For some of us, spending time at a cemetery is a normal thing. While you may enjoy the trails and easy escape from everyday conversation, there’s something else lurking among the tombstones. I don’t mean ghosts, although ghosts may exist. I’m talking about tombstone inspired baby names.
Cemeteries can provide endless inspiration for potential names for your future baby, evoking forgotten vintage names and unique spellings. In fact, one family went viral earlier this year for strolling through their local cemetery in search of the perfect name for their new plot. To see just how much inspiration there is for naming cemeteries, several Horror Mom editors and I went to cemeteries near us, including some in the historic city of Salem, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; and Georgia Savannah. We have discovered some important gems, wouldn’t using one of them be a nice nod to those who previously bore these names?
So if you’re looking for a name that honors the dead and celebrates the living, check out these 29 unexpected and charming baby names inspired by real tombstones.
Asa
The name Asa is of Hebrew origin and means “healer” or “physician.” Captain Asa Hooper was a famous 18th century sea captain and privateerth Centuries revolve around Marblehead, Massachusetts, so if you want a kind, ocean-loving child, this is a great name.
Ivor
The name Iver is of Scandinavian origin and is sometimes spelled Ivarr or Ivarrs. It comes from the Norwegian word meaning yew tree. Because warrior bows were often made of the sacred yew tree, the name Iver means “warrior” or “bow warrior.” If you imagine singer Bon Iver (ee-thing).
collect
This French name is an alternative to Colette or Nicolette, meaning “victory of the people” or “victory of the people”. The perfect name for a future Justice of the Peace, world leader, or class president.
Wilmot
Wilmot is a version of the more common name William or Wilhelmina, meaning “to protect”. Sadly, the name did not protect Wilmot Redd, one of the many innocent victims of the Salem Witch Trials (and the only person near Marblehead, Massachusetts, who was accused of witchcraft and served during the trials Hanged women).
Ronel
Looking for a new replacement for Leo? This unisex name comes from the word lion or Leon It means “little lion”.
Celestine
Celestine is a divine name, a unique version of the beautiful name Celeste. It means “of the stars” or “of heaven”, derived from the Latin word for heaven, heavenly or emphasize
let’s do it
Artemus is considered the neuter spelling of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. No matter how you spell it, this name means ferocity and warrior energy.
viersi
The name is more commonly spelled Vercie, which comes from the French word Visé, It means “truth” or “honesty”.
Agnes
Agnes is derived from the Greek word meaning “pure, chaste or holy”. You can call them Aggies, or simply the less common name Nes.
Killian
The name Chillian is a less common spelling of the name Cillian, an Irish name that roughly translates to “little church.” While the “h” may not be pronounced, the child is definitely cold. Variants include Cilian, Kilian and Gillian.
mild
Milda is the Lithuanian goddess of love. Her name comes from Lithuanian and means “mercy”. A child given this name will surely be blessed, evoking love, passion and true grace.
Albin
This once popular 19-year-oldth Century names no longer appear. Its Latin origin is Albinus, and its variants Albin, Albe and Albie are more commonly used in Sweden and France. The name means “white, bright or fair”.
Conrad
Conrad Aiken is a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, author, and editor. Aiken is said to have wanted his grave in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah to have a bench so poetry lovers could sit and drink with him in the afterlife. (Fun fact: John Behrendt gained notoriety after his tomb was mentioned in his book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.) The name Conrad originates from Old English and Old German, and translates to “bold advice.” Aiken might as well have a perfect name for a future young writer: FWIW.
on shore
The name Eusebe is of Greek and Latin origin and is a rare form of the more common names Eusebia, Eusebius or Eusebio. The name means “piety” and is based on biblical and early Greek philosophical concepts that embody godliness and piety.
burnett or reed
Want your child to have a strong personality and integrity? Burnet Rhett Maybank, buried in Magnolia Cemetery, served as Charleston mayor, U.S. senator and 99th Governor of South Carolina. While serving as governor in the late 1930s, he openly opposed the Ku Klux Klan and worked to improve underserved black schools. The name Burnet or Burnett means brown hair. Rhett means “counselor” or “counselor” and is also a charming name.
Abigail
If you like the idea of a traditional name, consider Abigail. This sweet choice means “my Father’s joy.” But be forewarned: This is definitely a popular choice, so your child will be one of many to choose from.
elvira
Not only is it reminiscent of our favorite Mistress of the Dark, the name Elvira has a deeper meaning. Some translations claim it means “happiness,” others say the name references the word “truth or spear,” as in the spear of justice.
Amir
Male variant of Emily, both names derived from the Roman Aemilia or Amelia. Depending on who you ask, the name either means effort, excellence, desire, or simply translates as “competitor.”
Delina
Delina is a Sicilian derivative of Adelina and Adeline, meaning “elegant” and “noble person”. In Tigrinya, a dialect of Ethiopia, the word “delina” means desire or want.
Mercer
Mercer is derived from the French word Mercer For merchants, the name is sometimes translated as “shopkeeper” or “supplier.” The Italian translation is similar, Mercer Meaning goods or merchandise for sale. John Mercer, a well-known musician and co-founder of Capitol Records, is laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah.
Evariste
Want to lay the foundation for a lovable kid? Name them Evarist. Based on Latin Evaristus, The name means “pleasant or pleasant”. Other variations of the name include Spanish Evaristo and French Evariste. It can be pronounced “Ava-rist” or “Ev-a-rist”.
Francis
Frances is a popular, unisex name meaning “French” or “free man”. Shown here is the grave of Francis Girdler, whose grave has interesting connections to Salem history. Before his death, he was married to Deborah Gidler, who later married Ambrose Gale, who testified against Wilmot Ray. Well-known for being a Marblehead woman, Wilmot Red was the only Marblehead woman to be hanged for witchcraft in 1692.
goldie
Not surprisingly, this charming name means “made of gold.” sometimes. As a shortened form of Golda, you could do worse than compare your child to a precious metal or a beloved actress (Goldie Hawn).
Gracie
Gracie Watson Jr. is the most famous resident of Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. The young girl died of pneumonia in 1889, and her ghost is said to still haunt the cemetery. The name Grace or Gracie means blessing and is derived from the word grateful In Latin we also get the word thanksgiving.
Gotha
Want to have a goth baby at home? The name Gotha is derived from Goth, more commonly a surname. Meaning “tribe” or “clan”. Gotha is also a German city whose name translates to “good water” in High German.
Miriam
One of the oldest forms of the name Mary, alternative spellings of this name include Mirriam. The name is believed to be of Hebrew origin and has several possible meanings. The most inspiring is “Ocean” or “Ocean Star”, which evokes the feeling of a mermaid. Other meanings include “beloved” and “painful.”
Lavina Clarice
The name Lavina was once a common name in ancient Rome, literally meaning “Roman woman.” This name gives people the feeling of a female boss and also contains power. I also like the name Clarice, which means “clear” or “bright.”
butt
Zadok is an underused and interesting Hebrew name that means “righteousness” and “righteousness.” (Zardock died in 1836 and is forever buried in Charleston Circle Congregational Church Cemetery. His last name was Jessup… which was also a cool name.)
cautious
This classic, gender-neutral Latin name means “wise,” “skilled,” or “intelligent.” Although its popularity has declined dramatically since the Middle Ages, it’s enjoying a revival thanks to television mentions (Prudence Featherington, anyone?). In addition, the nickname “Pru” is so Lovely.
