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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Whitney Sandoval
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Whitney Sandoval is a freelance writer and educator living in the Midwest. She writes about parenting, accessibility, and…
Is your baby done with breastfeeding? Watch for these 6 signs
Clues to look out for that your baby is ready to move on from breastfeeding
Mother holding her baby in bed

When you make the decision to breastfeed, it is a whole journey you and your baby go on together. But as with all stages, breastfeeding, too, will come to an end at some point. It's better to know the clues and tells your baby will give to be prepared for the newest adventure. If you're doing baby-led weaning, these are the signs your baby does not want to breastfeed anymore, so you know when it's time to transition to the next stage of feeding.
Signs to watch for during feedings

The feedings themselves will sprinkle clues your baby is ready to ditch breastfeeding for good. If something feels off about the feeds, start paying attention each time you go to sit down for a session.
Feeding sessions become shorter
You know how long your baby eats at each session. When you notice your baby not wanting to feed for the usual time, you might start to worry they're not getting enough to eat. But your baby cutting down on the duration of each meal is a clue they might want to stop breastfeeding.
Baby skips feeding sessions
This is more than your baby finally sleeping longer and missing a feeding in the middle of the night. If you notice your baby refusing those additional snack time feedings, they may be telling you they don't want to breastfeed anymore. Offer a bottle or sippy cup or solid food and see how they react to taking those options. Once the feedings become shorter and then get skipped, your baby has sent strong signals they are over breastfeeding.
Baby gets more distracted during feedings
Babies love to look at everything and check out every sound, but when it comes time to eat, they usually mean business. If your little one is looking around the room, playing with their hands, or generally more interested in what's going on around them than eating, that is a sign they are done breastfeeding.
Other feeding signs to watch for

Read more
Is the cry it out method right for your baby?
Find out the CIO method is right for your family
Baby sleeping in their crib with a stuffed bear

As parents of an infant, getting the whole house to sleep is one of the most important milestones of the day. An established bedtime routine and a sleep training method are key to getting your baby down for the night. No matter if you need to sleep train your first or third baby, you want to know about all the options before you start. One you may have heard about is the cry it out method. See if this sleep training method is right for your family and your baby before you commit.
What is the cry it out method?

Also known as the Extinction method, the cry it out method is when you let your child self-soothe themselves at night to fall asleep through a mix of letting them cry and predetermined external comfort. When you hear about the cry it out (CIO) method, your mind goes to the baby being alone to cry all night in a dark room, left there until morning when the parents can check on them. While it is a controversial sleep method, in reality, it is a little more complex than that.
Cry it out method

Read more
Try these great tips when baby hates tummy time
With these tips, your little one will love tummy time in no time
Baby playing on tummy and reaching for a toy

It's not uncommon for babies to dislike tummy time, especially for those just being introduced to this new position. It can be a bit stressful for parents when their baby starts to cry or squeal the minute they're placed on their stomach, but it doesn't have to be. There are many ways to get a baby to like tummy time; it's just a matter of finding the right strategy for your unique child.

Tummy time is when you place the baby on their belly so they can work their core and neck muscles to get them ready for new activities like rolling over, sitting up, and crawling. Studies have shown that when tummy time isn't as encouraged, babies are likelier not to crawl. They've also shown that babies who spend more time on their tummies crawl sooner. The WHO recommends tummy time which has also been shown to improve gross motor skills and overall development and prevent flat head syndrome.

Read more