Nothing quite compares to the magic of the holiday season. Itâs a time for us to slow down, spend time with loved ones, eat one too many cookies, and rewatch our favorite holiday movies. With fluffy snow covering the ground, carols in the air, and holiday cheer in the hearts of many, it certainly is the most wonderful time of the year. Thatâs why we canât think of a better place to draw baby name inspiration from than the magic of the holidays, especially if you have a due date in December.
This holiday baby names list includes traditional holiday meanings, references to pop culture, and everything in between. In our list of holiday baby names, youâll find references to your favorite movies, traditions, and of course, some religious stories. While you may be more familiar with some than others, each of these names uniquely ties to the most wonderful time of the year. See the list below of 55+ holiday-inspired baby names we love.
Holiday Baby Names for Girls
Alva
Meaning: Elf | Origin: Old Norse
Holiday Tie: Whether Will Ferrell stars in your favorite Christmas movie or youâre simply a human who has âan affinity for elf culture,â this baby name is for you.
Anya
Meaning: Grace | Origin: Russian
Holiday Tie: Grace is pretty much synonymous with the holiday season. Thatâs what makes this name a lovely option for a little one born around the holidays.
Bell/Belle
Meaning: Beautiful | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: You wonât find a name more beautiful out there, included on our list because of its ties to Christmas bells.
Carol
Meaning: Joyful song | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: For a name that makes you want to sing out in joy, consider Carol, which brings to mind the Christmas carols sung around the holidays.
Charity
Meaning: Giving, kindness | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: The holidays are all about giving to those in need, thatâs why this name meaning âgivingâ fits so well as an inclusion on our list.
Cindy
Meaning: Light | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: You wonât be able to escape the dazzling lights this holiday season, and who would want to? Besides maybe the Grinch. This name is brought to our list by none other than Cindy Lou Who of Dr. Suessâs How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Clara
Meaning: Bright | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: A name meaning âbrightâ feels fitting enough, but tie it to the heroine of The Nutcracker and youâve got quite the gift.
Eve
Meaning: Life | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: For many, Christmas Eve is as much a celebration as Christmas Day. Not to mention the celebration of new life in the Christian Christmas story of Jesusâs birth.
Faith
Meaning: Trust, devotion | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: The holidays are related heavily to religions, making this name meaning âtrustâ and âdevotionâ rather fitting.
Grace
Meaning: Favor, blessing | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: Hopefully the holidays are filled with âfavorâ and âblessings,â and a great way to ensure that is welcoming a little one and gifting her this lovely moniker.
Holly
Meaning: Holly tree | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: Because âMistletoeâ didnât make the cut, we included the next best thing. Strongly associated with Christmas, the British name represents the thorny crown of Jesus in the Christian tradition.
Hope
Meaning: Expectation or belief | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: The holidays remind us that a new year is coming, and give us a reason to be hopeful for the future. Ensure you always have hope by using this delightful name for a little girl.
Jovie
Meaning: Joyful | Origin: American
Holiday Tie: The holidays are all about spreading joy, meaning this name couldnât be a better option. Plus, fans of Elf may recognize this as the name of Zooey Deschanelâs character.
Joy
Meaning: Happiness | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: Because a newborn will bring so much joy to your life, why not gift her a name commemorating a pillar of the season?
Juliet
Meaning: | Origin:
Holiday Tie: Our minds may instantly go to Shakespeareâs classic Romeo & Juliet upon hearing this name. But avid Christmas movie fans may also equate this name to Keira Knightleyâs character in Love Actually.
Mary
Meaning: Beloved | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: In the Christian Christmas story, Mary gave birth to the son of God. Whether or not you follow the Christian faith, this is a great option for a âbelovedâ newborn.
Meira
Meaning: Giving light, shining | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: This lovely, feminine title references the Festival of Lights observed in the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and the candles lit on the ceremonial menorah.
Natasha
Meaning: Born on Christmas Day | Origin: Russian
Holiday Tie: There simply couldnât be a better name choice for a little girl born on or around Christmas Dayâthis Russian name quite literally means âborn on Christmas Day.â
Natalie/Natalia
Meaning: The Lordâs Birthday | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: Speaking of Christmas Day, this name, too, refers to what is traditionally known as âthe Lordâs birthday.â It also has ties to the beloved 1947 holiday movie Miracle on 34th Street starring celebrated actress Natalie Wood.
Noelle/Noella
Meaning: Christmas | Origin: French
Holiday Tie: This name of French origin is perfect for a little girl born in the winter months. With ties to one of the most celebrated winter holidays, the French name means âChristmas.â
Nora
Meaning: Light | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: Not only does this delightful name mean âlight,â but it also happens to be the name of Jamie Lee Curtisâs character in Christmas With the Kranks.
Stella
Meaning: Star | Origin: Latin and Italian
Holiday Tie: Stars are all over during the holiday season, partially due to their religious symbolism. This name is perfect for the new âstarâ of your life.
Zuzu
Meaning: Lily | Origin: Czech
Holiday Tie: Fans of the 1946 holiday classic movie Itâs a Wonderful Life will recognize this sweet name as George and Mary Baileyâs youngest daughter, Zuzu Bailey, who delivers the memorable line, âEvery time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.â
Holiday Baby Names for Boys
Balthazar
Meaning: Bel protect the king | Origin: Babylonian
Holiday Tie: In the Christian Bible, Balthazar is one of the three wise men who visit baby Jesus. You may also recognize the moniker from several characters in popular TV shows like Charmed, Supernatural, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Bruce
Meaning: The willowlands | Origin: Scottish, English, and French
Holiday Tie: Take a stance on one the greatest debatesâwhether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movieâby naming your little one after the star, Bruce Willis.
Casper
Meaning: Keeper of the treasure | Origin: Persian
Holiday Tie: Inspired by another of the three wise men, this name ties to both Christmas and Halloween through the 1995 film about everyoneâs favorite friendly ghost, Casper.
Charlie/Charles
Meaning: Free man | Origin: German
Holiday Tie: Many of us may have fond memories of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas growing up. Not to mention the connection to Charles Dickens, author of the seminal story of the season, A Christmas Carol.
Christian
Meaning: Follower of Christ | Origin: Latin
Holiday Tie: One of the most widely-celebrated winter holidays comes from the Christian religion, making this strong name meaning âfollower of Christâ a perfect inclusion on our list.
Clark
Meaning: Clerk | Origin: Irish
Holiday Tie: This strong, historical name has holiday ties to the hilarious Christmas movie National Lampoonâs Christmas Vacation. If the film is a rewatch year after year, be sure to consider this classic name for a newborn.
Claus
Meaning: Victory of the people | Origin: German
Holiday Tie: This title, of course, brings to mind the man in the big red suit. If youâre pro keeping the Santa tradition alive, consider this festive option.
Cole
Meaning: Charcoal | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: To help ensure your little one never receives coal in his stocking, consider this baby name.
Crosby
Meaning: At the cross | Origin: Old Norse
Holiday Tie: Inspired by the patriarch of Christmas music and star of the classic holiday film, White Christmas, is the surname of one Bing Crosby. For a strong surname first name with a retro twist, look no further.
Douglas
Meaning: Black river | Origin: Scottish
Holiday Tie: There are several plants that the winter months and its holidays are known for. The Douglas fir might just be the most well known, as many families decorate them as their Christmas tree each year.
Ebenezer
Meaning: Stone of help | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: While no one likes a Scrooge around the holidays, you may find this name more favorable. If youâre a fan of the name Evan but want something a little more unique, consider this historical moniker that can be shortened to the sweet nickname Eben.
Emmanuel/Immanuel
Meaning: God with us | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: People of faith will appreciate this name meaning âGod with us.â
George
Meaning: Farmer | Origin: Greek
Holiday Tie: If you never turn down a rewatch of Itâs a Wonderful Life, gift your little one a name after Jimmy Stewartâs beloved character, George Bailey.
Hans
Meaning: God is gracious | Origin: German
Holiday Tie: Will you be welcoming a little one with an older sibling who canât get enough of Disneyâs Frozen? Choose a name your firstborn will either love or hate inspired by one of the least likable characters in the first film (but one who has a great name!).
Ilan
Meaning: Tree | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: As you begin to deck the halls and trim the tree, consider this unique name for a little one.
Jack
Meaning: God is gracious | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: Going into the holiday season means welcoming Jack Frost into town all over again. This personification of winter has taken to character form plenty of times over the years, so choose your favorite when drawing baby name inspiration.
Joseph
Meaning: Jehovah shall add | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: This masculine name is referenced many times in the Bible, and is notably known as Maryâs husband in the Christian Christmas story.
Kevin
Meaning: Handsome | Origin: Irish
Holiday Tie: If you ask me, the holidays wouldnât be the same without rewatching Home Alone one too many times. If Kevin McCallister has brought a smile to your face throughout the years, consider making him your babyâs namesake.
Lior
Meaning: My light | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: A popular choice for babies born in the Jewish faith is this sweet title meaning âmy light.â
Nicholas
Meaning: Victory of the people | Origin: Greek
Holiday Tie: Whether you think of the saint or the man in the red suit upon hearing this name, it doesnât get much more holiday-inspired than this.
Ralph/Ralphie
Meaning: Wolf counsel | Origin: Scandinavian
Holiday Tie: While you may not get an âofficial Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifleâ as a gift this year, hopefully you do get some baby name inspiration from this classic A Christmas Story moniker.
Rudolph
Meaning: Famous wolf | Origin: German
Holiday Tie: We were, of course, inspired by the famous red-nosed reindeer with this inclusion, but we also happen to love the strength behind this name meaning âfamous wolf.â
Wallace
Meaning: Welshman | Origin: French
Holiday Tie: Another case of a surname-turned-first-name, this powerful and sophisticated title meaning âwelshmanâ is brought to our list by Bing Crosbyâs character in White Christmas, Bob Wallace.
Gender-Neutral Holiday Baby Names
Amaryllis
Meaning: Sparkling | Origin: Greek
Holiday Tie: A name reminiscent of twinkly holiday lights had to be included on our holiday baby names list. We love this beautiful option associated with the traditional Christmas flower that means âto sparkle.â
Angel
Meaning: Messenger | Origin: Greek
Holiday Tie: Of course, angels have strong Biblical ties and play a large role in the Christian Christmas story. It was angel Gabriel who told Mary she would give birth to the son of God. Additionally, many people who celebrate Christmas top their tree with a festive angel as part of their celebration.
Aster
Meaning: Star | Origin: Greek
Holiday Tie: This Greek name meaning âstarâ simply feels fitting for our list of holiday baby namesâespecially those who place a star atop their Christmas tree or hold the Jewish Star of David symbol close to their heart.
Avery
Meaning: Ruler of elves | Origin: French and English
Holiday Tie: This whimsical name couldnât be more fitting for our list, holding the meaning of âruler of elves.â Whether youâre looking for holiday baby names, or even Lord of the Rings-inspired names, this one is sure to do the trick.
Bailey
Meaning: Berry clearing; Bailiff | Origin: British
Holiday Tie: For many, the holidays serve as a reminder that, truly, itâs a wonderful life. Pay homage to the classic Christmas film by naming a little one after the main character, George Bailey.
December
Meaning: Born in December | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: Two widely celebrated holidays, Christmas and Hanukkah, are annually celebrated in the month of December. While unique, we happen to think it could make a lovely choice for a baby born in the winter month.
Everett
Meaning: Brave and strong boar | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: Fans of actor Dermot Mulroney may find this name especially appealing. We were inspired to include it because of his character, Everett Stone, in the holiday movie favorite The Family Stone.
Gabriel/Gabrielle
Meaning: God is my strength | Origin: Hebrew
Holiday Tie: This name has strong Biblical ties and is known for being the name of the angel in the Christian Christmas story. The Hebrew name fittingly means âGod is my strength.â
North
Meaning: North | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: Our friends in the north are no strangers to chilly winter weather. And whether youâre inspired by winter, Kim Kardashian, or the home of the Clauses, we approve.
Pierce
Meaning: Rock, stone | Origin: English and Greek
Holiday Tie: Itâs no secret that some traditional last names actually make great first names, and this is one of them. Weâre inspired here by the Pierce family in the heartwarming The Christmas Chronicles films.
Salem
Meaning: Arabic and Hebrew | Origin: Peace
Holiday Tie: The holidays are all about spreading peace and joy. Thereâs no better way to celebrate the meaning of the season than with this charming name meaning âpeace.â Plus, if youâre looking for some Halloween-inspired baby names, this happens to be quite fitting as well.
Yule
Meaning: Winter solstice | Origin: English
Holiday Tie: There are several reasons to consider this holiday baby name option. First, itâs the name of the pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice, which begins annually on December 21st. In addition, those who celebrate Christmas may use a Yule log in their festivities. In this case, itâs often used to symbolize the birth of Jesus.
