The December holidays are rich with meaning, symbolism, and beauty, making them a wonderful source of inspiration for baby names. From the serene snow of winter to the vibrant lights and deep traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, these names subtly reflect the magic of the season. Here are some unique and meaningful names that aren’t so obvious, but are still tied to the holidays, perfect for celebrating a new addition to your family.
December/Seasonal Inspired Baby Names
Eira (Welsh) – Snow
Sterling (English) – High quality or excellent; evokes shimmering decorations
Frost (English) – Winter chill
Neve (Italian) – Snow
Garnet (Latin) – January’s birthstone, symbolizing protection and love
Ivy (English) – A plant symbolic of resilience and tradition
Blaze (English) – Bright flame or glow
Yule (Old Norse) – Refers to the old winter solstice festival
Crimson (English) – Rich red, evocative of the season’s colors
Solstice (Latin) – “Sun stands still,” marking the winter solstice
Christmas-Inspired Baby Names
Amaryllis (Greek) – A winter-blooming flower often associated with Christmas. Literally means “Sparkling.”
Lucian (Latin) – Light; symbolizing the lights of Christmas
Noelle (French) – The French term for Christmas
Juniper (Latin) – A berry from the evergreen tree, representing endurance
Epiphany (Greek) – Means “revelatory manifestation” and refers to the celebration of the Wise Men visiting baby Jesus.
Balthazar (Babylonian) – One of the Three Wise Men, it means “Baal Protect the King.”
Angelica (Latin) – Angelic; tied to heavenly messengers
Carillon (French) – A set of bells; reflects Christmas carols and church bells
Rudy (English) – A playful nod to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with a vintage charm.
Shepherd (English) – Refers to the shepherds who visited baby Jesus
Merrick (Welsh) – A good alternative name to “Merry”
Belle (French) – Beautiful
Hanukkah-Inspired Baby Names
Shira (Hebrew) – Song or poem; represents joy
Bee (Hebrew) – Hammer; honors the Hanukkah story with the Maccabees
Zohar (Hebrew) – Light or Brilliance
Tova (Hebrew) – Good or kind
Lev (Hebrew) – Heart; symbolic of love and warmth
Neriah (Hebrew) – Light of God; a nod to the menorah
Elora (Hebrew) – God is my light; reflecting the menorah’s glow.
Oran (Hebrew, Gaelic) – Light or Song
Chanan (Hebrew) – Gracious; reflecting themes of kindness and miracles.
Simcha (Hebrew) – Joy or Celebration
Eliana (Hebrew) – God has Answered
Amit (Hebrew) – Friend; reflects community and togetherness
Kwanzaa-Inspired Baby Names
Imani (Swahili) – Faith; one of the seven principles
Zuri (Swahili) – Beautiful
Asani (Swahili) – Rebellious; symbolizes strength
Jabari (Swahili) – Brave, Fearless
Nia (Swahili) – Purpose; one of the seven principles
Amani (Swahili) – Peace or Wish in Arabic
Khamari (Swahili) – Moonlight
Kweli (Swahili) – Truth
Hekima (Swahili) – Wisdom
Baraka (Swahili) – Blessing
New Year’s Inspired Baby Names
Aurora (Latin) – Dawn; signifies new beginnings
Solon (Greek) – Wisdom; for thoughtful resolutions
Kairos (Greek) – The opportune moment
Renée (French) – Reborn; renewal
Zora (Slavic) – Dawn; new beginnings
Hope (English) – Optimism for the year ahead
Felix (Latin) – Happy or fortunate
Nova (Latin) – New; symbolizes a fresh start
Eos (Greek) – Goddess of the Dawn
Pax (Latin) – Peace; embodying calm and resolution
These names provide a subtle yet meaningful way to honor the joy, light, and love of the holiday season. Whether tied to a tradition, a seasonal element, or the promise of a fresh start, they are timeless and inspiring choices. Are you having a Holiday baby? Let us know what name YOU chose!
Jennifer Moss (she/her) is the founder of BabyNames.com, author of The Baby Names Workbook, and Producer of The Baby Names Podcast. Jennifer is widely regarded as the leading expert on popular baby name trends and the naming process, serving as the authoritative source on the subject for national and international media.
Jennifer entered the tech arena in the 80s as a software developer and database architect, and became a pioneer in the Internet industry. In addition to operating BabyNames.com, Jennifer owns a web development agency in central California.
Be First to Comment