Names That Mean Thankful or Gratitude

One of the many names with a strong "er" sound, like Bertram and Ernest, that was huge in the 1920s and is languishing in style limbo now. One famous bearer is the physicist Erwin Schrödinger, as in Schrödinger's cat.

Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is a master namer, and this unusual choice from India is beginning to be heard in nurseries as well as on television. Sansa was perhaps slower to catch on than other names such as Arya and Khaleesi as Sansa Stark was in the first seasons of the show a weak and compromised character. But she's developed a good measure of backbone and integrity, which makes her lovely name a more attractive possibility. In 2015, 20 baby girls in the US were named Sansa, a number we expect to rise.

Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.

Enea is derived from Aeneas, the name of a Roman mythological hero with strong ties to the city of Rome. It's no surprise then, that Italians have embraced Enea, a more modern variation of his name.

There are over five hundred names for the Arab prophet who founded the Muslim religion (some of which are listed below), making it the most common boys' name in the world and explaining the Muslim adage, "If you have a hundred sons, name them all Muhammad."

Though the Greek meaning sounds ominous, the mythological god Thanatos was actually a jolly winged creature living in the underworld, so it shouldn't deter you.

This variation of Ahmad is one of the most popular Arabic names among Muslim families the world over and is now the most used spelling in the USA.

This name found in the fantasy series Endymion/Rise of Endymion has a slightly physiological feel to it.

Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.

Interesting name with a cool, upbeat sound.

A pretty Thai name famously borne by Thai musical artist Lisa (full name: Lalisa Manoban), whose name was changed in childhood from Pranpriya to Lalisa after she had her fortune told.

Joab is the biblical name of an advisor of David, who led many military victories, and is surely much more usable than the burdened Job. A similar option is Joah, a possible replacement for Jonah or Noah.

Samiyah hovers near the bottom of the US Top 1000, used expecially by Arab-American and African-American families. Variations include Samiya, Samiah, and Samia.

Courageous sister of Raskolnikov in Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

This variation of Muhammed is not as popular as some, but it still is a widely used choice.

Samiya is a name used by parents of both Arabic and African ancestry. Spelling variations include Samiyah, Samiah, and Samia.

Kaena is a pleasant sounding unisex Hawaiian place name, the westernmost point of the island of Oahu. In the computer-generated fantasy movie "Kaena: The Prophecy," the character of Kaena is voiced by Kirsten Dunst.

Derived from a Hebrew phrase: ode "I will thank, praise" combined with yah "Yahweh". A famous bearer is Israeli-American actress Odeya Rush.

The mononymous Colombian-born singer inspired a popularity blip in the 90s and early 00s.

One of the five hundred plus variations on Muhammad, this is a favorite Muslim choice.