25 Joyous Baby Names for Girls That Mean ‘Happy’ from a Variety of Traditions

We have been through a wild ride these past several months and you might be attracted to the idea of a baby name for your newborn that imparts joy. After all, we could all use plenty of it. Happy baby names are simply appellations that are traditionally associated with the emotion. These names for girls come from a variety of naming traditions that range from Hebrew to Japanese. Nothing is off the table!

If you are interested in a baby name for girls that means “happy,” you have come to the right place. We’ve taken a deep dive into names and their meanings to discover the most aesthetically pleasing options with optimal, blissful meanings behind them. Are you ready to learn some optimistic baby names that will surely cheer you up? Here are 25 radiant baby names for girls that mean “happy.”

25. Alanis

Singer Alanis Morissette made this twist on a name famous. She was named for her father Alan, who was said to have found this version in a Greek newspaper. Now, we know that this name is to honor her father Alan who has an Irish name that means “cheerful,” thus it means the same in this case. But, the Greek name has the root word alani which means “open space.” Not bad any way you slice it!

24. Elza

While the name Alanis has never been in the US top 1000 baby names for girls, Elza once enjoyed that distinction. Elza appeared on the list from 1880-1883. While a short run, not unimpressive! Elza has Hebrew origins “God is my joy.” Now, we must caution you that Elza will get confused with Eliza and Elsa more than people will get it right, so just be prepared to correct a few folks!

23. Kiki

Kiki entered the scene along with other French names like Coco, Gigi, Fifi, and Lulu. These Bohemian favorites were common in France at the turn of the last century. In the US, the baby name has never made the top 1000 as it commonly used as a nickname for any name starting with K. But, parents in the Netherlands and England have popularized the appellation as a standalone hit. Kiki has a winning meaning in “double happiness.”

22. Rena

Rena had a 109 year run on the US top 1000 before it fell from fashion in 1988. We think it’s time to bring this one back! Rena has Hebrew origins but you will also find it in Greek and Russian traditions. This baby name means “joyous melody.” If you love music, you could do no better!

21. Sachi

Sachi is a splendid name that appears in Japanese and Hindu tradition but the two are completely unrelated save for sounding identical. In Indian Mythology, Sachi (Indrani) is the consort of Lord Indra, King of the Gods. In Japanese, the baby name can mean “blissful” or “fortunate.” It’s considered a shorter version of Sachiko.

20. Beatrix

Beatrix enjoys a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final X adding a playful note to the name’s long history. It has been mostly associated with Beatrix (born Helen) Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit, and Beatrix has been Queen of The Netherlands since 1980. Beatrix has Latin origins but is particularly loved by the Dutch today. It means “blessed” or “bringer of happiness.”

19. Seeley

Forget about the mattress brand. We must reclaim this exquisite baby name. Seeley is a surname-name from English that means “happy, blessed.” The best-known example of this name in the US lies in Blossom Seeley (1891–1974), an American Vaudeville performer who teamed with Benny Fields.

18. Eda

Baby naming records began in 1880 and in that year, Eda enjoyed its height of popularity. It was a top 500 baby name until 1897 and it fell until leaving the list in 1929. Eda is a name with German origins and can be found in Polish as well. This name means “wealthy” or “happy.”

17. Naomi

Naomi was once a primarily Jewish name from the Old Testament that referenced the mother-in-law of Ruth. Because of this association, it is a symbolic name given to girls on Shavuot when the story of Ruth is read in the synagogue. This name has been popular in the US since 1880 and it is the most popular it has ever been today (this is true globally, as well). This name enjoys Hebrew origins and it means “pleasantness.”

16. Kalea

Kalea is a top 100 baby name in its native Hawaii. It means “joy.” Although popular on the islands, you will not find it in the US top 1000 today. Rapper Offset and Shya L’Amour named their daughter born in 2015 this lyrical moniker.

15. Frayda

With the meteoric rise of the name Freya, parents might be searching for a worthy alternative. They have already turned to Frida and Frieda, now it could be time to consider Frayda. Frayda is a Yiddish baby name that’s been a favorite of Jewish families for centuries. This name means “joy.”

14. Blythe

Blythe originated as a nickname for an upbeat person, coming from the Old English word bliðe, meaning “merry” or “cheerful.” Blythe sounds terrifically retro today. Drew Barrymore enjoys this one as a middle name.

13. Allegra

Here’s another name music-lovers should definitely consider. Allegra comes from the same root as the term allegro which means “lively tempo” in music. Thus, Allegra means “lively” or “joyful.” Curiously, this baby name has never appeared in the US top 1000 even though it is a popular choice for new parents in the UK. It’s yours for the taking.

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12. Hana

Possibly one of the most cross-culturally appealing names around the world, Hana means many a thing to many a people. In Japanese tradition, the name means “blossom.” In Hebrew, it’s related to Hannah and means “grace of God.” In Kurdish, the name means “hope.” And, in Arabic, this gem of a name means
“happiness.” It should come as no surprise that this one is a favorite in the US with its diverse appeal. The name entered the US top 1000 in 1993 and has been climbing ever since.

11. Ilo

Pronounced EE-lo, the Finnish name Ilo could be a remarkable possibility for a baby girl born in the US today. The name landed in the US top 1000 in 1888 and 1889 but you scarcely, if ever, encounter today. This name is sometimes given to boys across Scandinavia today as well. It means “happiness.”

10. Preeda

Preeda is a gender-neutral Thai name that we like for girls in the US thanks to its rhyming cousin Frida. Preeda simply means “joy.” This baby name sounds just as jolly as its meaning.

9. Revel

Another unisex option, Revel carries happiness upfront as in “to revel” or “to rejoice.” This English word-name began as a nickname in the Middle Ages for a noisy and enthusiastic festival goer. It was eventually adopted as a surname and then later, became an established, but rare, given name. You know you love it!

8. Tirzah

Tirzah is a Hebrew name that means “she is my delight.” You will find the name in the bible belonging to a daughter of Zelophehad and also a biblical city. With its unique sounds, Tirzah is pronounced teer-zah, we were shocked this name has never appeared in the US top 1000. Let’s change that, new parents.

7. Leta

Related to the Greek mythological Leda, a great beauty who mothered another great beauty, Helen of Troy, Leta has established itself as a historically popular option for parents in the US. However, its popularity pales in comparison to its height in the 1880s and 1890s. Leta has Latin origins and means “glad.”

6. Bliss

While this name is not subtle, we love its playful and unadulterated cheerfulness. Bliss has emerged as a sort of modern virtue name that acts as an update to classics like Fortune, Faith, and Grace. Bliss is a rare choice but we see that changing in the coming years.

5. Joy

Joy began use as a name by the seventeenth-century Puritans, with the idea of “being joyful in the Lord.” It came into more general use in the late nineteenth central, part of the revival of virtue names. The name is on the climb again and could best its most popular year in 1974. If you think this name seems rather burdensome for a young person (who can be happy all of the time?), you can always use this gorgeous sentiment as a middle name.

4. Hilary

Hilary has become so tied to Hillary Clinton that new parents are not even considering as it an option these days. After all, she is one of the most famous people in the world. Ignoring this amazing three-syllable name would be a mistake. This rhythmic baby name has Greek and Latin origins and means “cheerful.”

3. Chara

Chara is the name of a star but does not inform its meaning. Chara is a name from Greek origins that means “joy.” It is a short form of the feminine name Charalampía which is a combination of the Ancient Greek roots khará (joy, gladness) and lámpō (shine). Give your daughter a shine with this unique name that has yet to take off in the US.

2. Alaia

One of the fastest-rising names today, Alaia has shot up the charts after debuting in 2015. If trends hold, Alaia will be a top 100 name in the next year or two. Alaia has Basque origins that mean “happy.” While many will want to pronounce this one like Aliyah, this name is correctly said ah-LYE-ah.

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1. Felicity

Felicity is as accessible a virtue name as Hope but it sounds even more elegant. It’s a solidly top 500 name in the US today. Felicity enjoys Latin and origins and means “good fortune.” We love this good-natured name that sets your baby up for plenty of good luck and happiness in the future.

There you go! We hope one of these names brought a smile to your face as you imagine calling your baby by the appellation. These upbeat and positive baby names for girls will act as a reminder to always cherish happiness and to spark it at every opportunity. Happy baby name hunting!