Virtue baby names: From Faith to Justice

Sep 29, 2010 8:32 AM by Kim Grundy

Posted in Parenting / Having a Baby / Baby Names

Meaningful Baby Names

Virtue baby names got their start with the early American Puritans, who choose virtue names in the hope that their child would take on those same characteristics. Although more popular with girl names than boy names, virtue names are both spiritual and unique.

Newborn baby

Virtue girls' names have taken off as a baby name trend, with names such as Grace and Destiny making their appearance on the Social Security Top 100 Baby Name list. These names are both unique and hopeful and would make a great first or middle name for your baby girl. With celebrities like Jessica Alba getting in on the virtue name trend (her baby girl is named Honor), you are sure to see some of these names climb the charts. However, they are unique enough to help your daughter stand out in a crowd.

Girls virtue names

Trinity
Mercy
Charity
Faith
Honor
Joy
Patience
Verity
Amity
Truth
Purity
Peace
Prudence

Get more girl name ideas here! >>

Boy virtue names

Boy virtue names do not seem to go over as well as girl virtue names. Many of the names would make a great middle name or unique first name for baby boys – just keep in mind that you don't want a name that sounds pretentious. However, if you want a future sports star, many of these boy virtue names would look great on the back of a jersey!

Justice
Charisma
Dare
Constance
Clarity
Admire
Lucky
Noble
Patriot
Royal
Regal
Rebel
Radiance
Resolve
Swift
Valor
Wisdom

Get more boys name ideas here! >>

Weird virtue names

Although Puritans used some of these unusual names, they would not go over well in modern times. Some examples of names that Puritans actually used include Fear, Hate-Evil (why would you do this to your child?!), Temperance, Silence, Chastity and Obedience.

Before settling on a unique baby name, make sure you consider how your child will be perceived with the name. For instance, a son with the name Dare might be, well, dared to do activities you would not want him to do. However, may a son named Lucky will go on to win the lottery? Will your daughter Patience have this characteristic as she goes through life?