Baby names starting with N
55 names beginning with N, 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.
- Nadia Russian Nadya, a pet form of Nadezhda = hope; also an Arabic Nadia, from a root meaning moist with dew, and so generous
- Nalani Hawaiian, the plural marker 'na' + 'lani' = sky, heaven; 'the heavens'
- Naomi from Hebrew No'omi = 'my pleasantness, my delight'
- Nash transferred English surname, from Middle English 'atten ashe' = 'at the ash tree', the n- carried over from 'atten'
- Nasir Arabic 'nasir' = helper, supporter, one who brings victory
- Natalia Latin form of Natalie, from 'natalis dies' = birthday, meaning Christmas
- Natalie from Latin 'natalis dies' = birthday, and specifically Christmas, the birthday of Christ; first given to girls born at Christmas
- Nataly variant of Natalie, from Latin 'natalis dies' = birth day, referring to Christmas, the birthday of Christ
- Natanael Spanish and Portuguese form of Nathanael, from Hebrew Netan'el = 'God has given'
- Nathaly Spanish-influenced respelling of Nathalie/Natalie, from Latin 'natalis dies' = birth day, specifically Christmas
- Nathan from Hebrew Natan = 'he gave', a short form of the names meaning 'God has given'
- Nathanael from Hebrew Netan'el = 'God has given'; the form used in the Gospel of John
- Nathaniel from Hebrew Netan'el = 'God has given'
- Navi either from Hebrew 'navi' = prophet or from Punjabi 'nav' = new; also used as a short form of longer Punjabi names
- Navy English word name, from the word navy, via Old French 'navie' = fleet, from Latin 'navis' = ship; in modern use often for the color navy blue
- Naya modern name with more than one route, usually a short form of Nayeli or Anaya; no single older root can be claimed for it
- Nayeli Mexican name usually explained as Zapotec for 'I love you'; the derivation is widely repeated but not securely documented
- Nayla from Arabic 'na'ila' = one who attains, achiever, from the root n-y-l = to obtain, to reach
- Naylani modern American coinage on the -lani pattern (compare Leilani, from Hawaiian 'lani' = heaven, sky); no older documented root
- Nazir from Arabic; either 'nazir' = observer, overseer, or 'nadhir' = warner, one who gives warning
- Nehemiah from Hebrew Nechemyah = 'Yahweh comforts'
- Neithan modern variant spelling of Nathan, from Hebrew Natan = 'he gave, given'; common in Spanish-speaking use
- Nellie pet form of Helen, Ellen and Eleanor, long used on its own
- Neo either from Greek 'neos' = new, or from Sotho and Tswana 'neo' = gift; widely used in English after the film The Matrix (1999)
- Neriah from Hebrew Neriyah = 'lamp of Yahweh', from 'ner' = lamp, light
- Nevaeh modern American coinage, heaven spelled backwards; it appeared in the early 2000s and has no older root
- Neythan modern respelling of Nathan, from Hebrew 'natan' = he gave; 'gift'
- Nia Welsh form of Niamh, from Irish 'niamh' = brightness, radiance; also Swahili 'nia' = purpose, one of the principles of Kwanzaa
- Nicholas from Greek Nikolaos, 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nico short form of Nicholas and of its Italian, Spanish and Dutch forms, from Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nicolas French and Spanish form of Nicholas, from Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nicole French feminine of Nicholas, from Greek Nikolaos: 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Niko short form of Nikolaos and its European forms, from Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nikolai Russian form of Nicholas, from Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nikolas variant spelling of Nicholas, from Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Nina short form of names ending in -nina such as Antonina and Giannina; also Spanish 'nina' = little girl, and the name of the saint who converted Georgia
- Nixon transferred English and Scottish surname meaning 'son of Nick'; Nick from Nicholas, Greek 'nike' = victory + 'laos' = people
- Noa Hebrew No'ah, a woman's name in the Torah generally read as 'movement, motion'; a different name from Noah, which is Noach
- Noah from Hebrew Noach, usually read as 'rest, repose'; the Genesis account instead links the name to comfort, a play on words rather than a strict derivation
- Noe Spanish, Portuguese and French form of Noah, from Hebrew Noach = 'rest, comfort'
- Noel from Old French 'noel' = Christmas, from Latin 'natalis (dies)' = birth day
- Noelle French feminine of Noel, from Latin 'natalis dies' = birth day, used of Christmas; traditionally given to a child born at Christmas
- Noemi Italian and Spanish form of Naomi, from Hebrew No'omi = 'pleasantness, my delight'
- Nolan from the Irish surname O Nuallain, 'descendant of Nuallan', a diminutive of 'nuall' = chariot-fighter, champion
- Noor Arabic 'nur' = light
- Nora short form of Honora, from Latin 'honor', and of Eleanor; long used on its own in Ireland and Scandinavia
- Norah variant spelling of Nora, a short form of Honora, from Latin 'honor', and of Eleanor
- Nori Japanese name element written with characters read 'rule, law' or 'ceremony'; the sense depends on the kanji chosen
- Norman from Old French 'Normant' = Northman, a Norseman; the ethnic name of the Normans
- Nova from Latin 'novus' = new; also the astronomer's nova, a star that flares suddenly bright
- Novah variant spelling of Nova, from Latin 'nova' = new; in astronomy a star that suddenly flares in brightness
- Novalee modern American coinage joining Nova (Latin 'nova' = new) to the fashionable -lee ending; borne by the heroine of the novel Where the Heart Is
- Nyla modern name, either a variant of Arabic Naila = 'one who attains, achiever' or a feminine formation from Niall/Nile
- Nylah respelling of Nyla / Naila, from Arabic 'na'ila' = one who attains, achiever
- Nyomi modern respelling of Naomi, from Hebrew Naomi = 'my pleasantness, my delight'
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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