Browse baby names from A to Z and search by name. Entries include an origin or language note, common usage, and a concise meaning where the etymology is reasonably established.
Hazel
An English nature name referring to the hazel tree and its color.
Henry
Traditionally associated with the Germanic idea of a home ruler.
James
English form historically related to Jacob; traditional meanings vary by interpretation.
Olivia
Literary and Latin-influenced name strongly associated with the olive tree.
Owen
A traditional Welsh name; proposed meanings vary and the etymology is debated.
Parker
An English occupational surname name historically referring to a park keeper.
Riley
Irish and English surname name; proposed meanings differ by origin.
Rowan
Used from Irish and Scottish naming traditions and also as an English tree name.
Taylor
English occupational surname name referring to a tailor.
Violet
A flower and color name from Latin through French and English.
William
Traditionally interpreted from Germanic elements as a resolute protector.
Willow
An English nature name referring to the willow tree.
Zachary
English form related to Zechariah, traditionally interpreted as “the Lord has remembered.”
Why baby-name meanings can differ between sources
Names travel across languages, alphabets, religions, regions, and centuries. A modern name may have more than one independent origin, a traditional interpretation may differ from strict historical linguistics, and a surname or place name may later become a given name. For that reason, BabyCareGuide avoids presenting disputed etymologies as certain facts.
How to choose a name beyond meaning
Families often consider pronunciation, spelling, initials, sibling names, cultural or family connections, likely nicknames, how a name sounds with the surname, and whether the name works in more than one language. Meaning can be one factor without needing to be the deciding factor.
A note on gender labels
“Common usage” describes how a name is frequently used in naming traditions or contemporary usage; it is not a rule about who may use the name. Many names are unisex, shift over time, or are used differently across countries.
