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You may be looking for January baby names if you expect your little bundle of joy to arrive this month. January ushers in the new year, bringing a slew of new resolutions and aspirations. This month occurs in the middle of winter when the weather is mild and pleasant with blue skies and white clouds. The babies born this month are believed to be intelligent, productive, and diligent, belonging to either Capricorn or Aquarius zodiac signs. So, if you’re expecting your little angel in January, keep reading because we have created a list of names for you to choose from.
Key Pointers
- January-themed names elicit the joy of a new year’s beginning.
- Names like Priscilla, Shane, and Reuel are associated with divine blessings.
- Seasonally aligned names, such as Nevada (meaning ‘snow’), can represent the winter theme.
- Nina, Catherine, Zora, and Zayn are inspired by prominent personalities born in January.
24 January Baby Names For Girls And Boys
Having your child in January, the first month of the year, signals the start of a new chapter in your life in more ways than one. As such, your child deserves a name befitting the month they were born in. The following January baby names are inspired by famous personalities born in the month and by meanings that symbolize hope and new beginnings.
January Baby Names For Girls
January girl baby names are versatile, including classic options like Catherine and Joan, and distinctive options like Danica and Zora. Discover the meanings, origins, and inspirations behind some of the best ones we have compiled below.
1. Bessie
Bessie is a diminutive form of names like Elizabeth and Beatrice, giving it meanings such as ‘God is my oath’ and ‘bringer of joy.’ The name is famously associated with January-born American civil aviator Bessie Coleman, who was the first Native American and African American female pilot (1).
2. Bianca
The name Bianca, meaning ‘white,’ is popular with the Spanish-speaking community. Also, the Shakespearean character Bianca features in two of his plays, Othello and The Taming of the Shrew. With its allusion to the color white, reminiscent of snow, Bianca is a unique choice for a January-born girl.
3. Catherine
Catherine (Kate Middleton), the Princess of Wales, is also a January baby (2). The name Catherine has multiple meanings. In French, it means ‘pure and clear,’ while the Irish meaning of the name is ‘innocent.’ What’s best about this name is that the nickname ‘Kate’ goes very naturally with it.
4. Danica
This sweet-sounding name means ‘morning star’ or ‘Venus.’ A popular January-born figure with this name is Danica Mae McKellar, an American actress, author, and mathematician best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the TV series The Wonder Years.
5. Eliora
This melodic Hebrew name means ‘God is my light.’ Because of its connection to light, the name celebrates the entry of a shining beacon in your life in the new year, making it a wonderful choice for January-born baby girls.
6. Evangeline
The name Evangeline has Greek origins and translates to ‘good news’ or ‘messenger of good news.’ This is an auspicious name choice for a baby girl born at the beginning of the year, as it carries a message of joy, hope, and positivity.
7. Joan/Jeanne
Joan and Jeanne are English and French feminine variants of the Hebrew-origin name John, which means ‘God is gracious.’ It is closely related to January-born St. Joan of Arc or Jeanne d’Arc, the national heroine of France who led French military forces against English soldiers after receiving visions from God (3).
8. Nina
The meaning of this name differs with language. In English, it means ‘favor,’ and in Spanish, it means a ‘girl.’ The Hebrew meaning of the name is ‘grace.’ The Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev was born on January 9, 1989, making Nina a strong contender for a January baby name.
Did you know?9. Nova
Nova is a classic Latin baby girl name that means ‘new.’ This is an appropriate choice for a little girl born in January, and is quite popular in the US, with variants like Novalee, Noah, and Novalynn. It has steadily ranked among the top 50 names in the US since 2020, making it a firm favorite among new parents (4).
10. Paulina
The Latin name Paulina means ‘small’ and ‘humble.’ The sound of the name itself brings to mind an image of a beautiful young girl. January-born Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega evidently portrays the beauty of this name.
11. Priscilla
The name Priscilla is mentioned in the New Testament and means ‘ancient.’ January-born Priscilla Horton was an English singer and actress famous for her role as Ariel in The Tempest (5).
12. Zora
Zora is a distinctive choice for a baby girl born in January. This Slavic-origin name means ‘dawn,’ symbolizing a new beginning of the day and your life. January-born and world-renowned American author and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston is the main inspiration behind this baby name (6).
January Baby Names For Boys
Picking the perfect name for your January-born little boy can be a tough decision. The following names, inspired by famous personalities, historical and modern, will help you come to a decision faster. Read on to learn more about them.
13. Alexander
The timeless Greek-origin name Alexander means ‘defender of the people.’ It is associated with Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father of the US, born January 11, 1755. He was also the first Secretary of Treasury under George Washington’s presidency (7).
14. Bradley
The name Bradley has Old English origins and means ‘broad clearing.’ Award-winning actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper was also born in January. He is well-known for starring in films such as Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper and directing movies such as A Star is Born.
15. David
David, a Hebrew Biblical name meaning ‘beloved,’ is a timeless choice for baby boys. Why do we consider it a January baby name? Because of its connection to David Bowie, of course. One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, David Bowie was born on January 8, 1947 (8).
16. Elvis
The name Elvis has its roots in Norse mythology and means ‘all wise.’ American musician and actor Elvis Presley, known as “The King of Rock n’ Roll,” was born on January 8, 1935. He is known to be one of the most versatile musicians of the 20th century (9).
17. Isaac
A hugely positive name to kickstart the new year and the birth of your son is the Hebrew Isaac, meaning ‘He laughs’ or ‘he who rejoices.’ The name is famous not only because of the English polymath Isaac Newton but also Isaac Asimov, a prominent American writer of science fiction (10) (11). Fun fact, both of them were born in January.
18. Justin
A name given to early saints, Justin, meaning ‘just,’ has been derived from the Latin name Justus. The ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling!’ singer Justin Timberlake is one of the most successful singers in the US, dubbed the “Prince of Pop.” If you are a fan of this January-born singer, you can choose his name for your son.
19. Liam
The Irish name Liam is a variant of William, meaning ‘strong-willed warrior’ or ‘desire to protect.’ It is a popular name in the US, with two famous January-born Hollywood actors, Liam Hemsworth and Liam Aiken, sharing the same name.
20. Martin
Derived from the Latin name Martinus, Martin is a popular English name meaning ‘of Mars’ or ‘war-like,’ referring to the Roman war god. The name is associated with Martin Luther King, born January 15, 1929, an American Baptist minister, activist, and one of the most prominent leaders of the Civil Rights movement (12).
Trivia21. Nevada
Want a typical countryside name for your son? Nevada in Spanish means ‘snow-capped’ or ‘covered in snow,’ reminiscent of a beautiful wintery landscape. It is the perfect name to confer upon a winter baby.
22. Reuel
It is the middle name of the English writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, or John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, who was born on January 3, 1892. He is famous for his fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (13). The name has a pious feel to it as it means ‘God’s friend’ in Hebrew.
23. Shane
Here is an auspicious choice for your January-born son. The name Shane is a variant of the names Sean and Shawn, all derived from John, meaning ‘graced by God.’ Among famous namesakes, wrestler and businessman Shane McMahon, a part owner of WWE and fourth-generation of the McMahon family, was born on January 15, 1970.
24. Zayn
Zayn is an Arabic-origin name meaning ‘beauty’ or ‘grace.’ Singing sensation Zayn Malik is a Capricorn born in January. The former One Direction member has topped music charts with his single Pillowtalk. If you are a music lover and a fan of One Direction, this name may fit the bill for your January-born baby boy.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can parents incorporate their personal beliefs or values into a January baby name?
Parents can look for a January baby name with a meaning that reflects the family’s personal values and beliefs. The baby’s name should stand for the values the parents believe in and want to inculcate in their child.
2. What are some January baby names connected to nature or the environment?
Names such as Aurora, Birch, and Camellia are some January names with a connection to nature.
January baby names are vibrant since the month marks the New Year’s arrival and new hopes in life. January was named after Janus, the Roman God of beginnings. Names that mean ‘new beginning’ are considered inspiring as they may lead to new adventures. This is the time that opens the door to new things and possibilities, leading to various novel paths in life. The name can also mark your baby’s birth month and remind you of the memories of your bundle of joy arriving in the New Year. So, choose a name for your baby born in January to reflect the joy of a new year and the aspirations you have for the future of your newborn. You will find both baby girl and boy names related to January from various origins on this list.
Infographic: January Baby Names
It could be double the celebration when you expect your little one’s arrival around new year’s eve. So, mark the new beginnings by choosing a unique name for your bundle of joy. Here is an infographic to help you select a perfect moniker for your baby born in January. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: January Baby Names: 22 Fresh Names For New Year Babies
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
January-inspired baby names have always been a classic favourite. Use this video to find names from a variety of ancient cultures with their meanings.
References
- Bessie Coleman.
https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/bessie-coleman - The Princess of Wales.
https://www.royal.uk/the-princess-of-wales - St. Joan of Arc.
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=295 - Popularity of a name – Nova.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/ - “I and my fellows are ministers of Fate”: Dickens and his beloved Ariel Priscilla Horton.
https://dickenssociety.org/archives/1578 - Zora Neale Hurston.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/zora-hurston - Alexander Hamilton.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/alexander-hamilton.htm - David Bowie.
https://www.songhall.org/profile/david_bowie1 - Who was Elvis Presley?
https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-was-elvis-presley - Isaac Newton.
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/newton/ - Isaac Asimov.
https://c250.columbia.edu/c250_celebrates/remarkable_columbians/isaac_asimov.html - About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/martin-luther-king-jr/ - J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biographical Sketch.
https://www.tolkiensociety.org/discover/biography/
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