Top 50 Southern Names and Their Meanings
What's in a name? You most likely know a Mary, Davis, or Taylor, but have you ever wondered what their names mean? We did, so we searched high and low to find the name meanings behind some of our favorite Southern baby names. Some Southern names have meanings that are poetic or inspired by nature, like Harley, which means "meadow in the woods." Some are practical, like Dixie, which signifies "the tenth child." Some names even indicate personality traits, disposition, place, topography, or occupation, part of a naming tradition that is hundreds of years old. Whether you are looking for the perfect baby name or just want to know more about a family name, see if you can find your Southern name and its meaning in our list—some may surprise you!
Abigail
Abigail is a Hebrew name found in the Old Testament that means "father's joy." Nicknames for Abigail include Abby and Gail.
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Adler
Adler is derived from the German word for "eagle." Adler is a common surname and great way to incorporate family history when naming your child.
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Annabelle
Annabelle is derived from the Latin amābilis, which means "lovable." Nicknames for Annabelle include Annie and Bella.
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Atticus
Atticus is a Roman name meaning "from Attica." It is also the name Harper Lee chose for one of the main characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, making it a Southern favorite.
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Austin
Austin is shortened from the name Augustine, which means "magnificent" or "majestic." Also a city in Texas, this name has truly become Southern.
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Bailey
Bailey is derived from Late Latin baiulivus and from bailiff, an agent of the law. It is gender-neutral but more popular as a female name in the US.
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Beau
Beau means "beautiful" in French. Beau is also a nickname for Beauregard.
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Boone
Boone means "good" or "a blessing" and is of Old French and Anglo-Saxon origin. You can travel to Boone, North Carolina.
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Buford
Buford is of Old English origin and was a surname said to refer to a stronghold or a ford beside an aviary. A nickname for Buford is Ford.
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Caroline
Caroline is the feminine variation of Charles and is said to mean both "strong" and "free woman." Plus, your daughter is already set for her father-daughter song with "Sweet Caroline."
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Charlotte
Charlotte is a French feminine diminutive of Charles. Since the birth of the Princess of Cambridge, the named has surged in popularity.
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Connor
Connor is from the Gaelic Conchobhar, the legendary Irish king of Ulster, and is also a "lover of wolves" or "lover of hounds."
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Constance
Constance means "steadfastness" and is derived from the Latin Constantia. A nickname for Constance is Connie.
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Davis
Davis means "son of David," a much-loved and more common name that means beloved or adored.
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Delilah
Delilah is of Hebrew origin and means "delicate." A nickname for Delilah is Lilah.
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Dixie
Dixie is a term often used to refer to the South. It is derived from the French word dix, meaning "ten" or "tenth child."
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Duke
Duke was originally derived from the Latin dux, meaning "leader." Originally a title of nobility, it's since become a popular Southern name.
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Everett
Everett is of English origin that refers to bravery. Nicknames for Everett include Ev and Rhett.
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Flannery
Flannery is of Gaelic origin and refers to a red-haired warrior. You might have heard of a famous Southern author with the name.
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Florence
Florence is of Latin origin and is said to mean flowering or flourishing. Nicknames for Florence include Flossie and Florrie.
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Georgia
The state of Georgia was named for British King George II. Nicknames for Georgia, which means "farmer," include Gigi and Gia.
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Harley
Harley is of Old English origin. While it might bring to mind your favorite motorcycle, Harley means "hare's meadow."
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Harper
Harper is of English origins and means "harp player." The afore-mentioned writer Harper Lee is one famous Southerner who carried the name.
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Hayes
Hayes is derived from Old English. The name is a reference to hedges and brush.
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Hollis
Hollis is derived from Middle English. This traditional boys' name refers to the holly tree.
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Ida
Ida has Germanic origins from the word id and means "industrious." When used with the name Claire, it just sounds better with a Southern accent.
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Katherine
Katherine is of Old Greek origin and means "pure." In the South, you'll often find it following the name Mary.
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Knox
Knox is of Old English and Scottish origins and a word for a round-topped hill. With Knoxville over in Tennessee, this has become a popular name with Southerners.
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Leigh
Leigh is of Hebrew and Old English origin. This gender-neutral name means meadow or pasture.
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Maribelle
Maribelle is derived from the Latin mirabilis meaning "wondrous." Sometimes it's also said to mean "beautiful Marie" or "bitter," so Maribelle is a many-faceted woman.
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Mary
Mary is of Hebrew origin. In the South, you can often find it followed by Katherine, Elizabeth, or Claire. Mary also is said to have multiple meanings, like "beloved," "bitter," or "rebellious."
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Maybelle
Maybelle is of Old French origins. Maybelle is a combination of May meaning "hawthorn flower" and Belle meaning "beautiful."
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Nellie
Nellie is a nickname for Eleanor or Helen, but has gained popularity as a given name itself. Those names also mean "shining light" and reach all the way back to the mythical Helen of Troy.
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Parker
Parker is derived from Middle English for "park keeper." With Parker being a common surname, it is a great way to incorporate family history when naming your child.
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Raleigh
Raleigh is derived from Old English and is also the capital of North Carolina. A nickname for Raleigh, which means "deer meadow," is Leigh.
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Rhett
Rhett is the Anglicized form of a Dutch surname that means "advisor." Margaret Mitchell popularized the name Rhett with her protagonist in Gone with the Wind.
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Ruth
Ruth is derived from Hebrew and means "friend." Ruthie is a common nickname for Ruth.
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Savannah
Savannah derives from the Native American Taino tribe word zabana for a treeless plain. With movies and books set in the magical Georgia town, Savannah has always been popular.
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Sawyer
Sawyer is of Middle English origin as a surname for a woodcutter. This free-spirited name has become popular for both boys and girls.
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Scarlett
Scarlett is of Old French origin and refers to the deep red color. Since Margaret Mitchell's'Gone with the Wind, Scarlett will forever be a true Southern Belle name.
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Shelby
Shelby is of Old Norse origin for an estate with willows. If you loved the movie Steel Magnolias, Shelby is the perfect name for your baby girl.
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Tallulah
Tallulah is of Native American origin, a Choctaw word for "leaping water." With an actress and waterfall as a namesake, it is beautiful for any baby girl.
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Tara
Tara has Celtic origins and means "hill." Also, in Sanskrit it means "star," making it a very lofty name.
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Taylor
Taylor has Old French origins and refers to the occupation. In recent years Taylor has been associated more with girls, but it is also a great name for boys.
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Tucker
Tucker is of Old English origins and refers to a tailor or fuller of cloth. A nickname for Tucker is Tuck.
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Virginia
Virginia has its origins in the Latin language and means "maiden." Nicknames for Virginia include Gina and Gigi.
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Walker
Walker derives from the Old English word wealcan and also refers to fulling, or thickening, cloth. With Walker being a prominent surname, it is a great way to incorporate family history when naming your child.
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Wallace
Wallace is of Old French origin and means "stranger." A nickname for Wallace is Wally.
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Yates
Yates is of Middle English origin from a word that means "gate." As a surname, it was used for those who served as a gatekeeper or lived by a walled town.
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Zelda
Zelda is a shortened form of Griselda, which has German and Yiddish origins. Zelda is a zesty name for a warrior woman and still popular thanks to Southern socialite Zelda Fitzgerald.