Serena Williams is one of the greatest tennis players to ever step foot on the court –retiring from the sport in 2023 with 73 singles titles (5th-most all-time) and 23 Grand Slam singles titles (2nd-most all-time).
But if you were to ask her, she would say her two greatest wins came nowhere close to the tennis court.
We’re referring, of course, to her two daughters – Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. (who was born on Sept. 1, 2017) and Adira River Ohanian (who was born on Aug. 15, 2023) – with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
On Thursday (Aug. 15), Serena Williams took to Instagram to celebrate her youngest daughter’s first birthday – sharing a series of posts that included tributes to her family and photos of her maternity shoot.
“Olympia is always there for me. Before having a second child, I always wondered, “how could I love anything as much as I love @olympiaohanian? Then Adira came along,” she wrote in one of the posts.
“She is so special, so fun, so funny, so loving, so sweet and so strong,” she continued – adding that her heart has now ‘doubled’ in size and she now has a ‘greater capacity to love more’ since welcoming Adira.
Baby Names With Similar Meanings to Adira
In her second Instagram post, Serena Williams shared a photo of her, her husband, and her first daughter (Olympia) while she was pregnant with Adira – as well as a photo of just her and the growing baby bump.
She went on to explain the meaning of Adira’s name in the caption.
“Adira is a girl’s name of Hebrew origin and means ‘mighty,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘majestic.’ The elegant name is popular in many cultures around the world. Adira is the feminine form of the classic name Adir,” she said.
Serena added that Adira is a ‘Biblical name, meaning ‘Strong One.’”
If you like the meaning behind the name ‘Adira’ but don’t want to copy Serena Williams when naming your child, then don’t worry – we’re going to share with you 15 baby names with similar meanings to Adira!
15. Matilda
Origin: Germanic
Derivation: The name Matilda is derived from the Old High German name “Mahthildis,” which is composed of the elements “maht” meaning “might” or “strength,” and “hild” meaning “battle” or “struggle.”
Meaning: The name Matilda means “mighty in battle” or “strength in battle.”
14. Audrey
Origin: English
Derivation: The name Audrey is derived from the Old English name “Æðelþryð,” which is composed of the elements “æðel” meaning “noble” and “þryð” meaning “strength.”
Meaning: The name Audrey means “noble strength.”
13. Valeria
Origin: Latin
Derivation: The name Valeria is derived from the Latin name “Valerius,” which comes from the Latin word “valere,” meaning “to be strong” or “to be healthy.”
Meaning: The name Valeria means “strength” or “health.”
12. Andrea
Origin: Greek
Derivation: The name Andrea is derived from the Greek name “Andreas,” which comes from the word “andreios,” meaning “manly” or “brave.” It is related to the Greek word “aner” (genitive “andros”), meaning “man.”
Meaning: The name Andrea means “manly,” “brave,” or “strong.”
11. Gabriella
Origin: Hebrew
Derivation: The name Gabriella is the feminine form of the Hebrew name “Gabriel,” which is composed of the elements “gabri,” meaning “God is my strength,” and “el,” meaning “God.”
Meaning: The name Gabriella means “God is my strength” or “Heroine of God.”
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10. Audelia
Origin: English
Derivation: The name Audelia is likely derived from the combination of “Aud,” a name of Old English origin meaning “noble,” and the suffix “-elia,” which is often used in creating feminine names. It may also be a variation or elaboration of the name “Audrey.”
Meaning: The name Audelia generally carries the meaning “noble” or “noble strength.”
9. Bridget
Origin: Irish
Derivation: The name Bridget is derived from the Old Irish name “Bríg,” which is connected to the word “brígh,” meaning “strength,” “vigor,” or “power.” It is also associated with the Irish goddess Brigid, who was the goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom.
Meaning: The name Bridget means “strength” or “exalted one.”
8. Millicent
Origin: Germanic, Old French
Derivation: The name Millicent is derived from the Old French name “Melisende,” which in turn comes from the Germanic name “Amalasuintha.” This name is composed of the elements “amal,” meaning “work,” and “swinth,” meaning “strength” or “power.”
Meaning: The name Millicent means “strong in work” or “industrious.”
7. Imara
Origin: Swahili, Arabic
Derivation: The name Imara is derived from the Swahili word “imara,” which means “strong” or “firm.” It is also related to the Arabic word “عمارة” (ʿImāra), meaning “building” or “structure,” which can also convey a sense of strength or stability.
Meaning: The name Imara means “strong,” “firm,” or “resolute.”
6. Gertrude
Origin: Germanic
Derivation: The name Gertrude is derived from the Old High German name “Gertrud,” which is composed of the elements “ger,” meaning “spear,” and “trud,” meaning “strength” or “maiden.”
Meaning: The name Gertrude means “spear of strength” or “strength of the spear.”
5. Valentina
Origin: Latin
Derivation: The name Valentina is derived from the Latin name “Valentinus,” which comes from the Latin word “valens,” meaning “strong,” “healthy,” or “vigorous.”
Meaning: The name Valentina means “strong,” “healthy,” or “vigorous.”
4. Valyn
Origin: Modern English, Latin
Derivation: The name Valyn is likely a modern variation of the name “Val” or “Valen,” which is derived from the Latin word “valens,” meaning “strong” or “healthy.” It may also be influenced by names like “Valerie” or “Valentina.”
Meaning: The name Valyn generally carries the meaning “strong” or “healthy.”
3. Valencia
Origin: Spanish, Latin
Derivation: The name Valencia is derived from the Latin word “valentia,” which means “strength” or “valor.” It is also the name of a city in Spain, which was named after the Latin word for “valor” or “strength.”
Meaning: The name Valencia means “strength” or “bravery.”
2. Everette
Origin: Old English
Derivation: The name Everette is a variant of “Everett,” which is derived from the Old English name “Eoforheard.” This name is composed of the elements “eofor,” meaning “boar,” and “heard,” meaning “brave” or “hardy.” The boar was considered a symbol of strength and courage in ancient times.
Meaning: The name Everette means “brave as a wild boar” or “strong and hardy.”
1. Hilde
Origin: Germanic
Derivation: The name Hilde is derived from the Old High German word “hiltja,” which means “battle.” It is often used as a short form of longer Germanic names like “Hildegard” or “Brunhilde,” both of which incorporate the element “hild” or “hilde,” meaning “battle.”
Meaning: The name Hilde means “battle” or “warrior.”
Baby Names That Sound Similar to Adira
Taking a look at the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular baby names in 2023, Adira lands outside of the ‘Top 1,000’ – meaning less than 250 babies were born with the name Adira all of last year.
In other words – if you like rare baby names, then Adira is an excellent choice!
With that said, we understand that some parents might not want to copy their idol when naming their daughter – or maybe you want a name that’s a little more popular or has a different meaning than Adira.
If that sounds like you, then don’t worry – we’re going to share with you 15 other baby names that sound similar to Adira, but either have different meanings or land in the SSA’s Top 1,000 baby names of 2023.
15. Aria
Origin: Italian, Hebrew, Persian
Derivation: The name Aria is derived from the Italian word “aria,” which means “air” or “melody” and is often used in the context of a musical solo performance in operas. It is also associated with the Hebrew name “Ariel,” meaning “lion of God,” and the Persian name “Arya,” meaning “noble” or “honorable.”
Meaning: Air, Song, Lion of God, Noble, Honorable
14. Amira
Origin: Arabic, Hebrew
Derivation: The name Amira is derived from the Arabic word “أميرة” (Amīrah), which means “princess” or “leader.” In Hebrew, it is derived from the word “אמירה” (Amira), meaning “treetop” or “saying.”
Meaning: Princess, Leader, Treetop, Saying
13. Adina
Origin: Hebrew
Derivation: The name Adina is derived from the Hebrew word “עדין” (Adin), which means “delicate” or “gentle.” It appears in the Bible, where Adina is a male figure, one of King David’s warriors, but it has since become more commonly used as a feminine name.
Meaning: In Hebrew, Adina means “delicate,” “gentle,” or “refined.”
12. Azura
Origin: Spanish, Hebrew
Derivation: The name Azura is derived from the Spanish word “azul,” meaning “blue.” It is also thought to have Hebrew origins, connected to the name “Ezra,” meaning “help” or “aid.”
Meaning: Blue, Help, Aid
11. Alaia
Origin: Basque, Arabic
Derivation: In the Basque language, Alaia is derived from the word “alaia,” which means “joyful” or “happy.” In Arabic, Alaia is derived from the word “عَلْيَاء” (ʿAlyaʾ), meaning “sublime” or “lofty.”
Meaning: Joyful, Happy, Exalted, Lofty, Sublime
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10. Arya
Origin: Sanskrit, Persian, Hebrew
Derivation: The name Arya is derived from the Sanskrit word “आर्य” (Ārya), which means “noble” or “honorable.” In Persian, it is derived from “Aryan,” which also means “noble” or “warrior.” Additionally, Arya is sometimes considered a variant of the Hebrew name “Ariel,” meaning “lion of God.”
Meaning: Noble, Honorable, Respected, Warrior, Friend, Lion of God
9. Amaya
Origin: Basque, Japanese
Derivation: In Basque, Amaya is derived from the word “Amaia,” which means “the end” or “complet
Meaning: The End, Completion, Night Rain, Rain In the Valley
8. Alina
Origin: Slavic, German, Greek
Derivation: The name Alina is derived from the Slavic word “Алёна” (Alyona), a diminutive of “Yelena,” meaning “light” or “bright.” In German, Alina can be seen as a short form of names like Adelina or Carolina. In Greek, it is associated with the name Helen, meaning “light” or “torch.”
Meaning: Bright, Beautiful, Noble, Graceful, Light, Torch
7. Ada
Origin: Germanic, Hebrew
Derivation: The name Ada is derived from the Germanic element “adal,” which means “noble.” It is also a short form of names like Adelaide and Adeline. In Hebrew, Ada is derived from the word “עֲדָה” (Adah), which means “ornament” or “adornment.”
Meaning: Noble, Ornament, Adornment
6. Ariella
Origin: Hebrew
Derivation: The name Ariella is the feminine form of the Hebrew name “Ariel,” which is derived from the words “ארי” (ari), meaning “lion,” and “אל” (el), meaning “God.” Ariella combines these elements to mean “lioness of God.”
Meaning: Lioness of God
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5. Alora
Origin: African, Latin
Derivation: In the Bantu language of Botswana, Alora is derived from a word that means “my dream” or “dreamer.” In Latin, it is thought to be a variation of “Elora,” which is associated with the word “laurel,” symbolizing victory or honor.
Meaning: My Dream, Dreamer, Laurel, Victory, Honor
4. Aliyah
Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
Derivation: In Hebrew, Aliyah is derived from the word “עֲלִיָּה” (Aliyah), meaning “ascent” or “rising.” It is often used to refer to the immigration of Jews to Israel, symbolizing a spiritual elevation. In Arabic, Aliyah is derived from the root “عَلِيّ” (ʿAliyy), meaning “exalted” or “noble.”
Meaning: Ascent, Rising, Exalted, Noble, High
3. Kiara
Origin: Irish, Italian
Derivation: In Irish, Kiara is derived from the name “Ciara,” which comes from the Gaelic word “ciar,” meaning “dark” or “black.” In Italian, Kiara is a variation of the name “Chiara,” which is derived from the Latin word “clarus,” meaning “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.”
Meaning: Dark-Haired, Bright, Clear, Famous
2. Samara
Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
Derivation: In Hebrew, Samara is thought to be derived from the word “שְׁמַר” (shamar), meaning “guardian” or “protected by God.” In Arabic, the name can be derived from “سَمَر” (Samar), meaning “evening conversation” or “night talk.”
Meaning: Guardian, Protected By God, Night Talk, Evening Conversation
1. Adriana
Origin: Latin
Derivation: Adriana is the feminine form of the Latin name “Adrianus” or “Hadrianus,” which is derived from “Hadria,” a town in northern Italy. The name Hadria is believed to be linked to the Adriatic Sea, which means “dark” or “rich.”
Meaning: Dark, Rich, From Hadria (region around the Adriatic Sea)
Baby Names Similar to Serena Williams’ Eldest Daughter’s Name
In April 2017, Serena Williams announced that she was pregnant. She gave birth to her first daughter – Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. – on Sept. 1, 2017, roughly eight months after winning the Australian Open.
Her daughter, who goes by ‘Olympia,’ is now six years old – and is also a newly-minted big sister.
Olympia is a Greek name meaning “from Mount Olympus” or “mountain of the gods.” In mythology, Mount Olympus was the home of the gods and the sacred place where the ancient Olympic Games were held.
If you like the idea of a name like Olympia, but don’t want to copy Serena Williams, don’t worry – we’re going to share with you 15 baby names that either sound similar or have a similar meaning as Olympia.
15. Opalina
Origin: English
Derivation: The name Opalina is derived from the gemstone Opal, which has been admired for its unique iridescence and beauty. The suffix “-ine” is often added to names to create a more elaborate or feminine form.
Meaning: Opalina carries the meaning associated with the Opal gemstone, which symbolizes hope, purity, and truth. The name can be interpreted as representing something precious and radiant.
14. Odelia
Origin: Hebrew, Germanic
Derivation: The name Odelia is derived from the Hebrew name Odelia (אודליה), which means “I will praise the Lord” or “Thanks to God.” It can also be connected to the Germanic name Odilia or Ottilie, where “Od-” or “Ot-” refers to “wealth” or “heritage.”
Meaning: I Will Praise the Lord, Prosperous In Battle, Fortunate
13. Olivia
Origin: Latin
Derivation: The name Olivia is derived from the Latin word oliva, meaning “olive.” The name was popularized by William Shakespeare, who used it for a character in his play Twelfth Night.
Meaning: Olive Tree
12. Ophelia
Origin: Greek
Derivation: The name Ophelia is derived from the Greek word ophelos (ὄφελος), meaning “help” or “advantage.” The name gained prominence through William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where Ophelia is a tragic character.
Meaning: Help, Helper
11. Parvati
Origin: Sanskrit
Derivation: The name Parvati is derived from the Sanskrit word parvata (पर्वत), meaning “mountain.” Parvati is also the name of a Hindu goddess, the wife of Lord Shiva, and the mother of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.
Meaning: Daughter of the Mountain, Of the Mountains
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10. Athena
Origin: Greek
Derivation: The name Athena is derived from the name of the ancient Greek goddess Athena, who was the goddess of wisdom, warfare, and strategy. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, but it is often linked to the city of Athens, which was named in her honor.
Meaning: Goddess of Wisdom and War
9. Olympe
Origin: French, Greek
Derivation: The name Olympe is derived from the Greek word Olympos (Ὄλυμπος), which refers to Mount Olympus, the mythological home of the Greek gods. The French version, Olympe, is a feminine form that was used in both ancient and more modern times, particularly in France.
Meaning: From Mount Olympus, Heavenly
8. Shaila
Origin: Sanskrit
Derivation: The name Shaila is derived from the Sanskrit word śaila (शैल), which means “stone” or “mountain.” It is often used as a feminine name in Hindu culture.
Meaning: Mountain, Daughter of the Mountain
7. Alpana
Origin: Sanskrit
Derivation: The name Alpana is derived from the Sanskrit word alpaṇā (अल्पना), which refers to a traditional decorative art form, often used to adorn floors and walls during festivals and special occasions in India. The word itself can mean “beautiful,” “decorated,” or “ornamented.”
Meaning: Beautiful, Decorative Design
6. Hera
Origin: Greek
Derivation: The name Hera is derived from the ancient Greek word Hērā (Ἥρᾱ), which is the name of the queen of the Greek gods in mythology. Hera was the wife of Zeus and the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family.
Meaning: Queen, Lady
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5. Juno
Origin: Latin
Derivation: The name Juno is derived from Roman mythology, where Juno is the queen of the gods and the wife of Jupiter. The name is likely connected to the Latin word iunior, meaning “younger,” or iuvenis, meaning “youth,” symbolizing vitality and strength.
Meaning: Queen of the Heavens, Youth
4. Sierra
Origin: Spanish
Derivation: The name Sierra is derived from the Spanish word sierra, meaning “mountain range” or “saw” (referring to the jagged shape of a mountain range). It is often used as a place name and has been adopted as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Meaning: Mountain Range
3. Orestina
Origin: Greek, Italian
Derivation: The name Orestina is derived from the Greek name Orestes (Ὀρέστης), which means “mountain dweller” or “one who stands on the mountain.” The Italian feminine form, Orestina, adds the “-ina” suffix, making it a more elaborate and feminine version of the original name.
Meaning: Mountain Dweller
2. Andromeda
Origin: Greek
Derivation: The name Andromeda is derived from the Greek words anēr (ἀνήρ), meaning “man,” and medō (μέδω), meaning “to protect” or “to be mindful of.” In Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia, and she was saved by the hero Perseus. The name is also associated with the Andromeda galaxy, one of the closest galaxies to the Milky Way.
Meaning: Ruler of Men, Protector of Mankind
1. Oliana
Origin: Polynesian, Latin
Derivation: The name Oliana is believed to be a variation of the Polynesian name Oriana, which means “light” or “dawn.” It could also be linked to the Hawaiian name Liana, meaning “to twine” or “to climb like a vine.” Additionally, Oliana might have roots in the Latin name Olea, meaning “olive tree,” similar to names like Olivia.
Meaning: Light, Dawn, Olive Tree
Are You Inspired By Serena Williams Daughters’ Baby Names?
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian met in May 2015 while coincidentally staying at the same hotel in Rome. It didn’t take long for the two to hit it off – enjoying their first date together just a few days later.
The two continued to date for more than a year, but then Dec. 10, 2016 came along.
On that day, Alexis made his move and got on one knee at the same hotel (the Cavalieri Hotel) and the same table they first met at. She, of course, said yes – and the rest is history. What a beautiful love story!
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If you’re a fan of Serena Williams, then you can honor her by naming your child after her two daughters – Olympia and Adira. But if the names above don’t suit your style, we have thousands of other ideas at our blog that you can check out any time – and we’re always uploading more ideas for you to choose from!