170+ Unique & Creative Names That Mean “Life”

When you have a child, you’re bringing a new life into the world. So, why not celebrate your little miracle by giving them a name that literally means “life”? In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 170 names that mean “life” for boys and girls. Plus, we’ve also included names that mean “life is good,” “breath of life,” “reincarnation,” and more. Keep reading to find the perfect name for you.

Interesting Names That Mean “Life”

For girls: Aisha, Eve, Liv, Vivian, Zoe
For boys: Beathan, Chaim, Omar, Vito, Viviano
Gender-neutral: Amrit, Bo, Eloma, Hayat, Phoenix
Unique: Bibiana, Bophelo, Hisako, Keola, Xiola

Section 1 of 10:

Girl Names That Mean Life

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Opt for a lively, feminine name for a girl. It’s often a parent’s greatest wish to watch their child grow up happy and healthy. Get your daughter started on the right foot by giving her a beautiful name that means “life.” Here are some of our favorites:^{[1]
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- Aisha (Arabic for “life”)
- Asha (African for “life”)
- Betha (Scottish for “life”)
- Cansu (Turkish for “water of life”)
- Chivy (Cambodian for “life”)
- Eba (Latin and Hebrew for “life”)
- Efa (Welsh for “alive”)
- Emmelina (German for “a desire to excel in life”)
- Enid (Celtic for “soul, spirit, life”)^{[2]
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- Eshe (African for “life”)
- Eva (Hebrew for “life”)
- Eve (Hebrew for “life”)
- Evette (French for “living one”)
- Evita (Hebrew for “life”)
- Evvy (Hebrew and Latin for “life”)
- Haya (Hebrew for “life”)
- Janya (Hindu for “life”)
- Liv (Norwegian for “life”)^{[3]
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- Taisha (Sanskrit for “full of life”)
- Thyia (Greek for “tree of life”)
- Vita (Latin for “life”)
- Vivia (Latin for “alive”)
- Vivian (Latin for “living, lively”)^{[4]
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- Viviana (Latin for “living, lively”)
- Zoe (Greek for “life”)

Section 2 of 10:

Boy Names That Mean Life

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Pick a masculine name for a boy. Celebrate the birth of your son by choosing a masculine name that means “life” or “alive.” Many names also mean “long-lived,” so they’re a great way to wish him a long, happy life to come. Here are some examples:^{[5]
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- Ammar (Arabic for “one who lives a long life”)
- Beathan (Gaelic for “life, little life, lively one”)
- Bion (Greek for “life”)
- Calian (Native American for “warrior of life”)
- Can (Turkish for “spirit, life, soul”)
- Caner (Turkish for “soul, life”)
- Chaim (Hebrew for “life”)
- Daxon (French for “water, life-giving drink”)
- Ercan (Turkish for “life, soul, brave man”)
- Hyman (Hebrew for “life”)
- Jeevan (Sanskrit for “life, living”)
- Jeton (Swiss for “life”)
- Ojas (Indian and Sanskrit for “vitality”)
- Omar (Arabic for “long-lived”)
- Vitale (Italian, Jewish, and Russian for “life”)
- Vito (Latin for “alive, life”)^{[6]
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- Vitus (French and Italian for “life”)
- Viviano (Italian for “living, alive”)
- Yeong-Su (Sino-Korean for “perpetual, eternal, long life”)
- Zhivago (Russian for “life”)
- Živojin (Serbian for “life-giver”)
- Zoticus (Greek for “lively”)

Section 3 of 10:

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Life

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Opt for a name that works for any gender. Whether you’re naming your child or renaming yourself, there are plenty of gender-neutral options to choose from across cultures! These beautiful names all mean “life” and can be used for any gender:
- Amrit (Sanskrit for “immortal, nectar of life”)
- Bo (Old Norse for “to live, dwell”)
- Chijindum (Igbo for “God holds my life”)
- Chinwendu (Igbo for “God possesses life”)
- Eloma (Finnish for “life”)
- Hayat (Arabic for “life”)
- Hayati (Sanskrit and Arabic for “my life, full of life”)
- Jiva (Indian for “living, existing”)
- Phoenix (Greek for “mystical bird,” a symbol of life and resurrection)
- Taiwo (Yoruba for “taste the world, taste life”)
- Tshering (Tibetan for “long life”)
- Zowie (Greek for “life”)

Section 4 of 10:

Names That Mean “Breath of Life”

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Consider a name with a related meaning, like “breath.” If you can’t find a name you like that directly means “life,” try one with a meaning that’s related to life, like “breath.” Some names specifically mean “breath of life,” but even those that just mean “breath” convey the same meaning. Here are some examples:^{[7]
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- Abel (Hebrew for “breath”)
- Abelina (German for “a breath”)
- Abella (Hebrew for “breath”)
- Ahelia (Hebrew for “breath”)
- Apela (Hawaiian for “breath of life”)
- Ava (Hebrew and Germanic for “breath of life”)
- Avabelle (American for “breathing in life”)
- Avalyn (English for “breath of life, beautiful bird”)
- Ettan (Indian for “breath”)
- Hava (Hebrew for “breathe, life”)
- Kahanu (Hawaiian for “the breath”)
- Keeaola (Hawaiian for “breath of life”)
- Nefes (Turkish for “breath”)
- Pran (Indian and Sanskrit for “life, breath”)

Section 5 of 10:

Names That Mean “Life is Good”

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Celebrate life with a positive name. Remind yourself how grateful you are to be alive by choosing a name that means “life is good” or something similar. These names can help you and your child remember to look on the bright side and not dwell on the negative. Here are some examples:
- Akpofure (Urhobo for “life is peaceful”)
- Asher (Hebrew for “happy life”)
- Beeja (Hindi for “the beginning, happy”)
- Gonora (British for “a lively person who lives a life of joy”)
- Gouti (Hindi for “living a life with a love of serving others”)
- Haian (Arabic for “beautiful life”)
- Jilian (English for “enjoys youthful life”)
- Meresankh (Egyptian for “she loves life”)
- Ndubuisi (Igbo for “life is foremost”)
- Selig (German for “blessed, happy in life”)
- Suchart (Thai for “born into a good life”)
- Togzhan (Kazakh for “prosperous soul”)
- Ziva (Hebrew and Slavic for “bright life”)

Section 6 of 10:

Names That Mean Reincarnation

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Select a name that means “resurrection” or “rebirth.” If you’re all about fresh starts, choosing a name that means “reincarnation” can be a great reminder to look on the bright side. Here are some of our favorite names that remind us of new beginnings:^{[8]
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- Alba (Spanish and Italian for “dawn, new life”)
- Anastasia (Greek for “resurrection”)
- Anastasios (Greek for “resurrection, rebirth”)
- Anastasius (Greek for “reborn”)
- Asia (Greek for “resurrection”)
- Dagny (Old Norse for “new day”)
- Kia (African for “new beginnings, season’s beginning”)
- Naveen (Hindi for “new”)
- Navin (Hindi for “new”)
- Nouvel (French for “new”)
- Nova (Latin for “new”)
- Nyssa (Greek for “new beginning”)
- Renata (Latin and French for “born again”)
- Renato (Latin for “reborn”)
- Renatus (Latin for “born again”)
- Renée (Latin and French for “born again”)
- Sanjeev (Sanskrit for “reviving, bringing back to life, long-lived”)
- Tadesse (Ethiopian for “renewal”)
- Tan (Vietnamese for “new”)
- Tensei (Japanese for “reincarnation, rebirth”)
- Wahuj (Arabic for “new beginning, first light of day”)

Section 7 of 10:

Last Names That Mean Life

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Pick a new last name that’s vibrant and joyful. If you’re changing your last name (or naming a character), opt for a surname that means “life.” Many surnames can also double as first names, too. Try to choose one from your culture to pay tribute to your heritage. Here are some examples:
- Chun (Chinese for “rebirth, life, spring”)
- De Vivo (Italian for “of the living”)
- Inochi (Japanese for “life, existence”)
- Lebens (German and Dutch for “life”)
- Livsson (Old Norse for “son of life”)
- Macbeatha (Scottish for “son of life”)
- Oron (Hebrew for “light of joy and life”)
- Renaud (French for “reborn”)
- Revilla (Spanish for “little revival, revitalization”)
- Tengoku (Japanese for “eternal life, heaven”)
- Vidal (Latin for “life”)
- Vitali (Latin for “full of life”)
- Vitaliano (Italian for “belonging to life”)
- Vivanco (Spanish for “full of life”)
- Vivante (Jewish for “living, alive”)
- Vivas (Greek for “to live”)
- Vivel (Spanish and French for “one who lives”)
- Viviani (Italian for “alive”)
- Vivier (French for “place of life”)
- Zhivkov (Bulgarian for “life, alive”)
- Zindani (INdian for “life, one who is full of life”)
- Živanovic (Slavic for “alive, living one”)
- Zoev (Greek for “life”)
- Zois (Greek for “life”)

Section 8 of 10:

Unique Names That Mean Life

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Stand out with a unique and interesting name. Because there are so many names that mean “life” or something similar, it’s easy to find one that feels unique and special. Do some research on names from your culture (or one that you’re allowed to borrow from) to find a unique name you like. Here are some examples:^{[9]
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- Bibiana (Spanish and Arabic for “lively lady”)
- Bophelo (South African for “to live”)
- Cansel (Turkish for “soul, life, flood, stream”)
- Chaitanya (Sanskrit for “consciousness,” “life force”)
- Éabha (Irish for “life”)
- Elo (Estonian for “life”)
- Erzhan (Kazakh for “brave man, life, soul”)
- Evacsa (Hebrew for “life”)
- Hisako (Japanese for “long-lived child”)
- Hiwot (Amharic for “life, being”)
- Iina (Navajo for “life”)
- Keola (Hawaiian for “the life”)
- Luljeta (Albanian for “flower of life”)
- Mahatma (Indian for “great soul, life”)
- Muammar (Arabic for “given long life”)
- Nurcan (Turkish for “light of life”)
- Su-Jin (Sino-Korean for “long life, lifespan”)
- Vivaan (Hindi for “full of life”)
- Xiola (Greek for “life, alive”)
- Zenobia (Greek for “life of Zeus”)
- Zoilo (Spanish and Greek for “life”)

Section 9 of 10:

Names That Mean “Creator of Life”

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Honor your religion with a name that means “creator.” Most names that mean “creator” or “creator of life” have religious connotations, as different religions believe their god or gods created the world and life itself. Choosing a name that means “creator” can be a great way to honor your religion and thank God for giving you a child. Here are some examples:^{[10]
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- Aarth (Indian for “supreme being, creator”)
- Abtum (Parsi for “the creator of plentiful waters”)
- Adhaya (Sanskrit for “the first power, the first creator”)
- Asier (Basque for “the beginning”)
- Baari (Arabic for “originator, creator,” one of the names of Allah)
- Balkar (Indian for “mighty creator”)
- Brahma (the Hindu god of creation)
- Evika (English for “little one who gave life to everything”)
- Faatir (Arabic for “creator, maker”)
- Harshavardhan (Indian for “creator of life”)
- Inizio (Italian for “beginning”)
- Jaival (Hindi for “life-giving”)
- Jivan (Armenian for “giver of life”)
- Jivanta (Indian for “give life”)
- Kartaara (Indian for “Lord of all creations”)
- Khepri (Egyptian for “morning sun, create”)
- Oma (Arabic for “giver of life”)
- Ordell (Latin for “beginning”)
- Rachana (Indian for “creation”)

Section 10 of 10:

How to Choose a Name

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1
Consider the name’s meaning. While many names simply mean “life,” others have deeper or more complicated meanings, like “creator/creation,” or “reincarnation.” Some names may not directly mean “life,” but have similar connections, like those that mean “breath” or “beginning.” Do some research about what different names mean to find a meaning that resonates with you.^{[11]
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Honor your heritage. If you have a deep connection with your family’s heritage, consider choosing a name from that culture. Almost every culture has names that mean “life” or something similar, so you’re likely to find one you like. If you want to choose a name from another culture, make sure you won’t accidentally commit cultural appropriation by doing so.^{[12]
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Say the name out loud. If you find a name that looks good on paper, make sure to say it out loud to see how it sounds with your chosen middle and last name. Depending on your native language, some names will also be easier to pronounce than others, so this is a good way to make sure you don’t give your child a name that’s too complicated for them to say.^{[13]
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