44 holiday-inspired baby names you’ll love

December is one of the most magical times of the year—it may be frosty outside, but your home is warm, cozy, and full of love. Who wouldn’t want their baby’s first days to be celebrated with holiday cheer? If you’re thinking of gifting your little one a special name to mark their winter arrival, keep reading for our favorite holiday-inspired baby names.

Christmas-inspired baby names

Christmas stories and traditions are a treasure trove for creative, beautiful baby names. If you can’t help listening to Christmas music the second November hits—with a peppermint mocha in your hand and a Santa hat on your head—these Christmas-inspired baby names are right up your alley. 

Girl names inspired by Christmas

• Carol, Carole, Caroline (holiday songs; “A Christmas Carol”)
• Eve (Christmas Eve; means “life”)
• Gloria (“Angels We Have Heard on High” aka “Gloria in Excelsis Deo”)
• Joy (Joy to the world!)
• Mary, Merry (Mother of Jesus; Merry Christmas)
• Natalia, Natalie (means “born on Christmas”)
• Noelle (version of the French word for Christmas)
• Star, Stella (Christmas tree star; Star of Bethlehem)

Boy names inspired by Christmas

• Casper, Jasper (variations on one of the three wise men’s names)
• Claus (Santa Claus)
• Gabriel (the archangel Gabriel)
• Jack (Jack Frost; Jack Skellington)
• Joseph (father of Jesus; Mary’s husband)
• Michael (archangel)
• Nicholas (Saint Nick; Santa Claus)
• Noel (French for Christmas season)

Hanukkah-inspired baby names

Hanukkah is a holiday steeped in tradition and symbolism. If your little one is arriving just in time to watch you light the menorah, you may want to commemorate their perfect timing with a unique name inspired by this wintertime Festival of Lights.

Girl names inspired by Hanukkah

• Golda, Goldie (“gold”)
• Leila (“night”)
• Lior (“light”)
• Matana (“gift”)
• Miera (“giving light”)
• Pazia, Pazit (“golden”)
• Ziva (“light” or “glow”)

Boy Names Inspired By Hanukkah

Jesse (“gift”)

Judah (“to praise or thank”)

Lior (“light”)

Matan (“gift”)

Neri (“oil lamp” or “candle”)

Nassim (“miracles”)

Ziv (“light” or “glow”)

Baby names inspired by the winter solstice (yule)

Does your heart fill with joy at the sight of a fresh blanket of snow? These nature-inspired baby names are the perfect way to share the beauty of the winter season with your newborn baby.

Girl names inspired by the winter solstice

• Astra (“star”)
• Aurora (Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis)
• Holly (winter plant with bright red berries)
• Ivy (winter plant)
• Juniper (evergreen tree)
• Laurel (evergreen plant; laurel wreath)
• Snow (this one probably speaks for itself!)

Boy names inspired by the winter solstice

• Ash (tree; ash from a cozy fire or Yule log)
• Birch (winter tree with white bark; symbolizes rebirth)
• Blaze (fire)
• Forest, Forrest (“of the woods”)
• Robin (winter bird; means “bright”)
• Whittaker (“white field”)
• Yule (Yuletide; means “winter solstice”)

The happiest season of all

No matter what your plans are this December, meeting your baby will be the absolute highlight of the season! If you’re welcoming your baby during this joyous time, choosing a holiday-inspired baby name can be the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season.

Still waiting to learn your baby’s sex before choosing a name? Our at-home Juno Birch™ Fetal Gender Test can help! Click here to learn more.

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about new product releases from JunoDx.