Baby names starting with A
296 names beginning with A, each with an editorial meaning and origin note and its real popularity rank from the 2025 U.S. Social Security Administration data. Rank is U.S.-only and reflects how records are grouped in that source.
- Aaliyah Arabic feminine of Ali, from 'aliy' = high, exalted; brought into wide American use by the singer Aaliyah
- Aarav modern Indian name, taken from Sanskrit 'arava'; it is glossed both as calm, peaceful and as sound, roar, and both readings are current
- Aaron from Hebrew Aharon, of uncertain and probably Egyptian origin; the popular gloss 'mountain of strength' is a later attempt to find a Hebrew root
- Aarya modern respelling of Arya, from Sanskrit 'arya' = noble, honourable
- Abby pet form of Abigail, from Hebrew Avigayil = 'my father is joy'
- Abdiel from Hebrew Avdi'el = 'servant of God'
- Abdullah Arabic Abd Allah = 'servant of God'
- Abel from Hebrew Hevel = breath, vapour, and so fleetingness
- Abigail from Hebrew Avigayil = 'my father is joy'
- Abraham from Hebrew Avraham, explained in Genesis as 'father of a multitude'; the earlier form Avram is 'exalted father'
- Abram Hebrew Avram = 'exalted father', the earlier form of the name Abraham
- Abril Spanish 'abril' = April, from Latin 'Aprilis', the month
- Ace from the English word for the single pip on a die or card and so for someone first-rate, through Old French from Latin 'as' = a unit, a single coin
- Ada from Germanic 'adal' = noble, first a short form of Adelaide and Adelheid; a separate Hebrew Adah = ornament, adornment also feeds the name
- Adalee modern American coinage joining Ada (from Germanic 'adal' = noble) to the fashionable -lee ending
- Adaline variant of Adeline, a French diminutive of Adele, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Adalyn modern American coinage, joining Ada - from Germanic 'adal' = noble - to the popular -lyn ending; also read as a respelling of Adeline
- Adalynn modern American respelling of Adeline, a French diminutive of Adele, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Adam from Hebrew Adam = man, humankind, connected in Genesis with 'adamah' = earth, ground
- Adan Spanish form of Adam, from Hebrew 'adam' = man, linked to 'adamah' = earth, ground
- Adara usually explained from the Hebrew root 'adar' = to be noble, exalted; also linked to Arabic 'adhra' = maiden, as in the star name Adhara; root debated
- Addie diminutive of Adelaide, Adeline, or Addison; the Germanic root of the first two is 'adal' = noble
- Addilyn modern American coinage joining the Addi- of Adeline and Addison (ultimately Germanic 'adal' = noble) to the -lyn ending
- Addison transferred surname meaning 'son of Adam', Adam from Hebrew 'adamah' = earth, ground
- Adela from the Germanic element 'adal' = noble
- Adelaide from the Germanic Adalheidis, 'adal' = noble + 'heid' = kind, sort; 'of noble kind'
- Adele French form of the Germanic Adala, from 'adal' = noble
- Adelina Latinate diminutive of Adela, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Adeline French diminutive of Adele, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Adelyn modern respelling of Adeline, a French diminutive of Adele, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Adelynn modern American respelling of Adeline, a French diminutive of Adele, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Aden variant spelling of Aidan, from Old Irish 'aed' = fire with a diminutive ending; 'little fiery one'
- Adhara star name, from Adhara in the constellation Canis Major; from Arabic 'al-adhara' = the maidens, the virgins
- Adiel from Hebrew Adi'el, 'adi' = ornament + 'el' = God; 'ornament of God'
- Adley modern given name taken from the English surname Adley, probably from a place name combining an Old English personal name with 'leah' = wood, clearing
- Adonis from Greek Adonis, the beautiful youth loved by Aphrodite; borrowed from a Semitic root, Phoenician and Hebrew 'adon' = lord
- Adrian from Latin Hadrianus = 'man from Hadria', a town in northern Italy
- Adriana feminine of Adrian, from Latin Hadrianus = 'man from Hadria'
- Adriel from Hebrew Adri'el, usually read as 'flock of God', from 'eder' = flock + 'El' = God; a minor figure in the books of Samuel
- Adrien French form of Adrian, from the Latin Hadrianus = 'from Hadria', a town in northern Italy
- Ahmad Arabic 'ahmad' = most praiseworthy, from the same root as Muhammad
- Ahmed from Arabic Ahmad, from 'hamida' = to praise; 'most praiseworthy'
- Ahmir modern respelling of Amir, from Arabic 'amir' = commander, prince
- Aidan anglicized form of the Irish Aodhan, a diminutive of Aodh = fire; borne by the saint who founded Lindisfarne
- Aiden modern respelling of the Irish Aodhan, a diminutive of Aodh = fire, the name of an old Gaelic sun deity
- Ailana modern American coinage in the -lana / -lani family (compare Ailani, Kailani); no older documented root
- Ailani modern name, in American use since the 2010s; usually read as Hawaiian, from 'lani' = sky, heaven, royal, though it is not a traditional Hawaiian name
- Ailany modern American coinage, a respelling of Ailani; usually read as Hawaiian, from 'lani' = sky, heaven, royal, though it is not a traditional Hawaiian name
- Aileen anglicized form of the Irish Eibhlin, itself from the Norman Aveline; often treated in English as a form of Helen
- Ainara Basque 'ainara' = swallow, the bird
- Ainhoa Basque, from the village of Ainhoa in the French Basque Country and its shrine to the Virgin Mary; the place name itself is of uncertain meaning
- Ainsley transferred surname from an English place name meaning 'hermitage clearing' or 'Anne's clearing', from Old English 'leah' = clearing, meadow
- Aisha Arabic A'isha, from a root meaning to live; 'living, thriving'; the name of the Prophet's wife
- Aitana Spanish name taken from the Sierra de Aitana, a mountain range in eastern Spain; first used as a given name by the poet Rafael Alberti for his daughter
- Aiyana modern American name in use since the late 20th century; often presented as Native American, though no source language is documented
- Aizen in American use a modern anime-derived name; from Japanese 'ai' = love + 'zen' = to dye, as in Aizen Myo-o, a Buddhist deity associated with passion
- Akari Japanese, most often written with characters read as light or brightness; the sense depends on the characters chosen
- Alaia Basque, from 'alai' = happy, cheerful; also used as a variant of Arabic Alia = 'exalted, high'
- Alaina variant of Alana, feminine form of the Breton name Alan, whose root is debated - proposed sources include a word for 'rock' and the tribal name of the Alans
- Alaiya modern American coinage on the Alaya and Aaliyah pattern; Aaliyah is from Arabic 'aliya' = exalted, high, but Alaiya has no older documented root of its own
- Alan of uncertain, probably Breton origin, brought to England by Bretons at the Norman Conquest; variously explained as 'little rock' or 'handsome'; root debated
- Alana feminine form of Alan, a name of uncertain, probably Breton origin, variously explained as 'little rock' or 'handsome'; also read as Hawaiian 'alana' = offering, awakening
- Alani Hawaiian 'alani' = orange tree, orange-coloured; also used as a respelling of Alanna
- Alanna feminine form of Alan, whose Breton root is debated; also reinforced by Irish 'a leanbh' = 'O child', a term of endearment anglicized as alannah
- Alara Turkish name associated with Alara, a water fairy of Turkic legend, and with the Alara river and castle in southern Turkey
- Alaric from the Gothic name Alareiks, from 'ala' = all + 'reiks' = ruler, king; borne by the Visigothic king who sacked Rome in 410
- Alaya either a modern respelling of Aaliyah, from Arabic 'aliya' = high, exalted, or from Sanskrit 'alaya' = abode, dwelling (as in Himalaya = 'abode of snow'); root debated
- Alayah modern respelling of Aaliyah, from Arabic 'aliya' = high, exalted
- Alayna modern variant spelling of Alaina, feminine of Alan, a Breton name of uncertain meaning; sometimes connected with Gaelic 'alainn' = handsome, but the root is debated
- Alba Latin 'alba' = white, and 'dawn' in Spanish and Italian; also the Gaelic name for Scotland
- Albert from the Germanic Adalbert, 'adal' = noble + 'berht' = bright
- Alberto Italian and Spanish form of Albert, from Germanic 'adal' = noble + 'berht' = bright
- Alden from an English surname, from the Old English Ealdwine, 'eald' = old + 'wine' = friend
- Aleah modern variant spelling of Alia, from Arabic 'aliy' = high, exalted; also read in American use as an extension of Leah
- Alec short form of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'aner', genitive 'andros' = man; 'defender of men'
- Aleena variant of Alina, a short form of Adelina, from Germanic 'adal' = noble; also read against Arabic 'alina' = soft, tender
- Aleia modern variant spelling of Alia, from Arabic 'aliy' = high, exalted; in American use also read as a short form of Aaliyah
- Alejandra Spanish feminine of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alejandro Spanish form of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alena Slavic and German form of Helena or Magdalena; Helena is a Greek name of debated meaning, often linked to 'helene' = torch
- Alessandra Italian feminine of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alessandro Italian form of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alessia Italian feminine of Alessio, from Greek Alexios, from 'alexein' = to defend, to help
- Alex short form of Alexander and Alexandra, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alexa feminine short form of Alexander and Alexandra, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'aner', genitive 'andros' = man
- Alexander from Greek Alexandros, 'alexein' = to defend + 'aner, andros' = man; 'defender of men'
- Alexandra feminine of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'andros' = man
- Alexandria feminine form of Alexander, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend + 'aner', stem 'andr-' = man; also the Egyptian city founded by Alexander the Great
- Alexia feminine form of Alexis, from Greek 'alexein' = to defend, to help
- Alexis Greek Alexios, from 'alexein' = to defend, to help; a man's name in Greece and Russia and a woman's name in America
- Aleyna Turkish name generally traced to the Arabic 'alayna' = 'upon us'; also used as a respelling of Alina
- Alfonso Spanish and Italian form of a Visigothic Germanic name, usually given as Adalfuns, from 'adal' = noble + 'funs' = ready, eager
- Alfredo Italian and Spanish form of Alfred, from Old English Aelfraed, 'aelf' = elf + 'raed' = counsel
- Ali Arabic 'aliy' = high, exalted, noble; borne by the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law
- Alia from Arabic 'aliya' = exalted, sublime, the feminine of 'Ali
- Aliah respelling of Aliya, either from Arabic 'aliya' = exalted, sublime, or from Hebrew 'aliyah' = ascent
- Aliana modern blend of Ali (from Alice or from Arabic 'Ali) with the -ana ending
- Alianna modern coinage joining the Ali- of names like Alice and Aaliyah to the -anna ending (compare Arianna, Julianna); no older documented root
- Alice from Old French Aalis, a contraction of Adelais, from Germanic 'adal' = noble + 'heid' = kind, sort
- Alicia Latinized form of Alice, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Alijah modern respelling of Elijah, from Hebrew Eliyahu = 'my God is Yahweh'
- Alina short form of Adelina and similar names, from Germanic 'adal' = noble; also used as an independent name in Slavic, Baltic and Arabic-speaking regions
- Alisha modern respelling of Alicia, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Alison medieval Norman French diminutive of Alice, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Alisson respelling of Alison, a medieval Norman French diminutive of Alice, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Alivia modern respelling of Olivia, from Latin 'oliva' = olive
- Aliya from Arabic 'aliyya' = exalted, sublime, the feminine of Ali; also Hebrew 'aliyah' = ascent, going up
- Aliyah from Arabic 'aliyya', feminine of 'ali' = high, exalted; also read as Hebrew 'aliyah' = ascent, going up
- Aliza Hebrew Aliza = joyful, glad
- Allan variant spelling of Alan, a Breton name brought to Britain at the Norman Conquest; the root is debated, with Celtic words for 'rock' and for 'handsome' both proposed
- Allen surname from the given name Alan, of Breton origin and debated sense, read as little rock or as handsome
- Allie diminutive of Alice, Allison, or Alexandra
- Allison from a medieval diminutive of Alice, itself from Old French Adelais, from Germanic 'adal' = noble + 'heid' = kind, sort; 'of noble kind'
- Allyson variant spelling of Alison, a medieval Norman French diminutive of Alice, from Germanic 'adal' = noble
- Alma several roots meet here: Latin 'alma' = nourishing, kindly; Spanish and Italian 'alma' = soul; and Hebrew 'almah' = young woman; the name spread in Britain after the Battle of the Alma in 1854
- Alondra Spanish 'alondra' = lark, the songbird
- Alonso Spanish form of Alfonso, a Visigothic name ending in 'funs' = ready, eager, with a first element usually read as 'adal' = noble; the first element is debated
- Alonzo Italian and Spanish form of Alfonso, from Germanic 'adal' = noble + 'funs' = ready, eager
- Alora modern American coinage with no established historical root; generally understood as an elaboration of Lora or a blend with Aurora
- Alvaro Spanish, from the Visigothic Alvar; the elements are disputed, read either as all + wary, guarded, or as elf + army
- Alyssa variant of Alice/Alicia, from Germanic 'adal' = noble; reinforced by the flower alyssum, from Greek 'a-' = without + 'lyssa' = madness
- Amado Spanish 'amado' = beloved, from Latin 'amatus'
- Amaia Basque 'amaia' = the end; also linked to Basque 'ama' = mother
- Amal Arabic 'amal' = hope, aspiration
- Amalia from the Germanic 'amal' = work, labour, effort, the same element that lies behind Amelia
- Amanda from Latin 'amanda' = fit to be loved, a gerundive of 'amare' = to love; coined by writers in the 17th century
- Amani Swahili 'amani' = peace, borrowed from Arabic 'aman' = safety; also an Arabic Amani = wishes, aspirations
- Amara more than one source: Igbo 'amara' = grace, mercy; Italian and Latin 'amara' = bitter; and Sanskrit 'amara' = immortal, undying
- Amarah modern name with several independent sources: Igbo 'amara' = grace, Sanskrit 'amara' = immortal, and Italian 'amara' = bitter
- Amari modern American name, most likely built on Arabic 'amir' = prince or 'ammar' = long-lived, though it may simply be a sound-led coinage; used for both boys and girls
- Amariah from Hebrew Amaryah = 'Yahweh has spoken' / 'Yahweh has promised'
- Amaris usually explained as a feminine form of the Hebrew Amariah, 'the Lord has said, promised'; sometimes taken instead as a variant of Amaryllis; root debated
- Amaya either from the Basque place name Amaia, associated with 'amaia' = the end, or from Japanese 'ama' = rain + 'ya' = valley; root debated
- Amayah modern respelling of Amaya, either the Basque place name Amaia, from 'amaia' = the end, or a modern coinage on the -aya pattern; root debated
- Amber from the fossil resin, through Old French from Arabic 'anbar', a word that first meant ambergris and later shifted to the yellow stone
- Ambrose from Greek Ambrosios, from 'ambrotos' = immortal, the root also of ambrosia, the food of the gods
- Amelia from the Germanic 'amal' = work, labour, effort; long confused in English with the separate Latin Aemilia, and the two now share the name
- Amethyst the gemstone, from Greek 'amethystos' = not intoxicated, from an old belief that the stone prevented drunkenness
- Amias English name recorded from the 16th century, of uncertain origin; either from Latin 'amatus' = loved or from the French city Amiens
- Amina from Arabic 'amina' = trustworthy, faithful, secure, from the root a-m-n; the name of the Prophet Muhammad's mother
- Aminah Arabic 'amina' = trustworthy, faithful, secure; the name of the mother of the Prophet Muhammad
- Amir Arabic 'amir' = prince, commander, the source of the English emir; also a separate Hebrew Amir = treetop, crown of a tree
- Amira Arabic feminine of Amir = princess, commander; also a Hebrew Amira = utterance, speech, from 'amar' = to say
- Amirah Arabic 'amirah' = princess, the feminine of 'amir' = commander, prince
- Amiri modern American name, an elaboration of Amari, and read against Arabic 'amiri' = princely, of the commander
- Amirion modern American coinage, an elaboration of Amir, from Arabic 'amir' = commander, prince, with an -ion ending
- Amiyah modern American name in the -iyah pattern (compare Aaliyah), an elaboration of Amy or Amia
- Ammar Arabic 'ammar' = long-lived, one who builds, from the root '-m-r
- Amora modern name formed from Latin 'amor' = love (Spanish and Italian 'amor'); in Portuguese 'amora' is also the word for mulberry
- Amos from Hebrew Amos, built on a root meaning to carry, to bear
- Amoura modern American coinage from French 'amour' = love, with an added -a ending
- Amy from Old French Amee = 'beloved', from Latin 'amata', past participle of 'amare' = to love
- Amyra respelling of Amira, from Arabic 'amirah' = princess, the feminine of 'amir' = commander
- Ana Spanish and Portuguese form of Anna, from Hebrew 'channah' = grace, favor
- Anahi Guarani name from a South American legend in which the girl Anahi is transformed into the ceibo flower
- Anaia modern American name, an elaboration of Ana with the -aia ending; no older documented root
- Anakin modern name from the Star Wars character Anakin Skywalker, coined by George Lucas for the 1999 film; no older root
- Analeia modern blend of Ana, from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favour', with Leia or Leah
- Analia Spanish compound of Ana and Lia; Ana from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favour', Lia from Leah
- Anastasia feminine of Greek Anastasios, from 'anastasis' = resurrection, a rising up
- Anaya either from Arabic 'inaya' = care, solicitude, or a modern American name formed on the sound of Amaya and Maya; also a Spanish surname from a village in Segovia; root debated
- Anayah either from Arabic 'inayah' = care, solicitude, or from Hebrew Anayah = 'the Lord has answered', a minor name in the Hebrew Bible; in American use often simply an elaboration of Ana
- Ander Basque form of Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' = manly, from 'aner' (genitive 'andros') = man
- Anderson surname meaning 'son of Andrew', Andrew from Greek 'aner, andros' = man
- Andi diminutive of Andrea or Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' = manly, brave
- Andie diminutive of Andrea or Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' = manly, brave
- Andre French form of Andrew, from Greek Andreas, from 'aner', genitive 'andros' = man; 'manly'
- Andrea feminine form of Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' = manly, from 'aner, andros' = man; in Italian, Andrea is instead the masculine form of Andrew
- Andres Spanish form of Andrew, from Greek 'aner, andros' = man
- Andrew from Greek Andreas, from 'aner, andros' = man; 'manly'
- Andy diminutive of Andrew, from Greek 'andreios' = manly, brave
- Angel from Greek 'angelos' = messenger, the word taken up for a divine messenger; long a man's name in Spanish and a woman's in English
- Angela from Latin Angelus, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger; in Christian use, 'angel'
- Angelica Latin feminine of Angelicus = angelic, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger
- Angelina Italian diminutive of Angela, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger
- Angelique French form of Angelica, from Latin 'angelicus' = angelic, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger
- Angelo Italian, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger, and so angel
- Angie diminutive of Angela, from Greek 'angelos' = messenger, angel
- Aniya modern American name, generally an elaboration of Ann or a respelling of Anya, both ultimately from Hebrew Channah = 'grace, favor'; no older root of its own
- Aniyah modern American name in the -iyah pattern (compare Aaliyah, Amiyah), usually treated as an elaboration of Ana
- Ann English form of Hannah, from Hebrew 'Channah' = grace, favor; traditionally the name of the mother of the Virgin Mary
- Anna Latin and Greek form of Hannah, from Hebrew Channah = 'favour, grace'
- Annabelle Scottish name, probably a variant of Amabel, from Latin 'amabilis' = lovable; later reshaped by association with Anna and French 'belle' = beautiful
- Annalee modern compound of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favour', with Lee, from Old English 'leah' = clearing
- Annalise German combination of Anna and Lise, a short form of Elisabeth; Anna from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favor', Elisabeth from Hebrew Elisheva = 'my God is an oath'
- Anne French form of Anna, from Hebrew Channah = 'favour, grace'
- Anneliese German compound of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favour', and Liese, a short form of Elisabeth
- Annelise German and Dutch combination of Anne, from Hebrew Channah = 'grace, favor', and Liese, a short form of Elisabeth, from Hebrew Elisheva = 'my God is an oath'
- Annie pet form of Anne, from Hebrew Channah (Hannah) = 'favour, grace'
- Annya respelling of Anya, a Russian diminutive of Anna, from Hebrew Hannah = 'grace, favour'
- Ansel from the Germanic Anselm, 'ans' = a god + 'helm' = helmet, protection; known in the United States through the photographer Ansel Adams
- Anthony from the Roman family name Antonius, Etruscan in origin and of unknown meaning; the 'th' entered the spelling through a mistaken link to Greek 'anthos' = flower
- Antonella Italian diminutive of Antonia, feminine of the Roman family name Antonius, which is of uncertain, probably Etruscan origin
- Antonia feminine of the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain and probably Etruscan origin
- Antonio Italian and Spanish form of Antonius, a Roman family name of Etruscan origin and unknown sense
- Anya Russian pet form of Anna, from Hebrew Channah = 'favour, grace'
- Apollo the Greek god of light, music, healing and prophecy; the name is not Greek in origin and its meaning is unknown
- April from the month, Latin Aprilis, probably from 'aperire' = to open, for the opening of buds
- Arabella Scottish name first recorded as Orabilis; either from Latin 'orabilis' = yielding to prayer, or a reshaping of Annabel; root debated
- Araceli Spanish, from Latin 'ara caeli' = altar of heaven, a title of the Virgin
- Archer transferred surname, an occupational name for a bowman, from Old French 'archier', from Latin 'arcus' = bow
- Archibald from Germanic 'ercan' = genuine, precious + 'bald' = bold, brave
- Archie Scottish pet form of Archibald, from Germanic 'erchan' = genuine, true + 'bald' = bold, brave
- Areli from the Hebrew Ar'eli, a name in the Hebrew Bible, generally read as 'lion of God' or 'heroic'
- Arely Spanish-American form of Areli, a name in the Hebrew Bible (a son of Gad), usually explained as 'lion of God' or 'heroic'
- Ares the Greek god of war; the root is uncertain, possibly connected to Greek 'are' = bane, ruin
- Arham Arabic, from the root r-h-m = mercy; 'arham' is the comparative form, 'most merciful'
- Ari Hebrew 'ari' = lion; also a short form of Ariel, Aristotle and the Scandinavian Arne
- Aria Italian 'aria' = air, and the solo song in opera; the spelling also coincides with the Hebrew Arya = lion and with Persian names built on Arya
- Ariah modern American name, a respelling of Aria; also read as a feminine of Hebrew 'ari' = lion
- Ariana Italian form of Ariadne, a Cretan name generally read as very holy, from an intensive prefix + 'hagnos' = holy, chaste; also used in Spanish as a feminine of Ariano
- Arianna Italian form of Ariadne, from Greek 'ari-' = most, very + 'hagnos' = holy, pure; 'most holy'; in myth the Cretan princess who gave Theseus the thread
- Ariel from Hebrew Ari'el = 'lion of God', a poetic name for Jerusalem; used by Shakespeare for a spirit in The Tempest and by Disney for a mermaid, so it is now given to both boys and girls
- Ariela feminine of Ariel, from Hebrew Ari'el = 'lion of God'
- Ariella elaborated feminine of Ariel, from Hebrew Ari'el = 'lion of God', a poetic name for Jerusalem
- Arielle French feminine form of Ariel, from Hebrew Ari'el = 'lion of God'
- Aries Latin 'aries' = ram; the constellation and first sign of the zodiac
- Arisbeth modern Spanish-American coinage ending in the '-beth' of Elizabeth (Hebrew Elisheva = 'my God is an oath'); the first element has no documented older root
- Ariya modern respelling of Aria or Arya; Aria from Italian 'aria' = air, melody, Arya from Sanskrit 'arya' = noble
- Ariyah modern respelling of Aria, from Italian 'aria' = air, and a solo song in opera; sometimes also linked to Hebrew Aryeh = 'lion'
- Arjun Sanskrit 'arjuna' = white, bright, silver; the archer of the Mahabharata
- Arlet variant of Arlette, the French name borne by Herleva, mother of William the Conqueror; probably from a Germanic root, the exact source uncertain
- Arleth Spanish name, generally taken as a form of the French Arlette, a diminutive of the Germanic name Herleva; chiefly used in Mexico and Latin America
- Arlett variant of Arlette, the French form of the Norman name Herleva, borne by the mother of William the Conqueror; the elements are Germanic but the root is uncertain
- Arlette French name borne by Herleva (Arlette), mother of William the Conqueror; probably from a Germanic root, the exact source uncertain
- Arlo origin uncertain; most often traced to the place name Arlo used by Spenser, or read as a reshaping of the Irish Aherlow; brought into American use by Arlo Guthrie
- Arman Persian 'arman' = wish, hope, aspiration; also used in Armenia and the Caucasus as a form of Herman
- Armando Spanish and Italian form of Herman, from Germanic 'hari' = army + 'man' = man
- Armani from the Italian surname Armani, itself from the Germanic Hermann, 'hari' = army + 'man' = man; taken into American use from the fashion house
- Aron variant spelling of Aaron, a name of uncertain and probably Egyptian origin; traditionally explained in Hebrew as 'exalted' or 'mountain of strength'
- Artemis from the Greek goddess of the hunt, wild animals and the moon; the name's own root is not securely known, though it has been linked to 'artemes' = safe, unharmed
- Arthur root debated: either the Roman family name Artorius, of unknown sense, or a Celtic name built on 'artos' = bear
- Arturo Italian and Spanish form of Arthur, of debated root, possibly Celtic 'artos' = bear
- Arya from Sanskrit 'arya' = noble, honourable; brought to wide English-speaking use by the character Arya Stark in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
- Asa from Hebrew Asa, usually read as 'healer' or 'physician'; a separate Japanese Asa means morning
- Asaiah from Hebrew Asayah = 'Yahweh has made'
- Ash short form of Ashley or Asher; also the English tree name, from Old English 'aesc' = ash tree
- Asher from Hebrew Asher = 'happy, blessed'
- Ashley transferred surname from English place names, Old English 'aesc' = ash tree + 'leah' = wood, clearing
- Ashly modern respelling of Ashley, an English place-name surname, from Old English 'aesc' = ash tree + 'leah' = clearing
- Ashlyn modern coinage joining Ashley (Old English 'aesc' = ash tree + 'leah' = wood, clearing) to the -lyn ending; sometimes also linked to Irish Aisling = 'dream, vision'
- Ashlynn modern coinage joining Ashley (Old English 'aesc' = ash tree + 'leah' = wood, clearing) to the -lynn ending; sometimes also linked to Irish Aisling = 'dream, vision'
- Ashton transferred surname from an English place name, from Old English 'aesc' = ash tree + 'tun' = settlement; 'ash-tree farm'
- Asiya Arabic name, borne in Islamic tradition by the wife of Pharaoh who raised Moses; usually linked to a root meaning to console, to tend the weak
- Aspen from the tree, Old English 'aespe'; the trembling of its leaves is behind the tree's reputation and its old name
- Astrid from Old Norse Asfridr, 'ass' = god + 'fridr' = fair, beloved
- Atharv from Sanskrit Atharvan, a Vedic fire-priest; the Atharva Veda is named for the same figure
- Athena the Greek goddess of wisdom, craft and war, and the patron of Athens; the name is pre-Greek and its sense is not recoverable
- Atlas the Titan of Greek myth made to hold up the sky; the name is usually traced to 'tlenai' = to bear, to endure
- Atreus from Greek mythology, the king of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and Menelaus; the name's meaning is uncertain, sometimes read as 'fearless'
- Atticus Latin, 'man of Attica', the region around Athens; brought into American use by To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)
- Aubree modern respelling of Aubrey, from the Norman French Auberi, from Germanic 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power, ruler
- Aubrey from the Norman French Alberi, from Germanic Alberich, from 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power, ruler; 'elf ruler'
- Aubriella modern American blend of Aubrey with the -ella ending; Aubrey is from a Norman form of the Germanic Alberic, 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power
- Aubrielle modern American blend of Aubrey with the -elle ending; Aubrey is from a Norman form of the Germanic Alberic, 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power
- Audrey from the Old English Aethelthryth, 'aethel' = noble + 'thryth' = strength; the cheap goods sold at St Audrey's fair gave English the word tawdry
- August from Latin Augustus = venerable, majestic, the title taken by the first Roman emperor and given to the month
- Augustine from Latin Augustinus, a diminutive of Augustus = venerable, majestic
- Augustus from Latin 'augustus' = venerable, majestic, related to 'augere' = to increase; adopted as a title by the first Roman emperor
- Aura Latin and Greek 'aura' = breeze, breath of air; later the atmosphere felt around a person
- Aurelia feminine of the Roman family name Aurelius, from Latin 'aureus' = golden, from 'aurum' = gold
- Aurelio Italian and Spanish form of Aurelius, a Roman family name from 'aureus' = golden
- Aurora Latin 'aurora' = dawn, daybreak; the Roman goddess of the sunrise
- Austin medieval contracted form of Augustine, from Latin Augustinus, a diminutive of Augustus = 'venerable, majestic'
- Autumn from the season, through Old French from Latin 'autumnus'
- Ava root debated: either a short form of Germanic names beginning with 'avi', of unclear sense, or a form of Eve, from Hebrew Chawwah = 'living one'
- Avalynn modern American blend of Ava with the -lynn suffix; Ava's own root is debated
- Avani Sanskrit 'avani' = the earth, the ground
- Averi modern respelling of Avery, from a Norman French form of the Germanic Alberic, 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power
- Averie modern respelling of Avery, from a Norman French form of the Germanic Alberic, 'alb' = elf + 'ric' = power, ruler
- Avery transferred surname from the Norman French form of Alfred, Old English Aelfraed, 'aelf' = elf + 'raed' = counsel; sometimes also from Aubrey
- Aviana modern coinage, explained either as an elaboration of Ava or as a formation on Latin 'avis' = bird; no older documented root
- Avianna modern American elaboration of Ava or Avia with the -anna ending; no older documented root
- Avraham Hebrew form of Abraham, from 'av' = father, traditionally read with 'hamon' = multitude; 'father of a multitude'
- Axel Scandinavian form of Absalom, from Hebrew Avshalom = 'my father is peace'
- Axl Scandinavian form of Absalom (Danish Aksel), from Hebrew Avshalom = 'father of peace'; popularized in the United States by the singer Axl Rose
- Axton modern American coinage joining Ax- (compare Axel) to the English place-name ending '-ton', from Old English 'tun' = enclosure, settlement
- Aya Japanese, written with characters meaning colour or woven design; also Arabic 'aya' = sign, marvel, a verse of the Quran, and Hebrew Ayah = a bird of prey
- Ayaan used in more than one tradition: Arabic Ayyan = time, era; Somali Ayaan = good fortune; and an Indian name read as path or progress
- Ayan used in more than one tradition: Arabic Ayyan = time, era; Somali Ayaan = good fortune; and an Indian name read as path or progress
- Ayat Arabic 'ayat', plural of 'aya' = sign, miracle; also the term for the verses of the Quran
- Ayden modern respelling of Aidan, from Irish 'aodh' = fire plus the diminutive -an; 'little fire'
- Ayla either Turkish 'ayla' = halo of light around the moon (from 'ay' = moon), or Hebrew Ayala = 'doe, gazelle'; popularized in English by the heroine of Jean M. Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear (1980)
- Aylani modern coinage built on Hawaiian 'lani' = sky, heaven (compare Leilani, Kailani); no older attested root
- Aylin Turkish name from 'ay' = moon, usually glossed 'moon halo, of the moon'; in the United States also used as a phonetic spelling of Aileen
- Ayman from Arabic 'ayman' = right-handed, and by extension blessed, fortunate; from 'yamin' = right hand
- Azael generally a Spanish form of the Hebrew Asahel, from 'asah' = to make + 'el' = God
- Azaiah modern American coinage blending Isaiah with the Aza- of Azariah (Hebrew Azaryah = 'the Lord has helped'); no older documented root
- Azalea flower name, from Greek 'azaleos' = dry, given to the shrub for its liking for dry soil
- Azari modern American coinage, generally taken as a short form of Azariah, from Hebrew Azaryah = 'the Lord has helped'; no older documented root of its own
- Azaria from Hebrew Azaryah = 'Yahweh has helped'; used for both sexes in modern American English
- Azariah from Hebrew Azaryah = 'Yahweh has helped'
- Aziah modern American coinage, an elaboration of Azia or Aziel with the -iah ending of Isaiah and Josiah
- Aziel from Hebrew, from 'oz' = strength + 'el' = God; 'God is my strength'; a short form of the biblical Jaaziel, a Levite musician
- Azrael from Hebrew Azra'el = 'help of God'; in Jewish and Islamic tradition the angel who separates the soul from the body
- Azriel from Hebrew Azri'el = 'God is my help'
Only names carrying a meaning note are listed here. Popularity-only records exist for many more spellings and are reachable through the full directory search.
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