Names Meaning Freedom Celebrate Independence Day
We’re celebrating the Fourth of July with names that mean freedom and independence.
These values are as important today as they were when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Because we know that long after the revolution was over, many Americans were — and are — still fighting for freedom.
The virtue name Liberty has a long history of use in the USA, with peaks after the Civil War, First World War and Vietnam War. But it’s only since the year 2000 that it’s come into steady use, helped by several on-screen characters (such as in Degrassi and the movie Chasing Liberty).
Today, in a landscape where many baby names rise and fall, Liberty is remarkably steady in the rankings. Give her a few more years, and she could be a modern classic.
Read on for 15 more of our favorite free-spirited baby names perfect for Independence Day – and every day.
Names Meaning Freedom or Independence
Azad
This Persian gem has all the straightforward charm of names like Adam and Jared, with a cool Z sound. It’s rare in the States, but in the last decade there’s been a tiny upturn in use.
Charlie
All the Charl/Carl/Karl names come from an ancient word for a man of free status, and Charlie is the most fun, friendly and relaxed. Ever-popular for boys, it’s recently taken off for girls too, making it one of the most gender-neutral baby names.
Dermot
Meaning “free from envy”, Dermot is a classic in its native Ireland, although it’s now in dad/grandpa territory there: the spellings Diarmuid and Diarmait are more popular on the younger generation. In the States it has great potential, being solid and understated in the same way as Desmond and Declan.
Eleftheria
A striking Greek heritage choice: Greece’s national motto is eleftheria í thanatos, “freedom or death”. If you love musical, dramatic names like Evangeline and Ophelia but want something further off the beaten track, Eleftheria fits the bill.
Frank
Like the Carl names, Frank is associated with a word meaning a free person. Nowadays, you might also see it as a virtue name. The golden age of Frank was a hundred years ago, giving it a vintage vibe, but it’s never fully gone away. It has namesakes galore, from Sinatra to Herbert to Bruno. The diminutive Frankie is hot for both boys and girls, but has been on an interesting journey as a unisex name, with a different balance depending on which country you're in.
Freeman
Part-surname, part-word name, Freeman conveys a strong message of freedom. Namesakes with the surname include actors Morgan and Martin, and in the movie Django Unchained, Django takes it as a last name after he gains his liberty.
Indie
It’s a quality many people value in music and businesses, so why not as a virtue name for a child you hope will tread their own path? As a standalone, both Indie and Indy are rising fast for girls, but still used for boys too. If you prefer it as a nickname, fuller options include Indiana, Indigo, Indira or even Ingrid.
Libertad
The Spanish word for "liberty" has a softer, unexpected sound than the English version. Mexican actor Gael García Bernal used this name for his daughter in 2011.
Lysander
Straight out of ancient Greek history and Shakespeare, Lysander is one of the alternative -ander names that many name-lovers swoon over. Unlike Leander and Evander, Lysander has the option of Sasha and Sandy as nicknames. On the Nameberry chart it’s in the Top 100, but in real life it’s way below the radar.
Malaya
The Filipino word for “free” has a liquid sound found in many popular girls’ names, like Maya, Amelia and Aaliyah. The country name Malaysia (which comes from the same root) has seen a rise in recent years, and Malaya feels like a more subtle alternative.
Maverick
One of the coolest names around right now, Maverick is free-spirited with flavors of Top Gun and the Wild West.
Moksha
Could this be the next Bodhi? Moksha comes from a Sanskrit word meaning “liberation”, and is the ultimate goal in Hinduism: release from the cycle of rebirth. With its distinctive sound, it doesn’t risk getting lost among similar names. Although very rare, it has started to appear on the US name charts in the last 15 years.
Quispe
Did someone say distinctive sound? Quispe (kees-peh), meaning “freedom” in Quechua, isn’t quite like any other name either. Its most famous wearer was Sisa Quispe, a 16th-century Incan princess who married two conquistadors.
Saoirse
Saoirse Ronan proves that the right person can make even the most unexpected name popular. Saoirse, meaning “freedom”, was first used in the 1920s in newly-independent Ireland, and it’s been a Top 50 name there for over 20 years. It’s also the name of the political party Sinn Féin’s newsletter.
Scheherazade
Let’s finish where we began, with a Persian name. Its origins are disputed, but one possible meaning is “world-freer” — how’s that for a strong name? Scheherazade was the storyteller of the 1001 Arabian Nights, and her name makes a pretty bold statement on a child. But parents have been loving other dramatic heroine names recently, so why not this one?