Imagine this: You're out with your friends for a drink. Amid the playful teasing and jokes, after a few heady whiskies and vodkas, a friend raises a toast to you, calling out your name - thank goodness it's not Frodo Baggins!
Chances are if your name is “John” or “Emma,” no one sitting next to you would bat an eye, especially if you've been stirring the pot all night.
But what if your name was “Esperanza,” “Toivo,” or “Elpida?” Ears would perk up, as such names would likely capture the attention of those around you.
Here's the thing: Names with beautiful meanings conjure great images. Names like “Elpida” and “Esperanza” are eye-catchers.
Just as in the bar, a unique name will linger in the minds of your child’s classmates at school parties. It might prompt someone to ask for a dance or inquire about the story behind such a captivating name.
You surely want your little bundle of joy to be the happiest kid in the classroom. Why not explore our list of the top 98 baby names that mean hope?
In this article:
Let's delve into those stunning monikers and let the fortunate and divine light of hope envelop you!
Girl names that mean hope:
Aida - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Returning or reward".
Alina - Of Slavic origin, meaning "Bright or beautiful".
Ama - Of African origin, meaning "Born on Saturday, a day of hope".
Amal - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Hope".
Amani - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Wishes or aspirations".
Asha - Of Sanskrit origin, meaning "Hope".
Aurora - Of Latin origin, meaning "Dawn or new beginnings".
Ayla - Of Hebrew/Turkish origin, meaning "Oak tree or halo".
Beatrix - Of Latin origin, meaning "She who brings happiness".
Chenoa - Of Native American origin, meaning "White dove, symbolizing peace and hope".
Chloe - "Green shoot".
Claire - Of Latin origin, meaning "Bright or clear".
Dawn - Of English origin, meaning "First appearance of light or hope".
Dovie - Of English origin, meaning "Peaceful bird, a symbol of hope".
Eleora - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my light".
Elpida - Of Greek origin, meaning "Hope".
Esperanza - Of Spanish origin, meaning "Hope".
Evangeline - Of Greek origin, meaning "Bearer of good news".
Faina - Of Russian origin, meaning "Light".
Felicia - Of Latin origin, meaning "Fortunate or happy".
Gwyneth - Of Welsh origin, meaning "Blessed, happy".
Halona - Of Native American origin, meaning "Happy fortune".
Harika - Of Turkish origin, meaning "Miracle or wonder".
Helena - Of Greek origin, meaning "Bright, shining light".
Ilma - Of Finnish origin, meaning "Air".
Lucy - Of Latin origin, meaning "Light".
Minette - Of French origin, meaning "Faithful defender".
Mira - Of Latin origin, meaning "Wonderful or peace".
Mirai - Of Japanese origin, meaning "Future".
Mizuki - Of Japanese origin, meaning "Beautiful moon".
Nadege - Of French origin, meaning "Hope".
Nadia - Of Slavic origin, meaning "Hope".
Nadine - Of French origin, meaning "Hope".
Natsuki - Of Japanese origin, meaning "Summer hope".
Omeed - Of Persian origin, meaning "Hope".
Phoebe - Of Greek origin, meaning "Bright or radiant".
Raja - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Hope".
Raja - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Hope".
Stella - Of Latin origin, meaning "Star".
Sunniva - Of Scandinavian origin, meaning "Gift of the sun".
Svetlana - Of Slavic origin, meaning "Light".
Taraja - Of Hindi origin, meaning "Star of hope".
Tikvah - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Hope".
Toivo - Of Finnish origin, meaning "Hope".
Umeda - Of Uzbek origin, meaning "Hope".
Umit - Of Turkish origin, meaning "Hope".
Von - Of Cambodian origin, meaning "Hope".
Zivanka - Of Slavic origin, meaning "Full of life".
Boy names tha mean hope:
Amil - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Hope".
Barloc - Of English origin, meaning "Filled with hope".
Day - Of English origin, meaning "Light or hope".
Dillon - Of Celtic origin, meaning "Ray of hope".
Dillon - Of Irish origin, meaning "Like a son".
Manzil - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Destination or goal".
Maxwell - Of Scottish origin, meaning "Great stream, symbolizing flow of hope".
Neal - Of Celtic origin, meaning "Champion".
Nesper - Of Native American origin, meaning "Evening Star".
Omid - Of Persian origin, meaning "Hope".
Owen - Of Welsh origin, meaning "Young warrior, noble".
Rahim - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Compassionate".
Rajwa - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Hope".
Samson - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Sun, symbolizing hope and light".
Selwyn - Of English origin, meaning "Friend from the palace".
Thabo - Of African origin, meaning "Joy, happiness".
Vid - Of Slovene origin, meaning "Life".
Von - Of Cambodian origin, meaning "Hope".
Wilfred - Of English origin, meaning "Desires peace".
Zohar - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Light, brilliance".
Gender-neutral names with hopeful meanings:
Addison - Of English origin, meaning "Child of Adam".
Alex - Of Greek origin, meaning "Defender of the people".
Ali - Of Arabic origin, meaning "Elevated or noble".
Avery - Of English origin, meaning "Elf counsel".
Bailey - Of English origin, meaning "Bailiff, steward".
Cameron - Of Scottish origin, meaning "Crooked nose".
Casey - Of Irish origin, meaning "Brave in battle".
Dakota - Of Native American origin, meaning "Friendly one".
Emerson - Of German origin, meaning "Son of Emery".
Finley - Of Scottish origin, meaning "White or fair warrior".
Jamie - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Supplanter".
Jordan - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Descend or flow".
Jordan - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "To flow down".
Kelly - Of Irish origin, meaning "Warrior".
Kendall - Of English origin, meaning "Valley of the River Kent".
Micah - Of Hebrew origin, meaning "Like the Lord".
Morgan - Of Welsh origin, meaning "Sea circle, symbolizing vastness and hope".
Peyton - Of English origin, meaning "From the fighter's farm".
Quinn - Of Irish origin, meaning "Wise".
Reagan - Of Irish origin, meaning "Little king".
Reagan - Of Irish origin, meaning "Little king, symbolizing hope for leadership".
Remi - Of French origin, meaning "Oarsman or remedy".
Riley - Of Irish origin, meaning "Courageous".
Riley - Of Irish origin, meaning "Valiant".
Rowan - Of Gaelic origin, meaning "Little redhead".
Shannon - Of Irish origin, meaning "Little wise one".
Sidney - Of English origin, meaning "Wide island".
Skyler - Of Dutch origin, meaning "Scholar".
Tatum - Of English origin, meaning "Brings joy".
Tracy - Of Irish origin, meaning "Fighter".
Frequently Asked Questions:
What names symbolize hope?
Think of the flowers: Whatever happens during the stormy winter, they always put forth in spring.
Here are some rosy names heralding hope for those who are willing to follow their dreams:
Baby names for girls:
Nadia/Nadya: Of Slavic origin, this name means "hope."
Ashita: A Hindi name meaning "someone who brings hope."
Amal: An Arabic name meaning "hope" or "expectation."
Esperanza: Spanish for "hope."
Asha: Sanskrit origin, meaning "hope" or "wish."
Elpis: In Greek mythology, Elpis was the personification and spirit of hope.
Vonetta: Of American origin, suggesting "hope."
Nadine: Derived from Nadia, it's of Slavic origin and means "hope."
Nadette: Another variant of Nadia.
Tikvah: A Hebrew name meaning "hope."
Baby names for boys:
Deene: An English name meaning "hope."
Daijon: Of American origin, suggesting "hope."
Raza: Of Arabic origin, meaning "hope."
Rajiv: A name of Sanskrit origin, suggesting the hopeful symbol of a lotus flower.
Toivo: A Finnish name meaning "hope."
Vilko: Of Slavic origin, meaning "hope."
What child name means hope?
We are all looking for a glimmer of hope. Whether it’s a hug from your fiance after a taxing day at work or finally making a clean sweep of those taxes, today is your lucky day - we’ve got you covered!
Here are some names that mean hope - in the hope your baby will get imbued with it:
Girls names meaning hope:
Nadia/Nadya: Of Slavic origin, meaning "hope."
Esperanza: Spanish for "hope."
Asha: Derived from Sanskrit, meaning "hope" or "wish."
Amal: In Arabic, it means "hope" or "expectation."
Tikvah: A Hebrew name meaning "hope."
Umut: Turkish name meaning "hope."
Nadine: A variation of Nadia, it's of Slavic origin and means "hope."
Speranza: Italian for "hope."
Vonetta: Suggesting "hope," of American origin.
Miran: Of Kurdish origin, meaning "hope."
Boy names meaning hope:
Toivo: A Finnish name meaning "hope."
Raza: An Arabic name meaning "hope."
Daijon: Suggesting "hope," of American origin.
Rajiv: While it's more directly related to the lotus flower in Sanskrit, it carries a hopeful symbol.
Vilko: Slavic in origin, meaning "hope."
Umut: Turkish name meaning "hope."
Barloc: Of English origin, meaning "noble" but can have associations with hope.
Omid/Omeed: Persian name meaning "hope."
What is the name Hope in Greek?
The word for "hope" in Greek is "Ελπίς" (Elpís). In Greek mythology, Elpis was the personification and spirit of hope. Elpis depicts a young woman who carries flowers or a cornucopia in her arms.
What does hope mean for a girl's name?
"Hope" comes from the English word "hope", which derives from the Old English "hopa."
Names that symbolize virtues, such as Hope, Faith, and Charity, have been used since the 17th century, primarily among the Puritans, as part of their practice of using virtues and moral attributes as names.
A name that means "hope" is like providing your baby with an armor, a shield to brave life's vicissitudes.
Her will shall not waver, for your precious gift of hope will reinforce her spirit. Lavishly draped in courage, she will always right herself and pursue her dreams vigorously!
Hope also embodies positivity. A glint of optimism will always fill the room, and there she'll be - your beautiful girl, full of good cheer and vitality, exuding a hopeful aura all around her!
Final thoughts
The luminous charm of finding hope at difficult times fuels us with unbowed determination and serves as a nostrum for life’s letdowns.
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