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Honest

♂ Boy

Pronounced ON-ist /ˈɒnɪst/High

Meaning: Truthful, fair-dealing, free from deceit; virtue name from Latin honestus meaning honourableHigh

In 30 seconds: Honest is a bold English virtue name meaning 'truthful and fair.' Part of the Puritan tradition of naming children after qualities to aspire to, it makes a striking, values-forward choice for modern parents seeking something distinctive.
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Origin HighEnglish, Latin
MeaningTruthful, fair-dealing, free from deceit; virtue name from Latin honestus meaning honourable
U.S. rank (2024)#3170 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births38 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 256

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120122024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Honest derives from the Latin honestus meaning 'honourable' or 'respectable,' which passed into Old French as honeste and into Middle English as honest. As a given name, Honest belongs to the Puritan virtue-naming tradition of the 16th and 17th centuries, when parents in England and colonial America gave children names like Faith, Hope, Chastity, and Honest to reflect religious and moral ideals.

The name fell out of fashion after the Puritan era but has seen occasional modern revival, particularly in African and African-American communities where virtue names remain a living tradition. It conveys strong parental intention and stands out in any classroom register.

Did you know? Virtue names like Honest, True, and Faithful were commonly given by Puritan families in 17th-century England and early America as daily reminders of godly character.
Overall data confidence 90%
Oxford English Dictionary — honest — Etymology from Latin honestus via Old FrenchWithycombe, E.G. — The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names — Puritan virtue-naming tradition

Variations

Honesty

Nicknames

Hon

Famous Bearers

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If you like Honest…

Truth— fellow English virtue name in the same tradition
True— short virtue name with the same honest character
Noble— English virtue/quality name with an aspirational meaning
Valor— virtue name denoting a strong character trait

Frequently Asked

What does the name Honest mean?

Honest is an English virtue name meaning 'truthful, fair, and free from deceit,' derived from the Latin honestus, meaning honourable.

How do you pronounce Honest?

Honest is pronounced ON-ist /ˈɒnɪst/ — two syllables with stress on the first, exactly like the English adjective.

Is Honest a boy or girl name?

Honest has been used for both boys and girls, but it is currently used slightly more often as a boy's name.

How popular is Honest?

Honest is a very rare given name in modern records, making it a truly distinctive choice for parents who want a virtue name with impact.