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  3. Top 50 Southern Names and Their Meanings

Top 50 Southern Names and Their Meanings

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated June 20, 2022
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Southern Names & Their Meanings Opener
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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!

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Abigail

Abigail
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Annabelle is derived from the Latin amābilis, which means "lovable." Nicknames for Annabelle include Annie and Bella.

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Atticus

Atticus
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Beau

Beau means "beautiful" in French. Beau is also a nickname for Beauregard.

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Boone

Boone
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Constance means "steadfastness" and is derived from the Latin Constantia. A nickname for Constance is Connie.

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Davis

Davis
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Davis means "son of David," a much-loved and more common name that means beloved or adored.

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Delilah

Deliliah
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Delilah is of Hebrew origin and means "delicate." A nickname for Delilah is Lilah.

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Dixie

Dixie
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Everett is of English origin that refers to bravery. Nicknames for Everett include Ev and Rhett.

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Flannery

Flannery
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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

Georgia
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Hayes is derived from Old English. The name is a reference to hedges and brush.

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Hollis

Hollis
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Hollis is derived from Middle English. This traditional boys' name refers to the holly tree.

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Ida

Ida
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Leigh is of Hebrew and Old English origin. This gender-neutral name means meadow or pasture.

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Maribelle

Maribelle
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Ruth is derived from Hebrew and means "friend." Ruthie is a common nickname for Ruth.

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Savannah

Savannah
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Virginia has its origins in the Latin language and means "maiden." Nicknames for Virginia include Gina and Gigi.

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Walker

Walker
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Wallace is of Old French origin and means "stranger." A nickname for Wallace is Wally.

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Yates

Yates
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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.

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Other Ideas for Southern Names

Baby Smiling
Credit: H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images
  • Our favorite baby names for Southern belles
  • Baby names inspired by Southern cities
  • Timeless Southern baby names

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 51 Abigail
    2 of 51 Adler
    3 of 51 Annabelle
    4 of 51 Atticus
    5 of 51 Austin
    6 of 51 Bailey
    7 of 51 Beau
    8 of 51 Boone
    9 of 51 Buford
    10 of 51 Caroline
    11 of 51 Charlotte
    12 of 51 Connor
    13 of 51 Constance
    14 of 51 Davis
    15 of 51 Delilah
    16 of 51 Dixie
    17 of 51 Duke
    18 of 51 Everett
    19 of 51 Flannery
    20 of 51 Florence
    21 of 51 Georgia
    22 of 51 Harley
    23 of 51 Harper
    24 of 51 Hayes
    25 of 51 Hollis
    26 of 51 Ida
    27 of 51 Katherine
    28 of 51 Knox
    29 of 51 Leigh
    30 of 51 Maribelle
    31 of 51 Mary
    32 of 51 Maybelle
    33 of 51 Nellie
    34 of 51 Parker
    35 of 51 Raleigh
    36 of 51 Rhett
    37 of 51 Ruth
    38 of 51 Savannah
    39 of 51 Sawyer
    40 of 51 Scarlett
    41 of 51 Shelby
    42 of 51 Tallulah
    43 of 51 Tara
    44 of 51 Taylor
    45 of 51 Tucker
    46 of 51 Virginia
    47 of 51 Walker
    48 of 51 Wallace
    49 of 51 Yates
    50 of 51 Zelda
    51 of 51 Other Ideas for Southern Names

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