Browse Submitted Names

Makaveli m English (American, Modern, Rare)
Derived from the surname of Florentine author and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. This spelling was popularized by American rapper Tupac Shakur (1971-1996) after being used for one of his albums in 1996.

Makepeace m & f English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Makepeace. A famous bearer is William Makepeace Thakeray, English novelist and author of Vanity Fair.

Malamhìn f Scottish Gaelic
Most likely coined by James Macpherson (1736-1796), the Scottish antiquarian poet who published works allegedly translated from the ancient Gaelic bard Ossian. Macpherson seems to have based the name on Scottish Gaelic mala "brow, eyebrow" and mìn "smooth, soft", intending it to mean "smooth brow"... [more]

Malidoma m Western African
According to the Burkinabé writer Malidoma Patrice Somé (1956-2021), his name means "he who befriends the enemy" or "friend of the stranger" in the Dagaare language.

Malkat f Northern African, Muslim
Possibly means "queen of the house", deriving from the Arabic element malaka ("queen"). Name borne by a prominent Sudanese author known for her realist novel The Wide Void.

Malla f Finnish, Swedish
Short form of various names including Amalia, Maria, Magdalena and Matilda... [more]

Malyen m Literature
Invented by author Leigh Bardugo for her "Shadow and Bone" book series, first released in 2012. It is the Ravkan version of Malcolm.... [more]

Mamiko f Japanese
From Japanese 麻 (ma) meaning "flax" or 真, 眞 (ma) meaning "real, genuine", 美 (mi) meaning "beautiful" combined with 子 (ko) meaning "child". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]

Manelich m Theatre, Spanish (Mexican, Rare)
Catalan diminutive of Manel 1. This was used by Àngel Guimerà for a character in his Catalan-language play Terra baixa (1896)... [more]

Manelick m Spanish (Mexican, Rare)
Variant of Manelich. Known bearers include Manelick "Mane" de la Parra Borja (1982-), a Mexican singer, and his father, Mexican writer and editor Manelick de la Parra Vargas.

Manthia m Western African
Manthia Diawara (born December 19, 1953) is a Malian writer, filmmaker, scholar, cultural theorist, and art historian. Meaning unknown.

Marden f & m English
The author Marden Fitzpatrick Nichols is a famous bearer of this name.

Margalo f English (Rare)
In the case of English-born American actress Margalo Gillmore (1897-1986), it appears to be a combination of Margaret and Lorraine, her given names (compare Marga, Lo)... [more]

Marganore m Carolingian Cycle, Literature
This is the name of a tyrant in the 16th-century Italian epic poem Orlando Furioso written by the Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533). It was invented by the author, who used as a base the Greek verb μαργαίνω (margaino) meaning "to rage, to be mad"... [more]

Marghanita f Hebrew
Hebrew. The name of famous British writer Marghanita Laski, whose father, a lawyer and Zionist leader, named her after the scarlet pimpernel flower he had seen growing in the land of Israel.

Marília f Portuguese (Brazilian), Literature
Poetic variant form of Maria. It was introduced by the Lusitan-Brazilian poet Tomás Antônio Gonzaga (1744-1810), who invented the name for his lyric poem "Marília de Dirceu", which he wrote under the pseudonym of Dirceu... [more]

Markolf m German (Rare)
German form of Marculf. A known bearer of this name is the German biophysicist and author Markolf Niemz (b. 1964).

Marlitt f German (Rare)
This was assumed as a surname by the 19th-century German writer Eugenie John, who used the pen name E. Marlitt. She may have invented it, perhaps basing it on Marlene or Marlies.... [more]

Marullus m Ancient Roman
The name of a Ancient Roman senator who was among the Senators who feared that Julius Caesar was becoming too powerful. In the play that playwright and poet William Shakespeare wrote based on the last days of Caesar, he and Flavius force citizens praising Caesar off the streets and taking decorations off statues in about the beginning of the play.

Maryruth f English (American)
MaryRuth Ghiyam is an American health educator, writer, and founder of MaryRuth Organics.

Masih f Obscure
Masih is Persian for "anointed" or "Messiah".... [more]

Materne f Danish (Rare)
Feminine form of Maternus.... [more]

Maugrim m Literature
Possibly based on Middle English maugre meaning "ill-will". This was used by author C. S. Lewis for a character in his novel 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (1950). Maugrim is a talking wolf and the captain of the White Witch's Secret Police.

Mazo f English (Canadian)
Of unknown origin and meaning.... [more]

Medardus m Germanic (Latinized)
Latinized form of Machthard. However, it should be noted that there are sources that have something different to say about the Germanic name that lies at the root of Medardus... [more]

Meddyf f Welsh
Etymology uncertain, perhaps from medd meaning "mead" and yf meaning "drinks" or from medd meaning "power, authority".

Medguistl f Medieval Cornish
Old Cornish name, in which the second element is Welsh gwystl "hostage" (Cornish cognate gostel). The first element may be Welsh medd "mead" (Cornish medh) or Welsh medd "power, authority".

Medoro m Carolingian Cycle, Literature, Theatre
Used by the poet Ariosto in his 16th-century epic Orlando Furioso, where it belongs to a Saracen or Moorish knight who falls in love with the princess Angelica.

Meggin f English (Rare)
Variant of Megan. This is the first name of American author Meg Cabot (1967-).

Meghann f English (Modern), Literature
Variant of Megan. This name was used by the Australian author Colleen McCullough in her novel The Thorn Birds (1977), which in 1983 was adapted as a TV mini-series.

Melanippides m Ancient Greek
Means "son of Melanippos" in Greek, derived from the name Melanippos combined with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides).... [more]

Melchisédech m French (Rare, Archaic), Biblical French
French form of Melchizedek. This name was borne by French author Melchisédech Thévenot (c. 1620 - 1692)

Meliadice f Arthurian Cycle
A descendant of Arthur and heroine of the romance Cleriadus et Meliadice, published in Paris in 1495. The author of the work is unknown, but it is believed to have been based on earlier French and English romances.... [more]

Melissanthe f Greek (Rare)
Composed of Greek μελισσα (melissa) "honeybee" and ανθος (anthos) "flower". It is used as a Graecized form of Mélisande (e.g., the 12th-century queen Melisende of Jerusalem is known as Melissanthe in Greek)... [more]

Meljean f American (Modern, Rare), Filipino
Of unknown origin and meaning.... [more]

Mellida f Theatre, English
Likely coined by the playwright John Marston for his plays 'Antonio and Mellida'(1599) and 'Antonio's Revenge' (1601). It was presumably intended as a cross between Melissa and Phyllida.

Melussina f Literature
Apparently a variant of Melusine, used by Danish author Lene Kaaberbøl in her fantasy novel Skammerens Datter (2000; English: The Shamer's Daughter).

Memoir m & f English, African American
The word “memoir” itself means memory or remembrance. In the field of literature, a memoir is a collection of the events that happened in the author's life, tied together by a certain theme.

Mendanbar m Literature
The name of a character in American author Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles series of young adult fantasy novels.

Menecrates m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Menekrates. This name was borne by several ancient Greeks, such as the poet Menecrates of Ephesus (3rd century BC).

Menna f Welsh, Frisian, East Frisian
Variant of Mena in countries where that name is used (i.e., Germany, Netherlands, Mena being a German/Dutch diminutive of various names beginning with Mein, such as Meinhild, where the meaning is "strength"), but Menna is also used regularly in Wales in modern times... [more]

Mensje f West Frisian, Dutch (Rare)
Feminine form of Mense, perhaps via its variant form Mens. This name is often mistakenly believed to be derived from Dutch mensje meaning "little human being", usually by non-Frisians in the Netherlands.... [more]

Meridel f English
This was the name of communist and feminist writer Meridel le Sueur (1900 - 1996), possibly taken from her mother's nickname "Mary Del."

Meronym f Literature, Popular Culture
This is the name of a character from the book "Cloud Atlas" written by David Mitchell, which was adapted to film (with the same title) in 2012. The author of the book probably derived the name from the English word meronym, which is a linguistic term used to refer to a part of the whole... [more]

Merric m English (Rare)
Variant of Merrick. It was used by the author Tamora Pierce for a character in her 'Protector of the Small' fantasy series.

Merthin m Literature
Anglicized form of Myrddin used by author Ken Follett for a character in his novel 'World Without End'.

Mescal f English (American, Rare, Archaic), Literature
From the English word for the peyote cactus, from Nahuatl. It was used by American author Zane Grey for a half-Navajo, half-Spanish woman in his novel The Heritage of the Desert (1910) and the subsequent silent film adaptation (1924), in which the character was played by actress Bebe Daniels... [more]

Mesomedes m Late Greek
Derived from the Greek adjective μέσος (mesos) meaning "between, in the midst" combined with the Greek verb μήδομαι (medomai) meaning "to think, to plan" (see Archimedes).... [more]

Metagenes m Ancient Greek
Derived from the Greek adjective μεταγενής (metagenes) meaning "born after", which consists of Greek μετά (meta) meaning "after, afterwards" combined with Greek γενής (genes) meaning "born".... [more]

Miamaja f Danish
Combination of Mia and Maja. It may be partly inspired by the similar name Mia-Maria, which the Swedish children's author Astrid Lindgren used for a character (sister of the central character, Lotta) in her books 'Barnen på Bråkmakargatan' (1958) and 'Lotta på Bråkmakargatan' (1961).

Mifti f Literature
The alter ego of the author in Helene Hegelmann's novel Axolotl Roadkill.

Mignonette f English (Rare), Literature, Popular Culture
Diminutive of Mignon, as -ette is a French feminine diminutive suffix. As such, this given name literally means "little darling" in French.... [more]

Mihalaki m Bulgarian (Archaic)
Bulgarian form of Michalakis. A notable bearer of this name was the Bulgarian diplomat and writer Mihalaki Georgiev (1854-1916).

Mikelangelo m Italian (Rare)
Variant of Michelangelo.... [more]

Miles m History (Ecclesiastical)
Miles was was the bishop of Susa in Sasanian Persia from before 315 until his martyrdom in 340 or 341. He engaged in efforts to evangelize Susa, traveled widely in the Eastern Roman Empire and led the opposition to Papa bar ʿAggai and the supremacy of the bishops of Seleucia-Ctesiphon in the Persian church... [more]

Militona f Literature
Feminine form of Meliton. Militona appears in Militona (1847) by French author Théophile Gautier.

Milolika f Russian, Literature
Artificially created name, used by Russian poets and writers in XVIII and XIX centuries. It derives from Russian words милый (mily) - "loveable","pleasant" and лик (lik) - "face" and means "she who has loveable face".

Milon m Ancient Greek (Latinized), English, German (Rare), Literature
Derived from Greek milos "yew".... [more]

Mina m Bosnian (Archaic), Bulgarian (Archaic), Gagauz, Georgian (Archaic), Romanian (Rare), Russian (Archaic), Serbian (Archaic), Ukrainian (Archaic)
Form of Menas in several languages, which came about via its modern Greek form Minas.... [more]

Minae f Japanese
From Japanese 美 (mi) meaning "beautiful" combined with 苗 (nae) meaning "sprouts".... [more]

Mindia m Georgian, Folklore, Literature
Basically means "I wanted you", derived from Georgian მინდია (mindia) or მინდოდა (mindoda) meaning "I wanted". This name literally refers to the fact that the child in question was desired by its parents.... [more]

Mineke f Dutch
Dutch diminutive of Mina 1. A known bearer of this name is the Dutch author, researcher and professor Mineke Schipper (b. 1938).

Minette f French (Belgian, Rare), French (African), English (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Danish (Rare), Dutch (Rare), Afrikaans, Filipino
Diminutive of Mina 1 and names containing mine, such as Hermine or Guillaumine... [more]

Minnehaha f Indigenous American, Iroquois, Literature, English (American, Archaic)
Meaning uncertain. According to one source, this name means "laughing woman" in Iroquois, derived from Iroquois minne meaning "woman" combined with Iroquois haha meaning "laugh" or "laughing".... [more]

Minona f Literature, Theatre, German (Rare, Archaic)
Coined by Scottish poet James Macpherson for his 18th-century Ossian poems where the name is borne by Minona, a singer who sings before the king the song of the unfortunate Colma. Macpherson names the alleged Scottish Gaelic words Min-ónn "gentle air" as an etymological explanation of the name (compare Scottish Gaelic mìn "gentle; soft (of a sound)" and fonn "tune, melody").... [more]

Mio m Swedish (Modern), Literature
From the children's fantasy book 'Mio, min Mio' (1954) by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren. Mio is the name of the main character, a young boy who finds out that he is a prince in an otherworldly land... [more]

Miraz m Kurdish, Turkish (Rare), Literature
Either a variant of Mirad, or a short form of Mirazam, Mirazim, Miraziz and similar compound names.... [more]

Mirtemir m Kyrgyz (Rare), Uzbek (Rare)
The first element of this name is derived from either Slavic mir meaning "peace, world" or from Persian میر (mir) meaning "ruler, prince" (compare Amir 1)... [more]

Misery f Literature
From the English word, which derives from Latin miseria "wretchedness". It was used as a given name in the book 'Misery' (1987) by Stephen King, about the author of a popular series of romance novels set in Victorian times, the heroine of which is named Misery Chastain.

Mitiarjuk f Inuit
Of uncertain etymology, name borne by a prominent Inuk author, educator and sculptor.

Mizuho f & m Japanese
From 瑞穂/水穂 (mizuho), referring to fresh, lush ears of rice, used as part of the name 瑞穂国 (Mizuho-no-kuni), one of the classical names for Japan which means something like "the Land of Abundant Rice."... [more]

Mnesilochus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Mnesilochos. This is the name of a character from the play Thesmophoriazusae (411 BC) by the Athenian comic playwright Aristophanes... [more]

Moby m Literature
Used by the 19th-century American author Herman Melville in his novel Moby-Dick (1851), which was inspired by stories of an actual sperm whale called Mocha Dick. He may have arrived at it by blending Mocha (which is taken from the name of Mocha Island) with Toby.

Moderata f Late Roman, Italian (Archaic)
Feminine form of Moderatus. Known bearers of this name include the 4th-century martyr and saint Moderata of Sirmium (which was located in what is nowadays Serbia) and the Venetian writer and poet Moderata Fonte (1555-1592), although it should be noted that in her case, the name is a pseudonym: her real name was Modesta di Pozzo di Forzi.

Moderatus m Late Roman
Derived from Latin moderatus meaning "managed, controlled, moderate(d)". This name was borne by the 1st-century Roman writer Columella (whose full name was Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella) and by the 1st-century Greek philosopher Moderatus of Gades (which is nowadays Cádiz in southern Spain).

Moebius m Popular Culture
The pseudonym of Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (1938-2012), French comic artist and writer.

Moero f Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of the Greek name Μοιρώ (Moiro) which was derived from either the Greek noun μοῖρα (moira) meaning "part, portion" as well as "fate, lot, destiny" or the Greek verb μοιράω (moirao) meaning "to share, to divide, to distribute"... [more]

Moichigo f Japanese
From Japanese 萌 (mo) meaning "bud, sprout" combined with 苺 (ichigo) meaning "strawberry". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]

Mon m & f Dutch, Flemish, Limburgish, Spanish
Short form of given names that contain mon. In Dutch, Flemish and Limburgish, where the name is strictly masculine, that will often be Edmond and Simon 1... [more]

Mondo m Japanese
This name is used as 主水 with 主 (shu, shuu, su, aruji, omo, neshi, mon) meaning "chief, lord, master, principal" and 水 (sui, mizu, do) meaning "water."... [more]

Monimia f Theatre, Literature, Afro-American (Slavery-era)
Probably a Latinate form of Monime, first used by Thomas Otway for the title character in his tragic play The Orphan (1680). It was subsequently used by the Scottish author Tobias Smollett (also for an orphan character) in his novel The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom (1753), and later by English poet and novelist Charlotte Smith for the heroine of her novel The Old Manor House (1793), which was a huge bestseller in the last decade of the 18th century... [more]

Mönkhtör m Mongolian
From Mongolian мөнх (mönkh) meaning "eternal" and төр (tör) meaning "state, government" or "power, authority".

Mönle f German
A diminutive form of Monika.... [more]

Morfudd f Welsh, Medieval Welsh
From Welsh mawr "great" and budd "wealth". In Welsh legend Morfudd was the twin sister of Sir Owain and the daughter of King Urien by Modron... [more]

Morgante m Carolingian Cycle, Literature, Medieval Italian
From the name of the eponymous character of the epic poem Morgante (1478) written by the Italian poet Luigi Pulci (1432-1484). In the poem, Morgante is a giant who is converted to Christianity by the knight Orlando and subsequently becomes his loyal follower.... [more]

Morla f Literature, Italian (Rare), English (Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Morla.... [more]

Morvern f Scottish
Variant of Morven. From the Scottish place name Morvern, a district in north Argyll, Mhorbhairne in the original Gaelic, meaning "sea gap" or "big gap" (muir "sea" or mór "great", bhairne "gap")... [more]

Morvryn m Arthurian Cycle, Literature
The father of Merlin in Elis Gruffydd’s Myrrdin Wyllt (sixteenth century).... [more]

Moschion m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek μοσχίον (moschion) meaning "young calf, small calf", which is ultimately derived from Greek μόσχος (moschos) "calf, young bull" combined with the Greek diminutive suffix -ιων (-ion)... [more]

Motoie m Japanese
Derived from the Japanese kanji 基 (moto) meaning "base, be base on" and 家 (ie) meaning "house, home, family".... [more]

Motome m & f Japanese
As a masculine name, it can be used as 求, 求馬 or 求女 with 求 (kyuu, gu, moto.meru) meaning "demand, request, require, want, wish for," 馬 (ba, uma, -uma, ma, me) meaning "horse" and 女 (jo, nyo, nyou, onna, me) meaning "female, woman."... [more]

Motomu m Japanese
From Japanese 干 (motomu) meaning "dry, parch, ebb, recede, interfere, intercede", 基 (moto) meaning "fundamentals", 希 (moto) meaning "hope, beg, request", 祈 (motomu) meaning "pray, wish", 貴 (motomu) meaning "precious, value, prize, esteem, honor", 求 (motomu, moto) meaning "request, want, wish for, require, demand", 欣 (motomu) meaning "take pleasure in, rejoice", 元 (moto) meaning "beginning, former time, origin", 需 (motomu) meaning "demand, request, need", 須 (motomu) meaning "ought, by all means, necessarily", 素 (moto) meaning "elementary, principle, naked, uncovered", 創 (motomu) meaning "genesis, wound, injury, hurt, start, originate", 探 (motomu) meaning "grope, search, look for", 要 (motomu) meaning "need, main point, essence, pivot, key to", 亘 (motomu) meaning "span, range, extend over" or 覓 (motomu) meaning "seek" combined with 夢 (mu) meaning "dream", 求 (mu) meaning "request, want, wish for, require, demand" or 武 (mu) meaning "warrior, military, chivalry, arms"... [more]

Movitz m Swedish (Modern, Rare), Popular Culture
Transferred use of the surname Movitz. Its modern usage is likely inspired by Fredrik Movitz, a character appearing in several songs in Swedish poet, songwriter and composer Carl Michael Bellman's well-known 18th century work Fredman's epistles.

Moye m Chinese
From Chinese character 谟 (mó) meaning "mask" combined with 业 (yè) meaning "occupation, job، karma, deed". ... [more]

Mucedorus m Theatre
Possibly a variant of Musidorus (compare Musidora). In theatre, Mucedorus is the eponymous character of an anonymous Elizabethan romantic comedy: A Most pleasant Comedie of Mucedorus the Kings Sonne of Valentia, and Amadine the Kinges daughter of Aragon, commonly called Mucedorus, first performed around 1590 and regularly revived until the Restoration... [more]

Mudrooroo m Indigenous Australian
Means "paperbark tree" in the Bibbulmun language group spoken by the Noongar.... [more]

Mukhran m Georgian
From მუხრანი (Mukhrani), the name of a historical lowland district in eastern Georgia. It was originally called მუხნარი (Mukhnari) or მუხნარ (Mukhnar), which literally meant "of an oak" but signified "oak-grove"... [more]

Mukhtiar m Urdu
Either an Urdu variant of Mukhtar or from a title derived from Sanskrit मुख्य (mukhya) meaning "chief, main" and Persian اختیار (ekhtiyar) meaning "power, authority".

Murasaki f Japanese (Rare)
This name is used as 紫 (shi, murasaki), originally (and still is) referring to the type of plant known as lithospermum erythrorhizon, but developed to refer to a purple or violet colour, since the dye produced from the plant has that type of colour.... [more]

Murcia f Roman Mythology
Originally an epithet to the goddess Venus and connected to the word myrtus "myrtle tree", later connected to the Latin word murcus "lazy, inactive" and interpreted as goddess of laziness by Christian writers.

Musashi m & f Japanese, Popular Culture
This name combines 武 (bu, mu, take.shi) meaning "military, warrior" with 蔵 (sou, zou, osa.meru, kaku.reru, kura, sashi) meaning "own, possess, storehouse", the combination also being read as Takezō.... [more]

Musidora f Literature
Apparently a feminine form of Musidorus, which was perhaps coined by the poet Sir Philip Sidney in the late 16th century for use in his poem 'Arcadia'. Allegedly it is intended to mean "gift of the Muses" from Greek Μοῦσα (Mousa) "Muse", literally "muse, music, song" (compare Musaeus), and the popular name suffix δωρα (dora) "giving" or "gift"... [more]

Mwari m Shona, African Mythology
Means 'force behind creation' in Shona. Shona traditional religion, Mwari is the supreme creator deity who is believed that he is the author of all things and all life and all is in him.

Myrcella f Literature, Popular Culture, English (Modern, Rare)
Created by author George R.R. Martin for a character in his series A Song of Ice and Fire (1996) and its television adaptation Game of Thrones (2011-2019). At the beginning of the first novel, Princess Myrcella Baratheon is the daughter of king Robert Baratheon and queen Cersei Lannister... [more]

Myro f Ancient Greek
Possibly a feminine form of Myron. This was the name of a poet of the late 3rd and early 4th centuries BC who was from the city of Byzantium. Her name could have been Moero.

Myrtho f Haitian Creole
Form of Myrto used by the French writer Gérard de Nerval in his poem Myrtho (1854).

Myrtis f Ancient Greek, English
Ancient Greek name derived from μύρτος (myrtos) meaning "myrtle". This was borne by Myrtis of Anthedon (fl. 6th century BC), an early lyric poet and teacher, who was celebrated for being 'sweet-sounding' and 'clear-voiced' – but also criticized for being over-competitive with fellow poets... [more]

Mytyl f Theatre
Meaning unknown. This is the name of a character from the 1908 play 'The Blue Bird' (French: 'L'Oiseau bleu') by Belgian playwright and poet Maurice Maeterlinck.

Naëma f Hebrew, Scandinavian, German
Naëma Lösche (Maiden name: von Kahlden) - German writer, born Sept 27, 1854

Nagaie m Japanese
Name that was given during the Hēan Period, to a Nobleman and Waka Poet, "藤原 長家" FUJIWARANONAGAIE. The Kanji Character "長" meaning "Long" with the Kanji Character "家" meaning "House".

Nagaru m Japanese (Rare)
From 流 (nagaru, nagare, ryuu) meaning "stream, current, flow".... [more]

Najmul m Arabic (Archaic)
Famous monnikers include Najmul Millat, an Islamic jurist, and Najmul Hoda, a writer and scholar.

Namik m Turkish
Namık is a Turkish word meaning "printer, writer".

Namıka f Turkish
Namıka is a Turkish word meaning "printer, writer".

Namor m Popular Culture
Originally conceived by the writer-artist Bill Everett in 1939, Namor is the name of Marvel's earliest hero the Sub-Mariner. The name itself means "the Avenging Son" and is also a play on the word "Roman".

Nanseolheon f Korean (Rare, Archaic)
Deriving from the Sino-Korean elements 蘭 (nan), meaning "orchid", 雪 (seol) meaning "snow", and 軒 (heon) meaning "carriage, high, wide, balcony". This was the nomme de plume of a prominent female poet of the Joseon dynasty.

Naoyuki m Japanese
From Japanese 直 (nao) meaning "straight" combined with 行 (yuki) meaning "line of text". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]

Naqatanibas m Ancient Egyptian (Arabized), Medieval Arabic
Arabic of Nectanebo cheifly used by medieval Arab authors.

Naqib m Arabic, Persian
Derived from the Arabic noun نقيب (naqib) meaning "chief, leader, captain". Known bearers of this name include the Afghan cricketer Naqib Nangarhari (b. 1998) and the Persian storyteller Naqib ol Mamalek, who is the author of the popular Persian epic Amir Arsalan (19th century AD).

Narongdet m Thai
From Thai ณรงค์ (narong) meaning "fight, campaign" and เดช (det) meaning "power, might, authority".

Narsai m Assyrian
Assyrian or Syriac form of Narseh. This name was borne by a notable Syriac poet-theologian from the 5th century AD.

Narziß m German (Archaic), Literature
German form of Narkissos via its latinized form Narcissus. A known bearer of this name was the German doctor and psychologist Narziß Ach (1871-1946).... [more]

Nasrollah m Persian
Persian form of Nasrullah. Known Iranian bearers of this name include the renowned photographer Nasrollah Kasraian (b. 1944), the famous poet Nasrollah Mardani (1947-2003) and the philosopher Nasrollah Pourjavady (b... [more]

Natercia f Portuguese
Natercia is the anagram of the name Caterina ( old form. of modern Catarina) createart by the portuguese famoso poét. Luis de Camões in 16th century. ... [more]

Natsuto m & f Japanese
From Japanese 夏 (natsu) meaning "summer" combined with 十 (to) meaning "ten", 人 (to) meaning "person" or 音 (to) meaning "sound". Other kanji combinations are possible. ... [more]

Nausikrates m Ancient Greek
Derived from Greek ναῦς (naus) meaning "ship" (compare Nausicaa) and κράτος (kratos) meaning "power, strength"... [more]

Navarana f Greenlandic, Danish (Rare)
Greenlandic name meaning "one who alternates between different parties", derived from the Proto-Eskimo root *naverar "to trade, exchange" and the name suffix na. In legend Navarana was an Inuit woman who brought about disunity by alternating between her tribe of native Greenlanders and the Norse colonists... [more]

Nazibrola f Georgian, Literature
Derived from the Georgian adjective ნაზი (nazi) meaning "gentle" as well as "delicate, soft, tender" (see Nazi) combined with the Georgian noun ბროლი (broli) meaning "crystal (glass)" (see Brola)... [more]

Naziraoy f Uzbek
Derived from nazira meaning "a literary work meant to represent or respond another work by another author" and oy meaning "moon".

Neander m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Dutch (Rare), English, German
Latinized form of Neandros. However, in modern times, this name is best known as a surname - the most prominent bearer of which is the German theologian and hymn writer Joachim Neander (1650-1680)... [more]

Neidhart m German (Rare, Archaic)
Formed from the German name elements neid "necessity, need; envy, jealousy" and hart "hard".... [more]

Nemesianus m Late Roman
Extended form of Nemesius. This name was borne by a Roman poet from the 3rd century AD.

Neobule f Ancient Greek (Latinized), Literature
From Greek Νεοβούλη (Neoboule), which meant "new decision" from Greek νέος (neos) meaning "new" and βούλομαι (boulomai) "to will, to wish, to prefer". This was used by the 7th-century BC Greek poet Archilochus.

Neophron m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
The first element of this name is derived from Greek νέος (neos) meaning "young, youthful" as well as "new, fresh". The second element is derived from either the Greek noun φρόνις (phronis) meaning "prudence, wisdom" or the Greek verb φρονέω (phroneo) meaning "to think" as well as "to be minded"... [more]

Népomucène m French
French form of Nepomuk via its latinized form Nepomucenus.... [more]

Neptunine f Roman Mythology
Derived from the name of the Greek sea god Neptune, used by the Roman poet Catullus to refer to the nymph Thetis, because she was a granddaughter of Poseidon (Neptune).

Netley m English (Rare, Archaic)
Transferred use of the surname Netley. A known bearer was the English con artist and writer Netley Lucas (1903-1940).

Neya f Soviet, Russian
Contracted form of Energiya. This name was used by Communist parents who were eager to reject traditional names.... [more]

Ngeshtin-ana f Near Eastern Mythology
In Sumerian mythology she is a minor goddess of wine and colde seasons known as the 'heavenly grape-vine', who is also considered a divine poet and interpreter of dreams. She is the daughter of Enki and Ninhursag, sister of Dumuzid, and consort of Ningisida.

Ngurah m Balinese
From a title that originated from marriages between an aristocratic and non-aristocratic family, used as an indication of authority. This name is traditionally given to the second-born child.

Nicaenetus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikainetos. A known bearer of this name was the Greek poet Nicaenetus of Samos (3rd century BC).

Nicarchus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikarchos. This name was borne by a Greek writer from the 1st century AD.

Nicochares m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikochares. This was the name of an Athenian comic poet from the 4th century BC.

Nicophon m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Nikophon. This was the name of an Athenian comic poet from the 4th century BC.

Nictae f Classic Mayan (Latinized, Rare)
Nicté ( maya : nicte : flower: May flower, tree), according to the alphabetical encyclopedia Yucatan in Time, is the name of a legend in the book compiled Mayan Legends by writer Yucatan Clemente López Trujillo, which refers to the May Flower and star constellation Southern Cross .

Niggle m Literature
Niggle is the main character in "Leaf by Niggle", a short story written by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of "The Lord of the Rings", "The Hobbit", and many other stories. Niggle's story, however, has nothing to do with Middle Earth, the lands in which Tolkien's most famous works take place... [more]

Nikky f English
Variant of Nikki. This is borne by the American poet Nikky Finney (1957-), born Lynn Carol Finney.

Nikolaes m Medieval Dutch, Dutch (Rare)
Variant spelling of Nicolaes. In other words, you could say that this name is the medieval form of Nikolaas.... [more]

Niktopolion m Russian (Archaic)
Russian form of Nikopolitianos through a Greek corruption of the name. This corruption was probably Νυκτοπολιων (Nyktopolion) or something close to it, which led to the name being associated with the night, as it closely resembles the Greek adjective νυκτιπόλος (nyktipolos) meaning "roaming by night".... [more]

Ninotchka f Russian, Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Filipino (Rare), Portuguese (Rare)
Variant transcription of Ninochka.... [more]

Nísia f Portuguese (Rare), Portuguese (Brazilian)
Truncated form of Anísia and Dionísia. Nísia Floresta, born Dionísia Gonçalves Pinto, (1810 - 1885) was a Brazilian educator, translator, writer, poet, philosopher, and feminist.

Nívea f Portuguese (Brazilian), Spanish (Latin American, Rare), Literature
From Latin niveus meaning "snow-white" (itself from nivis, "of snow"). It was used by Peruvian author Isabel Allende for a character in her novel 'La casa de los espíritus' (1982).

Nivetta f Arthurian Cycle
According to the Italian poet Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), a daughter of Morgan Le Fay.

Nizami m Azerbaijani
Derived from Persian نظامی (nizami) meaning "military, soldier". Nizami Ganjavi was a 12th-century Persian poet.

Nnedi f Igbo
Diminutive of Nnedimma.... [more]

Nocturna f Literature, Popular Culture
Derived from Latin nocturnus meaning "of or belonging to the night, nocturnal", from the Latin noctū "by night". This name appeared in the 1979 camp comedy-horror film Nocturna, also as the DC comics character Nocturna, a daughter of Dracula, created by writer Doug Moench and artist Gene Colan in 1983.

Nodar m Georgian
Georgian form of Naudar. Known bearers of this name include Georgian author Nodar Dumbadze (1928-1984) and Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili (1988-2010).

Noe f Japanese
From Japanese 乃 (no), a possessive particle combined with 衛 (e) meaning "defense". Other combinations of kanji characters can also form this name. ... [more]

Nore m Swedish, Norwegian (Rare)
Younger form of Nóri, an Old Norse name meaning either "north" (derived from norðr) or "small person" (derived from nóri). Swedish writer Esaias Tegnér used the name in a 1814 poem celebrating the union between Sweden and Norway... [more]

Norimichi m Japanese
Name that was given during the Hēan Period, to a Court Noble, "藤原 教通" FUJIWARANOYORIMICHI, married to the Daughter of "藤原 公任" FUJIWARANOKINTO a Japanese Poet, and married to "禔子内親王" SHISHI the Japanese Imperial Princess Shishi, and married to "嫥子女王" SENSHI the Daughter of an Imperial Prince... [more]

Nosratollah m Persian
Persian form of Nasratullah. Known Iranian bearers of this name include the actor Nosratollah Vahdat (b. 1925) and the poet Nosratollah Noohian (b... [more]

Nossis f Ancient Greek
This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek poet.

Novius m Ancient Roman
Oscan praenomen as well as a Roman nomen gentile. The latter is derived from the Oscan praenomen, but is often mistakenly thought to come from the Latin adjective novus meaning "new, fresh, young".... [more]

Nschotschi f Literature, German (Modern, Rare)
Nscho-Tschi is the sister of Winnetou in the novels by the German author Karl May. The meaning is given as "bright day".... [more]

Numps m Theatre
Diminutive of Humphrey.... [more]

Nupta f Babylonian
Meaning uncertain, possibly deriving from the Akkadian element nuāru ("singer , musician , poet"). Name borne by the wife of Itti-marduk-balatu.

Nuradin-Pridon m Literature
Combination of Nuradin and Pridon. In Georgian literature, Nuradin-Pridon is the name of the king of Mulghazanzar in the 12th-century epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin written by the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.

Nyckle m West Frisian (Rare)
Shorter form or variant of Nyckele, which originated in late medieval times (as is evident by the archaic -ck- spelling), but is still in use to this day - albeit rarely... [more]

Nyk m West Frisian (Rare)
Modern spelling and form of Nyck, as the -ck- is originally a medieval way of spelling the consonant -k-. Also compare the names Nykele and Nykle, which are very closely related.... [more]

Nykyrian m Literature
This name was used by American author Sherrilyn Kenyon. It is a hybryd character in her League Series who happens to be the only assassin to leave the League without being hunted down and killed. He is invincible, tough, strong, smart, a survivor, and falls in love at first sight... [more]

Nymbulda f Indigenous Australian, Ngarrindjeri
Of Australian Aboriginal origin (Ngarrindjeri, to be precise), the meaning of this name is not yet known to me at the moment. This was the name of the mother of David Unaipon (1872-1967), an Australian Aboriginal preacher, inventor and writer.

Nymphidia f Late Greek, Literature
Feminine form of Nymphidios (see Nymphidius). A bearer of this name was the mother of Gaius Nymphidius Sabinus, a Prefect of the Roman Praetorian Guard from the 1st century AD... [more]

Obabaamwewe-giizhigokwe f Ojibwe
Means "Woman of the Sound (that the stars make) Rushing Through the Sky", deriving from the Ojibwe elements babaam ("place to place"), wewe ("makes a repeated sound"), giizhig ("sky"), and ikwe ("woman)... [more]

Obaidullah m Arabic, Afghan, Pakistani
Afghan and Pakistani form of Ubaidullah as well as an Arabic variant transcription of the name.... [more]

Ocolodah m & f Agatu
Means "God has authority" in Agatu.

Odillya f English (Archaic)
Form of Odilia borne by a short-lived daughter (1598) of the poet Emilia Lanier and Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon.

Odyssey f English (American, Modern, Rare)
From the English word meaning "an adventurous voyage" and "a spiritual quest", derived from Greek Ὀδύσσεια (Odysseia), literally "of Odysseus"... [more]

Ogdo f Evenki, Dolgan
Evenki and Dolgan form of Yevdokiya. This was borne by the Dolgan poet Ogdo Aksyonova (1936-1995).

Oihonna f Finnish (Rare)
Finnish form of Oithona. ... [more]

Oisian m Old Celtic
An old Celtic name meaning "little deer," or "Fawn." 12th most popular boys' name in Ireland as of 2023. The name of a demigod, poet, and many others given the popularity of the name.

Oldra f Czech
Diminutive of Oldřiška, not usually used as a given name in its own right. Oldra Sedlmayerová (whose official given name was Oldřiška Veronika Sedlmayerová, 1884-1954) was a poet, publicist and politician... [more]

Olen m English (American, Rare)
Transferred use of the surname Olen.... [more]

Onatsu f Japanese
From japanese 同 (ona) meaning "similar, like, together, lane" combined with 通 (tsu) meaning "through, open, common, communicate, connect, authority, expert"

Onnolee f Folklore, Literature, English (American, Archaic)
According to legend, Onnolee was the last survivor of the Munsee nation, which dwelt on the west shore of Canadice lake and near Bald Hill (in the Finger Lakes region, New York) during the latter part of the fourteenth century, and met their death by the hands of the Mengnees; all except Onnolee, who was taken, bound to the belt of the famous leader, Mickinac, and compelled to follow him... [more]

Onufry m Polish, Russian
Polish form of Onouphrios via Onuphrius, as well as a Russian variant transcription of Onufriy... [more]

Oothoon f Literature
This name was invented by the English mystic poet William Blake, who based it on Oithóna, a name used by James Macpherson in his Ossian poems, which he claimed to have based on early Irish legends.

Ophelion m Ancient Greek, English (American, Rare, Archaic)
Derived from the Greek noun ὠφέλεια (opheleia) meaning "help, aid" as well as "profit, benefit", which is ultimately derived from the Greek verb ὠφελέω (opheleo) meaning "to help, to aid"... [more]

Optatianus m Late Roman
Roman cognomen which was derived from Optatus. A known bearer of this name was the 4th-century Latin poet Publilius Optatianus Porfirius.

Orendel m Medieval German, Literature
Middle High German form of Aurvandill via its Old High German form Orendil or Orentil.... [more]

Orguelleuse f Arthurian Cycle
Feminine equivalent of Orguelleus. This was used by the 13th-century German poet Wolfram von Eschenbach in Parzival, his expansion and completion of Chrétien de Troyes' unfinished romance Perceval, the Story of the Grail, for a hitherto unnamed character... [more]

Oribe m Japanese (Rare)
This name is used as 織部 with 織 (shoku, shiki, o.ru, (-)o(.)ri) meaning "weave" and 部 (bu, -be) meaning "section, department, class."... [more]

Orientius m Late Roman
Derived from the Latin noun oriēns "daybreak, dawn, sunrise" or, by extension, "east" (as the dawn broke from the east in Rome). In its participle usage, the word also meant "rising" (also "appearing" or "originating")... [more]

Orin m Literature, English (Rare)
Used by Eugene O'Neill in Mourning Becomes Electra as a deliberate link, it has been suggested, with Greek Orestes. ... [more]

Ormr m Old Norse, Norse Mythology
Derived from Old Norse ormr "snake, serpent" (the English word worm derives from the same root). In Norse mythology this was another name for Jǫrmungandr, the son of Loki... [more]

Ororo f Popular Culture
Ororo Munroe is one of the main protagonists in Marvel's X-Men line of comics, where she is better known by her 'mutant' name Storm. As a mutant she has the ability to control the weather... [more]

Orsolina f Italian (Rare)
Diminutive of Orsola. See also its latinized form Ursulina and the Italian surname Orsolini... [more]

Oryx f Literature
The name of a character in Canadian author Margaret Atwood's 'Oryx and Crake' (2003).... [more]

Osgood m American (Rare, Archaic)
Transferred use of the surname Osgood. This was borne by the 19th-century American writer Osgood Bradbury.

Oswy m Anglo-Saxon
Oswiu, also known as Oswy or Oswig (Old English: Ōswīg) (c. 612 – 15 February 670), was King of Bernicia from 642 until his death. One of the sons of Æthelfrith of Bernicia, he became king following the death of his brother Oswald in 642... [more]

Otia m Georgian
When written as ოთია, this name is a diminutive of Otar. But when written as ოტია, it is an independent name with likely a different etymology (possibly Kartvelian).... [more]

Otohiko m Japanese
From Japanese 音 (oto) meaning "sound" combined with 彦 (hiko) meaning "boy, prince". Other kanji combinations are possible.... [more]

Oudomsack m Lao
From Lao ອຸດົມ (oudom) meaning "abundant, plentiful, supreme, excellent" and ສັກ (sack) meaning "rank, power, authority".

Owl m English (American, Rare)
From Middle English owle, from Old English ūle, from Proto-Germanic *uwwalǭ (compare West Frisian ûle, Dutch uil, Danish and Norwegian ugle, German Eule)... [more]

Özənay f Azerbaijani
Etymology uncertain, possibly from the Turkish ozan meaning "poet" and ay meaning "moon".

Paaliaq m Inuit Mythology, Astronomy, Popular Culture
Paaliaq is a satellite of Saturn. It was named after a giant from the Inuit Mythology. This name was used by writer Michael Kusugak for the fictional shaman in the book 'The Curse of the Shaman' (2006).

Paata m Georgian
Derived from the Georgian adjective პატარა (patara) meaning "little, small" as well as "young" (sometimes in reference to a child). Also compare the Georgian adjective პაწაწინა (patsatsina) meaning "wee, tiny".... [more]

Paciano m Portuguese, Spanish (Rare), Galician
Spanish, Galician and Portuguese form of Pacianus. This name was borne by the Filipino general and revolutionary Paciano Rizal (1851-1930), the brother of physician and writer Dr... [more]

Pahlavon m Tajik (Rare), Uzbek
Tajik and Uzbek form of the medieval Persian name Pahlavan, which was derived from the Persian noun پهلوان (pahlavan) meaning "hero, paladin, champion".... [more]

Paikea m & f Maori, Mythology, Popular Culture, Literature
In Maori legend, Paikea is the name assumed by Kahutia-te-rangi because he was assisted by humpback whales (paikea) to survive an attempt on his life by his half-brother Ruatapu... [more]

Pallieter m Literature, Popular Culture, Flemish (Rare), Dutch (Rare)
In Dutch literature, Pallieter is the name of the eponymous character of the novel Pallieter (1916) written by the Flemish author and poet Felix Timmermans (1886-1947). A film based on the novel was released in 1975 under the same title.... [more]

Pamphos m Ancient Greek
Means “all-illuminating,” from Ancient Greek πᾶν (pan), meaning “all,” and φῶς (phos), meaning “light.” Pamphos was an Athenian tragic poet, who was a good friend of Linus of Thrace.

Pantagruel m Literature
The first element of this name is derived from Greek πάντες (pantes) meaning "all", which is ultimately derived from Greek πᾶς (pas) meaning "all, for all, of all". The second element is derived from Hagarene gruel meaning "thirsty"... [more]

Paquette f Literature, Theatre, French (Rare)
Feminine form of Pasquet or Paquet, medieval French pet forms of Pascal. Folk etymology links the name with modern French paquet (Middle French pacquet) "parcel, package"... [more]

Parsadan m Literature, Georgian (Archaic)
Georgian sources state that this name is of Persian origin and means "wise, learned" and "scholar, scientist". This should connect the name to Middle Persian frazānag meaning "wise, intelligent" and frazanagīh meaning "wisdom, intelligence", which have both evolved into modern Persian as فرزانه (farzâne) (see Farzaneh).... [more]

Pastoria f & m Spanish (Archaic, ?), Jamaican Patois (Rare), Literature
Probably a variant of Pastora. It was used by American author L. Frank Baum for a male character (King Pastoria of Oz, father of Princess Ozma) in his Oz series of fantasy books.

Patman f Literature, Georgian (Rare)
Georgian sources claim that this name is of Arabic origin and means "breastfeeding"—this can't be correct, however, as the actual Arabic term for "breastfeeding" is رَضَاعَة طَبِيعِيَّة (raḍāʿa ṭabīʿiyya)... [more]

Pavlek m Slovene, Croatian
Diminutive of Pavel or Pavao.... [more]

Pecola f African American, American (South)
Meaning unknown, perhaps an invented name. The American author Toni Morrison used it in her novel The Bluest Eye (1970) for the protagonist, a young African-American girl named Pecola Breedlove who descends into madness as a result of abuse.

Peik m Finland Swedish, Norwegian (Rare), Swedish (Rare), Danish (Rare)
Meaning uncertain. It could be derived from Finnish peikko "troll" or poika "boy" (the Swedish word for boy, pojke, is derived from the Finnish word). The name appears in folk tales in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland.... [more]

Peisander m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Variant form of Pisander, which is the main latinized form of Peisandros (as Greek names starting with Peis- are usually latinized to Pis-, another example of this is Peisistratos, which becomes Pisistratus in Latin).... [more]

Pelinor m Guanche
Possibly means "fighter" or "the brightest" in Guanche. This name was borne by a mencey (leader) of the menceycato (kingdom) of Adeje, in the island of Tenerife, at the time of the conquest of the island in the 15th century... [more]

Pelléas m Theatre, Arthurian Cycle (Gallicized)
French form of Pelleas used by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck for a character in his play Pelléas and Mélisande (1893), which was later adapted by Claude Debussy into an opera (1902).

Pengolodh m Literature
Means "teaching sage". In Tolkien's Legendarium this is the name of the in-universe author of The Silmarillion.

Peohtweald m Anglo-Saxon
Derived from Old English Peohtas "Pict" and weald "powerful, mighty" or "authority, leader". The first element refers to the Picts, an ancient Celtic people from northern and eastern Scotland.

Perihan f Turkish
Turkish name of Persian origin meaning "queen of the fairies" or "queen of the nymphs". The name is derived from Turkish peri (Persian pari) "fairy; nymph" and han "queen".... [more]

Pert f Literature, Theatre, English (American, Rare)
Meaning uncertain, but likely derived from the English word pert.... [more]

Petina f Shona
The name of the Zimbabwian writer Petina Gappah.

Petraq m Albanian
Albanian form of Petrakis. Unlike the original Greek name, the Albanian form is used as an official name on birth certificates.... [more]

Peyo m Popular Culture
The pen name of Pierre Culliford, Belgian comic artist and writer, and creator of the Smurfs.

Phadungdet m Thai
From Thai ผดุง (phadung) meaning "maintain, uphold, sustain" and เดช (det) meaning "power, might, authority".

Phaidimos m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
Derived from Greek φαίδιμος (phaidimos) meaning "shining, radiant, glistening". This was the name of several characters in Greek legend, including a king of Sidon mentioned in the 'Odyssey'... [more]

Phanocles m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Phanokles. This name was borne by an ancient Greek elegiac poet from the 4th century BC.

Phanudet m Thai
From Thai ภาณุ or ภานุ (phanu) meaning "sun, light" and เดช (det) meaning "power, might, authority".

Pherecrates m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Pherekrates. This was the name of an ancient Greek comic poet from the 5th century BC.

Philaé f & m French (Rare)
Possibly taken from Philae, the Latinized form of Φιλαί (Philai), the Greek name of an ancient island of the Nile which was the center of the worship of Isis and the site of temples dedicated to her... [more]

Phileine f Dutch, Literature, Popular Culture
The use of Phileine as a feminine first name in The Netherlands is due to the 2003 film "Phileine Zegt Sorry" (English: "Phileine Says Sorry"). The film is based on a book written by Dutch author Ronald Giphart (b... [more]

Philippides m Ancient Greek
Means "son of Philippos" in Greek, derived from the name Philippos combined with the patronymic suffix ἴδης (ides).... [more]

Philitas m Ancient Greek
From Ancient Greek φίλος (philos) "lover, friend" combined with -τας (-tas), an Aeolic, Epic, and Doric, Greek suffix forming nouns that represent a state of being... [more]

Philocles m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Philokles. This name was borne by an Athenian tragic poet from the 5th century BC.

Philodemus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Philodemos. This name was borne by a Greek philosopher and poet from the 1st century BC.

Philumena f Ancient Greek (Latinized), Late Roman, Theatre
Latinized form of Philoumena. In theatre, this is the name of a character from two different comic plays written by the Roman playwright Terence (2nd century AD), namely Andria and Hecyra.

Phlegon m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology, Biblical, Biblical Greek, Biblical Latin
Essentially means "burning, aflame, inflamed, fiery", since it is derived from the Greek verb φλέγω (phlego) meaning "to burn (up), to inflame". A known bearer of this name was Phlegon of Tralles (2nd century AD), a Greek writer and freedman of the Roman emperor Hadrian.... [more]

Phocylides m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Phokylides. This was the name of a Greek gnomic poet from the 6th century BC.

Phondet m Thai
From Thai พล (phon) meaning "force, strength, power" and เดช (det) meaning "power, might, authority".

Phoutthasack m Lao
From Lao ພຸດທະ (phouttha) meaning "Buddha" and ສັກ (sack) meaning "rank, power, authority".

Phronton m Late Greek
Derived from the Greek verb φροντίζω (phrontizo) meaning "to take care of, to attend to" as well as "to consider, to reflect, to take thought", which is ultimately derived from the Greek verb φρονέω (phroneo) meaning "to think" as well as "to be minded"... [more]

Phryne f History, Literature
Ancient Greek nickname meaning "toad", literally "the brown animal". Phryne was a 4th-century BC hetaira or courtesan, famed for her beauty, whose stage name - like those of many hetairai - was based on a physical feature; she was called that either because of a dark complexion (*phrynos being cognate with brown) or because of a "snub nose" (phrynē "a kind of toad")... [more]

Phrynichus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Phrynichos. This name was borne by two Greek poets from the 5th century BC; one was a tragic poet, while the other was a comic poet.

Pi m Obscure
From the mathematical constant. Pi O, (1951-) is a Greek-Australian, working class, anarchist poet.

Pidgeon m & f English (American, Modern, Rare)
Archaic form of pigeon, a bird, inherited from Middle English pygeoun, borrowed from Old French pyjon, inherited from Late Latin pīpiōnem “chirping bird”, derived from Latin pīpiāre “chirp”... [more]

Pietje m & f Dutch, Literature
When borne by a female person, this name is a good example of how one can turn a very masculine name (Piet) into a feminine name by simply adding the diminutive suffix -je to the original name... [more]

Pincu m Romanian
Romanian form of Pinchas. The name was born by Israel Pincu Lazarovitch (1912-2006), a Romanian-born Jewish-Canadian poet better known as Irving Peter Layton.

Pindar m Ancient Greek (Anglicized)
Anglicized form of Pindaros. This was the name of a Greek lyric poet from Thebes (died around 438 AD).

Pindaros m Ancient Greek
Meaning uncertain. This name might possibly be derived from Πίνδος (Pindos), which is the ancient Greek name for Mount Pindus in northern Greece.... [more]

Piney f Literature
Meaning unknown. Bret Harte, author of the short story The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1869) used this name for the fifteen-year old runaway lover Piney Woods. However, presumably it is applied for the fact that Piney had been left alone, pining and yearning for her lover.

Pinkatsari f & m Asháninka
Means "authority, leader" in Ashaninka.

Pinki f Indian, Nepali, Bengali
Possibly a variant of Pinkie or Pinky. A known bearer is Pinki Virani (1959-), an Indian writer and social activist.

Pippilotta f Literature
Invented by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren for the heroine of her children's novel 'Pippi Långstrump' (1945). It is composed of Swedish pippi, a childish word for "bird", combined with the name Lotta.

Pire f & m Mapuche, Literature
From Mapudungun pire meaning "snow, hail" (compare Piren, derived from the verb).... [more]

Pirimtvarisa f Literature, Georgian (Rare)
Means "face of the moon" in Georgian. It is derived from the Georgian noun პირი (piri) meaning "face" as well as "mouth" (see Okropir) combined with Georgian მთვარის (mtvaris), which is the genitive of the noun მთვარე (mtvare) meaning "moon".... [more]

Pirimzisa f Literature, Georgian (Rare)
Means "face of the sun" in Georgian. It is derived from the Georgian noun პირი (piri) meaning "face" as well as "mouth" (see Okropir) combined with Georgian მზის (mzis), which is the genitive of the noun მზე (mze) meaning "sun".... [more]

Pirkka m Finnish
Created by Finnish poet Eino Leino (1878-1926) for his poem Orjan poika (published in his poem collection Helkavirsiä). The name was derived from Finnish word pirkkalaiset, meaning "Birkarls"... [more]

Pita f Spanish
Diminutive of Guadalupe. A notable bearer was the Mexican poet Pita Amor (1918-2000), born Guadalupe Teresa Amor Schmidtlein.

Plautus m Ancient Roman, Ancient Roman (Anglicized)
Roman cognomen possibly meaning either "flat-footed" or "flat-eared" in Latin.... [more]

Plenira f Russian, Literature
Name invented by Gavriil Romanovich Derzhavin (1743 - 1816), one of the most highly esteemed Russian poet. It is derived from Russian verb пленить (plenit') meaning "to captivate", "to charm"... [more]

Poet m East Frisian (Archaic)
As an East Frisian name, Poet is a short form of names containing the element boto "messenger", for example Boeterich.... [more]

Poet f & m English (American, Modern, Rare)
From the English word meaning "someone who writes poems". From the Old French poete, from Latin poēta 'poet, author', from Ancient Greek poiētēs (ποιητής) 'creator, maker, author, poet', from poieō (poieō) 'I make, compose'.

Poldek m Polish
Polish short form of Leopold.... [more]

Poliziano m Medieval Italian
Italian form of Politianus. A notable bearer of this name was the Italian classical scholar and poet Poliziano (1454-1494).

Polyaenus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Polyainos. A notable bearer of this name was the Greek mathematician Polyaenus of Lampsacus (3rd century BC), who was a friend of the famous Greek philosopher Epicurus... [more]

Polyzelus m Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Latinized form of Polyzelos. Known bearers of this name include an eponymous archon of Athens (4th century BC) and a Greek comic playwright (flourished around 400 BC).

Porphyrius m Ancient Greek (Latinized), Late Roman
Latinized form of Porphyrios (see Porfirio). This name was borne by a Latin poet from the 4th century AD.

Povline f Danish (Rare)
Variant of Pouline. Famous bearer is Povline Lütken (6 May 1893 - 30 December 1977), Danish writer.

Praxilla f Ancient Greek
Possibly a derivative of Praxis. Praxilla of Sicyon was a Greek lyric poet of the 5th century BC.

Propertius m Ancient Roman
Roman family name which was probably derived from Latin propero "to make haste, to be quick". Sextus Aurelius Propertius, better known as Propertius, was a 1st-century BC Roman poet. He was a contemporary of Virgil and Ovid.

Prudens m Late Roman, Dutch (Rare), German (Archaic)
Roman cognomen which was derived from the Latin adjective prudens meaning "wise, prudent" as well as "foreseeing, foreknowing".... [more]

Prudenz m German (Archaic)
German form of Prudentius. A known bearer of this name was the Swiss poet Prudenz Meister (1875-1923).

Pseudolus m Theatre, Ancient Roman
Pseudolus is the eponymous character in 'Pseudolus', a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus.

Pseudonymous m Literature
From the English word pseudonymous, meaning “writing or written under a false name”. It is used as a pseudonym by American author Pseudonymous Bosch.

Pudentilla f Late Roman
Diminutive form of Pudentia. This was the name of the wife of the Latin-language prose writer Apuleius (2nd century AD).

Pycelle m Literature
Created by author George R. R. Martin for a character in his series "A Song of Ice and Fire" and the television adaptation "Game of Thrones". In the series, Pycelle is a Grand Maester who serves multiple monarchs of Westeros from the last years of the Targaryen dynasty onward.

Pyeonggwon m Korean
From 평 and 權 "power, right, authority" (gwon).

Python m Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, Python was an enormous earth-dragon (usually depicted as a serpent in ancient Greek art) who lived near the city of Πυθώ (Pytho), which is nowadays known as Delphi. The creature was named after the city, whose name was ultimately derived from the Greek verb πύθω (pytho) meaning "to rot, to decay"... [more]

Qorane m Somali
Means "writer" in Somali.

Quan m & f Chinese
From Chinese 泉 (quán) meaning "spring, fountain", 权 (quán) meaning "power, right, authority", 全 (quán) meaning "whole, entire, all", 荃 (quán) meaning "fine cloth" or other characters that are pronounced similarly.

Querelle f French
Querelle is the French for quarrel. ... [more]

Quintana f English (American, Modern, Rare)
Perhaps from Latin quintanus "fifth-ranking", from quintus "fifth" (see Quintus) or a transferred use of the surname. In today's English-speaking world it is sometimes perceived as a feminine form of Quintin or Quentin.... [more]

Quratulain f Arabic, Pakistani
From Arabic قرة العين, variously transcribed as Qurat-ul-Ain or Qurratu'l-`Ayn, meaning "solace, consolation of the eyes" (sometimes "coolness of the eyes"). This was a title of Fátimih Baraghání, a 19th-century poet and theologian of the Bábí religion in Iran who has been described as "the first women's suffrage martyr".... [more]

Qurrat al-ʿAyn f Arabic, Iranian (?)
Means "solace/consolation to the eyes" in Arabic. This was the title of Fatimah Baraghani, a 19th-century Persian poet, theologian and reformer (compare Táhirih).

Qvarqvare m Georgian (Archaic), Literature
The general consensus is that this name is ultimately derived from the Georgian verb უყვარს (uqvars) meaning "to love", which basically gives the name the meaning of "beloved". Also compare Saqvarela.... [more]

Qyburn m Literature
Created by author George R. R. Martin for a character in his series "A Song of Ice and Fire" and the television adaptation "Game of Thrones". In the series, Qyburn is a former maester who was expelled from the Citadel for unethical experiments and necromancy.

Raamla f African American
In the case of American television writer Raamla Mohamed she was named after a little girl who had the same name her mom later added an extra a so her name could be pronounced correctly

Rabindranath m Bengali
Bengali form of Ravindranath. A notable bearer was Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941).

Raif m Arabic
Arabic name derived from رائف (rayif) "compassionate, kind". It usually given in reference to the Koranic surah and verse al-Hajj 22:65, "God is most compassionate and most merciful to mankind."... [more]

Raistlin m Literature, English
Raistlin is a name created for the Dragonlance series authored by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.... [more]

Rambertino m Medieval Italian
Diminutive of Ramberto. ... [more]

Ransom m English
Possibly used in reference to the word ransom, meaning money paid or delivered in exchange for the release of something or someone. ... [more]

Rapiel m Georgian (Rare)
Georgian form of Raphael. A notable bearer of this name was the Georgian poet and playwright Rapiel Eristavi (1824-1901).

Ratherius m Germanic (Latinized), History
Latinized form of Rather. Ratherius was a 10th-century teacher, writer and bishop.

Recha f Hebrew, Literature
Derived from Hebrew rekhah "soft; tender; velvety; silky".... [more]