Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason.
However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.
We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it.
How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular southern names to get better idea.
Davis-“beloved”
Grant-“large”
Earl-“warrior or nobleman”
Axel-“father of peace”
Burke-“from the fortress”
Richmond-“powerful protector”
Waylon-“God’s angel”
Zeke-“God strengthens”
Dawson-“David’s son”
Orson-“bear cub”
Shirley-“meadow”
Rodriguez-“the son of Rodrigo”
Emmett-“industrious”
Jones-“loan’s son”
Finn-“white”
Scout-“to listen”
In the past, some parents have named their child after celebrities or fictional characters.
Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical. Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.
Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child, they opt for a one-word baby name. And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.
In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity.
Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion.
So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome southern names.
Granger-“worker of the granary”
Birdie-“for God”
Charleston-“free peasants”
Levi-“joined in harmony”
Memphis-“beautiful and established”
Jackson-“son of Jack”
Calhoun-“from the narrow forest”
Cash-“wealth”
Elvis-“wise”
Blaine-“yellow”
Colin-“young creature”
Williams-“protection”
Huck-“resembling the huckleberry fruit”
Southern Names
Barnes-“barn”
Wiley-“crafty”
Redd-“read”
Ruth-“friend”
Buck-“a male deer”
Judson-“son of Jordan”
Hayden-“fire”
Juanita-“God is gracious”
Silas-“forest or woods”
Thaddeus-“gift of God”
Garcia-“young”
Sawyer-“woodcutter”
Jedidiah-“Jehovah’s beloved”
Johnson-“the son of John”
Buddy-“friend”
Bradford-“wide river crossing”
Connor-“lover of hounds”
Cole-“charcoal”
Smith-“to smite metal”
Cornelius-“horn”
Callie-“great beauty”
Davis-“the son of David”
Wealthy Southern Names
Oliver-“olive tree”
Hazel-“color of the hazel tree”.
Mabel-“lovable”
Harper-“harp player”
Keanu-“a cool breeze”
Mercer-“a merchant”
Clayton-“settlement near the clay pit”
Alfred-“wise counsel”
Dallas-“the valley of water”
Clinton-“settlement by the cliff”
Cletus-“glory”
Dale-“valley”
Umbra-“shadow”
Houston-“a settlement on the hill”
Marshall-“one who looks after horses”
Bowen-“the son of Owain”
Milton-“settlement with a mill”
Preston-“from the priest’s town”
Hollis-“a hero”
Adams-“the son of Adam”
Emory-“brave power”
Jeremiah-“appointed by God”
Remington-“place on a riverbank”
What are some of cutest southern names?
Knox-“a round hill”
Wilmer-“fame”
Cruz-“cross”
Henry-“estate ruler”
Brent-“dweller near the burnt land”
Hiram-“brother of the exalted one”
Carson-“son of the marsh-dwellers”
Lula-“famous warrior”
Maddox-“son of Madoc”
Charles-“strong man”
Vernon-“place of alders”
Conway-“the hound of the plain”
Ambrose-“the immortal one”
Finch-“to swindle”
Wyatt-“brave in war”
Winston-“wine’s town|”
Mason-“one who works with stone”
More Baby Names:
- Cute Anime Girl Names With Meanings
- Cute Magical Girl Names with Meanings
- Cool Western Baby Names with Meanings
- Awesome Lebanese Names with Meanings
- Small and Short Baby Names with Meanings
Tips to Naming Your Babies
There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives.
There are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name.
These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.
If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:
1. Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.
It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.
Here are some popular southern names out there:
Cherokee
Meaning: “A tribe name or people of a different speech”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means tribe name or people of a different speech.
Spelling and variations: Cheroke, Cherrokee, Cherokey, Cherokie, Cheroki.
Famous people with this name: Athlete Cherokee Parks.
Dakota
Meaning: “Friend and ally”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Friend and ally.
Spelling and variations: : Dakotah, Dakoda, Dakodah, Dacotah, Dekota, Dekotah.
Famous people with this name: Actresses Dakota Fanning and Dakota Johnson.
Elan
Meaning: “Friendly”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Friendly.
Spelling and variations: Elann, Elon, Elen, Elin, Elen, Elun.
Famous people with this name: Elan Atias.
Kai
Meaning: “Willow tree”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Willow tree.
Spelling and variations: Kye, Kei, Keh, Ky, Cai, Cye, Ceh.
Famous people with this name: Fashion Designer Kai Milla, singer Kai.
Opa
Meaning: “Owl”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Owl.
Spelling and variations: Oppa, Opah, Oppah, Ohpah, Ohpa.
Famous people with this name: Opa.
Shawnee
Meaning: “A tribe name”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A tribe name.
Spelling and variations: Shawny, Shawney, Shawnie, Shawn, Seanee, Seaney, Shaunee, Shauney, Shaun, Sean.
Famous people with this name: Shawnee.
Tyee
Meaning: “Chief”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Chief.
Spelling and variations: Tayee, Taye, Taie, Tai, Tiee, Tyie.
Famous people with this name: Actor Tyee Tilghman.
Aponi
Meaning: “Butterfly”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Butterfly.
Spelling and variations: Aponni, Apponi, Apponni, Apani.
Famous people with this name: Singer Aponi Kai.
Chenoa
Meaning: “A place name”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A place name.
Spelling and variations: Chenoah, Chenowa, Chenoha, Chinoa, Chen, Noa.
Famous people with this name: Actress Chenoa Maxwell.
Kaya
Meaning: “She who arranges rocks”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means She who arranges rocks.
Spelling and variations: Kaia, Kaiya, Kiaya, Kayah, Kaiah, Kay.
Famous people with this name: Actress Kaya Scodelario.
Cheyenne
Meaning: “A city in Wyoming”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A city in Wyoming.
Spelling and variations: Cheyann, Chayenne, Chayanne, Shyanne, Shayanne, Sheyanne, Sheyann, Shay, Chey.
Famous people with this name: Model Cheyenne Brando.
Dyani
Meaning: “Deer”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Deer.
Spelling and variations: Diani, Dyanni, Dianni, Dayani, Dyanie, Dyannie, Diannie, Dianee.
Famous people with this name: Journalist Dyani Sabin.
Hialeah
Meaning: “A pretty prairie or prairie on the hill”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A pretty prairie or prairie on the hill.
Spelling and variations: Hialeigha, Hiahlea, Hiahleah, Hiyaleah, Hyaleah.
Famous people with this name: Hialeah.
Koko
Meaning: “The night”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means The night.
Spelling and variations: Coco, Koco, Coko, Kokoh, Cocoh, Kohko.
Famous people with this name: Singer Koko Taylor.
2. Do not skip lovely southern names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.
Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names. They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.
How would you like these southern names:
Lainis-“shining brightly”
Lincoln-“town by the pool”
Ellis-“benevolent”
Redd-“red color”
Elmer-“renowned”
Lockhart-“brave”
Allen-“harmony”
Bates-“lush pastures”
Carver-“woodcarver”
Micah-“who is like the Lord”
William-“having strong will”
Austin-“magnificent or great”
Virgil-“a bearer of staff”
Elijah-“Yahweh is God”
Paxton-“peace town”.
Ulysses-“hater”
3. Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.
SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name.
However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.
Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:
Kiona
Meaning: “Brown hills”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Brown hills.
Spelling and variations: Kyona, Kionah, Kyonah, Kionna, Kyonna, Keyona, Kionea, Kiana.
Famous people with this name: Kiona.
Lulu
Meaning: “Rabbit”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Rabbit.
Spelling and variations: Loulu, Loulou, Lulou, Looloo, Loolu, Lula, Lu.
Famous people with this name: Journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro.
Mika
Meaning: “Raccoon”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Raccoon.
Spelling and variations: Mikka, Mikah, Mica, Micca, Micah, Myka, Mieka.
Famous people with this name: Actress Mika Boorem.
Oneida
Meaning: “A tribe name”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A tribe name.
Spelling and variations: Onida, Onieda, Onyda, Onidah, Oneidah, Oneyda.
Famous people with this name: Oneida.
Pocahontas
Meaning: “Playful one”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Playful one.
Spelling and variations: Pokahontas, Pocahantas, Pocohontas, Pokahantus.
Famous people with this name: Pocahontas.
Malia
Meaning: “Calm waters”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Calm waters.
Spelling and variations: Maliah, Malliah, Mallia, Mahlia, Mahliah, Maleigha, Maleah, Malea, Lia, Lea.
Famous people with this name: Former First Daughter Malia Obama.
Moana
Meaning: “Deep sea”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Deep sea.
Spelling and variations: Moanah, Mowana.
Famous people with this name: Moana Carcasses Kalosil was the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
Mona
Meaning: “Gathering jimsonweed (devil’s snare) seed”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Gathering jimsonweed (devil’s snare) seed.
Spelling and variations: Monah, Monna, Monnah, Mone, Moine, Moana.
Famous people with this name: Writer Mona Simpson.
Nina
Meaning: “Mighty or fire”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Mighty or fire.
Spelling and variations: Ninah, Ninna, Nena, Neena, Nenah, Nini.
Famous people with this name: Singer Nina Simone.
Hiawatha
Meaning: “He who combs”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means He who combs.
Spelling and variations: Hiawathah, Hyawatha, Hyawathah, Ayenwatha, Aiionwatha.
Famous people with this name: Architect Hiawatha Estes.
Nita
Meaning: “Bear”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Bear.
Spelling and variations: Nitah, Neeta, Neetah, Nyta, Nytah, Neata, Neatah, Nitikam, Nituna.
Famous people with this name: Actress Nita Talbot.
Nokomis
Meaning: “Grandmother”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Grandmother.
Spelling and variations: Nokomiss, Nakomis, Nokomys, Nakomys, Nocomis, Nacomis, Nokomes, Nookomis.
Famous people with this name: Nokomis.
Odina
Meaning: “Mountain”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Mountain.
Spelling and variations: Odinna, Odeena, Odinah, Odeenah, Odyna, Odine, Odyne, Odeene.
Famous people with this name: Athlete Odina Bayramova.
Sequoyah
Meaning: “A hog or possibly an opossum”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A hog or possibly an opossum.
Spelling and variations: Sequoya, Sequoia, Sequoiah, Sikwayi.
Famous people with this name: Cherokee Sequoyah.
Tahoma
Meaning: “Giver of the water”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Giver of the water.
Spelling and variations: Tacoma, Takoma, Tecoma, Tahomah, Tecomah, Tacomah, Takhoma, Tacobeh.
Famous people with this name: Tahoma.
4. Crossing your favorite southern names on the feedback on friends and family members.
Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion.
You will hardly find southern names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.
Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:
Everett-“brave as a wild boar”
Liam-“joined or attached”
Nash-“at the ash tree”
Alden-“old friend”.
Walker-“cloth-walker”.
Aden-“fiery one”
Prescot-“cottage of the priest”
Taylor-‘tailor”
Colton-“from the coal or dark town”
Billy-“resolute protection”
Ward-“marsh”
Margaret-“pearls”
Raleigh-“field of birds”
Hernandez-“the son of Hernando”
5. Do a little research and find what is out there.
Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick. You will be all good once you do a little internet research.
You will also be able to find some great southern names that you might consider now or in the future.
Here are some common baby names examples to help you:
Tala
Meaning: “Wolf”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Wolf.
Spelling and variations: Talla, Talah, Tallah, Tahla, Tahlah, Talan.
Famous people with this name: Singer Tala, actress Tala Ashe.
Poloma
Meaning: “Bow”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Bow.
Spelling and variations: Paloma, Palomah, Polomah, Polomma, Polowma, Peloma, Loma.
Famous people with this name: Poloma.
Tallulah
Meaning: “Leaping water”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Leaping water.
Spelling and variations: Talulah, Tallula, Talula, Tallullah, Tallulla, Taloulah.
Famous people with this name: Actress Tallulah Bankhead.
Winona
Meaning: “The first daughter”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means The first daughter.
Spelling and variations: Winnona, Winonna, Wynona, Wynonna, Winonah, Wynonnah, Wenona, Wanona, Wynonah.
Famous people with this name: Actress Winona Rider.
Chayton
Meaning: “Falcon”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Falcon.
Spelling and variations: Chaytan, Chayten, Chaeton, Chaitan, Chaton, Chatan, Chaten.
Famous people with this name: Chayton.
Goyathlay
Meaning: “The one who yawns”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means The one who yawns.
Spelling and variations: Goyaałé, Goyathle.
Famous people with this name: Apache leader Goyathlay.
Cochise
Meaning: “Oak”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Oak.
Spelling and variations: Cheis, Cocheis, Cocheise, Cocheese, Coachise, Cochiese, Kochise, Coche, Chise.
Famous people with this name: Apache Leader Cochise.
Dohasan
Meaning: “Little bluff”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Little bluff.
Spelling and variations: : Dohosan, Dohason, Dohasin, Dohasun, Dohosin, Dohasyn, Dohosyn, Tauhawsin Taohausen, Touhason.
Famous people with this name: Kiowa Chief Dohasan.
Holata
Meaning: “Alligator”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Alligator.
Spelling and variations: Holatta, Hollata, Halata, Holate.
Famous people with this name: Seminole Chief Holata Micco.
Kele
Meaning: “Sparrow”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Sparrow.
Spelling and variations: Kelle, Kellay, Kelley, Keyle, Keley, Keyle, Kelay, Khele, Khelle.
Famous people with this name: Singer Kele Okereke.
Keokuk
Meaning: “One who is alert”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means One who is alert.
Spelling and variations: Keyokuk, Kiokuk, Keocuk, Kiocuk, Keakuk.
Famous people with this name: Sauk Chief Keokuk.
Lúta
Meaning: “Red”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Red.
Spelling and variations: Lootah, Loota, Louta, Lutah, Loutah, Lewtah.
Famous people with this name: Mahpiya Lúta.
Mato
Meaning: “Bear”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Bear.
Spelling and variations: Matto, Matho.
Famous people with this name: Mandan Chief Mato-tope.
Nashoba
Meaning: “Wolf”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Wolf.
Spelling and variations: Neshoba, Nashobah, Nashohba, Noshoba.
Famous people with this name: Nashoba.
Onacona
Meaning: “White owl”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means White owl.
Spelling and variations: Onacohna, Onakona, Onaconah, Onakonah, Okoonaka, Oukahakah, Oukounaka, Onkanacleah.
Famous people with this name: Chief Onacona Attakullakulla.
6. Consider names of the subsequent children.
Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool southern name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.
7. Avoid names with bad meanings.
Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid. Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.
Here are some of the cool southern names with meanings:
Eli-“ascended”
Mildred-“gentle strength”
Yale-“fertile upland”
Ardy-“great forest”
Hudson-“Hugh’s son”
Madison-“the son of Matthew”
Belle-“beauty”
Kenneth-“handsome”
Emerson-“son of Emery”
Deacon-“messenger”
Reed-“red-haired”
Jasper-“treasurer”
Grady-“noble”
Beau-“handsome”
Adam-“the ground”
8. Pick up good people names from history.
The name of person has effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history.
You can consider this as well. I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past. I bet you’d find some awesome and useable southern names if you look into it.
We have a small list of southern names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:
Powhatan
Meaning: “A tribe name”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means“A tribe name.
Spelling and variations: Powatan, Powhattan, Powhaten, Pohetan.
Famous people with this name: Politicians Powhatan Ellis and Powhatan Gordon.
Sahale
Meaning: “Above or high place”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Above or high place.
Spelling and variations: Sahaile, Sahail, Sahael, Sahaele, Sehale.
Famous people with this name: Musician Sahalé.
Mabel
Meaning: “lovable”
Origin: Diminutive of Amabel.
Description: Mabel is of Diminutive of Amabel origin.
Spelling and variations: Mabelle, Mable, Maible.
Famous people with this name: Mabel Gardiner Hubbard.
Emmett
Meaning: “universal”
Origin: English.
Description: Emmett is of English origin.
Spelling and variations: Emmett, Emmet, Emott, Emmitt, Emetts.
Famous people with this name: Emmett Brown.
Seattle
Meaning: “Man of high status”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Man of high status.
Spelling and variations: Seatle, Seattel, Sealth, Seathle, Seathl, Si’ahl.
Famous people with this name: Chief Seattle.
Juniper
Meaning: “young”
Origin: Latin tree name.
Description: Juniper is of Latin tree name origin.
Spelling and variations: Juniper.
Famous people with this name: Juniper Sage.
Ada
Meaning: “noble”
Origin: German.
Description: The root, adal, is a Germanic word meaning “noble”.
Spelling and variations: Ada.
Famous people with this name: Ada Yonath.
Tecumseh
Meaning: “Panther across the sky”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Panther across the sky.
Spelling and variations: Tekoomsē, Tecumtha, Tekamthi.
Famous people with this name: Shawnee Chief Tecumseh.
Tokala
Meaning: “Fox”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means Fox.
Spelling and variations: Takala, Tokalah, Takalah, Tekala, Tekalah, Tokalo.
Famous people with this name: Actor Tokala Clifford.
Yuma
Meaning: “A tribe name”
Origin: Native American.
Description: Native American origin and its means A tribe name.
Spelling and variations: Uma, Yhuma, Yumah, Yoomah.
Famous people with this name: Singer Yuma Nakayama.
Atticus
Meaning: “from Attica”
Origin: Latin.
Description: Atticus derives from the Greek Attikos, meaning “from Attica”.
Spelling and variations: Aticus , Attikus.
Famous people with this name: Titus Pomponius Atticus.
Hazel
Meaning: “the hazelnut tree”
Origin: English.
Description: Hazel is a name applied from the English word hazel, referring to the hazelnut tree.
Spelling and variations: Hazelle, Hasel and Heizle.
Famous people with this name: Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman.
Charlotte
Meaning: “free man””
Origin: French.
Description: It derived from Charlot, a French diminutive of Charles meaning “little Charles”.
Spelling and variations: Carla, Carlotta, Carli.
Famous people with this name: Charlotte Ainslie.
Josephine
Meaning: “Jehovah increases”
Origin: French.
Description: a name ultimately derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning “Jehovah increases”.
Spelling and variations: Fifi, Jo, Josie, Joetta and Jojo.
Famous people with this name: Josephine of Leuchtenberg.
Clementine
Meaning: “mild”
Origin: French.
Description: Clementine is of French origin.
Spelling and variations: Clemence, Clementia, Clementina.
Famous people with this name: Princess Clémentine of Belgium.
9. Make sure the first and second name fit with each other.
This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.
Check out southern names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:
Omega-“the end”
Gunnar-“bold warrior”
Parker-“park keeper”
Hayes-“forest”
Gatlin-“companion”
Jimmy-“supplanter”
Rufus-“red-head”
Benton-“bent grass enclosure”
Abbott-“father”
Jewel-“bountiful”
Patree-“worthy”
Brooks-“of the brook”
Carter-“transports goods by cart”
Mendoza-“The Good Place”
Herman-“Pee Wee’s Big Adventures”
10. Avoid names with too many syllables.
Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.
Check Also:
