Names That Bring A Smile To Your Face
A baby's birth is one of the most joyous things that can happen. Why not celebrate the occasion with a name as bouncy and joyous and your little one? Here are 20 names that you can't help but smile while saying.
1. Asher
Asher is currently #28 on the US top 100 baby names and for a good reason. In addition to being absolutely adorable for boys (and some rough-and-tumble girls), the name has a fortuitous meaning. In the Bible, Moses calls for Asher to "be blessed above other sons".
2. Beatrice
Beatrice comes from the Latin word beatus, meaning "blessed" and has been delighting parents for millennia. The feisty heroine of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is named Beatrice, as is one of Dante's guides in The Divine Comedy. If you want some storybook charm, try out Beatrix, like the creator of Peter Rabbit.
3. Blythe
Remember that nursery rhyme "Monday's child is fair of face..."? It may have been used to help children remember the days of the week, but we think it can also help name them. Blythe is a unisex name derived from the word Old English word blithe, meaning "cheerful". We hope your child will be bonny and blithe, even if they aren't born on a Sunday.
4. Esperanza
Spanish-speaking families may want to consider Esperanza if they're expecting a little girl. One of the most straightforward names on the list, Esperanza is the Spanish word for hope. A lovely name with a simple meaning, doesn't it just roll right off the tongue?
5. Farah
This traditional Arabic name, meaning "happiness" saw a rise in the Anglosphere thanks to Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett. The name is also used in Persian families with a similar meaning of "glory". With a lovely meaning, and several variants to choose from, we think this name might see a resurgence in the future.
6. Felix
Set your baby up for success with this Latin name meaning "lucky". Felix is an old name that sees use across the world, from Spanish-speaking countries all the way up to chilly Scandinavia. Early Christian saints helped bring this name into the mainstream, and it's been popular ever since.
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7. Felicity
While we don't necessarily recommend naming twins Felix and Felicity, it's certainly one way to ensure your children grow up under lucky stars. Felicity comes from the same root as Felix and has no shortage of nicknames such as Fee, Flicka, and Flossie. Those who grew up with the American Girl franchise may want to honor their childhood hero, plucky colonial girl, Felicity Merriman.
8. Isaac
Transliterated from the Hebrew Yitzhak, Isaac means "one who laughs". Isaac is already one of the most popular names in America and shows no signs on stopping. Whether you want a name that will bring your child closer to his faith, or just want to see him smile, Isaac is a great pick.
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7. Letitia
Several so-called "old lady names" such as Dorothy and Ruby have made comebacks in recent years, and we think that Letitia should be next. Letitia is a simplified version of a Latin name which means "gladness". To make it easier for your young one to pronounce, try nicknames like Tish or Letta.
8. Merryn
Maybe it's cheating to include Merryn on this list. After all, this charming Cornish name means "seaborn" rather than anything related to happiness or joy. However, Celtic names of all varieties have been all the rage in the decade, and this name evokes names like Merry or Marilee with a touch more subtlety.
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9. Naomi
Gentle and lyrical, Naomi is Ruth's mother-in-law in the Book of Ruth. A strong woman with a sympathetic character, her name means "pleasant". Romance variants such as Noëmie and Noemí are just as lovely.
10. Nara
Nara is a Japanese name which can be used as either a given name or surname depending on the kanji. Nara translates to "good" or "excellent". This name fits fight in with other short and easy to pronounce names like Laura and Ava.
11. Onni
Virtually unknown in North America, Onni is one of the most popular boy's names in Finland. Onni means "happiness, luck" in Finnish and would be a great option for parents looking to honor Nordic heritage!
12. Rina
Rina is found in many languages, but we think we like the Hebrew meaning of "joyful singing" best. Crying may get on our nerves sometimes, but no music will ever sound better than a baby's laughter. With a name like Rina, every giggle and gurgle could be the start of a music career.
13. Roni
No, it isn't a nickname for Veronica—though, that would be awfully cure. Roni is actually a Hebrew name meaning "my joy" and can be used as a unisex name. With short, cheery names like Dani and Toni holding steady in popularity, Roni being the next big name would be far from a surprise.
14. Saeed
Saeed, also spelled Sa'id and Sayeed is an Arabic name meaning "blessed". Popular with Muslim families across the world, the feminine variant, Saeeda, is also an option.
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15. Shreya
Another lucky name, Shreya means "auspicious" in Sanskrit. For Hindu families, this name can bring some extra fortune as it is associated with the goddess Lakshmi. One of the principal goddess, Lakshmi is associate with wealth and beauty.
16. Tate
This English name is a one-size-fits-all for all your linguistic needs. Meaning "cheerful", Tate can be used for boys or girls, as a given name or surname, nickname or not. With the growing popularity of Canadian pop star Tate McRae, we wouldn't be surprised if Tate tops the charts sometime soon.
17. Whelan
Sources seem to disagree on the meaning of this Irish name. Wikipedia says it's an anglicisation of the surname Ó Faoláin, which means "young wolf". However, some sources say it means "joy". May your baby have all the bravery and joy of this name.
18. Winnie
While we love some vintage names, Winifred seems to dour to make a comeback nowadays. Luckily, this Welsh name meaning "friend of peace" comes with a built-in nickname: Winnie! Plus, with all the Winnie-the-Pooh merchandise for sale, you'll never be short of toys!
19. Winston
Hearing this British name will likely conjure up Winston Churchill's bulldog spirit, but it's actually quite a cheerful name. Derived from the Old English name Wynstan, Winston means "joyful stone" and dates back to the 9th century. Retro-chic is all the rage, and we would not be shocked if Winston joins the ranks of Henry and Theodore.
20. Zelda
A nickname for the fearsome Germanic name Griselda, Zelda can also be used as feminine variant on the Yiddish name Zelig, which means "happy". Gamers may signal their love of Nintendo's famous princess, while literature buffs can use it to recall Zelda Fitzgerald, the first American flapper.
