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Honest
Pronounced ON-ist /ΛΙnΙͺst/High
Meaning: Truthful, fair-dealing, free from deceit; virtue name from Latin honestus meaning honourableHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
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.
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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 /ΛΙnΙͺst/ β 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.