Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names!
And though we may share our names with thousands of others around the world, a name is still very personal. Names can be reflective of a parent’s desire for their child’s future or reveal interesting information about a place of birth, contextual trends and family legacies.
Compassion serves more than two million children in countries from all over the globe—that’s a lot of names! Check out the top 2 names for boys and girls in our programs across the world, as well as their meanings.
Top Baby Names in Africa
Home to 54 countries, the continent of Africa is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnic groups. Did you know that there can be up to nine different ways to name a newborn baby? From the events surrounding a child’s birth to the emotional state of a family at the time of birth, a child born in Africa will usually have a unique story behind their name.
Several countries in Africa will also reference their religion and spirituality, selecting baby names based on people from the Bible. In Nigeria, names starting or ending with Chi are common, referencing the Igbo and Yoruba peoples’ names for God.
When we discovered the most popular baby names for Compassion-assisted children across Africa, we noticed a strong reference to God:
Burkina Faso
- Aziz (boy) “Powerful and beloved”
- Moussa (boy) “Delivered from the water”
- Aminata (girl) “Faithful, trustworthy and truthful”
- Fatimata (girl) “Captivating”
Ethiopia
- Bereket (boy) “Abundance”
- Samuel (boy) “Told by God”
- Kalkidan (girl) “Natural beauty and promise”
- Hana (girl) “Happiness and satisfaction”
Ghana
- Emmanuel (boy) “God is with us”
- Kofi (boy) “Born on a Friday”
- Ama (girl) “Born on a Saturday”
- Esther (girl) “Star”
Kenya
- Brian (boy) “High or noble”
- Joseph (boy) “Jehovah increases”
- Faith (girl) “Complete trust or confidence”
- Mary (girl) “Bitter”
Malawi
- Chimwenwe (boy) “Joy”
- Chisomo (boy) “Grace of God”
- Grace (girl) “Elegance and beauty of movement”
- Mercy (girl) “Compassion”
Rwanda
- Iradukunda (unisex) “God loves us”
- Mugisha (boy) “Luck”
- Irakoze (girl) “Thanks to God”
Tanzania
- Baraka (boy) “Blessings”
- Daniel (boy) “God is my judge”
- Neema (girl) “Born during good times”
- Mariam (girl) “One who is fragrant like myrrh”
Togo
- David (boy) “Beloved”
- Dagan (boy) “Grain, or little fish”
- Yayra (girl) “Blessed, or blessing”
- Victoire (girl) “Victory”
Uganda
- Joshua (boy) “Yahweh is salvation”
- Brian (boy) “High or noble”
- Sarah (girl) “Princess”
- Mercy (girl) “Compassion, forgiveness or pity”
Top Baby Names in Asia
With roughly 4.5 billion people, choosing a unique baby name is not easy for many families in Asian countries. It’s not unheard of for families to outsource the naming of their newborn to a religious leader in the community, who chooses the most auspicious name based on the baby’s date of birth. In China, popular baby names are derived from the characteristics of that particular zodiac year or based on historical events, such as the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
In Thailand, children are also given a nickname. Choosing a name is an integral decision that is believed to determine the child’s luck and fortune. Some adults will change their given name or adopt a new nickname if they believe their original name no longer brings good fortune. Names can also be based on practicalities like the names Wayan, Putu or Gede, the Balinese names for firstborn.
Bangladesh
- Hridov (boy) “Heart”
- Bijoy (boy) “Full of joy
- Joy (girl) “The feeling of great pleasure and happiness”
- Puja (girl) “Reverence, honour, homage”
Myanmar
- Maung (boy) “Brother”
- Aung (boy) “Success”
- Wai (girl) “Plenty”
- Kyaw (girl) “Famous”
Philippines
- John (boy) “God is gracious”
- Mark (boy) “To be warlike”
- Princess (girl) “Daughter of a monarch”
- Angel (girl) “Messenger of God”
Indonesia
- Putra (boy) “Son”
- Kevin (boy) “Gentle or handsome birth”
- Putri (girl) “Daughter”
- Grace (girl) “Eloquence or beauty of form, kindness and mercy”
Thailand
- Chai (boy) “Tea or alive”
- Korn (boy) “Adorned with diamond or thunder”
- Ploy (girl) “Precious stone or gem”
Sri Lanka
- Praveen (boy) “Loveable”
- Pavithran (boy) “A pure person, or a person with no variation”
- Nethmi (girl) “Eyes like gems”
- Tharushi (girl) “Star, or mother of stars”
Top Baby Names in The Americas
South America, Central America and the Caribbean include a variety of Spanish, Portuguese and French influences that have contributed to a diverse blend of cultures across its countries. The strong Latin influence is obvious in the common baby names shared between many countries.
The structure and order of a child’s name are distinct in every country. In Colombia, children will have two surnames: a paternal surname followed by a maternal surname. When a grown woman gets married, her second surname will be replaced by her husband’s first surname.
The new combination will be joined by adding the preposition ‘de’. In Mexico, however, the firstborn son is named after his father, and the firstborn daughter will be named after her mother. Some babies in Mexico can have up to three names, based on a national celebration or family member.
Similarly, in Brazil, babies have a combination of first names and surnames that have a variety of meanings. One of their names may be based on a historical figure, such as a saint or martyr. A baby’s name may also be derived from a brand-new name that combines part of the father’s and mother’s names.
Bolivia
- José (boy) “Spanish and Portuguese version of ‘Joseph’, meaning Jehovah increases”
- Luis (boy) “Renowned warrior”
- Luz (girl) “Light”
- Camila (girl) “Young ceremonial attendant”
Brazil
- Pedro (boy) “Spanish version of ‘Peter’, meaning rock”
- Francisco (boy) “Free man”
- Maria (girl) “Bitter, or wished-for child”
- Ana (girl) “Grace”
Colombia
- Juan (boy) “Spanish version of ‘John’, meaning the Lord is gracious”
- Luis (boy) “Renowned warrior”
- Sara (girl) “Princess”
- Laura (girl) “Latin for ‘the bay laurel plant’, a symbol of victory, honour or fame”
Dominican Republic
- Jose (boy) “He shall add”
- Juan (boy) “Spanish version of ‘John’, meaning the Lord is gracious”
- Maria (girl) “Beloved”
- Ana (girl) “Favoured grace”
Ecuador
- Anthony (boy) “Highly praiseworthy”
- Erick (boy) “Ruler of the people”
- Emily (girl) “Industrious”
- Genesis (girl) “Origin or beginning”
El Salvador
- Kevin (boy) “Gentle or handsome birth”
- Carlos (boy) “Free man”
- Andréa (girl) “Womanly”
- Daniela (girl) “God is my judge”
Guatemala
- Juan (boy) “Spanish version of ‘John’, meaning the Lord is gracious”
- Carlos (boy) “Free man”
- Juana (girl) “Gift from God”
- Evelyn (girl) “Wished-for child, or life”
Haiti
- Jean (boy) “God is gracious”
- Stanley (boy) “Dweller near a stony clearing”
- Rose (girl) “Flower”
- Love (girl) “Love, or female wolf”
Honduras
- Jonathan (boy) “Yahweh has given”
- Josué (boy) “God is salvation”
- Nahomy (girl) “Pleasantness”
- Abigail (girl) “Father’s joy”
Mexico
- Jesús (boy) “To deliver or rescue”
- Kevin (boy) “Gentle or handsome birth”
- Alexa (girl) “To defend”
- Maria (girl) “Bitter, or wished for child”
Nicaragua
- Jonathan (boy) “Yahweh has given”
- Josué (boy) “God is salvation”
- Nahomy (girl) “Pleasantness”
- Abigail (girl) “Father’s joy”
Peru
- Liam (boy) “Determined protector”
- Thiago (boy) “May God protect”
- Mia (girl) “Mine”
- Camila (girl) “Attendant”
Does the child you sponsor share one of these names?
Discovering the meaning behind it might give you some inspiration for your next letter!
Words by Shona Yang and Laura Phillips. Originally published by Compassion Australia.
SOURCES: Expats in Mexico, Slate, Romper, Sixth Tone, Thai Blogs, The World of Chinese, BBC
Last update: January 18, 2023
