The real meanings behind babies’ names

Baby names are always something that is discussed when we hear one of our friends or family has just given birth. When you first hear that a friend or relative has given birth, your first question is usually, What’s the baby’s name? Baby names can be inspired by many things ? the family?s ethnic origin, a personal preference for a film star or place, or the desire to call the child after a much-loved relative.

In some cultures, it is usual to use baby names that have been passed down through the family. For example, among white Anglo-Saxon culture, you would find John D. Rockefeller Senior and John D. Rockefeller Junior. But according to some traditions, you would find the opposite. For example, Ashkenazi, northern European Jews would never name a baby after the living, while Sephardic Jews from Spain, North Africa, and Central Asia will deliberately name a son after his father or a grandson after his grandfather. And in every family, there are unique baby names that only seem to be used by that particular family.

So what has inspired your baby name ideas?

Unusual Baby Names

Until recently, most babies in western countries were given very conventional names, often from the Bible, such as David, Rebecca, Sarah, or Samuel, even if they were from a different ethnic origin. The Royal Family were often an inspiration, so during the 1920s and 1930s many little girls were called Elizabeth and Margaret after the British princesses. Similarly, Hollywood actors were a great source for baby names, leading to many little boys being named Errol after Errol Flynn and Laurence after Sir Laurence Olivier.

Indian baby names were almost never heard of outside India, even in Australia or Britain, both of which are part of the Commonwealth, until around twenty years ago. This is because social attitudes have changed and become much broader. Nowadays, Asians are proud to call their sons Sandeep or Rajiv and their daughters Seema or Shilpa as ethnic baby names are far more accepted than they were in the past. In bygone years, people from ethnic minorities would have had a ?popular name? for their dealings in public life but they would have kept their ethnic names for home and the family.

Today, even if you are not Asian, you may simply like Hindu baby names and would prefer to call your child by one. Today, this is far more acceptable than it would once have been.

Baby Names List

Perhaps you are not very fond of any of the baby names in your family. Your grandmother was called “Hilda Mary,” but these particular baby girl names do not appeal to you for your own daughter. You are also not inspired by any of the film stars you like, the names of your friends? children, or any of the most popular names. You want to find something that is a bit special for your little one.

In this case, you could consult a list of baby names. Perhaps the sound is not what grabs you, but the baby name?s meaning. Looking down a list of baby girls? names, you would find “Abigail,” which comes from the Hebrew biblical name Avigayil, meaning “father?s joy.” Knowing how excited your husband was when the baby was born, this name may really speak to you.

If you like French baby names, for example, it might make your choice easier and when you are faced with either Giles or Gilles, you would choose the latter. Or maybe you are looking for two boys? names that start with the same letter for your newborn twins. Looking at the meanings of the names that fall within these specific parameters might make your choice slightly easier.

Whether the baby names you choose are inspired by names? meanings, baby naming customs in your family, or your love of a particular culture, musician, or film star, one thing is for sure ? your baby will not remain nameless!