NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS
NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS
Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. Traditionally the meaning is ‘High Mountain’ which is taken from Hebrew. Aaron is probably derived from the Arabic names Haroun and Harun.
Abdul is the shortened version of Abdullah which is a Muslim name from the Arabic for ‘servant of Allah’.
Adam is derived from the Hebrew meaning ‘red’ which probably refers to either skin colour or to the clay from which God formed man.
Ade is the shortened version of Adrian. (see next)
Adrian comes from the Latin meaning ‘man from Adria’ and is also a form of the name Hadrian, the Roman Emporer.
Al is a shortened form of the names Alan, Albert, Alexander, Alexandra, Alfred or Allan. (see below)
Alan is an old Celtic name whose meaning is not properly known but could come from ‘Alun’ which is Welsh river name.
Albert comes from the old English name Ethelbert which in turn was derived from the old German name meaning ‘noble and bright’.
Alex is a shortened form of either Alexander or Alexandra. (see below)
Alexander comes from the Greek meaning ‘defender of men’ and in Scotland sometimes takes the short form ‘Sandy’.
Alexandra is the feminine form of Alexandra but is still sometimes used as a male name.
Alf is the shortened form of the name Alfred. (see below)
Alfred is derived from two old English words meaning ‘elf’ and ‘Council’. Elf in this context probably means good. It is also possible that it was developed from the Anglo-Saxon name ‘Ealdfrith’ which means ‘old peace’.
See Alan.
Andrew comes from the Greek meaning ‘manly’ and is the name of the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia.
Andy is a shortened form of Andrew. (see above)
Ant is the shortened form of Anthony or Antony. (see below)
Anthony is a version of Antony with the ‘H’ being added after the Renaissance.
Antony is an old Roman family name of which Mark Antony from Shakespeares ‘Julius Caesar’ is the most famous member.
Arthur is derived from the old Celtic word for ‘bear’ and its first known instance is ‘King Arthur’.
Ashley was originally a place name meaning ‘ash field’ which was used as a surname but has since become popular as a forename.
Barrie is the feminine form of Barry but is still sometimes used as a boy’s name.
Barry is derived from the Celtic name Bairre which is the pet form of Finbarr and means ‘fair haired’.
Bas is the shortened form of Barry.
Baz is another shortened form of Barry.
Ben is the shortened form of Benjamin.
Benjamin derives from the Hebrew meaning ‘right hand’ which denotes strength and good fortune.
Bernard is of Germanic derivation meaning ‘brave as a bear’ and sometimes is shortened to Bernie or Barny.
Bernie is a shortened form of Bernard.
Bill is a shortened form of William.
Billy is a shortened form of William.
Bob is a shortened form of Robert.
Bradley was originally an old English place name meaning ‘wide meadow’ which was used as a surname but has since become popular as a forename.
Brandon was originally an old English place name meaning ‘a hill where broom grows’ which was used as a surname but has since become popular as a forename.
Brett is derived from an old French word meaning ‘a Briton or Breton’.
Brian is a Celtic name and is derived from words meaning ‘hill’ or ‘strength’.
Bruce is a French surname made famous by the Scottish king Robert the Bruce.
Bryan is an alternative spelling of the name Brian.
Callum is derived from the latin ‘columbo’ which means ‘a dove’ and has another derivation ie; ‘Malcolm’.
Cameron was originally a scots clan name which means ‘crooked nose’ and has since become popular as both a boy and girls forename.
Carl is the German form of Charles.
Chad is of British Celtic rather than Anglo Saxon origin and is an element found in the personal names of many Welsh princes and nobles and signifies ‘battle’.
Charles comes from the old German meaning ‘man’.
Chas is one of the shortened forms of Charles.
Chris is a shortened form of Christian or Christopher.
Christian is an obvious derivation.
Christopher comes from the Greek meaning ‘bearing Christ’.
Clifford was originally a British place name meaning ‘ford by the cliff’ which was used as a surname but has since become popular as a forename.
Clive was originally a British surname meaning ‘dweller by the cliff’ but has since become popular as a forename.
Col is the shortened form on Colin.
Colin is derived from the Gaelic word ‘cailean’ meaning ‘youth’.
See Conor.
Conor is an ancient Irish name derived from ‘Conchobar or Conchobhor’ which means ‘lover of hounds’. There is a shortened version ‘Con or Conny’ which means ‘wisdom’.
Craig was originally a British surname meaning ‘crag’ but has since become popular as a forename.
Cyril is derived from the Greek ’Kyrios’ meaning ‘lord’.
Dale is the old English name for ‘valley’.
Damien is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘tamer’.
Dan is a shortened version of Daniel.
Daniel is an old Hebrew name meaning ‘God has judged’.
Danny is a shortened version of Daniel.
Darren is a surname whose origin is unknown but has become popular as a forename.
Dave is a shortened version of David.
David is a Hebrew name meaning ‘beloved’.
Dean is a surname meaning ‘ valley’ but has since become popular as a forename.
Declan is the name of an early Irish saint and bishop who preceded saint Patrick.
Denis is derived from the ‘Dionysos’ who was the Greek god of revelry and wine.
See Denis.
Derek is derived from the old German ‘Theodoric’ which means ‘people’s ruler’.
Dominic is derived from the Latin ‘dominicus’ which means ‘of the Lord’.
Don is a shortened version of Donald.
Donald is derived from the Irish ‘Domhnall or Donal’ which means ‘world mighty’.
Doug is a shortened version of Douglas.
Douglas is derived from the Gaelic term ‘dubh glas’ which means ‘black stream’.
Drew is derived from the old German ‘Drogo’ which means ‘to carry’. Drew can also be a shortened version of Andrew.
Duncan is derived from ‘donnchadh’ which means ‘brown’.
Dylan is the Welsh legendry hero and son of the sea god and means ‘son of the wave’.
Ed is a shortened version of Edward or Edwin.
Eddie is a shortened version of Edward or Edwin.
Edward is derived from the old English meaning ‘fortunate guardian’.
Edwin is derived from old English which means ‘fortunate friend’.
Elliot is derived from the Hebrew Elias or Elijah meaning ‘Jehovah is God’.
See Elliot.
Eoin is a Celtic form of John.
Eric is derived from the Scandinavian for ‘ever and ruler’.
Ernest is derived from the old German meaning ‘vigour or earnestness’.
Fernando is derived from Ferdinand, which is in turn derived from the old German for ‘brave journey’.
Francis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘little Frenchman’.
Frank is the shortened version of Francis.
Fred is the shortened version of Frederick.
Frederick is derived from medieval English meaning ‘free’.
Gareth is derived from Welsh and means ‘gentle’.
Garry is a shortened version of Gareth.
Gary is a shortened version of Gareth.
Gavin originated in old French as Gauvin.
Geoff is a shortened version of Geoffrey.
Geoffrey is derived from the old German ‘Gaufrid’ which means ‘peace’.
George is derived from the Greek for ‘farmer’.
Gerald or Gerard is derived from the old German which means ‘spear rule’.
See Gerald.
Glen is a Celtic word for ‘valley’
See Glen.
Gordon was originally a place name which became a famous Scottish clan name and subsequently a forename.
See Graham.
Graham was originally a place name which developed in a surname and eventually was used as a forename.
Greg is the shortened version of Gregory.
Gregory is derived from the Greek word for ‘watchman’.
Guy is derived from the old German ‘Wido’ and means ‘wide or wood’.
Harold is derived from the old Norse word which means ‘army power’.
Harry is the shortened version of Harold or Henry.
Henry is derived from old German and means ‘home ruler’.
Howard was originally a family name and comes from old German and means ‘heart protection’. Alternatively it can also come from the French for ‘worker with a hoe’ or from medieval English ‘hogwarden’.
Hugh is derived from old German meaning ‘heart or soul’.
Iain is a Celtic form of John.
Ivan is the Russian form of John.
Jacob is a Hebrew name which means ‘he supplanted’.
Jack is a derivation of Jacob or James.
Jake is a derivation of Jacob.
James is a derivation of the same root as Jacob.
Jamie is a shortened version of James.
Jared is a Hebrew name which means ‘to descend’.
Jason is the name of the author of Ecclesiasticus from the Bible.
Jay was originally a nickname which referred to the bird and meant a ‘chatterer’ but was eventually adopted as a proper forename. Jay is also a Sanskrit Indian name and means ‘victory’.
Jayden is Hebrew name whose meaning is unclear.
Jeff is a shortened version of Jeffrey.
Jeffrey is an alternative spelling for Geoffrey.
Jeremy is derived from the Hebrew name Jeremiah and means ‘may Jehovah exalt’.
Jim is a shortened form of James.
Jimmy is a shortened form of James.
Joakim is a name derived from Hebrew and Saint Joakim the father of Mary the mother of Jesus.
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Joe is a shortened version of Joseph.
Joel is derived from the Hebrew meaning ‘Jehovah is God’.
John is derived from the Hebrew meaning ‘the Lord is Gracious’.
Jon is a shortened version of John or Jonathan.
Jonathan is derived from the Hebrew meaning ‘the Lord has given’.
Jonathon is an alternative spelling for Jonathan.
Jordan was given as a name to children baptised with water from the river Jordan. The word jordan means ‘to descend or flow’.
Joseph is derived from the Hebrew word meaning ‘the Lord added ; to the family’
Josh is a shortened version of Joshua.
Joshua is derived from the Hebrew word for ‘the Lord saves’.
Julian is derived from a Roman family name which meant ‘connected with the family of julius’.
Justin is derived from the Latin meaning ‘just’.
See Carl.
Keith was originally a Scottish family name taken from the place and means ‘wood or windy place’.
Ken is a shortened version of Kenneth.
Kenneth is derived from the Gaelic ‘Coinneach’ which means handsome.
Kenny is a shortened version of Kenneth.
Kev is a shortened version of Kevin.
Kevin is derived from the Irish meaning ‘handsome birth.
Kieran is a form of the Irish name Ciaran which means ‘dark haired’.
Kyle was originally a Scottish place name which developed into a surname and is now also was used as a forename. It means ‘a strip of land’.
Lawrence is derived from the Latin meaning ‘of Laurentium’ which is a town which took its name from the laurel plant.
Lee is derived from a place name which became a surname and eventually a forename. It means ‘meadow’.
See Lee.
Leo is derived from the Latin for ‘lion’.
See Leo.
Leonard is derived from old German meaning ‘brave as a lion’.
Les is a shortened version of Leslie.
Leslie was originally a Scottish surname which also became a forename and originally meant ‘garden of hollies’.
Lewis comes from the old German ‘Chlodowig’ which means ‘famous warrior’.
Liam is a shortened version of William.
Lloyd is a Welsh name meaning ‘grey’.
Louis comes from the old German ‘Chlodowig’ which meant ‘famous warrior’. Chlodowig was Latinised into ‘Ludovicus’ and the old French transformed it into ‘Clovis’ which became Louis.
Luke was a Greek name which was Latinised into ‘Lucas’ and means ‘a man from Lucania’.
Mal is the shortened version of Malcolm.
Malcolm is from the Gaelic ‘mael Colum’ which means ‘follower of St. Columba’.
Mani is the shortened version of Manuel or Emanuel which means ‘God with us’.
Marc is the shortened version of Marcus.
Marcus is derived from ’Mars’ the Roman God of war.
Mark is a shortened version of Marcus.
Martin is from the Latin ‘Martinus’ which means ‘of war’.
Martyn is an alternative spelling of Martin.
Mathew is an alternative spelling of Matthew.
Matthew is a bible name from the Hebrew meaning ‘gift of God’.
Maurice is derived from the Latin ‘Mauritius’ which means ‘a Moor’.
Max is derived from the Latin ‘Maximus’ which means ‘greatest’.
Mel is a shortened version of Melvyn.
Melvyn was originally a Scottish surname which was adopted as a forename.
Michael is a bible name from the Hebrew meaning ‘who is like the Lord’.
Mick is a shortened version of Michael.
Mike is a shortened version of Michael.
Mitchell is derived from Michael.
Mo is a shortened version of Maurice.
Mohamed is the name of the prophet of Islam and comes from the word ‘praise’.
See Mohamed.
See Mohamed
Nathan is the name of the old testament prophet and comes from the Hebrew meaning ‘gift’.
Neil is derived from an old Irish name which means ‘champion’.
Nic is a shortened version of Nicholas.
Nicholas is derived from the Greek meaning ‘victory of the people’.
Nick is a shortened version of Nicholas.
Nigel is derived from an old Irish name which means ‘champion’.
Noah is an old testament name derived from the Hebrew meaning ‘rest’.
Norman is derived from the old English for ‘Northman’ used to describe the Vikings.
Oliver is an old French name derived from the Scandinavian ‘Olaf’ which means ‘heir of his ancestors’.
Owen is probably derived from the Greek name ‘Eugene’ which means ‘well born’ or alternatively from the Welsh ‘eon’ which means ‘lamb’.
Pat is the shortened version of Patrick.
Patrick comes from the Latin ’patricius’ which means ‘nobleman’.
Paul comes from the Latin ‘paulis’ which means ‘small’.
Pete is the shortened version of Peter.
Peter comes from the Greek ‘petras’ which means ‘rock’. Cephas is the Aramaic equivalent which symbolises steadfastness.
Phil is the shortened version of Philip or Phillip.
Philip comes from the Greek meaning ‘lover of horses’.
See Philip.
Ray is the shortened version of Raymond.
Raymond was brought to Britain by the Normans and is from the old German meaning ‘councel protection’
See Rhys.
Reg is the shortened version of Reginald.
Reginald is derived from the old English ‘Reginweald’ which means ‘power force’.
Rhys is an old Welsh name which means ‘rashnous or ardour’.
Rich is the shortened version of Richard.
Richard was originally an Anglo Saxon name ‘Ricehard’ which meant ‘strong ruler’.
Rick is a shortened version of either Richard, Derek or Eric.
See Rick
Rob is a shortened version of either Robert or Robin.
Robert was originally derived from the old German meaning ‘famous and bright’.
See Robert.
Rod is a shortened version of Rodney.
Rodney was originally a surname and means ‘reed island’.
Roger was originally the Anglo Saxon name ‘Hrothgar’ which means ‘famous spear’.
Ron is a shortened version of Ronald
Ronald is a Scottish equivalent of Reginald and is Norse Viking in origin.
Ronnie is a shortened version of Ronald.
Ross is the name of a Scottish clan and comes from the Gaelic for ‘of the peninsula’.
Roy comes from the Gaelic ‘ruadh’ which means ‘red’, hence the well known ‘Rob Roy’.
Russell was originally a French surname which was derived from the old French ’rousel’ which means ‘little red haired one’.
Ryan was originally an Irish surname which means ‘little king’.
Sam is the shortened version of Samuel.
Samuel is from the bible and the Hebrew meaning is ‘heard by God’.
Scott was originally a surname and has the meaning ‘a Scot’.
Sean is the Irish form of John which was developed from the French ‘Jean’.
Seth is biblical name and means ‘appointed’.
Shane is a variant of Sean.
Shaun is a variant of Sean.
Si is a shortened version of Simon.
Sid is a shortened version of Sidney.
Sidney was originally a surname which has become popular as a forename for both girls and boys. The female version is usually spelt Sydney.
Simon is the English form of the French name Simeon taken from the new testament.
Stan is the shortened form of Stanley.
Stanley was originally a surname derived from the old Anglo Saxon place name meaning ‘stony field’.
Stephen is derived from the Greek ‘Stephanos’ which means crown or wreath’.
Steve is the shortened version of Steven or Stephen.
Steven is an alternative spelling of Stephen.
See Stuart.
Stu is the shortened version of Stuart.
Stuart comes from the old English ‘sti weard’ who was an official who looked after animals kept for food.
Ted is the shortened version of Edward.
Tel is the shortened version of Terence.
Terence comes from the Latin ‘Terentius’ and also comes from the Irish ‘Turloch’ which means ‘instigator’.
Terry is a shortened form of Terence.
Thomas is derived from the Aramaic nickname meaning ‘twin’.
Tim is the shortened version of Timothy.
Timothy is derived from an old Greek name ‘Timotheos’ which means ‘honouring God’.
Tobias is a Greek name derived from the Hebrew name which means ‘the Lord is good’.
Toby is the English version of Tobias.
Tom is the shortened version of Thomas.
Tony is the shortened version of Anthony or Antony.
Trev is the shortened version of Trevor.
Trevor is derived from the Welsh ‘Trefor’ which means ‘to cross’ and would have been given originally to a toll collector.
Victor is the Latin for ‘conqueror’.
Vincent comes from the Latin for ‘conquering’.
Walter is derived from the old German ‘Waldhar’ which means ‘army ruler’.
Wayne was originally a surname which became popular as a forename and means ‘cart or cartmaker’.
Will is a shortened version of William.
William is derived from old German and means ‘desiring protection’.
Wynne is a version of Gwyn which itself comes from the Welsh meaning ‘white or blessed’.
Zac is a shortened form of Zachary or Zacharias which is derived from the Hebrew ‘Zachariah’ which means ‘the Lord remembered’.
See Zach
