Getting Started

Deciding on baby's name is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make during your pregnancy (but really, no pressure!). Finding a great baby name can also be a lot of fun. Whether you're looking for baby names for girls or boys, it's a good idea to figure out the basics first. Do you like the idea of using a well-known, traditional baby name or are you looking for something more quirky? How attached are you to the meaning behind your baby's name? Is there a certain baby name origin you want to concentrate on? We've put together the ultimate guide to baby names to help you find the ideal fit. Get started by browsing through tons of baby name lists to narrow down your search. Our lists divide baby names up by origin (everything from Italian baby names to Japanese names), gender (baby boy names and baby girl names), and name types (celebrity baby names to unique baby names). Each baby name detail page will give you the important info you need: baby name meanings, baby name rankings, suggestions, and more. Try out our innovative baby namer tool to search through thousands of baby names. Don't forget to check out the fun stuff like our baby name style quiz and articles, all written to help you on your baby name search. Still can't find the name you're looking for? Check out name suggestions from members of TheBump.com community and share your own favorites on our Baby Names board!

More about baby names Less about baby names

ethan

origin: Hebrew

meaning: Firm, Strong

While Ethan certainly counts as (and somehow just sounds like) a biblical name, he played only a small and slightly uncertain role in the testament itself. He was a famously wise man who King Solomon managed to top in smarts and may have also been a cymbal player in King David’s court. A more well-known namesake is Ethan Allen, the revolutionary war hero. (Yes -- and the guy who sells furniture.) Despite its history though, the name wasn’t even on the charts until the early 1900s…but even then, it wasn’t all that popular. It took a huge jump from the ’80s (average rank of 229) to the ’90s (55) -- maybe due to Tom Cruise’s lead character Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series, the first of which came out in ’96. Since then, it’s continued to rocket up the charts to its current peak in the top five. Look for it to continue to rise -- it’s fashionable without losing its classic and sophisticated feel and has the strong yet sensitive vibe that makes a great guy’s name.