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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
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Southern Names & Their Meanings Opener
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

What's in a name? We got to the bottom of this age-old question and found the meanings behind some of our favorite Southern baby names. Traditional Southern names have unique origins. 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 monikers. What's in a name? Some Southern baby name meanings 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. See if you can find your name or the names of friends and family, and share with them—some may surprise you!

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Top 50 Southern Names and Their Meanings

What's in a name? We got to the bottom of this age-old question and found the meanings behind some of our favorite Southern baby names.

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Southern Names & Their Meanings Opener
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

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Abigail

Abigail
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Abigail is a Hebrew name found in the Old Testament. 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'.

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Austin

Austin
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Austin is shortened from the name Augustine. 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. It is gender neutral, but is found to be a more popular 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 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. A nickname for Buford is Ford.

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Caroline

Caroline
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Caroline is the feminine variation of Charles. Your daughter is already set with 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.

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Constance

Constance
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Constance is derived from the Latin Constantia. A nickname for Constance is Connie.

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Davis

Davis
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Davis is derived from the surname David.

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Delilah

Deliliah
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Delilah is of Hebrew origin. 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".

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Duke

Duke
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Duke was originally derived from the Latin dux, meaning "leader".

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Everett

Everett
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Everett is of English origin. Nicknames for Everett include Ev and Rhett.

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Flannery

Flannery
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Flannery is of Gaelic origin. 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. Nicknames for Florence include Flossie and Florrie.

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Georgia

Georgia
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

The state of Georgia was named from British king George II. Nicknames for Georgia include Gigi and Gia.

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Harley

Harley
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Harley is of Old English origin.

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Harper

Harper
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Harper is of English origins. 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.

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Hollis

Hollis
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Hollis is derived from Middle English.

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Ida

Ida
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Ida has Germanic origins from the word id. 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. 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. 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.

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Maribelle

Maribelle
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Maribelle is derived from the Latin mirabilis meaning "wondrous".

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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.

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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.

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Parker

Parker
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Parker is derived from Middle English. 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. A nickname for Raleigh is Leigh.

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Rhett

Rhett
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Rhett is the Anglicized form of a Dutch surname. 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. 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. 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. 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. With 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. If you love '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. 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. Tara is also the name of the plantation in 'Gone with the Wind'.

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Taylor

Taylor
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Taylor has Old French origins. 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. A nickname for Tucker is Tuck.

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Virginia

Virginia
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Virginia has its origins in the Latin language. 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. With Walker being 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. A nickname for Wallace is Wally.

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Yates

Yates
Credit: Graphic: Rachel Ellis

Yates is of Middle English origin.

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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 still popular thanks to Southern socialite, Zelda Fitzgerald.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 52 Top 50 Southern Names and Their Meanings
    2 of 52
    3 of 52 Abigail
    4 of 52 Adler
    5 of 52 Annabelle
    6 of 52 Atticus
    7 of 52 Austin
    8 of 52 Bailey
    9 of 52 Beau
    10 of 52 Boone
    11 of 52 Buford
    12 of 52 Caroline
    13 of 52 Charlotte
    14 of 52 Connor
    15 of 52 Constance
    16 of 52 Davis
    17 of 52 Delilah
    18 of 52 Dixie
    19 of 52 Duke
    20 of 52 Everett
    21 of 52 Flannery
    22 of 52 Florence
    23 of 52 Georgia
    24 of 52 Harley
    25 of 52 Harper
    26 of 52 Hayes
    27 of 52 Hollis
    28 of 52 Ida
    29 of 52 Katherine
    30 of 52 Knox
    31 of 52 Leigh
    32 of 52 Maribelle
    33 of 52 Mary
    34 of 52 Maybelle
    35 of 52 Nellie
    36 of 52 Parker
    37 of 52 Raleigh
    38 of 52 Rhett
    39 of 52 Ruth
    40 of 52 Savannah
    41 of 52 Sawyer
    42 of 52 Scarlett
    43 of 52 Shelby
    44 of 52 Tallulah
    45 of 52 Tara
    46 of 52 Taylor
    47 of 52 Tucker
    48 of 52 Virginia
    49 of 52 Walker
    50 of 52 Wallace
    51 of 52 Yates
    52 of 52 Zelda

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