Newborn Baby twins by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

Choosing the Perfect Baby Name: An A–Z of Inspiration

Choosing a name for your baby is one of the most meaningful parts of preparing for their arrival. A name is a story, a heritage, and a piece of love they’ll carry with them always. Over the years, I’ve photographed so many beautiful little ones, and their names have become a wonderful source of inspiration.

Here’s a collection of my favourite baby names — a little A–Z of sweetness — along with some name meanings to help spark ideas as you search for the perfect fit.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

A

Aadya – Sanskrit origin, meaning first power or goddess.
Adeline – French roots, meaning noble.
Other favourites: Adah, Adara, Aiya, Aksara, Albie, Alison, Amelia, Amelie, Amy, Archie, Aris, Ash, Aster, Aston.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

B

Benjamin – Hebrew origin, meaning son of the right hand.
Other favourites: Becky, Ben.

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C

Caleb – Hebrew origin, meaning wholehearted.
Charlotte – Classic and timeless, meaning free woman.
Other favourites: Charlie, Cillian, Clayton, Connie, Connor.

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D

Daisy – A cheerful floral name, symbolising innocence and purity.
Other favourites: Douglas.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

E

Eloise – French name, meaning healthy and wide.
Ezra – Hebrew origin, meaning help or helper.
Other favourites: Edward, Elizabeth, Ella, Elise, Elsie, Emma, Emily, Ernie, Erynn, Evan, Evie.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

F

Florence – Latin roots, meaning flourishing and blossoming.
Freya – Norse mythology name, meaning lady or goddess of love and beauty.
Other favourites: Fiona, Finn, Flynn.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

G

Grace – Timeless virtue name, symbolising elegance and kindness.
Other favourites: George.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer H

Harrison – Meaning son of Harry.
Heidi – German origin, meaning noble and kind.
Other favourites: Hannah, Harper, Harry, Hattie, Hunter.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

I

Isabelle – A variation of Elizabeth, meaning pledged to God.
Other favourites: Ilona, Indira, Ismail.

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J

Jacob – Hebrew origin, meaning supplanter.
Julius – Roman roots, meaning youthful and downy-bearded.
Other favourites: Jack, Jake, Jerray, Joshua, Joseph.

Baby Milestone Portraits by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

L

Leo – Latin name meaning lion.
Lily – A classic floral name, symbolising purity and renewal.
Other favourites: Lara, Laurel, Leela, Lenny, Lily-Beth, Lincoln, Logan, Lottie, Louis, Lucia, Lyra.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

M

Maisie – Scottish origin, a diminutive of Margaret meaning pearl.
Muhammad – Arabic name meaning praised or praiseworthy.
Other favourites: Mac, Matthieu, Max, Miguel.

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N

Nina – Of Spanish and Slavic roots, meaning little girl or dreamer.
Other favourites: Niloufar.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

O

Olivia – Derived from olive tree, symbolising peace.
Other favourites: Orianna.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

P

Poppy – Bright floral name, symbolising remembrance.
Primrose – Old English name meaning first rose.
Other favourites: Parem, Peter.

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R

Reuben – Hebrew origin, meaning behold, a son.
Ruby – A gemstone name, symbolising love and vitality.
Other favourites: Rebecca, Rhea, Romy, Rose, Ryan.

Baby Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

S

Sebastian – Latin origin, meaning venerable or revered.
Serena – From Latin, meaning serene, peaceful.
Other favourites: Saint, Seanan, Silvie.

Sitter Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

T

Theo – Greek origin, meaning gift of God.
Tilda – A sweet diminutive of Matilda, meaning mighty in battle.
Other favourites: T’ella, Tommy.

Newborn Photography by Victoria Sturdy | Cambridge Cambridgeshire | Newborn Photographer

V

Victoria – Latin origin, meaning victory.

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W

Willow – A nature-inspired name, symbolising grace and resilience.

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Z

Zachary – Hebrew origin, meaning the Lord remembers.
Zara – Arabic and Hebrew roots, meaning blooming flower or princess.

3 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Baby Name

1. Think About Meaning and Story
   A name with meaning often feels even more special. Whether it connects to your family heritage (like Muhammad or Isabelle) or nature-inspired choices (like Daisy or Willow), choosing a name with a story gives it lifelong significance.

2. Balance Timelessness and Trendiness
   Some names, like Elizabeth or Benjamin, never go out of style. Others, like Aster or Lyra, feel fresh and modern. Deciding whether you’d like your baby’s name to be classic, unique, or somewhere in between is part of the fun.

3. Say It Out Loud
   Names can feel different when spoken than when written. Try saying your favourite out loud, along with your surname — you might find the rhythm flows beautifully (like Amelie Rose) or feels a little tricky. Hearing it helps make the decision clearer.

✨ Whether you fall in love with something traditional like Charlotte, meaningful like Reuben, or whimsical like Primrose, the most important thing is that your baby’s name feels right for you and your family.

A baby is a blank cheque made payable to the human race.

~Barbara Christine Seifert