50 Southern Names and Their Meanings

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.

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