American Boy Names That Mean Gift
American boy names that mean gift often carry that meaning quietly, tucked into an old root rather than spelled out on the surface.
Names187
OriginAmerican
MeaningGift
GenderBoy
Look closely at this list and one Hebrew root keeps resurfacing: Yishai, meaning 'gift,' sits inside Jessiah, and the same idea shows up sideways in Jaythan, where the biblical '-than' ending translates to 'gift' in Hebrew. Two very different-sounding names, one shared idea.
Maceo carries the same promise from a different direction — a Spanish name meaning 'gift of Yahweh,' related to the Matthew family of names. Mivaan, a newer Indian coinage, is often read as 'gift of God,' though its classical roots run thin, so we hold that meaning loosely.
Where American boy names that mean gift come from
Most American boy names that mean gift don't invent new roots — they borrow old Hebrew ones and dress them in a modern voice. Jessiah takes Jesse and grafts on the '-iah' sound of Josiah; Jaythan does something similar, pairing a popular first syllable with a scriptural gift-ending. The result sounds fresh even though the meaning is centuries old.
The company gift names keep on this list
Names carrying an actual gift meaning share the page with plenty of names that don't — Kason, Krew, and Kyro lean on K-spellings and swagger rather than etymology, while Avion nods to flight and Demarco to a father's name. It's a reminder that modern American naming often chooses sound and story over a dictionary definition.
Names List
Kason#597 in the U.S.Modern K-variant of Cason, itself a surname derived from an Old French or Old English personal name, or pPronounced KAY-son▶Krew#601 in the U.S.Phonetic spelling variant of English crew, meaning a group of people working together; used as a modern gPronounced KROO▶Kyro#611 in the U.S.Variant of Cyrus, from Greek Kyros which may derive from Persian Kūruš meaning 'sun' or 'like the sun,' oPronounced KY-roh▶Jessiah#1641 in the U.S.Modern blend of Jesse (Hebrew Yishai, 'gift') with the biblical '-iah' suffix as in Josiah.Pronounced juh-SY-uh▶Haze#1653 in the U.S.A modern American given name from the English word 'haze', also used as a short form of Hayes or Hazel; nPronounced HAYZ▶Chevy#1660 in the U.S.From the place name Chevy Chase, used as a given namePronounced SHEV-ee▶Avion#1875 in the U.S.From the French word 'avion' ('airplane', coined from Latin 'avis' = 'bird'). Used as a modern given namePronounced AV-yon▶Maceo#2158 in the U.S.Gift of Yahweh Pronounced mah-SE-o▶Jaythan#3238 in the U.S.Modern American blend of Jay with -than, borrowed from Nathan and Jonathan, 'gift of God'Pronounced JAY-thən▶Demarco#3277 in the U.S.From the Italian surname De Marco, 'son of Marco' — Mark, from Latin Marcus, linked to the war god Mars —Pronounced də-MAR-koh▶Asai#3390 in the U.S.Rare given-name use of sounds attested elsewhere: the Japanese surname Asai, 'shallow well', and the biblPronounced ah-SY▶Mivaan#3487 in the U.S.Modern Indian coinage, commonly glossed 'unique', 'special', or 'gift of God'; not firmly attested in claPronounced mih-VAHN▶Talen#3502 in the U.S.Modern name echoing the word 'talent' (a natural gift) and the name Talon ('claw'); not firmly fixedPronounced TAY-len▶Khairo#3552 in the U.S.Readable as a spelling of Cairo — Arabic al-Qahira, 'the victorious' — or built on Arabic khair, 'goodnesPronounced KY-roh▶Doc#3810 in the U.S.From the title doctor (Latin docere, 'to teach') — frontier nickname turned given namePronounced DOK▶Cj#3895 in the U.S.From the initials C.J. — typically Charles Junior or C-J name pairs — given outrightPronounced SEE-JAY▶Roczen#3953 in the U.S.From German motocross star Ken Roczen's surname — given-name use is fan-sparked; etymology informalPronounced ROK-zən▶Tj#4046 in the U.S.From the initials T.J. — often Thomas/Tyler Junior or paired T-J names — given outrightPronounced TEE-JAY▶Ethaniel#4451 in the U.S.Modern blend of Ethan ('strong, firm') and Nathaniel/-iel ('gift of God; of God'); routes layeredPronounced ə-THAN-yel▶Jesaiah#4473 in the U.S.Modern coinage blending Jesse ('gift') and Isaiah ('God is salvation'); routes layeredPronounced jə-SY-ah▶Khyir#5328 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing Khayr ('goodness, blessing', Arabic) and Kyrie ('Lord', Greek); no single fixed Pronounced KY-ər▶Macari#5345 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Macario/Makarios ('blessed, happy', Greek) and the -ari names (Amari); routes layerPronounced mə-KAR-ee▶Roxas#5595 in the U.S.A coined character name from Kingdom Hearts (Roxas, an anagram of Sora + X); also a Filipino surname; no Pronounced ROK-səs▶Yamal#5645 in the U.S.A name in current use partly through footballer Lamine Yamal; Yamal is also a Siberian peninsula (in NenePronounced yah-MAHL▶Khrome#5768 in the U.S.A modern word-name from 'chrome' — from Greek chroma, 'colour' (chrome metal, the shiny finish); a coinedPronounced KROHM▶Mattix#5794 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Maddox ('son of the benefactor', Welsh) and Matthew ('a gift of God', Hebrew) with Pronounced MAT-iks▶Ahzir#5884 in the U.S.A modern coined name echoing Azhar ('most shining/radiant', Arabic) and Hazir ('present, ready'); no singPronounced AH-zeer▶Kitai#6026 in the U.S.A modern name echoing the Japanese kitai, 'hope, expectation'; also a film character name; no single fixePronounced kih-TY▶Aarnik#6172 in the U.S.A modern Sanskrit-style name (echoing Aarav, Arnav); the precise meaning is uncertain, sometimes given asPronounced AAR-nik▶Jathan#6282 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Jonathan and Nathan — from Hebrew, 'God has given; Yahweh has given'; routes layerePronounced JAY-thən▶Jatniel#6283 in the U.S.A modern name echoing the Hebrew -iel names ('of God'), variously linked to Jatniel/Jaziel, 'God gives; aPronounced haht-nee-EL▶Kanye#6299 in the U.S.A modern coined name, sometimes given as 'the only one' (from an Akan/East African echo); the precise oriPronounced KAHN-yay▶Natael#6349 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Natanael/Nathanael — from Hebrew, 'God has given; a gift of God' (natan, 'he gave',Pronounced nah-tah-EL▶Aemond#6824 in the U.S.A modern name best known as a character (Aemond Targaryen) in House of the Dragon, echoing Aemon and EdmoPronounced AY-mund▶Doss#7342 in the U.S.From an English/German surname (variously a form of Dossett and a regional surname); used as a modern givPronounced DOSS▶Jb#7438 in the U.S.An initial-name from the letters J and B (often from a longer name like John Brown or Jean-Baptiste, or aPronounced JAY-bee▶Jc#7439 in the U.S.An initial-name from the letters J and C (often from a longer name like Juan Carlos or Jesus Christ, or aPronounced JAY-see▶Jt#7458 in the U.S.An initial-name from the letters J and T (often from a longer name like James Thomas or John Tyler, or a Pronounced JAY-tee▶Lebron#7507 in the U.S.Variously from the French surname Le Brun, 'the brown(-haired) one', and a modern given name made famous Pronounced luh-BRON▶Ridger#7611 in the U.S.From an English surname, 'one who lives by a ridge' (from Old English hrycg, 'a ridge'); also a modern giPronounced RIJ-er▶Slader#7643 in the U.S.From an English surname, 'one who lives in a valley/dell' (from Old English slaed, 'a valley'); also a moPronounced SLAY-der▶Alson#7757 in the U.S.From an English surname, variously 'son of Al/Allen' and 'son of Alice'; also a modern given name; routesPronounced AL-son▶Jazaire#7955 in the U.S.Jazaire is a modern American coinage, joining a Ja- opening with Zaire, the former name of the country noPronounced jah-ZAIR▶Jonan#7965 in the U.S.A modern coinage or extension of the Jon- family. Jonah is Hebrew for 'dove' and Jonathan is 'God has givPronounced JOH-nan▶Jessiel#7976 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Jesse (from the Hebrew, 'God exists; a gift') with the -el ending ('God', Hebrew);Pronounced jeh-see-EL▶Matix#8708 in the U.S.A modern name, joining a Mat- element (echoing Mathias, 'gift of God', and Matrix) with an -ix ending; noPronounced MAT-iks▶Nateo#8735 in the U.S.A modern name, joining a Nate- element with an -eo ending (echoing Mateo, 'gift of God', and Nate); no siPronounced nah-TAY-oh▶Prish#8778 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a short of Prisha ('beloved; God's gift', Sanskrit) and a coinage; no single fixPronounced PRISH▶Tamen#8833 in the U.S.A modern coinage with a clean two-beat sound; the spelling also echoes names in several languages, but asPronounced TAH-men▶Ayzaan#9048 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Ayaan (Arabic, 'a gift of God') and Aizen; no single fixed root; routes Pronounced AY-zahn▶Ceejay#9103 in the U.S.A spelling-out of the initials C.J. — used as a given name in its own right; its meaning depends on the nPronounced SEE-jay▶Dasani#9158 in the U.S.A modern name, coined as a bottled-water brand (with no fixed etymology) and used as a given name; used fPronounced dah-SAH-nee▶Hasten#9207 in the U.S.Hasten is the English verb 'to hasten', 'to hurry; to move swiftly', from haste (via Old French, of GermaPronounced HAY-sun▶Jesiel#9358 in the U.S.A modern name, joining a Je- element (from Jesse, 'gift; God exists') with a -iel ending ('of God'); alsoPronounced jeh-see-EL▶Lihan#9488 in the U.S.A modern name of uncertain origin, possibly a Chinese given name (li, 'strength/beautiful', + han) or a fPronounced LEE-hahn▶Mias#9541 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a short form of Matthias/Tobias ('gift of God'/'God is good') or a fresh coinagePronounced MY-us▶Ryles#9578 in the U.S.A one-beat coinage that reads as the English surname Ryles (a family name, possibly a form of Ryle/Royle Pronounced RYLZ▶Ocie#9594 in the U.S.A vintage American given name of uncertain origin, possibly from the ocean or a pet form of names like OsPronounced OH-see▶Ozil#9616 in the U.S.A modern given name from the surname Ozil/Ozil (Turkish, variously 'essential; original/core'); borne by Pronounced OH-zil▶Silo#9711 in the U.S.A modern name, echoing Silas ('of the forest/wood', Latin) and Shiloh ('a gift; tranquil', Hebrew); no siPronounced SY-loh▶Aizan#9897 in the U.S.A modern name of uncertain origin, variously an echo of Ayaan ('a gift; good fortune') and Aizen (a JapanPronounced AY-zahn▶Colesen#9934 in the U.S.Colesen is a modern surname-style coinage built on Cole — an English surname and given name, often tracedPronounced KOHL-sun▶Jermany#10020 in the U.S.Jermany reads as the place name Germany and echoes Jermaine, which itself traces to a word for 'German.' Pronounced JUR-mah-nee▶Daryn#10088 in the U.S.A spelling of Darren — variously from the Irish, 'great; a gift/oak' (uncertain roots) and a modern coinaPronounced DAIR-in▶Natron#10264 in the U.S.Natron reads as a modern American coinage, most likely a Na- opening from Nathan or Nathaniel - Hebrew foPronounced NAY-tron▶Kinnick#10290 in the U.S.A surname turned given name, familiar in the U.S. via Kinnick Stadium (named for Nile Kinnick). The surnaPronounced KIN-ik▶Kyiro#10398 in the U.S.A modern respelling in the Kairo/Cairo family; Cairo is the Egyptian capital, from Arabic al-Qahira, 'thePronounced KY-roh▶Lorian#10433 in the U.S.Lorian echoes Tolkien's Lothlorien (the elven realm) and the Dark Souls figure Lorian, and it also recallPronounced LOR-ee-an▶Linux#10466 in the U.S.As a given name Linux is a very modern, tech-inspired pick borrowed from the Linux operating system, namePronounced LIN-ux▶Mythias#10547 in the U.S.A modern respelling near Matthias/Mathias — from the Hebrew Mattithyahu, 'gift of God' — reworked with a Pronounced MITH-ee-us▶Nashua#10551 in the U.S.A place name from the Nashua River and the New Hampshire city, of Algonquian origin often read as 'betweePronounced NASH-oo-uh▶Ontario#10601 in the U.S.A place name from Lake Ontario and the Canadian province, of Iroquoian origin often read as 'beautiful waPronounced on-TAIR-ee-oh▶Rambo#10631 in the U.S.A Swedish surname (an old family name, possibly 'raven's nest / ram-hill' by folk etymology), best known Pronounced RAM-boh▶Riften#10654 in the U.S.A modern coinage, best known as a city in a popular video game; as a given name it reads rugged and invenPronounced RIF-tun▶Ukiah#10791 in the U.S.Ukiah is the name of a city in Northern California, taken from a Pomo (Native American) word often glossePronounced yoo-KY-uh▶Aian#10851 in the U.S.A modern respelling that echoes Ian (the Scottish form of John, 'God is gracious; gift of God') and the APronounced EYE-un▶Amiaz#10885 in the U.S.A name whose parts echo Hebrew: ami ('my people') and az ('strong; bold'). Amiaz is also a place in IsraePronounced ah-mee-AHZ▶Acey#10918 in the U.S.Acey reads as a modern American given name spun from the word 'ace' (top, number one, expert) — an upbeatPronounced AY-see▶Aysher#11056 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Asher (Hebrew, 'happy; blessed; fortunate'), with an added -y-. Reads as an Asher Pronounced AY-sher▶Bocephus#11090 in the U.S.A playful American name, made famous as the nickname of country musician Hank Williams Jr. (from a comediPronounced boh-SEE-fus▶Daytona#11186 in the U.S.A place name: Daytona Beach, Florida, named after its founder Mathias Day, and best known worldwide for tPronounced day-TOH-nah▶Damias#11194 in the U.S.A modern name near Damian and the Greek Damias, most plausibly tied to the 'to tame' root, given a LatinaPronounced DAY-mee-us▶Demon#11221 in the U.S.A rare recorded given name that reads as the English word 'demon.' In practice it may also stand for a shPronounced DEE-mun▶Frandy#11276 in the U.S.A given name common in Haiti, likely a modern formation echoing Franz/Franklin with a friendly -dy endingPronounced FRAN-dee▶Jenoah#11488 in the U.S.Jenoah is a modern coinage that echoes both Genoa (the Italian city) and Noah, the Hebrew for 'rest; comfPronounced jeh-NOH-ah▶Jedson#11510 in the U.S.Jedson reads as a modern American coinage, likely Jed (a short form of Jedidiah, Hebrew 'beloved of the LPronounced JED-sun▶Jioni#11541 in the U.S.Often read as a Swahili-flavored name; jioni is the Swahili word for 'evening; nightfall,' and the given Pronounced jee-OH-nee▶Kanish#11607 in the U.S.A Sanskrit-flavored name, often read as a short form of Kanishka, the great Kushan emperor (the name is lPronounced kuh-NEESH▶Kansas#11609 in the U.S.A place name, from the U.S. state Kansas, itself named for the Kansa (Kaw) people, whose name is often rePronounced KAN-zus▶Kashmier#11618 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Kashmir, the Himalayan region (and the luxury wool cashmere named for it). Used as Pronounced KASH-meer▶Knoxtyn#11618 in the U.S.A modern American elaboration of Knox, a Scottish surname from a word for a round hill or hillock, given Pronounced NOK-stin▶Katai#11627 in the U.S.Katai appears in several unrelated settings (a surname in parts of Asia and Africa, and as a modern shortPronounced kuh-TY▶Kawan#11632 in the U.S.Kawan reads as a modern given name; it also connects to the Brazilian Kauan ('hawk') and to Arabic use. APronounced kuh-WAHN▶Kennis#11652 in the U.S.Kennis reads as a modern given name on the Ken- sound; it also appears as a surname, and in Dutch as a woPronounced KEN-iss▶Kerwens#11655 in the U.S.A modern given name seen especially in Haitian communities, likely built on the Ker-/-wen sound family. IPronounced KUR-wenz▶Keyller#11659 in the U.S.A modern given name seen especially in Brazil, likely built on the Key-/Keller sound. It carries no settlPronounced KAY-ler▶Khani#11669 in the U.S.Khani reads as a modern short given name on the Kha- sound; it also appears as a surname and echoes the tPronounced KAH-nee▶Khilan#11672 in the U.S.Khilan reads as a modern given name; it is also used in India, where readings vary. As used it carries noPronounced kih-LAHN▶Khiry#11675 in the U.S.A modern given name that may echo the Arabic khayr, 'good; charity', or read simply as a coinage on the KPronounced kuh-REE▶Kia#11684 in the U.S.Kia is a short name of several unrelated roots (a short form in various languages, and a well-known car bPronounced KEE-uh▶Kiori#11691 in the U.S.A modern given name that also echoes Japanese names such as Kaori/Kiori (whose meaning depends on the chaPronounced kee-OR-ee▶Kobain#11696 in the U.S.A modern given name most often read as a nod to musician Kurt Cobain of Nirvana (a respelling of the surnPronounced koh-BAYN▶Kovan#11702 in the U.S.A modern given name on the Ko-/-van sound; it also appears in Kurdish use, where readings vary. As used iPronounced KOH-vahn▶Kraven#11703 in the U.S.A modern given name most often read as a nod to Marvel's villain Kraven the Hunter; it also echoes 'ravenPronounced KRAY-ven▶Kriday#11705 in the U.S.A modern given name that may echo Sanskrit words such as krida, 'play; sport', in Indian use. As used herPronounced KRIH-day▶Kritin#11708 in the U.S.A modern given name that may echo Sanskrit words such as kritin, 'accomplished; skilled', in Indian use. Pronounced KRIH-tin▶Krown#11709 in the U.S.A respelling of Crown, the word for a monarch's headpiece and a symbol of royalty and honor. As a given nPronounced KROWN▶Kyere#11711 in the U.S.A modern given name that also appears as an Akan (Ghanaian) surname. As used here it carries no single sePronounced kee-YAIR▶Mega#11825 in the U.S.A modern word name from the Greek prefix mega- ('great; large; mighty'), used as a bold given name. As a Pronounced MEG-uh▶Messiyah#11831 in the U.S.A spelling of Messiah, from the Hebrew mashiach, 'anointed one.' Used as a modern given name; we handle tPronounced muh-SY-uh▶Montel#11848 in the U.S.A modern name in the Mont- family (from mont, 'mountain; hill'), akin to Montrell; also a French place-naPronounced mon-TEL▶Olman#11908 in the U.S.A given name seen especially in Costa Rica and Central America; its origin is debated — sometimes linked Pronounced OL-man▶Orbelin#11916 in the U.S.A given name seen in Mexican and Mexican-American families; its origin is unclear — possibly a coinage orPronounced or-beh-LEEN▶Shaia#12018 in the U.S.A modern name with no documented etymology of its own. It echoes Hebrew Shai ('gift') and Shia/Shaya, a YPronounced SHY-uh▶Rovin#12022 in the U.S.A modern name near Robin/Rovin, or a coinage echoing 'roving' (wandering); it also appears as a given namPronounced ROH-vin▶Tuang#12116 in the U.S.A rare given name whose route is uncertain; it echoes Southeast Asian (Thai/Lao) sound patterns but has nPronounced TOO-ahng▶Zepplyn#12218 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Zeppelin, the rigid airship named for its German inventor Count Ferdinand von ZeppPronounced ZEP-lin▶Yader#12236 in the U.S.A Latin American given name, used especially in Nicaragua and Central America, of uncertain and debated oPronounced YAH-dur▶Yasmani#12246 in the U.S.A Latin American, especially Cuban, coined given name that echoes Yasmin/jasmine restyled with an -i endiPronounced yahs-MAH-nee▶Yelson#12252 in the U.S.A Latin American coined given name, most likely a Y-styled reshaping of Nelson or Wilson ('son of Neil', Pronounced YEL-son▶Yerson#12253 in the U.S.A Latin American coined given name, most likely a Y-styled reshaping of Jerson or Gerson (the latter tiedPronounced YER-son▶Yomar#12258 in the U.S.A Latin American coined given name, often read as a blend ending in Omar (Arabic, 'flourishing; long-livePronounced yoh-MAR▶Zaiyre#12270 in the U.S.A modern coined spelling of Zaire (with a decorative -yre ending), echoing the Central African river/regiPronounced ZY-ur▶Zeland#12282 in the U.S.A modern coined given name echoing the place name Zealand/Zeeland ('sea land', a Danish and Dutch region)Pronounced ZEE-lund▶Zelle#12283 in the U.S.A modern short coined name; it matches a German surname Zelle ('cell; small room') and reads as a crisp oPronounced ZEL▶Aiyan#12368 in the U.S.Aiyan reads as a modern respelling shaped like Ayaan (an Arabic/South Asian name sometimes glossed 'gift Pronounced EYE-yahn▶Alexson#12387 in the U.S.Alexson reads as a modern American coinage — 'son of Alex,' or an Alex- name given a fashionable -son endPronounced AL-ek-sun▶Armonie#12452 in the U.S.Armonie reads as a modern name drawn from 'harmony' (French harmonie), meaning 'accord; balance; concord.Pronounced ar-MOH-nee▶Ashen#12464 in the U.S.Ashen reads as a possible Sinhala (Sri Lankan) name glossed 'blessing; auspicious; good fortune,' or a moPronounced ASH-en▶Ashyr#12469 in the U.S.Ashyr reads as a modern stylized respelling of the Hebrew name Asher ('happy; blessed'), swapping in a -yPronounced ASH-er▶Atai#12474 in the U.S.Atai is a short name that appears across several cultures (including Central Asian and West African use) Pronounced ah-TYE▶Bam#12519 in the U.S.Bam is a short, punchy modern name, often a nickname, best known from skateboarder Bam Margera. As a givePronounced BAM▶Banyon#12520 in the U.S.Banyon reads as a modern name echoing the banyan tree and the surname Banyon/Bunyan. As a given name it hPronounced BAN-yun▶Beckum#12531 in the U.S.Beckum reads as a modern surname-style name, echoing Beckham (an English place/surname) and the surname BPronounced BEK-um▶Matao#12553 in the U.S.Matao reads as a name echoing Mateo (the Spanish form of Matthew, 'gift of God'); the resemblance is an ePronounced mah-TAH-oh▶Endi#12698 in the U.S.An Albanian given name, and separately a modern name echoing Andy (from Andrew, 'man; warrior'). Routes uPronounced EN-dee▶Ethic#12828 in the U.S.Ethic is a modern word-name taken from the English 'ethic,' a moral principle or code (from the Greek ethPronounced EH-thik▶Etson#12829 in the U.S.Etson is a modern coinage, most likely an -son surname-style name (in the family of Edson, Jetson) or a HPronounced ET-sun▶Evers#12832 in the U.S.Evers is a modern surname-style given name, most naturally read from the Ever- family (Everett, Everly) oPronounced EV-erz▶Ewens#12836 in the U.S.Ewens reads as a form of Evan or Owen, Welsh names generally linked to 'young warrior' or 'well-born; nobPronounced YOO-enz▶Excel#12838 in the U.S.Excel is a modern word-name from the English 'excel,' to surpass or be outstanding (from Latin excellere,Pronounced ek-SEL▶Eyler#12843 in the U.S.Eyler is a modern given name from the German surname Eyler / Eiler, itself linked to older Germanic name Pronounced EYE-ler▶Five#12865 in the U.S.Five is a modern number-name taken directly from the English word 'five.' Its use as a given name is veryPronounced FYVE▶Giveon#12893 in the U.S.A modern given name brought to wide notice by the American R&B singer Giveon (Giveon Dezmann Evans). It rPronounced GIV-ee-on▶Islan#12982 in the U.S.Islan is a modern coinage with several possible reads: the English word island, the Turkish and Central APronounced EYEZ-lun▶Izell#12996 in the U.S.Izell appears in American records as a given name and a surname, plausibly a variant of Isbell (from the Pronounced ih-ZEL▶Jahad#13015 in the U.S.Jahad is a spelling of Arabic jihad, a word whose core sense is 'striving' or 'exertion' — in personal anPronounced juh-HAHD▶Jameis#13036 in the U.S.Jameis is a modern American coinage in the James family, given wide notice by the quarterback Jameis WinsPronounced JAY-miss▶Johnnathan#13045 in the U.S.Johnnathan is a doubled-consonant respelling of Jonathan, from the Hebrew Yonatan, meaning God has given Pronounced JON-uh-thuhn▶Jariyah#13050 in the U.S.Usually traced to Arabic jariyah, from the root j-r-y, 'to flow, to run' — a word used of running water aPronounced juh-REE-uh▶Jaydel#13075 in the U.S.A modern American coinage: Jay or Jayden trimmed and given an -el ending. Latino families may read the -ePronounced JAY-del▶Jayjay#13077 in the U.S.A nickname made into a given name: the spoken form of the initials J.J., long used as an affectionate bynPronounced JAY-jay▶Jaziyah#13084 in the U.S.A modern American name on the Ja- plus -iyah pattern (compare Zariyah, Aaliyah). Some families link it toPronounced juh-ZEE-uh▶Jentezen#13092 in the U.S.A rare modern given name with the ring of a Dutch or Frisian surname (compare Jansen, Jantzen, 'son of JaPronounced JEN-tuh-zen▶Jentzen#13093 in the U.S.From the Dutch and Frisian surname Jantzen / Jansen, 'son of Jan' — Jan being the Dutch form of John, froPronounced JENT-sun▶Jep#13096 in the U.S.A short American nickname turned given name, traditionally Southern. It has been used as a pet form of JePronounced JEP▶Jesser#13106 in the U.S.A modern American coinage: Jesse ('gift', Hebrew Yishai) extended with an -er ending, or built like a surPronounced JES-ur▶Jontavious#13113 in the U.S.Jontavious is a coined boys' name that fuses Jon, from Hebrew-rooted John, gift of God, with a -tavious ePronounced jon-TAY-vee-us▶Lens#13386 in the U.S.Lens is very rare as a given name. It is read variously as a clipping of Leonard or Lennox, as the northePronounced LENZ▶Levyn#13393 in the U.S.Levyn is a modern respelling of Levin — a Jewish surname from Levi ('joined, attached') and, separately, Pronounced LEV-in▶Loden#13406 in the U.S.Loden is the name of a heavy, water-shedding wool cloth from the Alps — German Loden, from an old GermaniPronounced LOH-dun▶Lorien#13409 in the U.S.Lorien comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's invented Elvish: Lorien is the shortened name of Lothlorien, the goldePronounced LOR-ee-en▶Mainor#13435 in the U.S.Mainor is used as a given name in Central America, especially Honduras and Guatemala. It is read as a forPronounced MAY-nor▶Maleo#13435 in the U.S.A modern coinage with a warm, open sound; it also happens to name the maleo, an Indonesian bird. As a givPronounced mah-LAY-oh▶Nussy#13629 in the U.S.Nussy has no settled etymology. It reads as a pet-name or short-form coinage — the kind of affectionate nPronounced NUSS-ee▶Nathanyel#13656 in the U.S.Nathanyel is a modern respelling of Nathaniel, a Hebrew name from Netan'el, meaning God has given or giftPronounced NATH-un-yel▶Oshai#13669 in the U.S.Oshai is a modern American coinage, close in shape to Oshay and to Hebrew-rooted Shai ('gift'). No documePronounced oh-SHY▶Rusten#13775 in the U.S.A modern spelling in the Ruston/Rustin group. Those surnames are read as English place-and-family names (Pronounced RUS-tin▶Tedric#13828 in the U.S.Tedric is a coined boy's name that blends Ted, the familiar short form of Theodore or Edward, with the -rPronounced TED-rik▶Theoren#13848 in the U.S.Theoren is best read as a variant of the Greek-derived Theron, from theron ('hunter'), and is sometimes fPronounced THEE-uh-ren▶Sirr#13898 in the U.S.Sirr reads most often as a modern American respelling of the English title 'sir', chosen for its air of rPronounced SUR▶Starlin#13924 in the U.S.Starlin is a modern given name well established in the Dominican Republic and among Latino families, wherPronounced STAR-lin▶Tadey#13945 in the U.S.Tadey reads as a modern pet form of Thaddeus, Tadeo or Tadeusz, given as a name in its own right. It may Pronounced TAY-dee▶Takoa#13957 in the U.S.Takoa is a modern American coinage. It is sometimes connected loosely to place-names such as Toccoa in GePronounced tuh-KOH-uh▶Tavius#13971 in the U.S.Most often a clipped form of Octavius, the Roman name meaning 'eighth' — traditionally given to an eighthPronounced TAY-vee-us▶Staten#14053 in the U.S.Staten is used as a modern American given name drawn from Staten Island in New York, itself named by DutcPronounced STAT-un▶Wanya#14104 in the U.S.An African-American given name of unsettled origin, best known from Wanya Morris of the group Boyz II MenPronounced WAHN-yuh▶Zo#14231 in the U.S.Zo is a short form lifted from longer names — Alonzo, Lorenzo, Zoltan — and now given on its own. It carrPronounced ZOH▶KamyrenA modern respelling of Kamryn/Cameron; by the Cameron route it traces to Scottish Gaelic 'cam sron', 'croPronounced KAM-ih-run▶KhazaiA modern coinage with a bold -zai ending; the sound also echoes Khazai/Khazaei, a Persian surname. As a gPronounced kuh-ZY▶KoulA one-syllable modern name. Koul is an established Kashmiri Pandit surname, and the spelling also reads iPronounced KOOL▶LasaiLasai is a modern coinage with a smooth two-beat sound; it also echoes Basque words and surnames (in BasqPronounced lah-SY▶LeyanLeyan is a modern name that reads as a coinage in English and also appears as a romanized Chinese given nPronounced LAY-an▶LuckiA respelling of the English adjective 'lucky', with the -y traded for -i. The spelling is also carried byPronounced LUK-ee▶MasiasMasias reads as a name echoing Matias (a form of Matthew, 'gift of God') and, in sound, Messiah; the resePronounced mah-SEE-uhs▶MyhirMyhir is a rare modern spelling that stands very close to Mihir, a Sanskrit-derived Indian name meaning 'Pronounced my-HEER▶NayarA modern given name, also known as a South Asian surname (Nayar/Nair, a community of Kerala). As a first Pronounced NY-ar▶
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Frequently Asked
Which names on this list literally mean 'gift'?
Four carry a true gift meaning: Jessiah and Jaythan trace to Hebrew roots for gift, Maceo means 'gift of Yahweh,' and Mivaan is often read as 'gift of God.'
Is Kason a form of Cason?
Yes — Kason is a K-spelled variant of Cason, sharing the same crisp, two-syllable sound as Jason, Mason, and Carson rather than a separate meaning of its own.
What kind of parent chooses a gift-meaning name?
Parents drawn to gift meanings usually want the name itself to hold a small blessing — a quiet way of saying this child is a gift, without spelling it out on a birth announcement.