December Babies

Oh, where did the time go? The final month of the year has sneaked up on us. Doesn’t it every year? December baby names often draw inspiration from season celebration such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Yule. There are many options that disconnect from the holidays and simply focus on the birth month itself.

From nature names to biblical figures to holiday traditions, December names are perfect for a baby all year ‘round.

If that snuggle alert turns into a baby alert, consider these names for your December baby.

Symbolic for December

Fairuza

Origin: Turkish - Meaning: Turquoise

Actress Fairuza Balk brought this name to the film screen in 1996’s The Craft. Fairuza isn’t a December baby herself but her name does relate to this months birthstone. Fairuza actually got her name when her father exclaimed the name with excitement upon seeing her bright blue eyes. For a baby boy we recommend Zircon.

Holly

Origin: English - Meaning: Clearing by the Hollow, Hollow-eyed, Tree

December’s birth flower is traditionally the genus Narcissus but we adamantly recommend against naming your little one Narcissus. We prefer the second most popular flower, the Holly. Holly is such a fun and festive for this time of year.

The Twelfth Month

Declan

Origin: Irish - Meaning: Man of Prayer, Full of Goodness

The month of December has us brainstorming Dec-names. We can’t resist the ever so popular, Declan. With a good down-to-earth religious meaning we can understand why parents are fond of it. Currently ranking at #102 we suspect it will break into the top 100 very soon. Need a more uncommon name? Choose Decker!

Pearl

Origin: Latin - Meaning: Word Name

Puritan, Religious and Saint names always skyrocket around the holidays. In Revelation 21:12: “The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate being made from a single pearl” discussing the gates of New Jerusalem. The twelve pearls are a perfectly subtle tie to the twelfth month of the year. We can’t recommend Pearl enough.

Tolvar

Origin: Danish - Meaning: Twelve, Thunder Wolf

The only name we could find that directly means “twelve” is the Danish originated name Tolvar. An uncommon choice that feels equally fits in and stands out.

Happy Holidays

David

Origin: Hebrew - Meaning: Beloved

With religious names on our mind we can’t forget about David for the Star of David. The star is a symbol of Judaism and Jewish celebrations.

Kinara

Origin: Swahili - Meaning: Candle Holder

The end of the month brings us Kwanzaa. During Kwanzaa, seven candles are placed in the Kinara representing the seven principles.

Natalia

Origin: Latin - Meaning: Born on Christmas Day

Expecting a baby born of Christmas Day? Natalia means exactly that - “Born on Christmas Day”. Talk about a Christmas miracle!

Shepherd

Origin: Old English - Meaning: Sheep Herdsman, Guardian

No nativity scene is complete without the shepherds. A holiday favorite. Shepherd has caught the eye of many naming extraordinaire over the past five years. Shepherd entered the top 1000 in 2016 and has climbed up the charts ever since.

Zohar

Origin: Hebrew, Israeli - Meaning: Light, Brilliance

As of today we are in the middle of the Hanukkah celebration, so names meaning light are extra important. To honor this meaningful holiday we want to shine a light on Zohar. The Zohar is the chief of Kabbala text that interpret the mystical elements of the Torah.

Time to Decorate the Tree

Douglas

Origin: Scottish - Meaning: Dark Waters

One of the top-selling Christmas tree’s is the Douglas Fir. The name Douglas has also gained wide attention this past year even though it has been declining on the charts over the past two decades.

Oren

Origin: Hebrew - Meaning: Pine Tree

Pine tree’s are also commonly used for the holiday season. We like the name Pine but let’s do one better and choose the Hebrew originated name Oren instead.

Other Holidays to Consider

Amaryllis

Origin: Greek - Meaning: To Sparkle

Amaryllis is a bulbed-bloom that are a hit during the holidays; plus with a sparking meaning it’s extra fitting for the worldwide party of sparkle and shine known as New Year’s Eve.

Bodhi

Origin: Sanskrit - Meaning: Enlightenment, Awakening

Did you know Bodhi isn’t just one of the fastest rising names, it’s also related to a holiday? Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday held on December 8th to commemorate the day Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama experienced enlightenment while sitting underneath the Bodhi tree.

Mare

Origin: Irish - Meaning: Star of the Sea

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American celebration held on Christmas Eve to commemorate the Vigilia de Natale, the midnight birth of baby Jesus. One of the traditional seven dishes is known as Frutti de Mare (shelfish).

Seasonal Untraditional

Colden

Origin: Old English - Meaning: Dark Valley

Colden takes the cold weather to extreme temps. It could easily be considered a weatherly take on Holden. Who knows, Colden may turn up the heat as a comparison.

Elden

Origin: Old Norse - Meaning: Flame, Fire, Valley of the Elves

Following the revivals of Alden, Arden and Auden - Elden isn’t far off the beaten path. This name comes right out of Santa’s workshop to the top of the name trends. Another El- name? Yes, Please! Elden also references the “icy coldness of the water". Ice skating anyone?

Ginger

Origin: English - Meaning: Spice, Color Name

Sugar and spice and everything nice is necessary to make it on Santa’s nice list this year. Time to pull out this name out of the spice cabinet. Ginger brings back childhood memories of baking warm gingerbread men and building gingerbread houses.

Quilo

Origin: Greek - Meaning: North Wind

Another forecast find is Quillo. This Greek name, taken from the mythological Trojan War hero, means North Wind.

Saint

Origin: English - Meaning: Holy

As saint names are on the rise we love the idea of using Saint as a first name. Before the Kardashian-West family, Saint wasn’t really considered as a first name but following the birth of their son in 2015 the name entered the leaderboards rapidly.

Winika

Origin: Maori - Meaning: Christmas Orchid

If Amaryllis and Douglas aren’t your style, maybe Winika is. This blend of Winnie meets Annika is a floral favorite across the pond.

Important Namesakes

Clara

Origin: Latin - Meaning: Bright, Clear

Clara offers a double connection to Christmas. American Civil War nursing pioneer and Red Cross founder, Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821. Clara is also the main character in the Christmas ballet The Nutcracker.

Winter

Origin: English - Meaning: Season

Dear Winter, we love your name! And we feel Ryan from AJR wholeheartedly agrees. I mean, he did publicly declared his love for the name and hopes to use it one day for his future daughter. Winter first entered the top 1000 in 1978 at #1000 exactly. She jumped significantly to #705 the following year only to vanish from the charts permanently until 2012. Then she returned with a vengeance and has steadily climbed up to #315 as of 2020. With the resent passing of Winter the Dolphin, I think Winter will top the charts next year, indefinitely, in her honor.