THE 2026 FIELD GUIDE IS HERERead the trend report

Amharic names.

628 verified names from Ethiopia — each with its meaning, its sound, and its traditional spelling.

A

AbatA direct, affectionate tribute to one’s father and family roots./ah-BAHT/maleAbayA strong, enduring name inspired by Ethiopia’s great river/ah-BY/maleAbdullahServant (or worshipper) of God./ab-DOOL-lah/maleAbebaBlossom—a cheerful name suggesting a child who brings beauty and new happiness into the family./ah-BEH-bah/femaleAbebeHe blossomed/ah-BEH-beh/maleAbebechShe blossomed/ah-BEH-bech/femaleAbenetExample; model; exemplar./ah-beh-NET/maleAbiyGreat or distinguished/ah-BEEY/maleAdaneHe saved or rescued/ah-DAH-neh/maleAdanechShe saved or rescued/ah-DAH-nech/femaleAddisNew; fresh beginnings/AH-dis/anyAddisuThe new one; a child who brings a fresh beginning/ah-DI-soo/maleAdilA fair-minded and upright man/ah-DEEL/maleAdilaA fair-minded and upright woman/ah-DEE-lah/femaleAdmasuStrong, precious, and resilient like a diamond/ad-MAH-soo/maleAdugnaA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-DOOG-nah/maleAdunyaThe world; worldly life./ah-DOON-ya/femaleAfeworkA golden voice or a person whose words are precious/ah-feh-WORK/maleAfeworkiA person whose words are golden and precious/ah-feh-WOR-kee/maleAhmedMost praised; highly commendable./AH-med/maleAishaAlive, vibrant, and full of life/EYE-shah/femaleAkaluHis very being or embodied presence/ah-KAH-loo/maleAklileMy crown./ahk-LEE-leh/femaleAkliluHis crown; a child held in honor/ahk-LEE-loo/maleAklogA name associated with wisdom and learning/ah-KLOG/maleAlazarEleazar; God has helped/ah-lah-ZAR/maleAlemThe world; a name expressing wide hopes and possibility/AH-lem/anyAlemayehuOne who has seen the world/ah-lem-ah-YEH-hoo/maleAlemneshYou are my world/ah-lem-NESH/femaleAlemtsahaySun of the world/ah-lem-tsah-HIGH/femaleAlemuOf the world; belonging to the world/ah-LEH-moo/maleAleneWe have./ah-LEH-neh/anyAlganeshYour bed./al-gah-NESH/femaleAlmazA precious and wonderfully strong spirit/ahl-MAHZ/femaleAltayeA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/al-TAH-yeh/femaleAlulaWing./ah-LOO-lah/maleAmanPeace and security/AH-mahn/anyAmanuelGod is with us/ah-mahn-oo-EL/maleAmareHe became beautiful/ah-MAH-reh/maleAmarechShe is beautiful/ah-MAH-rech/femaleAmeleworkGolden character; character/nature of gold./ah-meh-leh-WORK/femaleAmhaStrength and power/AHM-hah/maleAminA trustworthy and dependable man/ah-MEEN/maleAminaA trustworthy and faithful woman/ah-MEE-nah/femaleAmiraPrincess; female commander or leader./ah-MEE-rah/femaleAmlesetGod has restored/returned her./am-leh-SET/femaleAmsaleMy likeness; my image; example./am-SAH-leh/femaleAmsaluHis image or likeness/ahm-SAH-loo/maleAnbesawThe lion; brave and strong-hearted/ahm-beh-SAW/maleAnbessaLion; a bold and courageous child/ahm-BESS-ah/maleAndualemOne world; a name expressing unity and wholeness/ahn-doo-AH-lem/maleAnisaFriendly and companionable/ah-NEE-sah/femaleAregashYou have made things firm and secure/ah-reh-GASH/femaleAregawiSteadfast and firm/ah-reh-GAH-wee/maleAronA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-RON/maleArsemaA revered Christian saint’s name/ar-SEH-mah/femaleAsefaOne who grows in strength and achievement/ah-SEH-fah/maleAsegedOne who inspires reverence/ah-SEH-ged/maleAsfawHe expanded or increased/ahs-FAW/maleAshenafiVictorious; a winner/ah-sheh-NAH-fee/maleAsnakeA name associated with making beautiful or bringing beauty into the world/ahs-NAH-keh/maleAsnakechShe made [it/someone] beautiful./ah-snah-KECH/femaleAsratA sacred offering or tenth portion/ahs-RAT/maleAssefaHe made greater or more abundant/ah-SSEH-fah/maleAsterStar/AH-stehr/femaleAtsedeFlower or blossom/ah-TSEH-deh/femaleAwekeHe knows or he understands—a thoughtful and perceptive name/ah-WEH-keh/maleAyalewOne who sees clearly and attentively/ah-yah-LEW/maleAyeleHe saw or has seen/ah-YEH-leh/maleAyelechShe saw or has seen/ah-YEH-lech/femaleAyenewWe saw him / we have seen him./ah-yeh-NEW/maleAynadisNew eye; new vision./eye-NAH-dis/femaleAynalemThe eye of the world; one who sees widely and wisely/eye-nah-LEM/maleAyneshYou are my eye; a precious one to cherish/eye-NESH/femaleAzebThe south; traditionally associated with the Queen of Sheba/AH-zeb/femaleAzmeraHarvest and seasonal abundance/az-MEH-rah/female

B

BahirSea; vast and enduring/BAH-heer/maleBalchaA historic Ethiopian name associated with strength and distinction/BAHL-chah/maleBamlakBy God’s grace/BAHM-lahk/maleBanchiamlakGod is with you/ban-chee-AM-lak/femaleBantayehuLikely “let it be yours,” if representing the Amharic expression ባንተ ይሁን (Banteyhun)./ban-tah-YEH-hoo/maleBarnabasA source of encouragement and comfort to others/BAR-na-bas/maleBayushA joyful name expressing that life has been seen and experienced/bah-YOOSH/femaleBefekaduBy his will or according to his purpose/beh-feh-KAH-doo/maleBekeleHe has blossomed and flourished/beh-KEH-leh/maleBekelechShe has blossomed and flourished/beh-KEH-lech/femaleBelachewHe ate them./be-LA-chew/maleBelayAbove; outstanding and elevated/beh-LIE/maleBelaynehYou are elevated and exceptional/beh-LIE-neh/maleBelayneshYou are elevated and exceptional/beh-LIE-nesh/femaleBeleteHe has excelled and gone beyond/beh-LEH-teh/maleBeletechShe has excelled and gone beyond/beh-LEH-tech/femaleBereketA blessing and gift from God/beh-reh-KET/anyBerhanA bright light bringing hope and warmth/behr-HAHN/anyBerhaneMy light, with the warm sense of divine guidance/ber-HAH-neh/maleBerhanuMay God’s light shine through him/ber-HAH-noo/maleBetelhemBethlehem; a name rich with Christian heritage/beh-tehl-HEHM/femaleBetelihemBethlehem, traditionally understood as the house of bread—a warm symbol of home and belonging./beh-teh-lee-HEM/femaleBethelHouse of God./BEH-thel/femaleBetiBetty, an English diminutive of Elizabeth./BEH-tee/femaleBetselotSurrounded by prayer and loving hope/beh-tseh-LOHT/anyBeyeneA name associated with strength and dignity/beh-YEH-neh/maleBezaRedemption; a precious source of saving grace/BEH-zah/femaleBinyamBenjamin; a cherished son/bin-YAHM/maleBirhaneMy light; a bright blessing in the family/beer-HAH-neh/maleBirhanuHis light; radiant and full of hope/beer-HAH-noo/maleBirtukanOrange; bright, joyful, and sweet/beer-too-KAHN/femaleBiruBright; shining./BI-roo/maleBirukBlessed and fortunate/bee-ROOK/maleBiruktA blessed and fortunate woman/bee-ROOKT/femaleBiruktawitBlessed and beautiful, a loving name for a daughter whose birth is treasured./bee-rook-TAH-wit/femaleBisratGood news; glad tidings./BIS-raht/maleBitewA traditional name apparently based on ቢተው, “if he leaves it/him” or “let it be left”; the supplied relief gloss is not a reliable literal meaning./bee-TEW/maleBizuneshAbundant, cherished, and richly blessed/bee-zoo-NESH/femaleBlenA radiant, glowing presence/BLEHN/femaleBogaleA strong and victorious person/boh-GAH-leh/male

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D

DagimAgain; a joyful new beginning/DAH-gim/maleDagmawiThe second-born; a treasured second child/dag-MAH-wee/maleDagmawitThe second-born; a treasured second child/dag-MAH-wit/femaleDagnewA name associated with seeing and understanding/DAHG-nyew/maleDamtew“Listen to him.”/DAHM-tew/maleDawitBeloved/DAH-wit/maleDebebeHe has blossomed and flourished/deh-BEH-beh/maleDebrituMeaning uncertain; do not assign “a strong and resilient woman” as a literal meaning./deh-BREE-too/femaleDegefu“They supported him” or “they upheld him.”/deh-GEH-foo/maleDeguThe good and kind one/DEH-goo/maleDejeneMy support; a dependable and cherished child/deh-JEH-neh/maleDelneshA cherished traditional name associated with happiness and well-being/del-NESH/femaleDemekeHe has brightened; a radiant and uplifting presence/deh-MEH-keh/maleDemelash“His replacement/substitute,” or “one who replaces him.”/deh-meh-LAHSH/maleDerartuA traditional Ethiopian woman’s name, warmly associated with strength and achievement/deh-RAHR-too/femaleDerejeHe has grown in wisdom and maturity/deh-REH-jeh/maleDesalechYou have brought joy, a tender celebration of a much-loved daughter./deh-sah-LECH/femaleDesalegnI am happy; a child who brings joy/deh-SAH-legn/maleDesetHappiness and delight—a warm name for a much-loved daughter./DEH-set/femaleDestaJoy; happiness/DES-tah/anyDinkineshYou are wonderful; a truly remarkable girl/din-ki-NESH/femaleDinkuA remarkable and wonderful child/DIN-koo/male

E

EdenEden; a place of delight and paradise/EE-den/anyEdjigayehu“I saw much/a great deal.”/eh-jee-gah-YEH-hoo/femaleEgziabherGod; a name expressing reverence for the Lord/eg-zee-AH-bher/maleEleniA form of Helen, traditionally associated with light and radiance/eh-LEH-nee/femaleElizabetElizabeth; “God is my oath”/eh-lee-za-BET/femaleElshadaiEl Shaddai; God Almighty, expressing divine protection and strength/el-sha-DYE/maleEmanuelGod is with us; a name expressing divine closeness/eh-man-oo-EL/maleEmbetLady or noblewoman, warmly honoring her dignity/EM-bet/femaleEmebetLady or noblewoman; a dignified and cherished daughter/eh-meh-BET/femaleEmiruA traditional Ethiopian name associated with princely dignity and honor/eh-MEE-roo/maleEmnetFaith; a name expressing trust, hope, and spiritual strength/EM-net/femaleEnatMother; a warm name honoring nurture, love, and family/EH-nat/femaleEndaleA traditional Ethiopian name expressing continuity with a family or community/en-DAH-leh/maleEndalewA traditional Ethiopian name expressing steadfast presence and belonging/en-da-LEW/maleEndeshaw“As he wishes” or “according to his desire.”/en-deh-SHAW/maleEnkuA precious jewel; someone treasured dearly/EN-koo/femaleEphremA form of Ephraim, traditionally associated with fruitfulness and flourishing/EH-frem/maleErmiasJeremiah; traditionally understood as “the Lord exalts”/er-mee-AS/maleEsayasIsaiah; “the Lord is salvation”/eh-SAH-yas/maleEshetuA traditional Ethiopian name associated with newness, freshness, and renewal/eh-sheh-TOO/maleEskedarA feminine Ethiopian form of Alexander, associated with protecting and defending/es-keh-DAR/femaleEskinderA form of Alexander, associated with strength and protection/es-KIN-der/maleEstifanosStephen; a name associated with honor and a crown/es-tee-FAH-nos/maleEsubalewHe is there for me; a name conveying dependable support/eh-soo-ba-LEW/maleEteneshYou are my lady; a tender expression of honor and affection/eh-teh-NESH/femaleEtsegenetTree of paradise; a name suggesting beauty, blessing, and flourishing/et-seh-geh-NET/femaleEtsehiwotTree of life; a beautiful wish for vitality and a long, flourishing life/et-seh-hee-WOT/femaleEwketuKnowledge; a child valued for wisdom and understanding/ew-keh-TOO/maleEwnetuTruth; an honest and sincere person/ew-neh-TOO/maleEyasuJoshua; the Lord is salvation/eh-YAH-soo/maleEyerusalemJerusalem, a name recalling the holy city and its spiritual heritage/eh-yeh-roo-sa-LEM/femaleEyoelJoel; “the Lord is God”/eh-YOH-el/male

F

FanaLight that brightens the way/FAH-nah/femaleFanayeMy light and source of brightness/fah-nah-YEH/femaleFantaA replacement or substitute; often a child regarded as coming “in place of” someone or something lost./FAN-ta/maleFasikaEaster, the season of renewal and joyful hope/fah-SEE-kah/anyFasilA historic Ethiopian Christian name, associated with strength and joyful celebration/FAH-seel/maleFekaduHis will, purpose, or good intention/feh-KAH-doo/maleFelekeOne who flourishes and grows beautifully/feh-LEH-keh/maleFelekechA girl who flourishes and blossoms/feh-LEH-kech/femaleFetleworkGolden thread; a precious and beautiful child/FET-leh-work/femaleFevenFebruary./FEH-ven/femaleFikaduMay his wishes and purpose be fulfilled/fi-KAH-doo/maleFikirLove and affection/fi-KEER/anyFikirteA beloved child, cherished with love/fi-KEER-teh/femaleFikreMy love; a heartfelt expression of affection/FIK-reh/maleFikreabLove of the Father; a name expressing devotion and faith/FIK-reh-ahb/maleFikremariamLove of Mary/FIK-reh-mah-ree-AHM/maleFikreselassieLove of the Holy Trinity/FIK-reh-seh-LAHS-see/maleFikretLove, tenderness and affection/FIK-ret/femaleFikreyesusLove of Jesus/FIK-reh-YEH-soos/maleFilimonAffectionate and loving/fi-lee-MON/maleFirdawsiParadise; a life filled with beauty and peace/feer-DAW-see/femaleFissehaJoy and gladness/fi-SEH-hah/maleFitsumWholeness, excellence and perfection/FIT-soom/maleFitwiJust, fair, or upright/FIT-wee/maleFiyoriFlower./fee-YOR-ee/femaleFoziaSuccessful and victorious/FOH-zee-ah/femaleFrehiwotFruit of life; a child who brings life and blessing/freh-hee-WOT/anyFrewHis fruit; the cherished result of blessing and growth/FREH-oo/maleFreweiniFruit of the vine; a symbol of abundance and blessing/freh-WAY-nee/femaleFrezerFruit and seed; by extension, offspring or fruitfulness./FREH-zer/female

G

GashawHis shield—a name expressing protection and strength/GAH-shaw/maleGebreA devoted servant; often used as a shortened traditional name/GEH-breh/maleGebregziabherA devoted servant of God/geh-breh-gzee-AHB-her/maleGebrehiwotA servant of life/geh-breh-HEE-wot/maleGebrekidanServant of the covenant/geh-breh-ki-DAHN/maleGebrekristosServant of Christ/geh-breh-KRIS-tos/maleGebremariamA devoted servant of Mary/geh-breh-mah-ree-AHM/maleGebremedhinA devoted servant of the Saviour/geh-breh-MED-hin/maleGebremichaelA devoted servant of Michael/geh-breh-mee-kah-EL/maleGebreselassieA devoted servant of the Holy Trinity/geh-breh-seh-LAHS-see/maleGebretensaeA servant of the Resurrection/geh-breh-ten-SAH-eh/maleGebreyesusA devoted servant of Jesus/geh-breh-YEH-soos/maleGebrielGod is my strength/geh-bree-EL/maleGebruA devoted servant of God; often used as a shortened traditional name/GEH-broo/maleGenetParadise—a joyful name for a beloved child/geh-NET/femaleGenzebeMy wealth; my money or treasure./gen-zeh-BEH/femaleGetachewTheir lord or master/geh-TAH-chew/maleGetahunMay he become a lord—a name of dignity and aspiration/geh-TAH-hoon/maleGetuHis lord or master/GEH-too/maleGezahegnHe subdued me; he conquered me (also interpretable as “he bought me,” depending on context)./geh-zah-HEGN/maleGirmaMajesty, dignity, and greatness/GEER-mah/maleGirmayMy majesty—a name carrying hopes of greatness/geer-MY/maleGiyorgisGeorge, traditionally associated with courage and steadfastness/gee-YOR-gees/maleGizachewOne who rules or leads them/gee-ZAH-chew/maleGizawOne who rules or leads/gee-ZOW/male

H

HabibaBeloved and dearly cherished/ha-BEE-bah/femaleHabtamuHis wealth or the wealthy one/hab-TAH-moo/maleHabteWealth or prosperity/HAB-teh/maleHabtemariamThe wealth or blessing of Mary/hab-teh-mah-REE-am/maleHabtemichaelThe wealth or blessing of Michael/hab-teh-mee-KAH-el/maleHabtewoldA child who is a blessing or treasure/hab-teh-WOLD/maleHadasNew or fresh/HAH-dahs/femaleHagerCountry, homeland, or nation/HAH-ger/anyHagosJoy or happiness/HAH-gos/maleHaileMy strength or his strength/HAH-lee/maleHailemariamThe strength of Mary/high-leh-mah-REE-am/maleHailemichaelThe strength of Michael/high-leh-mee-KAH-el/maleHaileselassieThe strength of the Holy Trinity/high-leh-seh-LAHS-see/maleHaileyesusThe strength of Jesus/high-leh-YEH-soos/maleHailuHis strength/HAH-loo/maleHaimanotFaith or religious devotion/high-mah-NOHT/anyHakimA wise and thoughtful man/hah-KEEM/maleHakimaA wise and thoughtful woman/hah-KEE-mah/femaleHalimaGentle, patient, and kind-hearted/ha-LEE-mah/femaleHamleA warm-season name evoking summer skies and flourishing nature/HAM-leh/anyHamzaStrong, steadfast, or lion-like; an Arabic name used among Ethiopian Muslims/HAM-zah/maleHanaGrace or favor/HAH-nah/femaleHananMercy, compassion, or kindness/HAH-nahn/femaleHannaGrace, kindness, and a gentle spirit/HAN-nah/femaleHaregewoyinGrapevine; vine of wine./ha-reh-geh-WOY-in/femaleHassanGood, handsome, or admirable; an Arabic name used among Ethiopian Muslims/HAS-san/maleHawaEve; the first woman/HAH-wah/femaleHaymanotFaith and a life devoted to God/high-mah-NOT/femaleHewanEve; the mother of humanity/HEH-wahn/femaleHidarHidar, marking the month in which the child was born./HEE-dahr/anyHikmatA child blessed with wisdom and good judgment/HIK-maht/anyHirutLiberated or free-spirited/hee-ROOT/femaleHiwotLife/hee-WOHT/anyHusseinGood or beautiful; an Arabic name used among Ethiopian Muslims/hoo-SAYN/male

I

IbrahimFather of multitudes, a hopeful name for a child surrounded by love/ib-rah-HEEM/maleIbtisamSmile, celebrating the happiness and warmth a child brings/ib-ti-SAHM/femaleIdrisThe prophet Idris, remembered in Islamic tradition for wisdom and devotion/ID-ris/maleIhsanGoodness and excellence, wishing a child a generous and noble character/ih-SAHN/anyIkramHonor, generosity, and graciousness toward others/ik-RAHM/anyIlhamInspiration, a beautiful wish for a child who brings fresh ideas and hope/il-HAHM/femaleIliasMy God is the Lord, expressing deep faith and devotion/il-YAHS/maleImanFaith, trust, and a heart grounded in belief/ee-MAHN/anyImmanuelGod is with us, a reassuring and deeply cherished blessing/im-MAN-yoo-el/maleIntisarVictory and triumph, celebrating a child who brings strength and joy/in-ti-SAHR/femaleIqraRead or recite, associated with learning, wisdom, and a love of knowledge/IK-rah/femaleIsaJesus, the beloved name of the central figure of Christianity/EE-sah/maleIsaiasThe Lord is salvation, a name filled with hope and protection/eye-ZAY-as/maleIslamDevotion and submission to God, with associations of peace and wholeness/iss-LAHM/maleIsmailGod hears, offering comfort and confidence that prayers are received/iss-mah-EEL/maleIsraNight journey, a name associated with a wondrous spiritual journey/ISS-rah/femaleIsraelOne who strives with God, suggesting courage, perseverance, and spiritual strength/IZ-rah-el/maleIyasuThe Lord is salvation, a traditional Ethiopian Christian name rich in faith/ee-YAH-soo/maleIyesusJesus, or salvation, a profoundly cherished Christian name/ee-YEH-soos/male

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KalkidanA child of promise and faithful love/kahl-kee-DAHN/femaleKassaA treasured blessing and recompense/KAH-sah/maleKassahunA precious blessing and source of comfort/kah-sah-HOON/maleKassayeMy treasured reward and blessing/kah-sah-YEH/maleKassuA cherished blessing and reward/KAH-soo/maleKebebushYou are held in love and protection/keh-beh-BOOSH/femaleKebedeHe has grown in greatness and strength/keh-BEH-deh/maleKebedechShe has grown in greatness and strength/keh-BEH-dech/femaleKebourHonored, respected, or held in high esteem/keh-BOOR/maleKefyalewHe is lifted up and honored/keh-fyah-LEW/maleKetemaA child whose presence brings life and community/keh-TEH-mah/maleKidanA child of promise and faithful bonds/kee-DAHN/maleKidaneA sign of a cherished covenant/kee-DAH-neh/maleKidanemariamA child entrusted to the covenant of Mary/kee-dah-neh-mah-ree-AHM/maleKidanemihretA child embraced by a covenant of mercy/kee-dah-neh-mih-HRET/maleKidistHoly, pure, and deeply cherished/kee-DIST/femaleKidusHoly and blessed/kee-DOOS/maleKidusanOne among the holy and blessed/kee-doo-SAHN/anyKifleMy cherished portion and blessing/KIF-leh/maleKiremtA life-giving name evoking rain, renewal, and green growing things/kee-REHMT/anyKirosCyrus, a historic royal name carried with dignity/kee-ROHS/maleKokebA shining star in the family/koh-KEB/anyKonjitBeautiful and lovely/kohn-JEET/femaleKonjoBeautiful, lovely, and pleasing/KON-jo/anyKristosA name honoring Christ and Christian faith/kris-TOHS/maleKumelachewOne who brings people together in harmony/koo-meh-LAH-chew/any

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MagdalenaWoman from Magdala./mag-dah-LEH-nah/femaleMahletA joyful hymn of praise/MAH-let/femaleMamoA traditional Ethiopian given name whose exact original sense is not certain, but which is warmly established in use/MAH-moh/maleMaryamMary, the revered mother of Jesus/mah-ree-AHM/femaleMastewalWisdom, understanding, and good judgment/mas-teh-WAL/femaleMatewosMatthew, traditionally understood as “gift of God”/mah-TEH-woss/maleMatheosA gift from God/mah-teh-OS/maleMathewosGift from God/mat-TEH-wos/maleMatiasMatthias, traditionally understood as “gift of God”/mah-TEE-ass/maleMeazaA sweet fragrance or pleasing aroma/meh-AH-zah/femaleMebratLight and brightness/MEH-brat/femaleMebrateMy light, a tender name for a beloved daughter/meh-BRAH-teh/femaleMebratuHis light; a child who brings brightness to the family/meh-BRAH-too/maleMedhaneSavior; redeemer./med-HAH-neh/maleMedhanialemThe Savior of the world/med-hah-nee-AH-lem/maleMedhanitHealing, rescue, and salvation/med-hah-NEET/femaleMedhinA saving and healing presence/MEHD-hin/maleMehariMerciful and compassionate/meh-HAH-ree/maleMeheretA compassionate woman with a merciful heart/meh-HEH-ret/femaleMekdelawitA woman of Magdala; a name evoking dignity and strength/mek-deh-LAH-wit/femaleMekdesA sacred place; a name with a feeling of holiness and dignity/MEK-dess/femaleMeklitA precious gift or special talent/MEK-lit/femaleMekonnenA respected leader or noble official/meh-KON-nen/maleMekuriaHonor, glory, or dignity/meh-KOO-ree-ah/maleMelakuMy angel, a cherished child and blessing/meh-LAH-koo/maleMelesOne who has returned, or a long-awaited child/MEH-less/maleMenassieA name associated with leaving past troubles behind and beginning anew/me-NAS-see/maleMenelikMenelik, the historic Ethiopian royal name associated with strength and heritage/meh-neh-LEEK/maleMenenA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/meh-NEN/femaleMentewabHow beautiful!; what beauty!/men-teh-WAB/femaleMeronJoy—a bright name celebrating the happiness of a new child./MEH-ron/anyMesayOne who resembles or takes after someone beloved/meh-SIGH/maleMeseluLikeness; resemblance./meh-SEH-loo/femaleMeseretA strong foundation for life/meh-SEH-ret/femaleMesfinA noble and dignified son/MES-feen/maleMeskelThe cross, a strong Christian symbol of faith/MES-kel/maleMeskeremNamed for Meskerem, the first month of the Ethiopian calendar and a season of new beginnings/mes-keh-REM/femaleMestawetA shining mirror, reflecting beauty and character/mes-tah-WET/femaleMezmurA sacred song of praise—a celebratory name for a child welcomed with gratitude./MEZ-moor/maleMihretMercy, compassion, and loving-kindness/MIH-ret/anyMihretuA child surrounded by mercy and compassion/mih-REH-too/maleMikaelMichael, traditionally understood as “Who is like God?”/mee-kah-EL/maleMilkiSuccess, achievement, or good fortune (an Oromo/Afaan Oromo term, rather than Amharic)./MIL-kee/femaleMillionA child of immense worth and abundance/MIL-yohn/maleMinasMinas, the name of a revered Christian saint/MEE-nass/maleMintesnotA child understood as coming from God/min-tes-NOOT/maleMirtProduce, yield, or harvest./MEERT/femaleMisganaThanksgiving and grateful praise to God/mis-GAH-nah/anyMisganawA thankful and appreciative heart/mis-gah-NAW/maleMitikuA beloved child who fills a precious place in the family/mih-TEE-koo/maleMogesGrace, favor, and goodwill/MOH-gess/maleMollaFilled, complete, or fulfilled/MOL-lah/maleMulatuHis fullness; his abundance./moo-LA-too/maleMuluWhole, complete, and fulfilled/MOO-loo/anyMulualemA child precious to the whole world/moo-loo-ah-LEM/maleMuluemebetA complete or whole lady/woman./moo-loo-eh-meh-BET/femaleMulugetaComplete victory and success/moo-loo-GEH-tah/maleMuluneshYou are complete and whole/moo-loo-NESH/femaleMuluworkPure gold; a precious and deeply treasured child/moo-loo-WORK/female

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SabirA patient and resilient man/sah-BEER/maleSabiraA patient and resilient woman/sah-BEE-rah/femaleSafiyaPure-hearted and sincere/sah-FEE-yah/femaleSahleMercy or compassion/SAH-leh/maleSahleworkGold of mercy, suggesting preciousness and blessing/SAH-leh-work/femaleSalimA man who brings peace and security/sah-LEEM/maleSalimaA peaceful and protected woman/sah-LEE-mah/femaleSamrawitShe has prospered and flourished/sam-rah-WEET/femaleSaraPrincess; noblewoman/SAH-rah/femaleSebhatPraise or praise to God/SEB-hat/maleSebleEar of grain; a name associated with abundance and growth/SEB-leh/femaleSebleworkGolden grain; a warm name for abundance and preciousness/SEB-leh-work/femaleSegenetVeranda, balcony, or porch./seh-geh-NET/femaleSeifuHis sword; a strong and protective name/SAY-foo/maleSelamPeace/seh-LAHM/anySelamawiA peaceful and calm person/seh-lah-MAH-wee/maleSelamawitPeaceful; full of peace/seh-lah-MAH-wit/femaleSelamneshYou are peace/seh-lahm-NESH/femaleSemiraAn evening companion or one who engages in evening conversation./seh-MEE-rah/femaleSenaitGoodness; a lovely and good person/seh-NIGHT/femaleSenbereSabbath; Sunday./sen-beh-REH/femaleSeneA bright early-summer name, associated with warmth and growth/SEH-neh/femaleSewitWoman; female person./seh-WEET/femaleSewnetHumanity or human nature/SEW-net/anySeyoumAn appointed or chosen person/say-OOM/maleShambelA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/SHAM-bel/maleShewitBeautiful and graceful/SHEH-weet/femaleShiferawOne who spreads or expands; traditionally associated with growth and reach/shih-feh-RAW/maleShimelisA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/shih-MEH-lis/maleShukriThanks or gratitude/SHOOK-ree/anyShumetAppointment, rank, or honor/SHOO-met/maleSileshiA traditional Amharic name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/sih-LEH-shee/maleSimegn“Hear/listen to me” (Amharic ስማኝ), not “remember me.”/see-MEGN/femaleSintayehuA name expressing wonder: “what have I seen?”/sin-tah-YEH-hoo/maleSisayBlessing or good fortune/sih-SIGH/maleSitotawThe gift/sih-toh-TAW/maleSofiaWisdom/soh-FEE-ah/femaleSoliyanaCommonly glossed as “sunshine” or “sunlight”; it is not an established Amharic expression for peace and grace./soh-lee-YAH-nah/femaleStefanosCrown or wreath of honor/steh-FAH-nos/maleSuadHappiness, good fortune, and joy/soo-AHD/femaleSurafelA seraph or heavenly angel/soo-rah-FEL/male

T

TabithaA graceful gazelle, suggesting beauty and liveliness/TAB-ih-tha/femaleTadeleFortunate and blessed with good fortune/tah-DEH-leh/maleTadesseHe has been renewed and blessed with fresh hope./tah-DESS-eh/maleTafariOne who inspires awe; a dignified and remarkable child/tah-FAH-ree/maleTafesse“He overflowed” or “he became abundant,” from Amharic ተፈሰ./tah-FESS-eh/maleTaituTraditionally associated with the sun; often glossed simply as “sun.”/TAI-too/femaleTameneA dependable child who inspires trust./tah-MEH-neh/maleTamiratMiracle—a joyful name for a child whose arrival feels wonderfully blessed./tah-mee-RAHT/maleTamiruA child who brings wonder and triumph/tah-MEE-roo/maleTayeA child whose presence is precious and dearly cherished./TAH-yeh/maleTedrosA gift from God./TED-ross/maleTeferaA respected and honorable person./teh-FEH-rah/maleTeferiRevered and held in awe/teh-FEH-ree/maleTegegneA precious child who has been found and welcomed with joy./teh-GEH-nyeh/maleTekalign“Replace me” or “substitute for me” (Amharic ተካልኝ)./teh-kah-LYIN/maleTekesteA long-awaited child whose arrival brings joy./teh-KESS-teh/maleTekleA child who grows strong and rooted, like a flourishing plant./TEK-leh/maleTeklehaymanotA child rooted in faith and spiritual strength./TEK-leh-high-mah-NOT/maleTemesgenMay his life be filled with praise and gratitude./teh-MESS-gen/maleTenagnework“He found gold” (ተናኘ ወርቅ)./teh-nag-neh-WORK/femaleTesemaA child whose arrival feels like an answered prayer./teh-SEH-mah/maleTesfaHope, optimism, and trust in God/TES-fah/anyTesfahunA child who brings hope and encouragement./tes-FAH-hoon/maleTesfayeMy hope and the promise of a bright future./tes-FAH-yeh/maleTeshaleA child associated with growth, healing, and improvement./teh-SHAH-leh/maleTeshomeA child destined for purpose and responsibility./teh-SHOH-meh/maleTewabeA beautiful and graceful child./teh-WAH-beh/maleTewabechShe is beautiful and lovely/teh-wah-BECH/femaleTewabewHe is handsome and lovely/teh-wah-BEH-woo/maleTewodajBeloved, cherished, or widely loved/teh-woh-DAJ/maleTewodrosA gift from God/teh-woh-DROS/maleTibebuA wise and thoughtful child./tih-BEH-boo/maleTigabuA diligent person who keeps going with patience/tee-GAH-boo/anyTigistA patient, steady, and resilient woman./tee-GIST/femaleTilahunA child who offers shelter, protection, and support./tee-LAH-hoon/maleTilayeA beloved child who is a source of comfort and protection./tee-LAH-yeh/maleTiruA good-hearted and kind person./TEE-roo/anyTirunehA son praised for his goodness and kind character./tee-roo-NEH/maleTiruneshA daughter celebrated for her goodness and kind character./tee-roo-NESH/femaleTiruworkA precious person with a good heart/ti-roo-WORK/femaleTiruyeMy good one; a tender name expressing affection and appreciation/tee-ROO-yeh/femaleTizitaA cherished memory and treasured remembrance./tee-ZEE-tah/femaleTomasThe Amharic form of Thomas, traditionally associated with a twin/toh-MAHS/maleTsedalA bright, radiant presence/tseh-DAHL/femaleTsedeyThe freshness, renewal, and promise of spring/tseh-DAY/anyTsegaGrace, blessing, and goodness./TSEH-gah/anyTsegahunA child surrounded by grace and blessing./tseh-GAH-hoon/maleTsegayeA child seen as a personal blessing and gift of grace./tseh-GAH-yeh/maleTsegeredaA graceful Ethiopian name associated with the rose and its beauty/tseh-geh-REH-dah/femaleTsehayA radiant child who brings warmth and light./tseh-HIGH/anyTsehayneshA daughter who is the light and warmth of her family./tseh-high-NESH/femaleTsigeFlower or blossom/TSEE-geh/female

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WegeneMy kinsman or my beloved relative/weh-GEH-neh/anyWogayehuA traditional Ethiopian personal name associated with heritage and identity/woh-gah-YEH-hoo/maleWoineshetGrape-like and graceful, evoking sweetness and abundance/woy-neh-SHET/femaleWoldegebrielSon of Gabriel, a name with a treasured Christian heritage/wol-deh-geh-bree-EL/maleWoldemariamSon of Mary, expressing a cherished Christian heritage/wol-deh-mah-ree-AHM/maleWoldemichaelSon of Michael, carrying the protection and strength associated with the archangel/wol-deh-mee-kah-EL/maleWoldeselassieSon of the Trinity, a name rooted in Christian faith/wol-deh-seh-LAH-see/maleWoldetensaeSon of the Resurrection, a name of hope and renewed life/wol-deh-ten-SAH-eh/maleWoldeyohannesSon of John, expressing a cherished family and Christian connection/wol-deh-yoh-HAH-nes/maleWondafrashMan-breaker/destroyer; a forceful name built from “man” and “breaker/destroyer.”/won-dah-FRASH/maleWondimuHis brother—a name celebrating the blessing of family/wun-dee-MOO/maleWondmagegnOne who has found a brother—a joyful name of kinship/wund-mah-GEHN/maleWondwossenA man of firm character and resolve/wun-dwoh-SUN/maleWorkneshYou are gold, precious and deeply valued/wor-KNESH/femaleWorqGold, expressing preciousness, prosperity, and lasting worth/work/anyWorqituHer gold, a precious and treasured daughter/wor-KEE-too/femaleWoseneHe has decided—a name expressing determination/woh-SEH-neh/maleWossenBoundary or limit—a name suggesting strength, steadiness, and purpose/woh-SUN/maleWubetBeauty, grace, and charm/woo-BET/femaleWubetuHis beauty—a lovely name celebrating grace/woo-beh-TOO/maleWubitBeauty and loveliness/WOO-bit/femaleWubnehYou are beautiful—a warm blessing of admiration/woob-NEH/maleWubneshYou are beautiful and beloved/woob-NESH/femaleWubshetBeautiful and radiant/woob-SHET/maleWudasePraise—a name expressing gratitude and admiration/woo-DAH-seh/femaleWudituBeloved and cherished/woo-DEE-too/femaleWudnehYou are dear and precious/wood-NEH/maleWudneshYou are dear and precious/wood-NESH/female

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YacobMay God protect and strengthen him, the Ethiopian form of Jacob/YAH-kob/maleYalemzerfLiterally “branch/sector of the world” (or “the world’s branch”); its intended personal-name sense may vary./yah-lem-ZERF/femaleYasinA name associated with the Qur’anic prophet Jonah and traditionally linked with devotion/YAH-seen/maleYeabsira“Her good news,” from Amharic bəsra/bisra, “good news.”/yeh-ab-SEE-rah/femaleYekunoamlakMay God establish him; also remembered as the name of an Ethiopian emperor/yeh-koo-noh AM-lak/maleYemaneA name associated with the right hand, traditionally symbolizing strength and favor/yeh-MAH-neh/maleYemanech“Right-hand/right side,” a feminine form associated with Amharic yäman (“right side”)./yeh-MAH-nehch/femaleYemisrachOf the dawn—the first warm light of a new day/yeh-mis-RAHK/femaleYenealemMy world—a loving name for a much-cherished child/yeh-neh-AH-lem/anyYeneneshYou are mine—a tender expression of love and belonging/yeh-neh-NESH/femaleYeshimebetA beloved daughter associated with a home and family/yeh-shim-eh-BET/femaleYetnayetA traditional name expressing wonder and admiration/yet-nah-YET/femaleYetnebershA daughter cherished for her goodness and kind spirit/yet-neh-BERSH/femaleYewubdarA beautiful and radiant woman/yeh-WOOB-dar/femaleYewubneshYou are beautiful/yeh-WOOB-nesh/femaleYilmaMay he grow and flourish/YIL-mah/maleYimamA respected name meaning imam or religious guide/yee-MAHM/maleYimerMay he grow strong and bring continued flourishing to his family./YEE-mer/maleYirgalem“May the world be calm/at peace.”/yeer-gah-LEM/femaleYisakHe will laugh, a joyful name connected with Isaac/yee-SAHK/maleYitagesuMay he be patient, strong, and steadfast/yit-ah-GEH-soo/maleYitayihA name expressing the hope that he will be seen and recognized/yit-EYE-ih/maleYitbarekMay he be blessed by God/yit-bah-REK/maleYoditJudith, traditionally associated with praise and a strong, courageous woman/YO-dit/femaleYohannesGod is gracious/yo-HAH-nes/maleYonasDove—a gentle symbol of peace/YO-nas/maleYosefGod will add or increase blessings/yo-SEF/maleYusufGod increases or gives abundantly/YOO-soof/male

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