“We took some time to settle into our new rhythm before sharing this sweet news.”
Baby naming trends tend to come and go, but every now and then some of those trends stick.
Virtue names are a perfect example of one of those trends that stuck. And while they started to lose traction several decades ago, they’re now more popular than ever.
So, shout out to all the Hopes, Faiths and Graces out there — the world wouldn’t be what it is today without you!
READ MORE: 50 Thanksgiving-themed baby names your family can be thankful for this year
Virtue names are word names connected to a desirable trait that parents wish to instill in their children from a young age. They hope that by giving them the name, it inspires the child to desire that trait.
The trend dates back hundreds, maybe thousands of years, but many people credit the Puritans for bringing baby names that are virtues to the United States 400 years ago.
Some people even refer to virtue names as Puritan names due to their influence on them.
In fact, Remember, Love, Wrestling, Humility, Constance, Desire and Resolved were four passengers on the Mayflower in 1620, according to a handwritten manuscript written by Gov. William Bradford in 1651.
Fast forward to today and virtue names are just as popular — if not more.
Nick Cannon alone has several children with virtue names, including Powerful, Golden, Rise, Beautiful, Zen and Legendary.
Other virtue names, such as Maverick, Grace, Genesis and Angel landed inside the U.S. Social Security Administration’s (SSA) list of the top 100 most popular baby names in 2024.
If you want your child to have a unique virtue name, then you’ve come to the right place because we’ve picked out some of our favorites!
50. Beloved — dearly loved; dear to the heart
49. Liberty — the quality or state of being free
48. Forever — for a limitless time; at all times
47. Temperance — moderation in action, thought, or feeling; restraint
46. Grace — a charming or attractive trait or characteristic; approval or favor
45. Love — strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
44. Constance — marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness
43. Honesty — fairness and straightforwardness of conduct
42. Dilys — genuine, steadfast, valid, true or perfect
41. Courage — mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty
40. Solace — to give comfort to in grief or misfortune
39. Adore — to feel respect and approval for (someone or something)
38. Prosper — to become strong and flourishing
37. Treasure — something of great worth or value
36. Patience — bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint
35. Harmony — pleasing arrangement of parts
34. Blythe — joyous, kind, cheerful and pleasant
33. Amnesty — the act of an authority (such as a government) by which pardon is granted
32. Noble — possessing outstanding qualities
31. Desire — to express a wish for; to long or hope for
30. Prudence — skill and good judgment in the use of resources
29. Clement — inclined to be merciful
28. Powerful — having great power, prestige, or influence
27. Earnest — a serious and intent mental state
26. Gift — a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
READ MORE: New survey reveals the most popular source of inspiration when choosing a baby name
25. Justice — just behavior or treatment
24. Joy — a state of happiness or felicity
23. Blessing — a thing conducive to happiness or welfare
22. Sincere — marked by genuineness
21. Serenity — a state of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude
20. Felicity — the quality or state of being happy
19. Chastity — purity in conduct and intention
18. Knowledge — the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind
17. Benevolence — disposition to do good; an act of kindness
16. Faith — something that is believed especially with strong conviction
15. Unique — being without a like or equal
14. Modesty — the quality of not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities
13. Mercy — a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
12. Charity — generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering
11. Creed — a set of fundamental beliefs
10. Hope — to want something to happen or be true
9. Honor — a person of superior standing
8. Charisma — a special magnetic charm or appeal
7. Chosen — one who is the object of choice or of divine favor
6. Gentle — free from harshness, sternness, or violence
5. Reliance — the state of being reliant; something or someone relied on
4. Admire — to feel respect and approval for (someone or something)
3. Beautiful — having qualities of beauty
2. Truth — the body of real things, events, and facts
1. Candor — unreserved, honest, or sincere expression
Celebrities are all-in on the virtue names trend
Virtue names are having a serious moment in Hollywood.
Aside from Nick Cannon, actress Jessica Alba and her estranged husband, Cash Warren, share a daughter named Honor Marie, born in 2008, and a daughter named Haven Garner, born in 2011.
Even the Kardashians are on board the trend.
Khloé Kardashian welcomed a daughter named True with NBA player Tristan Thompson in April 2018, while Rob Kardashian shares a daughter named Dream with actress, model and rapper Blac Chyna.
Other celebrity baby names that fall in this category include Madonna’s daughter Mercy, Patrick Mahomes’ daughter Golden, Alicia Keys’ son Genesis and Bindi Irwin’s daughter Grace Warrior.
ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: Nara Smith just revealed baby No. 4’s name and it’s as whimsical and golden as you’d expect
But if these names that are virtues are too unique for you, then check out more of our baby name lists at Mod Moms Club for baby name ideas — and we even have a baby name generator for you to try out!
