There are also a few ways to use “A” names for your new additions. Perhaps “A” names run in the family and you want to add to the collection. Or maybe you want to have each child’s name start with a different letter for a strategic reason. Alphabetical order starting with “A” is one way to do it—you could even rotate the same letters for family members. For example, if your initials are BAL, maybe you want your child to be ABL. Get inspired with this list of baby names that start with “A.”
Aaron
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Exalted, strong Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aron, Erin Famous Namesakes: NFL player Aaron Rodgers and actor Aaron Eckhart Peak Popularity: Aaron has been in the top 100 names for baby boys since 1968, with its best year being 1994.
Abigail
Origin: HebrewMeaning: Joy of the fatherAlternative Spellings & Variations: AbbyFamous Namesakes: Actress Abigail Breslin and professional soccer player Abby WambachPeak Popularity: Abigail was a top-10 name for girls from 2001 to 2016, but its best year was 2005.
Adrian
Origin: Latin Meaning: Person from Hadria Alternative Spellings & Variations: Adrienne, Hadrian, Adrien Famous Namesakes: Actors Adrien Brody and Adrian Grenier Peak Popularity: Adrian continues to grow in popularity and saw its best year in 2019.
Agatha
Origin: Greek Meaning: Virtuous, good Famous Namesakes: Well-known mystery writer Agatha Christie is perhaps the most famous Agatha. Peak Popularity: Agatha is an old-fashioned name that saw its prime in the early 1900s.
Aiden
Origin: Irish Meaning: Little fire Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aidan, Aden Famous Namesakes: Actors Aidan Turner and Aidan Quinn Peak Popularity: Aiden peaked in 2011 at No. 9, whereas Aidan peaked in 2003 at No. 39.
Alana
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Little rockAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alanah, AlannaFamous Namesakes: Singer Alana Haim and actress Alanna UbachPeak Popularity: Alana’s biggest year was 2007 when it reached No. 143.
Aleah
Origin: AmericanMeaning: High, sublimeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Aliah, Aaliyah, Aliyah, AliyaFamous Namesakes: Late singer Aaliyah is perhaps the best-known person with this name.Peak Popularity: Aleah hit its peak in 2011, though Aaliyah peaked in 2012.
Alice
Origin: English Meaning: From nobility Famous Namesakes: Singer Alice Cooper and actress Alice Walker, not to mention Alice in Wonderland Peak Popularity: Alice was very popular in the early 1900s before fading. It’s seen a resurgence in recent years, though, with the popularity of retro names.
Allen
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Little rockFamous Namesakes: Kelsey Grammer’s given first name is actually Allen.Peak Popularity: Allen was a popular name in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, but it’s gotten less popular in recent years.
Alexander
Origin: Greek Meaning: Defender of the people Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alex, Alexandra, Alexandria Famous Namesakes: Alexander Hamilton and Alexander the Great are two famous Alexes from history. You also have singer Alex Turner and actor Alexander Skarsgard. Peak Popularity: Alexander has been in the top 100 names for baby boys since 1977.
Alexis
Origin: GreekMeaning: Defender of the peopleAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lexi, LexFamous Namesakes: Actresses Alexis Bledel and Alexis KnappPeak Popularity: Alexis was really popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It reached No. 3 on the popularity list in 1999.
Allison
Origin: German Meaning: Son of the noble one Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alison, Ali, Ally, Alli, Allie, Allyson Famous Namesakes: There are several famous Allisons, including actresses Allison Janney, Alison Brie, and Allison Williams. Peak Popularity: Allison has been in the top 100 names since 1974, but Alison has been much less popular over the years.
Amanda
Origin: LatinMeaning: Worthy of loveAlternative Spellings & Variations: MandyFamous Namesakes: Plenty of celebrities have the name Amanda, like Amanda Seyfried, Amanda Peet, and Amanda Bynes.Peak Popularity: Amanda peaked at No. 2 in 1980.
Amber
Origin: EnglishMeaning: The color orange-redFamous Namesakes: Actresses Amber Tamblyn and Amber HeardPeak Popularity: The 1970s and 1980s were big for Amber, with 1986 being the most popular year.
Amelia
Origin: LatinMeaning: WorkAlternative Spellings & Variations: Amilia, Amy, AemiliaFamous Namesakes: Adventurer and pilot Amelia Earhart is the most well-known Amelia in history.Peak Popularity: Amelia continues to grow in popularity. It reached No. 6 in 2020—its best year yet.
Amy
Origin: LatinMeaning: BelovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Amie, AimeeFamous Namesakes: Funnywomen Amy Schumer and Amy Poehler are two of the most famous Amys.Peak Popularity: The 1970s were huge for the name Amy.
Anastasia
Origin: GreekMeaning: ResurrectionAlternative Spellings & Variations: AnaFamous Namesakes: One of the most well-known people with this name is Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, the royal at the center of the Anastasia story.Peak Popularity: Anastasia has seen an uptick in popularity, with its best year being 2018.
Andrea
Origin: Italian Meaning: Manly Alternative Spellings & Variations: Andie, Andy, Andi Famous Namesakes: Actress Andrea Anders and singer Andrea Bocelli Peak Popularity: Andrea has long been a popular name, but the best year was 1978.
Andrew
Origin: GreekMeaning: ManlyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Andy, Drew, AndreFamous Namesakes: Actors Andrew Garfield and Andrew Lincoln, tennis player Andy RoddickPeak Popularity: Andrew has always been popular, though it’s never reached the top three baby names on the Social Security Administration list. It peaked at No. 5 in 2003.
Angela
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Messenger of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: AngieFamous Namesakes: Actress Angela Lansbury might just be the most beloved Angela.Peak Popularity: Angela was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s.
Angelina
Origin: ItalianMeaning: Messenger of GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: AngieFamous Namesakes: Actress Angelina Jolie is certainly the most prominent Angelina.Peak Popularity: The name Angelina hit its peak in 2005.
Anna
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Gracious, merciful Alternative Spellings & Variations: Annie, Anne, Ann Famous Namesakes: Actresses Anna Faris, Anna Kendrick, and Anna Paquin, as well as Queen Anne and Princess Anne Peak Popularity: Though Anna has always been popular, it was most popular in the early 1900s, when it was in the top three baby names for girls for several years.
Anthony
Origin: Latin Meaning: Priceless one Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tony Famous Namesakes: Actor Anthony Hopkins and skateboarder Tony Hawk Peak Popularity: Anthony has always had a top spot in the list of names for baby boys—never falling below No. 100.
April
Origin: LatinMeaning: OpeningFamous Namesakes: Some of the most famous Aprils are actually fictional characters, like April in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or April Ludgate (played by Aubrey Plaza) in Parks and Recreation.Peak Popularity: The 1960s and 1970s were big for the name April, with 1979 being the biggest.
Archie
Origin: GermanMeaning: BoldAlternative Spellings & Variations: ArchibaldFamous Namesakes: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle named their first-born child Archie.Peak Popularity: The old-fashioned name Archie fell off the popularity list for several years but saw a burst of fame in recent years.
Ariel
Origin: HebrewMeaning: Lion of GodFamous Namesakes: The Little Mermaid’s leading lady is Ariel—probably the most famous one with the name!Peak Popularity: The most popular year for the name Ariel was 1991, two years after The Little Mermaid was released.
Asher
Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Blessed, happy Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ash Peak Popularity: Asher has steadily grown in popularity and gets bigger every year.
Ashley
Origin: English Meaning: From the ash tree field Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ashleigh, Ashlie, Ashely Famous Namesakes: Plenty of famous people have the name Ashley, both men and women, like singer and actor Ashley Parker Angel, former professional soccer player Ashley Cole, actresses Ashley Benson and Ashley Tisdale, and fashion designer Ashley Olsen. Peak Popularity: Ashley earned the No. 1 spot for baby girls in 1991 and 1992, whereas Ashley for boys peaked in 1980.
Ashton
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Ash tree townAlternative Spellings & Variations: AshFamous Namesakes: Actor Ashton Kutcher and musician Ashton IrwinPeak Popularity: Ashton’s biggest year was 2004.
Aubrey
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Noble rulerAlternative Spellings & Variations: AubrieFamous Namesakes: Actress Aubrey Plaza and Drake—whose real name is Aubrey GrahamPeak Popularity: Aubrey was a popular name for baby boys decades ago, but it’s become more popular for baby girls in recent history.
Augustus
Origin: LatinMeaning: GreatAlternative Spellings & Variations: August, GusPeak Popularity: Augustus was a popular name in the early 1900s but it’s seen a rise in popularity again lately.
Austin
Origin: EnglishMeaning: GreatFamous Namesakes: Actors Austin Butler and Austin NicholsPeak Popularity: Austin has been in the top 100 names for baby boys since 1986.
Autumn
Origin: LatinMeaning: Fall seasonFamous Namesakes: Actress Autumn ReeserPeak Popularity: Autumn is a recently popular name, peaking in 2013.
Ava
Origin: English Meaning: To breathe Famous Namesakes: Actress Ava Gardner and filmmaker Ava DuVernay Peak Popularity: Ava has been in the top 10 names since 2005.
Avery
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Elf kingAlternative Spellings & Variations: Averie, AveriFamous Namesakes: NBA player Avery BradleyPeak Popularity: Avery has been in the top 20 names since 2011.
Axel
Origin: Scandinavian Meaning: My father is peace Alternative Spellings & Variations: Axl Famous Namesakes: Singer Axl Rose Peak Popularity: Axel has slowly grown in popularity over the years, with 2020 being the best year yet.
