Music legends baby names
Handpicked for families who want names with roots: the beloved classics, what parents in the culture choose today, and the cool discoveries most US name sites never surface.
Aaliyah exalted, noble (Arabic); famously borne by R&B star Aaliyah
Adele noble; famously borne by singer Adele
Amy beloved (from French Aimée); famously borne by Amy Winehouse
Aretha virtue, excellence (Greek arete); famously borne by Aretha Franklin
Bessie God is my oath (pet form of Elizabeth); famously borne by blues empress Bessie Smith
Beyoncé modern coinage honoring her mother's maiden name, Beyincé; famously borne by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Billie resolute protector (pet form of Wilhelmina and William); famously borne by Billie Holiday and Billie Eilish
Bob bright fame (pet form of Robert); famously borne by Bob Dylan and Bob Marley
Bowie yellow-haired (Scottish surname, from Gaelic buidhe); chosen honoring David Bowie
Bruce from the brushwood thicket (Scottish surname); famously borne by Bruce Springsteen
Buddy friend, pal (affectionate English nickname); famously borne by Buddy Holly
Celia heavenly (from Latin Caelia); famously borne by salsa queen Celia Cruz
Chuck free man (American pet form of Charles); famously borne by Chuck Berry
Clara clear, bright; famously borne by pianist Clara Schumann
David beloved; famously borne by David Bowie
Diana divine (the Roman moon goddess); famously borne by Diana Ross
Dolly gift of God (pet form of Dorothy); famously borne by Dolly Parton
Dylan son of the sea (Welsh); famously adopted by Bob Dylan in honor of poet Dylan Thomas
Ella fairy maiden; famously borne by Ella Fitzgerald
Ellington from an English place name, 'Elli's town'; chosen honoring Duke Ellington
Elton from an English place name, 'Ella's town'; famously borne by Elton John
Elvis of uncertain origin, possibly from the Irish saint's name Ailbhe; made world-famous by Elvis Presley
Etta short form of Henrietta, 'home ruler'; famously borne by Etta James
Frank free man; famously borne by Frank Sinatra
Freddie peaceful ruler (pet form of Frederick); famously borne by Freddie Mercury
Hendrix son of Hendrik, the Dutch Henry ('estate ruler'); chosen honoring Jimi Hendrix
Jagger carter, peddler (English surname); chosen honoring Mick Jagger
Janis form of Janice, from Jane, 'God is gracious'; famously borne by Janis Joplin
Jimi supplanter (pet form of James); famously borne by Jimi Hendrix
Johnny God is gracious (pet form of John); famously borne by Johnny Cash
Joni God is gracious (pet form of Joan); famously borne by Joni Mitchell
Kurt brave counsel (German short form of Konrad); famously borne by Kurt Cobain
Lennon lover, sweetheart (Irish surname Ó Leannáin); chosen by parents honoring John Lennon
Loretta laurel (from Lauretta); famously borne by Loretta Lynn
Louis renowned warrior; famously borne by Louis Armstrong
Ludwig famous warrior; famously borne by Ludwig van Beethoven
Madonna my lady (Italian title of the Virgin Mary); famously borne by Madonna
Mariah form of Maria, traditionally 'wished-for child, beloved'; famously borne by Mariah Carey
Marley pleasant meadow (English surname); chosen honoring Bob Marley
Marvin sea friend (from Welsh Merfyn); famously borne by Marvin Gaye
Miles soldier, merciful; famously borne by Miles Davis
Nat gift of God (short form of Nathaniel); famously borne by Nat King Cole
Nina short form of names ending in -nina, as Antonina; famously borne by Nina Simone
Otis English surname from Ode, 'wealth, fortune'; famously borne by Otis Redding
Patsy noble (pet form of Patricia); famously borne by Patsy Cline
Presley priest's meadow (English surname); chosen honoring Elvis Presley
Prince royal title used as a given name (Latin princeps, 'first'); famously borne by Prince Rogers Nelson
Ray wise protector (short form of Raymond); famously borne by Ray Charles
Selena from Selene, Greek goddess of the moon; famously borne by Tejano star Selena Quintanilla
Stevie crowned (pet form of Steven and Stephanie); famously borne by Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks
Tina short form of Christina, 'follower of Christ'; famously borne by Tina Turner
Whitney white island (English surname); famously borne by Whitney Houston
Willie resolute protector (pet form of William); famously borne by Willie Nelson
Wolfgang wolf path, traveling wolf; famously borne by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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