Skip to main content

15 virtuous names for your baby from modern to more traditional

When you imagine the person you want your baby to grow into, do a list of positive personality traits come to mind? Maybe you want your future child to be honest and brave or loyal and fair.

Virtuous names are baby names that come with deeper meanings. Dating back to the Puritans, virtue names have remained popular through the centuries.

Looking through lists of virtue baby names for your child will give you a ton of options. From straightforward modern options like True and Harmony to traditional names rooted in old languages like Verity and Amity, virtue baby names have something to offer all parents.

A group of toddlers happy and smiling.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Virtue baby names

Candor:

Although traditionally thought of as strictly a boy name, Candor can be used as a unisex name. The word candor means honesty and sincerity. Other interpretations include purity and innocence.

Charity:

The name Charity is traditionally a girl’s baby name. Charities are known for giving their time and resources to help others in need. Naming your baby Charity implies selflessness and a love of helping others.

Dillon:

Originally an Irish name for boys meaning “like a lion” or “loyal,” Dillon can also make a cute girl’s name as well. The spelling Dylan is also a popular contemporary choice.

Faith:

Faith demonstrates hope and peace. There are also many traditional and modern names across different cultures that mean “faith”, including Vera and Amani, if you want a more subtle option.

Faye:

Faye may be seen as a girl’s name, but is actually considered unisex. The name Faye is derived from an old-time French word meaning “belief” or “loyalty”. Although the name is still pretty uncommon, Faye has risen in popularity.

Grace:

The definition of grace includes poise and elegance as well as goodwill. The origin of the name Grace can be traced back to the Latin for “goodness”. Grace also appears in Greek mythology and the goddesses of nature. Grace is a popular first and middle name for girls. Grayson is an alternative for a boy name.

Hope:

Does your future bundle bring you hope? Perhaps you want your baby to remember to keep a positive outlook. Hope means faith and trust. This simple name can be used as a first name or a middle name.

Joy:

If you are looking for a more modern name, Joy is a simple, minimalist name that means happiness. Although some may consider Joy a girl’s name, culturally Joy can be a unisex name. Variations that keep the original meaning can include Joi and Joyce.

A baby smiling in their sleep.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Justice:

Derived from the Biblical name Justus, the name Justice and its various spellings are a unisex baby name option. Justice means “fair”, “equitable”, and “done right by the law”.

Kurt:

Kurt, Curt, and Curtis are all traditionally boy names that derive from Old German languages for “wise” and “wise counsel”. Interpretations also include bold.

Noah:

Noah is a popular boy’s name. The most well-known Noah is the one from the Bible. Because he was virtuous, Noah was chosen by God to build an ark before the world was flooded. Derived from the Hebrew word “Noach”, Noah means “repose” or “rest”.

Riley:

There are a few interpretations of the unisex name Riley. One is the Irish Reilly, which is historically an Irish last name. Riley means “valiant”. Someone who is valiant shows perseverance and courage during tough times.

Solomon:

Solomon, a traditional boy’s name, comes from the Hebrew “shalom” and means peace. This classic name is made notable by the character Solomon from the Bible. Solomon was known for his wealth and wisdom.

Valerie:

A classic name, Valerie is rooted in French and Latin. A girl’s name, Valerie means “health” and “strength”. For those looking for a unique spelling, or for a more unisex approach, you could use Velerie.

Wisdom:

For a less conventional, classic-sounding name try Wisdom. Although Wisdom may be viewed as a boy name, Wisdom can be a unisex name. The name Wisdom means “virtue” and comes from the definition of the word, which means “knowledgeable”, “experienced”, and “having good judgment”.

A name can say plenty about a person. The search for the perfect baby name can be tedious. Choosing from virtuous baby names can give your future little bundle of joy a strong namesake for the rest of his or her life.

A name can hold deep personal meaning, have a strong family connection, or have cultural significance. Baby names derived from positive traits and virtues give you classic and modern choices.

Editors' Recommendations

Whitney Sandoval
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Whitney Sandoval is a freelance writer and educator living in the Midwest. She writes about parenting, accessibility, and…
5 adorable baby girl haircut options: Try these cute, stress-free ideas
Your guide to simple and sweet baby girl hairstyles
A little girl with her hands in her hair.

Your baby's first year is filled with firsts. There's baby's first smile, first word, and of course, first steps. The firsts don't stop there, either. A baby girl's first haircut may not be considered a milestone, but it is a special moment. It's one of those treasured times you'll think back on fondly.

Your baby girl's first haircut is one of many precious firsts you'll experience as a parent. Deciding when to get a haircut for your little one can also be a source of anxiety. Should you cut your baby's hair or have a professional do it? If your little girl is a bundle of curls, will they grow back if you cut them? Another big question is how to style your baby's hair. Do you let it grow long?

Read more
When can babies eat baby food? This is when to make the switch
How to tell if your baby is ready to start solid food
Baby opens mouth at the sight of food

Many parents find it confusing to know when their baby can start eating baby food. Everyone seems to have an opinion about when babies need to start on solid foods, and that can often mean that parents, especially first-time ones, hear a lot of misinformation and feel pressure to feed their babies baby food before they're ready.

Because every baby is different, there is no exact time when babies should start eating baby food, but there are some guidelines to follow to ensure your little one is ready. Keep reading to answer the question, "When can babies eat baby food?"

Read more
Musical baby names that will make your heart sing
Share your love of all things melodic by giving your child one of these musical names
Baby listening to headphones

If you thought picking out a nursery theme was hard — just wait until you start thinking of what you are going to name your baby. It is one of the most meaningful and personal decisions you'll make for your little one, where some people like to carry on familial traditions, certain parents love a musical baby name, while others like to choose something truly unique. It's not uncommon to have the baby's name selected long before they even become pregnant, with others needing the entire nine months of pregnancy to decide on the perfect name.
People also turn to their personal tastes when it comes to choosing a name, and there is no shortage of inspiration if you go with a musical theme. Music-inspired names are great for anyone looking for a boy, girl, or gender-neutral option because the possibilities are endless. If you're looking for a melodic sound to call your bundle of joy, look no further than these musical baby names that will make your heart sing.

Names that come from musical words
Aria
Aria is the perfect name for any music lover's daughter because it means "song" or "solo melody" in Italian. It typically refers to a musical solo in an opera and has found quite a bit of popularity over the recent years, thanks to characters of the same name in hit shows like Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones.
Chord
If you're looking for a more unique name inspired by your love of music, Chord may be just what you're looking for. A chord is a group of notes or sounds strung together. While not a common name, it did become more popular when actor Chord Overstreet joined the cast of Glee.
Harmony
What better name to give a sweet baby girl than Harmony, which means the "musical combination of chords." It's an ideal name for the child of two music lovers. The name derives from the Greek word "Harmonia," the daughter of Ares (the god of war) and Aphrodite (the goddess of love) and was the immortal goddess of harmony and concord.
Lyric
Lyric is a beautiful gender-neutral name for someone who wants to express their love of music through their child's name. Lyric derives from the Greek word lyre which is an ancient stringed instrument. While many feel Lyric is a female name, celebrities like Soleil Moon Frye and Jeremy London both have sons named Lyric. Backstreet Boy singer A.J. McLean has a daughter named Lyric, which seems perfectly fitting.
Melody
Your baby will be as sweet as a song if you name her Melody. The name, which derives from the Green Melodia, means song tune and is a sweet and feminine ode to music and songs. The name has waned in popularity since it peaked in the 1980s, which means it's the perfect choice for someone looking for something a bit more mainstream yet not uber-trendy.
Strummer
If you want something a bit more rock-n-roll for your child, Strummer has the perfect pitch. While it literally means one who strums a stringed instrument, it's a match for an edgier name that still carries a musical tune.

Read more