400 Rare Twins Boy and Girl Names & Meanings

Twins account for 98 per cent of multiple births. Boy-girl twins share about 50% of their DNA. They are close. Twins will be there for each other. I have hand-picked 400 rare and unique twin boy & girl names with meaning included, so your decision in naming your babies is somewhat easier.

List of Twins Boy and Girl Names And Meanings:

Caelum, Astraea

Caelum comes from the Latin word for Heaven and Astraea from the Greek word astḗr, ”star.” In Greek mythology,â Astraea is the goddess of justice.

Taiwo, Kehinde

Taiwo is symbolizing “one who tastes life first” and Kehinde, “the second-born of the twins”.

Rémy, Solène

Rémy is ”oarsman,” and Solène is ”solemn.”

Kofi, Afua

Akan day names for a boy and a girl born on a Friday.

Lorcan, Aisling

”Little fierce one” and ”dream.”

Borislav, Bogdana

Borislav is ”battle glory.” Bogdana is ”given by God.”

Orion, Lyra

“Heaven’s light,” Orion has Greek origins as well as Lyra. Both are constellations.

Alaric, Delphine

Alaric is from the Gothic Alareiks, “ruler of all.” Delphine is connected to the dolphin and to Delphi via the Latin Delphina.

Forrest, Fern

Forrest is ”forest,” and Fern is the leafy plant.

Jude, Mabel

Jude is ”praised.” Mabel is ”lovable.”

Yves, Noémie

Yves is ”yew.” Noémie is the French Naomi, ”pleasantness.”

Aditya, Aditi

Aditi is the Hindu mother of the gods, and Aditya is ”son of Aditi.”

Sandro, Liliana

Sandro is a short Alessandro, ”defender of men.” Liliana is ”lily.”

Laith, Dunya

Laith is the Arabic word for lion, and Dunya is ”world.”

Sora, Yuki

”Sky” and ”snow.”

Cato, Tullia

Cato is ”wise.” Tullia was the daughter of Cicero.

Lucian, Ondine

Lucian comes from the Latin Lucianus, rooted on lux, “light.” Ondine is “little wave” and is from the Latin unda.

Doru, Doina

Doru is the Romanian word for longing. A doina is a slow Romanian folk song.

Kaveh, Parisa

Kaveh the blacksmith raised his apron as a banner against the tyrant Zahhak. Parisa is ”like a fairy.”

Dorian, Sable

Dorian is from the Greek word Doros (gift) while Sable is dark in French.

Ren, Hana

Ren is ”lotus,” and Hana is ”flower.”

Fiachra, Aine

Fiachra, ”raven,” gave this one to the fiacre, a Paris cab hired near the Hôtel Saint-Fiacre. Aine is ”radiance.”

Demetrius, Chloe

Demetrius is ”of Demeter.” Chloe is ”green shoot.”

Octavian, Zephyrine

Octavian is “the eighth” in Latin while Zephyrine is the feminine variant of Zephyr (”west wind”).

Wilder, Wren

Wilder is ”wild.” The wren is a tiny bird with a very loud song.

Casimir, Philippa

Casimir (“destroys or proclaims peace) and Philippa (“lover of horses”) of Hainault was the queen to Edward III.

Merrick, Avalon

Merrick comes from the Welsh Meurig (ruler of the sea). Avalon is an island featured in the Arthurian legend.

Cassian, Élodie

Cassian has Latin and Irish origins and is meaning “vain” or ”hollow.” Élodie derives from the Gothic elements Ala (that means ”foreign”) and od (wealth).

Anselm, Fiora

Anselm has German origins and means ”God’s helmet” or ”divine protection.” Fiora is from the Corsican word fiore and has a meaning that I like, ”little flower.”

Theophilus, Eudora

Theophilus is from the Greek Theophilos (”loved by God” or ”friend of God”). Byzantine Emperor Theophilos was the second emperor of the Amorian dynasty. Eudora also has roots in the Greek word that means ”generous gift.” In Greek myths Eudora is used for three nymphs.

Gregory, Agnes

Gregory is ”watchful.” Agnes is ”chaste.”

Aram, Anoush

Aram is ”high.” Anoush is Armenian for sweet.

Orestes, Electra

Brother and sister in Greek tragedy. Orestes is ”of mountains” and Electra means elektron, ”amber.”

Kenzo, Mio

Kenzo is ”healthy and wise” with one kanji choice. Mio is ”beautiful cherry blossom.”

Emil, Agathe

Emil is ”rival.” Agathe is French Agatha, ”good.”

Enoch, Esther

Enoch is ”dedicated.” Esther, possibly from Persian for ”star,” became queen of Persia.

Lazlo, Vashti

Laszlo is with origins in the Slavic Vladislav (one who owns a glory). In Persian Vashti means goodness. Vashti was the first wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus.

Fintan, Aoife

Fintan consists of the Irish fionn and tine for “white fire.” Aoife is pronounced EE-fa and means beauty.

Aurelio, Ottilie

Aurelio comes from the Latin Aurelius and the word aureus, “golden.” Ottilie has Germanic roots and is meaning ”wealth” and ”fortune.”

Alberic, Melisande

Alberic is a Germanic boy name and comes from the elements alb (elf) and ric (ruler). The French Melisande signifies ”strong in work”.

Finnegan, Cliodhna

Finnegan,”son of fairhaired,” has Irish origins. Cliodhna is an Irish one that most likely means shapely maid. In Irish mythology Clíodhna is the Queen of the Banshees.

Emeric, Rosalind

Emeric is of Germanic roots and means ”powerful ruler.” Rosalind also has Germanic origins and means beautiful rose.

Silvano, Amaryllis

Silvano has its origins in Silvanus who is the Roman god of woods and uncultivated land. Amaryllis comes from the Greek word amarýssō (sparkle). There is also a flower, Amaryllis.

Tarquin, Belphoebe

From the Latin Tarquinius, Tarquin is noble and Belphoebe is “beautiful shining one.”

Dobromir, Desislava

Dobromir is ”good peace.” Desislava is ”find glory.”

Jordi, Montserrat

Jordi is the Catalan George, ”farmer.” Montserrat is the jagged mountain near Barcelona with a monastery on its side.

Clarence, Hortense

Clarence is ”of Clare.” Hortense is ”garden.”

Achille, Océane

Achille is the French Achilles, and Océane is ”ocean.”

Decimus, Portia

Decimus is ”tenth.” Portia comes from Roman Porcius, from porcus, ”pig.”

Conrad, Mathilde

Conrad means ”bold counsel,” and Mathilde as ”strength in battle.”

Lorenzo, Alessia

Lorenzo is ”from Laurentum,” and Alessia is ”defender.”

READ MORE: 37 Spanish Names That Start With F

Oleander, Fiamma

Oleander means “an evergreen tree” while Fiamma comes from the Italian word for fire.

Darragh, Riona

Darragh is the oak. Riona is ”queenly.”

Stig, Tove

Stig is ”wanderer.” Tove Jansson created the Moomins.

Leocadio, Thessaly

Leocadio, “pure as a lion,” and Thessaly is after a Greek tribe.

Thomas, Tamsin

Both mean ”twin,” so I’d put this pair at the top for any set of twins. Thomas is from the Aramaic te’oma, and Tamsin is the Cornish form of Thomasina.

Spiros, Athena

Spiros is ”spirit.” Athena gave her name to Athens.

Emrys, Seren

Emrys is a Welsh form of Ambrosius (“immortal”) while Seren is Welsh for star.

Kaito, Nanami

Kaito is ”sea” plus ”soar.” Nanami is ”7 seas.”

Corvin, Isadora

Corvin is from the Latin word corvus (”raven”). Matthias Corvinus was King of Hungary. Isadora is symbolizing “gift of [the goddess] Isis” in Greek.

Napoleon, Josephine

Napoleon married Josephine in 1796. Josephine is ”God will add.”

Hadrian, Elspeth

Hadrian was the name of a Roman emperor and means ”from Hadria” while Elspeth is the Scottish form of Elizabeth (My God is abundance).

Rustam, Soraya

Rustam is the hero of the Shahnameh. Soraya is Persian for the Pleiades.

Tancredi, Ornella

Tancredi is ”thought and counsel.” Ornella is the Tuscan word for flowering ash.

Evren, Aelith

Evren is Turkish and means cosmos and Aelith “noble battle.”

Wilfred, Ethel

Wilfred is ”will peace.” Ethel is Old English for noble.

Ivar, Hedda

Ivar is ”yew warrior.” Hedda is the Norwegian short form of Hedvig, ”battle”.

Ishaan, Nila

Ishaan is ”lord.” Nila is symbolizing the sky with the Sanskrit for ”blue.”

Stellan, Reverie

”Peaceful” and ”lost in thought.”

Balthazar, Melusine

Bel protects the King,” Balthazar has Akkadian origins. It is one of the Three Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth. Melusine means melodious from Latin.

Fergus, Deirdre

Fergus is ”man strength.” Fergus mac Róich gave his word for Deirdre’s safe return, and the king broke it.

Baldwin, Amalia

”Bold friend” for Baldwin, ”work” for Amalia.

Rafi, Zahra

Rafi is ”exalted.” Zahra is ”radiant.”

Tadhg, Orla

Tadhg is pronounced TIEG and is the Irish word for poet. Orla is ”golden princess.”

Reuben, Zillah

Reuben is ”behold, a son.” Zillah is ”shade.”

Kian, Laleh

Kian is ”royal.” Laleh is Persian for tulip.

Niall, Ailis

Niall may be ”champion,” and Niall of the Nine Hostages is an ancestor in many Irish family trees. Ailis is the Irish Alice, ”noble kind.”

Bogumil, Wanda

Bogumil is ”dear to God.” Wanda is a Polish princess who refused to marry a German prince.

Darius, Shirin

Darius is ”holds firm the good.” Shirin is the Persian word for sweet.

Bjorn, Freya

Bjorn is Norse for bear, and Freya is ”lady.”

Thabo, Lerato

In Sotho, Thabo is ”joy” and Lerato is ”love.”

Hippolyte, Sidonie

Hippolyte is ”freer of horses.” Sidonie is ”of Sidon.”

Mortimer, Henrietta

Mortimer is from Old French for ”dead sea.” Henrietta is ”home ruler.”

Bilal, Safiya

Bilal was the first muezzin of Islam. Safiya is ”pure.”

Vitus, Columba

Vitus is ”life,” and Columba is symbolizing peace with its meaning, ”dove.”

Vojtech, Libuse

Vojtech is the Czech form of Slavic for ”comfort of the army.” Libuse is the prophetess who foresaw Prague in Czech legend.

Cian, Ailbhe

Cian is Irish for ”ancient,” and Ailbhe carries ”white.”

Thorin, Tyra

Tolkien borrowed Thorin from a list of dwarves in Old Norse Voluspa. Tyra comes from Thyra, a 10th-century Danish queen.

Hugo, Ida

Hugo carries ”mind,” and Ida carries ”work.”

Cyrus, Roxana

Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire. Roxana is ”little star,” and she married Alexander the Great.

Piran, Kerensa

Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall and its tin miners. Kerensa is Cornish for love.

Quillan, Sorcha

Quillan means ”young one” and Sorcha comes from the Old Irish word sorchae (brightness).

Jethro, Keturah

Jethro is ”abundance.” Keturah is ”incense.”

Aldous, Adelaide

Aldous is ”old,” and Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in 1932. Adelaide is ”noble type.”

Ferdinand, Miranda

The young lovers of The Tempest. Shakespeare invented Miranda, ”worthy of admiration.”

Ragnar, Thora

Ragnar is ”warrior’s counsel,” and Thora is a feminine of Thor.

Haru, Aiko

Haru is ”spring.” Aiko is ”love child.”

Declan, Caoimhe

Declan has an uncertain root. Caoimhe is pronounced KEE-va and carries ”gentle” or ”precious.”

Jonah, Yael

Jonah is ”dove.” Yael is ”mountain goat.”

Florian, Aurora

”Flowering” for Florian. Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn.

Hector, Cassandra

Hector is ”holding fast.” His sister Cassandra saw the fall of Troy coming.

Ulysses, Penelope

Ulysses is the Latin form of Odysseus. Penelope waited 20 years for him on Ithaca.

Cunobelin, Boudica

Cunobelin ruled southern Britain before Roman invasion, and Shakespeare made it Cymbeline. Boudica is ”victory.”

Arthur, Morgana

Arthur and his half-sister Morgan le Fay, here in her Italian form. The mirage called fata morgana is after her.

Navid, Nasrin

Navid is meaning ”good news.” Nasrin is ”wild rose.”

Bartholomew, Imelda

Bartholomew is ”son of Talmai.” Imelda is ”entire battle.”

Everard, Frederica

Everard is ”brave boar.” Frederica is ”peaceful ruler.”

Zebedee, Hadassah

Zebedee is ”gift.” Hadassah is Hebrew for myrtle.

Bran, Branwen

Bran is Welsh for raven, and Branwen means ”white raven.”

Cyril, Theodora

Cyril is ”lordly.” Theodora, ”gift of God,” ruled Byzantium beside Justinian.

Nicander, Melina

Nicander is ”victory of a man,” and Melina is Greek for honey.

Arvid, Astrid

Arvid is ”eagle tree.” Astrid is ”beautiful god.”

Faris, Amira

Faris is Arabic for knight. Amira is ”princess.”

Vidar, Idun

Vidar, ”wide warrior,” is a son of Odin who survives Ragnarok. Idun is “ever young.”

Ridley, Clover

Ridley is ”reed clearing.” 1 in 5,000 clovers has a fourth.

Cuthbert, Hilda

Cuthbert is ”famous bright.” Hilda founded the abbey at Whitby in 657.

Valentin, Colette

Valentin is ”strong.” Colette, short for Nicolette, is ”victory of the people”.

Aeneas, Lavinia

Aeneas has origins in Greek for ”praise” while Lavinia is “woman of Rome.”

Severin, Constance

Severin reads as ”stern,” and Constance as ”steadfast.”

Pryderi, Arianwen

Pryderi is Welsh for worry and Arianwen is ”white silver.”

Baraka, Zuri

Baraka is the Swahili word for blessing, and Zuri is ”beautiful.”

Castor, Helena

Castor is one of the Gemini twins. Helena, possibly from a Greek word for ”torch,” is his sister in the myth.

Sigurd, Brynhild

Sigurd kills the dragon Fafnir, and Brynhild is a valkyrie he wakes.

Augustin, Celestine

”Venerable” for Augustin, ”heavenly” for Celestine.

Tudur, Demelza

Tudur is the source of the Tudor dynasty while Demelza is a Cornish place name.

Oswald, Mildred

Oswald is ”god’s power,” and Mildred is ”gentle strength.”

Rigel, Capella

Rigel is Arabic for foot, and a star at Orion’s foot. Capella is ”little goat.”

Alonso, Paloma

Alonso is ”noble and ready.” Paloma is Spanish for dove.

Dominic, Regina

Dominic is ”of the Lord.” Regina is Latin for queen.

Osiris, Amarante

In ancient Egyptian religion Osiris (”powerful”) is the lord of the dead and the underworld, and Amarante is “immortal flower.”

Valerian, Sabina

Valerian reads as ”strong.” Sabina is a Sabine woman.

Antares, Nova

Antares is ”rival of Mars,” from its red color. Nova is Latin for new.

Alpin, Fiona

Kenneth MacAlpin united the Picts and Scots in the 9th century. James Macpherson made Fiona popular in his Ossian poems, from fionn, ”white.”

Ingram, Romy

Ingram is ”Ing’s raven.” Romy began as a short form of Rosemarie.

Ansgar, Embla

Ansgar is ”god’s spear.” Embla is the first woman in Norse myth.

Arjun, Meera

Arjun is ”bright” as well as the archer hero of the Mahabharata. Meera is the Rajput princess who sang her poems to Krishna.

Thibault, Capucine

Thibault is ”bold people.” Capucine is French for nasturtium.

Flint, Saffron

Flint is a hard stone that sparks against steel. Saffron comes from the Arabic za’faran.

Samir, Nour

Samir is ”companion in evening talk.” Nour is the Arabic word for light.

Kenji, Ume

Kenji is ”strong second son.” Ume is the Japanese plum, which blooms before the cherry.

Hermes, Iris

Both have messages for the Greek gods. Iris is the rainbow.

Algot, Hjördis

Algot is ”elf Goth.” Hjördis is ”sword goddess.”

Galahad, Nimue

Galahad finds the Holy Grail. Nimue is the Lady of the Lake.

Karim, Farah

Karim is ”generous,” and Farah is ”joy.”

Icarus, Ariadne

Icarus flew too close to the sun on wax wings. Ariadne (”most holy”) handed Theseus the thread out of the maze on Crete.

Riku, Kaede

Riku is ”land.” Kaede is Japanese for maple.

Philo, Eulalia

Philo is ”love.” Eulalia is ”sweetly speaking.”

Reynard, Sorrel

Reynard is a fox of medieval fables, from a Germanic for ”brave counsel.” Sorrel is a herb and a reddish horse coat.

Rowan, Juniper

Rowan is a mountain ash and Juniper berries give gin its flavor.

Onni, Lumi

Onni is Finnish for luck, and Lumi is ”snow.”

Emyr, Tesni

Emyr is ”king,” and Tesni has ”warmth.”

Erasmus, Euphemia

Erasmus is ”beloved.” Euphemia is ”well spoken.”

Wolfram, Irmgard

Wolfram is ”wolf raven,” and wolfram is why tungsten has the chemical symbol W. Irmgard is ”whole enclosure.”

Sipho, Nandi

Sipho is Zulu for ”gift.” Nandi is ”sweet,” and she was the mother of Shaka.

Juma, Neema

Juma is Swahili for ”born on Friday.” Neema is ”grace.”

Levente, Boglárka

Levente was a son of the Magyar chief Árpád. Boglárka is the Hungarian word for buttercup.

Iolo, Lowri

Iolo is a pet form of Iorwerth. Lowri is the Welsh Laura, ”laurel.”

Caleb, Atara

Caleb is ”dog” or ”whole hearted.” Atara is Hebrew for crown.

Dafydd, Tegan

Dafydd is the Welsh David, ”beloved.” Tegan is ”pretty thing.”

Regulus, Vega

Regulus, ”little king,” is the brightest star in Leo. Vega is the brightest star in Lyra.

Moritz, Thekla

Moritz is ”Moorish.” Thekla is ”glory of God.”

Aristides, Sophronia

Aristides is ”best.” Sophronia is ”self-controlled.”

Asher, Tova

Asher is ”happy.” Tova is ”good.”

Elio, Itziar

Elio is ”sun.” Itziar is a Basque village with a Marian shrine above the sea.

Ramiro, Dolores

Ramiro is ”famous counsel.” Dolores is ”sorrows.”

Galen, Ianthe

Galen answers to ”calm” and was a physician in Pergamon. Ianthe is ”violet flower.”

Gediminas, Egle

Gediminas founded Vilnius by legend after dreaming of an iron wolf. Egle a queen of serpents in a Lithuanian folk tale.

Leofric, Godiva

Leofric was Earl of Mercia, and his wife Godiva rode through Coventry in myths. Godiva is ”gift of God.”

Tariq, Layla

The first one is ”night visitor,” and Gibraltar has origins in Jabal Tariq. Layla is ”night.”

Boaz, Ruth

Husband and wife in the Book of Ruth. Boaz may be ”swiftness,” and Ruth may be ”friend.”

Cornelius, Perdita

Cornelius points back to cornu, ”horn.” Shakespeare invented Perdita, ”lost,” for The Winter’s Tale.

Xavier, Nerea

Xavier springs from the Basque etxe berri, ”new house.” Nerea is Basque for ”mine.”

Alistair, Fenella

Alistair has Scottish and Greek origins and is meaning the one who repels men. Fenella is with Scottish Gaelic origin and means ”white-shouldered one.”

Nestor, Thalia

”Homecoming” and ”to blossom.” Thalia is a muse of comedy.

Byron, Ada

Byron is ”at the cowsheds.” Ada Lovelace was Lord Byron’s daughter.

Sebastian, Viola

Sebastian is ”from Sebaste” and Viola is Latin for violet.

Crispin, Cecilia

Crispin means ”curly-haired,” and Henry V gives his Agincourt speech on Saint Crispin’s Day. Cecilia is a patron saint of music.

Nalu, Moana

Nalu is Hawaiian for wave. Moana is ”ocean.”

Gwydion, Arianrhod

Brother and sister in Mabinogi. Gwydion is the magician, and Arianrhod is ”silver wheel.”

Fausto, Soledad

”Lucky” for Fausto, ”solitude” for Soledad.

Magnus, Ingrid

Magnus is Latin for ”great,” and Norway took it as a royal name from Charlemagne, Carolus Magnus. Ingrid is ”beautiful Ing.”

Raffaele, Gemma

Raffaele is ”God has healed.” Gemma is the Italian word for gem.

Levi, Dinah

Levi is ”attached.” Dinah is ”judged,” and the 2 are children of Jacob and Leah.

Joost, Fleur

Joost is the Dutch form of Judocus, a Breton saint. Fleur is French for flower.

Cathal, Bébhinn

Cathal is ”strong in battle.” Bébhinn is ”sweet woman.”

Dunstan, Edwina

Dunstan is ”dark stone.” Edwina is ”rich friend.”

Haakon, Ragnhild

Haakon VII became the first king of independent Norway in 1905. Ragnhild is ”battle counsel.”

Emlyn, Eirlys

Emlyn is a district in Carmarthenshire. Eirlys is Welsh word for snowdrop.

Vittorio, Loretta

Vittorio is ”victor,” and Loretta is linked to Loreto, a pilgrimage town on the Adriatic.

Leif, Solveig

Leif is from the Viking culture and means ”descendant.” Solveig has Old Norse roots and means “sun strength.”

Zebulon, Delilah

Zebulon is ”exalted dwelling.” Delilah is ”delicate.”

Basil, Eirene

”Royal” and ”peace.” Eirene is Greek goddess of peace.

Seth, Eden

Seth is ”appointed,” and Eden is ”delight.”

Torvald, Saga

Torvald is ”Thor’s ruler.” Saga is a Norse goddess and the word for old Icelandic prose stories.

Hunor, Enikő

My favorite story here belongs to Hunor and his brother Magor, who founded the Huns and Magyars. Poet Vörösmarty used Enikő from Enéh, their mother.

Aneirin, Angharad

Aneirin wrote Y Gododdin, one of the oldest poems in Welsh. Angharad is ”much loved.”

Torsten, Ingeborg

Torsten is ”Thor’s stone,” and Ingeborg is ”Ing’s protection.”

Peregrine, Isolde

Peregrine is from the Latin peregrinus, a traveler or pilgrim. Isolde may mean “she who is gazed upon.”

Tristan, Mireille

Tristan comes from the Pictish Drustan. Mireille is Provençal for ”to admire”.

Osric, Edith

”God ruler” and ”rich war.”

Barnaby, Wilhelmina

Barnaby (“son of encouragement”) and Wilhelmina is the feminine of Wilhelm, “will and helmet.”

Caradoc, Dilys

Caradoc is the Welsh form of Caratacus, who fought the Roman invasion. Dilys is ”genuine.”

Roald, Synnøve

Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911. Synnøve is ”sun gift.”

Orlando, Imogen

Orlando is ”famous land” and Imogen comes from a misprint.

Llewelyn, Elain

Llewelyn is symbolizing ”leader” and Elain is ”fawn.”

Murdo, Isla

Murdo is ”sea warrior.” Isla comes from the island of Islay.

Emeka, Ngozi

Emeka is Igbo for ”great deeds.” Ngozi is ”blessing.”

Altair, Mira

Altair is Arabic for ”the flyer,” a star in the Summer Triangle. Mira is Latin for ”wonderful.”

Madoc, Gwenllian

Madoc is a Welsh prince who sailed to America in 1170. Gwenllian is ”fair flood.”

Cormac, Niamh

Cormac has the Irish meaning of “charioteer.” Cormac mac Airt is one of the High Kings of Ireland. Niamh is “bright” or “radiant”.

Ciaran, Roisin

”Little dark one” for Ciaran, ”little rose” for Roisin.

Till, Frieda

Till Eulenspiegel is the trickster of German folk tales. Frieda is ”peace.”

Gyula, Csilla

Gyula was a title in the Magyars and Csilla comes from csillag, Hungarian for star.

Ruairi, Gormlaith

Ruairi is ”red king.” Gormlaith is ”illustrious princess.”

Keanu, Kalani

Keanu is Hawaiian for ”cool breeze,” and Kalani is ”sky.”

Wolfgang, Clotilde

Wolfgang is ”wolf path.” Clotilde, ”famous battle,” talked her husband Clovis into baptism.

Edric, Hildegard

Edric is ”rich ruler.” Hildegard of Bingen was an abbess who wrote music is sung even today.

Milos, Milena

Both sit on the Slavic mil, ”dear” or ”gracious.”

Oswin, Elfreda

Oswin is ”god friend.” Elfreda is ”elf strength.”

Gethin, Carys

Gethin is ”dark” or ”swarthy.” Carys is Welsh for love.

Caspian, Marisol

Caspian is from the Caspian Sea which is after Caspi people. Marisol is made of the Spanish mar and sol, sea and sun.

Eamon, Clodagh

Eamon is the Irish form of Edmund, ”rich protector.” Clodagh is after a river in Tipperary.

Mirko, Vesna

Mirko is ”peace,” and Vesna is Slavic for spring.

Ianto, Lowenna

Ianto is a Welsh pet form of John. Lowenna is Cornish for joy.

Iker, Ainhoa

Iker is Basque for ”visitation.” Ainhoa is a village in French Basque Country with a hilltop shrine.

Idris, Rhiannon

Idris is a Welsh for “ardent lord” as well as with Arabic roots and means ”borne by a prophet.” Rhiannon comes from Rigantona, “great queen”.

Zayn, Mahsa

Zayn is ”beauty.” Mahsa is ”like the moon.”

Stanislav, Danica

Stanislav is ”become glorious.” Danica is the morning star.

Nikias, Zoe

Nikias is ”victory,” and Nikias led the Athenian fleet to Sicily in 415 BC. Zoe is Greek for life.

Eskil, Brynja

Eskil is ”god’s cauldron.” Brynja is ”armor.”

Thorne, Briar

Two thorny shrubs: Thorne is the thorn bush and Briar the wild rose.

Ira, Tamar

Ira is ”watchful.” Tamar is Hebrew for date palm.

Calder, Iona

Calder is ”rocky water.” Iona is the Hebridean island where Saint Columba built his abbey in 563.

Lambert, Griselda

Lambert is ”bright land,” and Griselda is ”grey battle.”

Gonzalo, Rocío

Gonzalo is ”battle.” Rocío is a Spanish word for dew.

Uriel, Noa

Uriel is ”God is my light.” Noa is one of the 5 daughters of Zelophehad.

Gautier, Héloïse

Gautier is the French Walter, ”army ruler.” Héloïse wrote letters to Abélard.

Yaroslav, Lada

Yaroslav is ”fierce glory.” Lada is a Slavic spring goddess and a Soviet car brand.

Kiran, Leela

Kiran is the Sanskrit word for ray of light. Leela is ”play.”

Amir, Golnar

Amir is ”prince.” Golnar is Persian for pomegranate blossom.

Anatole, Aglaia

Anatole is Greek for sunrise. Aglaia, ”splendor,” is one of the 3 Graces.

Ignatius, Perpetua

It is from the Roman Egnatius and the Latin ignis, “fire.” In 1540 Ignatius of Loyola founded the Jesuits. Perpetua means “continuous” in Latin.

Leander, Calliope

Leander combines the Greek words for lion and man. Calliope, “beautiful voice,” was the mother of Orpheus.

Thaddeus, Cosima

Thaddeus was one of the twelve apostles, and its meaning is “heart.” Cosima is from the Greek kosmos, order and beauty.

Apollo, Artemis

The twins of Greek myth, born to Leto on the island of Delos.

Fabrice, Coralie

Fabrice comes from faber, ”craftsman.” Coralie is ”coral.”

Oberon, Titania

King and queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Uranus has moons named after both.

Owain, Olwen

Owain is ”well born.” Olwen is ”white footprint,” and white flowers sprang up wherever she walked.

Zeno, Pandora

Zeno is ”of Zeus,” and Pandora carries ”all gifts.”

Frode, Alva

Frode is ”wise,” and Alva is ”elf.”

Lysander, Rosamund

Lysander (“one who frees men”) is from Greek. Spartan commander Lysander broke Athens at Aegospotami in 405 BC to end the Peloponnesian War. Rosamund has origins in the Germanic elements for horse and protection.

Hiro, Sakura

Hiro is ”generous.” Sakura is the cherry blossom.

Evander, Linnea

It is the anglicized form of the Greek Euandros and means “good man” and Linnea is ”twinflower.”

Ambrose, Beatrix

Ambrose is from the Greek ambrosios, “immortal” and Beatrix is “voyager”; Beatrix Potter drew Peter Rabbit and was also a mycologist who studied fungi.

Fabian, Serafina

Fabian is “bean grower” and Serafina is from the seraphim (“to burn”).

Roderick, Elowen

It is made of Germanic words for ”fame” and ”power.” Roderic was the last king of the Visigoths. Elowen is the Cornish word for elm.

Radomir, Snezana

Radomir is ”glad peace,” and Snezana is ”snowy.”

Silas, Étaín

Silas is a diminutive of Silvanus, the Latin god of woods. Étaín means ”passion” and is pronounced as ay-DEEN.

Diarmuid, Emer

Diarmuid may be ”without envy.” Emer is the wife of Cú Chulainn.

Jabari, Imani

Jabari is Swahili for ”brave.” Imani is ”faith.”

Rufus, Juno

Rufus is the Latin word for red-haired. Juno is queen of the Roman gods.

Akira, Hikari

With their common kanji, Akira is ”bright” and Hikari is ”light.”

Kaan, Ayla

Kaan is ”ruler.” Ayla is the halo around the moon.

Ilya, Nadia

Ilya is the Russian Elijah. Nadia is ”hope.”

Titus, Honoria

Titus finished the Colosseum in 80 AD. Honoria is Latin for honor.

Radu, Sanziana

Radu is ”glad.” Sanziana is a Romanian midsummer fairy, and the yellow bedstraw flowers are after her.

Ilir, Drita

Ilir is Albanian for ”free,” and Drita is ”light.”

Ptolemy, Berenice

Ptolemy is ”warlike.” Queen Berenice cut her hair as an offering, and the constellation Coma Berenices is from there.

Rishi, Kavya

Rishi is ”sage,” and Kavya is ”poetry.”

Chike, Nkechi

Chike is ”power of God.” Nkechi is ”God’s own.”

Benedict, Cordelia

Benedict is “blessed” in Latin. Cordelia is the youngest daughter in King Lear and comes from the Latin cor, “heart”.

Malachi, Michal

Malachi is ”my messenger.” Michal is a daughter of King Saul.

Alden, Hazel

Alden is ”old friend,” and Hazel is a nut tree.

Bence, Réka

Bence is the Hungarian Vincent, ”conquering.” Réka was the wife of Attila the Hun.

Romulus, Rhea

Romulus founded Rome by legend, and Rhea Silvia gave birth to him and his twin Remus.

Quintus, Minerva

Quintus is ”fifth.” Minerva is Roman goddess of wisdom.

Rafferty, Saoirse

Rafferty is from Irish Ó Rabhartaigh (“descendant of Rabhartach”) and Saoirse is Irish for freedom. Saoirse Ronan collected her first Oscar nomination at 13.

Unai, Amaia

Unai is Basque for ”cowherd,” and Amaia is ”the end.”

Theon, Xanthe

”Godly” for Theon, ”yellow” or ”fair-haired” for Xanthe.

Dragan, Bozena

Dragan is ”dear,” and Bozena is ”divine.”

Alfred, Winifred

Alfred is ”elf counsel.” Winifred is the English form of the Welsh Gwenfrewi.

Joaquin, Ximena

Joaquin is ”raised by God.” Ximena was the wife of El Cid.

Macsen, Heledd

Macsen is the Welsh Maximus, and Heledd mourns her brother Cynddylan in poems.

Kwaku, Akua

Wednesday’s children in Akan naming.

Tobias, Anouk

It has origins in the Hebrew Toviyah, “God is good.” Anouk is a Dutch and French pet form of Anna, “grace.”

Ariel, Tirzah

Ariel is ”lion of God.” Tirzah is ”pleasantness.”

Kabir, Anjali

Kabir is ”great,” and Anjali is ”offering.”

Senan, Eithne

Senan is ”little old one.” Eithne is Irish for kernel.

Marcellus, Vesta

Marcellus is a little Marcus, from Mars, and Vesta guarded the hearth.

Japheth, Leah

Japheth is ”enlarge.” Leah may be ”weary.”

Urban, Prudence

Urban is ”of the city,” and Prudence has ”good judgment.”

Finbar, Sadhbh

Finbar is ”fair head,” and he is the patron saint of Cork. Sadhbh is ”sweet.”

Wystan, Gertrude

Wystan, ”battle stone,” was the first name of the poet W. H. Auden. Gertrude is ”spear strength.”

Gaspard, Vivienne

Gaspard is the French form of Casper, from a Persian word for treasurer. Vivienne is from the Latin vivus and is symbolizing “alive.”

Gratian, Serena

”Grace” and ”calm.”

Ulric, Kunigunde

Ulric is ”wolf power.” Kunigunde of Luxembourg became a saint beside her husband, Emperor Henry II.

Ronan, Muirne

Ronan is ”little seal.” Muirne, ”beloved,” is the mother of Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Leonidas, Callista

Leonidas, ”son of the lion,” held the pass at Thermopylae in 480 BC. Callista is Greek for ”most beautiful.”

Rupert, Marigold

Rupert is ”bright fame.” Marigold combines Mary and gold.

Horatio, Ravenna

The first is linked to the Roman Horatius and Ravenna to the Italian city that served as the last capital of the Western Roman Empire.

Zoran, Zora

Both answer to ”dawn.”

Padraig, Siobhan

Padraig is the Irish Patrick, ”nobleman.” Siobhan is the Irish Joan.

Rohan, Asha

Rohan is ”ascending.” Asha is ”hope.”

Rhodri, Ffion

Rhodri is ”wheel ruler,” and Ffion is Welsh for foxglove.

Kjell, Liv

Kjell is ”cauldron” or ”helmet.” Liv is Norse for life.

Godric, Emmeline

Godric is ”God’s power.” Emmeline Pankhurst managed the fight for votes for women in Britain.

Philemon, Damaris

Paul (”humble”) writes a letter to Philemon (”affectionate”)

Zahir, Yasmin

Zahir is ”bright.” Yasmin is the jasmine flower.

Chidi, Adaeze

Chidi is Igbo for ”God exists.” Adaeze is ”king’s daughter.”

Damon, Phyllida

Damon is from Greek damazo, ”to tame.” Phyllida is symbolizing ”foliage.”

Bedwyr, Eluned

Bedwyr (“birch man”) and Eluned is ”idol” or ”image.”

Ezekiel, Selah

Ezekiel is ”God strengthens.” Selah is a word in the Psalms that may mark a pause.

Ion, Daphne

Ion is the ancestor of the Ionians in Greek myth. Daphne is ”laurel.”

Santiago, Pilar

Santiago is ”Saint James.” Pilar comes from the Virgin of the Pillar in Zaragoza.

Matvei, Svetlana

Matvei is the Russian Matthew, ”gift of God.” Svetlana is ”light.”

Vytautas, Ausra

Vytautas the Great ruled Lithuania as grand duke. Ausra is the Lithuanian word for dawn.

Väinö, Aino

Väinö comes from Väinämöinen, singer of the Kalevala. Aino is symbolizing “the only one”.

Septimus, Clementine

”Seventh” and ”merciful.”

Oisin, Grainne

Oisin is Irish for ”little deer.” Grainne, maybe from grán, ”grain”.

Tiberius, Lucilla

Tiberius is ”of the Tiber.” Lucilla is from Latin lux, ”light.”

Taliesin, Ceridwen

Taliesin is Welsh for ”shining brow,” while Ceridwen was a witch.

Linus, Clio

Linus has ”flax,” and Clio, muse of history, is on a root for ”to make famous.”

Maximilian, Carlota

Maximilian was crowned emperor of Mexico, and Carlota was his empress.

Percival, Guinevere

Percival (”pierce the valley”) and Guinevere has roots in the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, “white phantom” or “fair enchantress.”

Simeon, Jemima

Simeon is ”he has heard.” Jemima, ”dove,” is a daughter of Job.

Tumelo, Palesa

Tumelo is Sotho for ”faith,” and Palesa is ”flower.”

Ephraim, Liora

Ephraim is ”fruitful.” Liora is ”my light.”

Cassius, Ottoline

Cassius is possibly rooted in cassus, “hollow”. Ottoline is a variation of Ottilie (”prosperity”).

Dante, Bianca

Dante is ”enduring.” Bianca is ”white.”

Lennox, Catriona

Lennox is a district north of Glasgow. Catriona is the Scottish Katherine.

Gunnar, Sigrid

Gunnar is ”war.” Sigrid is ”beautiful victory.”

Koa, Kalea

Koa is ”brave” and a Hawaiian hardwood used for ukuleles. Kalea is ”joy.”

Dag, Dagny

Dag is meaning ”day,” and Dagny is ”new day.”

Igor, Olga

Igor ruled Kyiv, and Olga ruled in his place after he was killed. Both came from Norse: Ingvar and Helga.

Conall, Una

Conall is ”strong wolf,” and Una may be ”lamb.”

Angus, Morag

”One strength” for Angus, ”great” for Morag.

Obadiah, Zipporah

Obadiah is ”servant of God,” and Zipporah, ”bird,” married Moses.

Gideon, Persephone

Gideon means “hewer” or “one who cuts down” in Hebrew while Persephone is queen of the Greek underworld.

Cedar, Willow

Cedar wood lined Solomon’s temple in the Bible. Willow bark is the origins for aspirin.

Felix, Fortuna

Felix is the Latin word for lucky. Fortuna is the goddess of luck, so the 2 match.

Philibert, Esmée

Philibert is ”very bright,” and Esmée is ”esteemed.”

Fingal, Rhona

Fingal is ”white stranger,” and Rhona is ”rough island.”

Marius, Livia

Marius may come from Mars. Livia, possibly ”bluish,” was the wife of Augustus.

Stavros, Despina

Stavros is the Greek word for cross. Despina is ”lady.”

Leopold, Marguerite

Leopold is meaning ”bold people” and Marguerite is French for both pearl and daisy, from the Greek margarites.

Bertram, Gisela

Bertram is ”bright raven.” Gisela is ”pledge.”

Hosea, Batya

Hosea is ”salvation.” Batya is ”daughter of God.”

Gawain, Ragnell

Gawain may be ”white hawk.” Dame Ragnell marries Gawain in a medieval English tale.

Sirius, Bellatrix

Sirius is ”scorching,” the brightest star in the night sky. Bellatrix is Latin for ”female warrior.”

Snorri, Hekla

Snorri Sturluson wrote the Prose Edda in Iceland. Hekla is the Icelandic volcano medieval monks called the gate of hell.

Kwame, Ama

Akan day comes for Saturday births. Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to independence.

Enzo, Chiara

Enzo Ferrari built racing cars in Maranello. Chiara is ”clear” or ”bright.”

Amedeo, Allegra

Amedeo is ”loves God,” and Amedeo Modigliani painted long-necked portraits in Paris. Allegra is Italian for cheerful.

Dion, Alcyone

Dion is ”of Zeus” while Alcyone is a kingfisher.

Atticus, Harper

Atticus is ”from Attica” and Harper is “minstrel.”

Elof, Ebba

Elof is ”heir of the ancestor.” Ebba is ”boar.”

Gaëtan, Léonie

Gaëtan is ”from Gaeta.” Léonie is a lioness.

Einar, Gudrun

”One warrior” and ”god’s secret.”

Lucan, Ophelia

Lucan is ”from Lucania” and Ophelia is ”help.”

Amos, Talia

Amos is ”carried,” and Talia is the Hebrew word for dew.

Oriol, Núria

Oriol is Catalan for golden oriole. Núria means “place between the valleys”.

Eli, Abigail

Eli is ”ascension.” Abigail is ”my father’s joy.”

Lev, Zlata

Lev is Russian for lion and the first name of Tolstoy. Zlata is ”golden.”

Cyprian, Anthea

Cyprian is ”from Cyprus.” Anthea is Greek word for flowery.

Anders, Malin

Anders is the Scandinavian Andrew, ”manly.” Malin began as a Swedish pet form of Magdalena.

Rocco, Azzurra

Rocco is the patron saint of dogs. Azzurra is Italian for sky blue.

Atlas, Maia

Atlas is from the Greek root for ”to endure” and Maia means ”mother.”

Rune, Signe

Rune is ”secret lore.” Signe is ”new victory.”

Nikhil, Diya

Nikhil is ”whole.” Diya is the clay lamp lit at Diwali.

Gareth, Lynette

In Malory, Lynette leads Gareth on his first quest.

Omar, Mina

Omar is ”flourishing.” Mina is Persian for enamel.

Linden, Laurel

Linden is the lime tree. Laurel crowned the winners at Pythian Games.

Halvard, Siv

Halvard is the patron saint of Oslo. Siv, ”bride,” is Thor’s golden-haired wife.

Ezra, Shira

Ezra is ”help,” and Shira is ”song.”

Duncan, Kirsty

Duncan is ”dark warrior.” Kirsty is a Scottish pet form of Christina.

Kai, Leilani

Kai is Hawaiian for sea. Leilani is ”heavenly flowers.”

Ulf, Ylva

Ulf is the he-wolf and Ylva the she-wolf.

Wenceslas, Ludmila

Wenceslas is ”more glory.” Ludmila raised her grandson Wenceslas.

Micah, Miriam

Micah is ”who is like God?” Miriam is the sister of Moses.

Lachlan, Ailsa

Lachlan is ”from the land of lakes,” Gaelic for Norway. Ailsa comes from Ailsa Craig.

Phineas, Keziah

Phineas may come from an Egyptian word for ”Nubian.” Keziah is the cassia tree.

Berwyn, Morwenna

Berwyn is ”white head,” and Morwenna is ”maiden.”

Mieszko, Dobrawa

Mieszko I married the Czech princess Dobrawa, and Poland took Christianity in 966.

Loïc, Maëlle

Loïc is Breton Louis, ”famous battle.” Maëlle is from Breton mael, ”chief.”

Jerome, Paula

Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. Paula of Rome paid for his monastery in Bethlehem.

Sefu, Amani

Sefu is Swahili for ”sword.” Amani is ”peace.”

Odhran, Blathnaid

Odhran is ”little pale green one,” and Blathnaid means ”little flower.”

Rumi, Ghazal

Rumi is ”from Rum,” and ghazal is a love poem in rhyming couplets.

Lugh, Brigid

Lugh is the shining god of skill. Brigid, ”exalted one,” has her feast day on 1 February.

Varun, Tara

Varun is the Hindu god of water. Tara is ”star.”

Julian, Flavia

Julian is ”youthful,” and Flavia is ”golden” or ”yellow-haired.”

Pascal, Noelle

Pascal is ”of Easter,” and Noelle is ”Christmas”.

Geraint, Enid

Geraint comes from Gerontius, ”old man,” and Enid may be ”life.”

Jason, Galatea

Jason is Greek for ”healer.” Galatea means ”milk white.”

Pericles, Aspasia

Pericles is ”surrounded by glory.” Aspasia, ”welcome,” was his partner in Athens.

Lazarus, Susanna

Lazarus is ”God has helped,” and lazaretto, comes from him. Susanna is ”lily.”

Heath, Ivy

Heath is open moorland, and Ivy is an evergreen climber.

Emre, Elif

Emre is ”friend” in Turkish. Elif is the first letter of the Arabic alphabet.

Ilmari, Marjatta

Ilmari comes from Ilmarinen while Marjatta, from marja, ”berry”.

Arash, Anahita

Arash is “brilliant” and Anahita is a Persian goddess of waters.