in Old French. The name can also
be given in reference to the English word noble.
NOELENE
f
Usage: English
Feminine pet form of NOEL
NOELLE
f
Usage: French, English
Pronounced: no-EL
Feminine form of NOEL
NOLA
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: NO-la
Pet form of FINOLA or a feminine form of NOLAN.
NOLAN
m
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: NO-lan
From the Irish surname Ó Nuallain, which means "descendent of Nuallan".
The name Nuallan means "champion" or "chariot fighter". The baseball player
Nolan Ryan is a famous bearer of this name.
NOLENE
f
Usage: English
Feminine form of NOLAN
NOLL
m
Usage: English
Medieval pet form of OLIVER
NONA
f
Usage: English
Derived from Latin nonus meaning "ninth". First used in the 19th-century, it
was traditionally given to the ninth child born.
NONIE
f
Usage: English
Pet form of IONE
NORA
f
Usage: Irish, English, Scandinavian
Pronounced: NOR-a
Pet form of HONORA or ELEANOR
NORAH
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: NOR-a
Variant of NORA
NORBERT
m
Usage: German, English, Hungarian
Pronounced: NOR-burt (English)
Derived from the Germanic elements nord "north" and beraht "bright". This
was the name of an 11th-century German saint who made many reforms
within the church.
NOREEN
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: nor-EEN
Pet form of NORA
NORENE
f
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: nor-EEN
Pet form of NORA
NORM
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NORM
Short form of NORMAN
NORMA
f
Usage: English, Italian
Pronounced: NOR-ma
Invented by Felice Romani for the opera 'Norma'. It can also be used as a
feminine form of NORMAN.
NORMAN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOR-man
From an old Germanic nickname meaning "northman", referring to a Viking.
The Normans were Vikings who settled on the coast of France, in the region
that became known as Normandy. They conquered England in the 11th
century.
NORMAND
m
Usage: English
Variant of NORMAN
NORMINA
f
Usage: English
Feminine form of NORMAN
NORRIS
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOR-is
From a surname which meant "northerner" in Old French.
NORTON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOR-tun
From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning
"north town" in Old English.
NORWOOD
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: NOR-wuwd
From a surname which was originally taken from a place name meaning
"north wood" in Old English.
NOVA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NO-va
Recently coined name from Latin novus "new". This name can also mean
"butterfly chaser" (Native American).
NOWELL
m
Usage: English (Modern)
Variant of NOEL
NYDIA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: NID-ee-a
A recently created name perhaps based on Latin nidus "nest".
OBERON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: O-bur-ahn
Variant of AUBERON. Oberon was the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's
comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. A moon of Uranus bears this name in
his honour.
OCEAN
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: O-shun
Means simply "ocean" from the English word for a large body of water.
OCTAVIA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: ahk-TAYV-ee-a
Feminine form of OCTAVIUS. Octavia was the wife of Mark Antony and the
sister of Roman emperor Augustus.
ODELIA
f
Usage: English
Variant of ODILA
ODELL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: o-DEL
From a surname which was originally from a place name meaning "woad hill"
in Old English. A woad is a herb used for dying.
ODETTA
f
Usage: English
Latinate form of ODETTE
OGDEN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AWG-den
From a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "oak valley"
in Old English. A famous bearer was the humourous poet Ogden Nash.
OLI
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHL-ee
Short form of OLIVER
OLIVE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHL-iv
From the English word for the type of tree, ultimately derived from Latin oliva.
OLIVER
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHL-i-vur
Norman French form of a Germanic name, possibly the name Alfihar meaning
"elf army". The spelling was altered by association with Latin oliva "olive tree".
In the medieval French epic 'La Chanson de Roland' Oliver is a friend of the
hero Roland. This is also the name of the title character in Charles Dickens'
'Oliver Twist', which is about a poor orphan living on the streets of London.
Another famous bearer was Oliver Cromwell, a British military commander of
the 17th century who ruled the country after the civil war.
OLIVETTE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: ahl-i-VET
Pet form of OLIVE
OLIVIA
f
Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, German
Pronounced: o-LIV-ee-a
Feminine form of OLIVER. This is a character in Shakespeare's comedy
'Twelfth Night', a noblewoman who is wooed by Duke Orsino but instead falls
in love with his messenger Cesario.
OLLIE
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHL-ee
Short form of OLIVER or OLIVIA
OLYVIA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: o-LIV-ee-a
Variant of OLIVIA
OMEGA
m,f
Usage: English
Pronounced: o-MAY-ga
This is the name of the last letter in the Greek alphabet, Ω. It is often seen as a
symbol of completion.
ONEIDA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: o-NIE-da
From the name of a Native American tribe, perhaps meaning "standing rock".
OPAL
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: O-pul
Means simply "opal" from the English word for the iridescent gemstone, the
birthstone of October. The word ultimately derives from Sanskrit upala
meaning "jewel".
OPALINE
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: O-pul-een
Elaborated form of OPAL
OPHELIA
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: o-FEEL-ya
Derived from Greek ophelos meaning "help". This is the name of a character
in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', who eventually goes insane and drowns herself.
OPRAH
f
Usage: English
Pronounced: O-pra
Variant of OPHRAH
ORA
f,m
Usage: English
Pronounced: OR-a
Modern name based on Latin oro "to pray".
ORALEE
f
Usage: English
Possibly a variant of AURÉLIE
ORALIE
f
Usage: English
Possibly a variant of AURÉLIE
ORMEROD
m
Usage: English
From a surname which meant "clearing of (a person named) Orm" in Old
English.
ORMOND
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: OR-mund
From the Irish surname Ó Ruaidh which means "descendent of Ruadh". The
name Ruadh means "red" in Gaelic.
ORRELL
m
Usage: English
From a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "ore hill" in
Old English.
ORSON
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: OR-sun
From a surname meaning "bear" from Norman French ors, ultimately from
Latin ursus. American actor and director Orson Welles was a famous bearer
of this name.
ORVAL
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: OR-val
Variant of ORVILLE
ORVILLE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: OR-vil
This name was invented by the 18th-century writer Fanny Burney, who
perhaps intended it to mean "golden city" in French. Orville Wright, together
with his brother Wilbur, invented the first successful airplane.
OSBERT
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHZ-burt
Derived from the Old English elements os "god" and beorht "bright". This
name was not commonly used after the Norman conquest.
OSBORN
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHZ-born
Derived from the Old English element os "god" combined with beorn "bear".
After the Norman conquest this name was rarely used.
OSBORNE
m
Usage: English
Pronounced: AHZ-born
Variant of OSBORN