Latvian Origin Baby Boy & Girl Names

Choosing a name for your baby is a momentous decision that carries cultural, historical, and personal significance. In Latvia, a small but culturally rich country in Northern Europe, names are deeply rooted in tradition and often reflect the Latvian language’s melodic and poetic nature. This article explores Latvian-origin baby boy and girl names, highlighting their meanings, origins, and cultural significance.

 

The Structure of Latvian Names

Latvian names typically consist of a given name and a family name. The given name is often chosen for its meaning and historical resonance, while the family name, which comes last, usually reflects the family’s lineage. Many Latvian names are derived from Old Latvian, Latin, or other regional languages, and they often carry meanings associated with nature, virtues, and historical figures.

 

Latvian Origin Baby Boy Names

• Aivars - Latvian origin, meaning "father's heir."
• Andris - Latvian origin, meaning "manly" or "brave."
• Artis - Latvian origin, meaning "bear" or "strong."
• Baiba - Latvian origin, meaning "beautiful" or "pure."
• Balvis - Latvian origin, meaning "brave" or "valiant."
• Dainis - Latvian origin, meaning "song" or "poetry."
• Edgars - Latvian origin, meaning "wealthy spear."
• Emils - Latvian origin, meaning "rival" or "eager."
• Ernests - Latvian origin, meaning "serious" or "determined."
• Gatis - Latvian origin, meaning "brave" or "courageous."

 

• Jānis - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Jāzeps - Latvian origin, meaning "God will add."
• Jorens - Latvian origin, meaning "earth" or "farmer."
• Kārlis - Latvian origin, meaning "man" or "free man."
• Kristers - Latvian origin, meaning "follower of Christ."
• Lauris - Latvian origin, meaning "laurel" or "victory."
• Māris - Latvian origin, meaning "male" or "manly."
• Normunds - Latvian origin, meaning "noble protector."
• Oskars - Latvian origin, meaning "God spear."
• Raitis - Latvian origin, meaning "ruler" or "chief."

 

• Rihards - Latvian origin, meaning "brave ruler."
• Rolands - Latvian origin, meaning "famous land."
• Rūdolfs - Latvian origin, meaning "famous wolf."
• Sandis - Latvian origin, meaning "defender" or "protector."
• Toms - Latvian origin, meaning "twin."
• Uldis - Latvian origin, meaning "wealthy" or "prosperous."
• Valdis - Latvian origin, meaning "ruler" or "powerful."
• Viktors - Latvian origin, meaning "victor" or "conqueror."
• Vilmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "will" or "desire."
• Zigmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "victorious" or "famous."

 

• Arvids - Latvian origin, meaning "eagle" or "bird of prey."
• Bernards - Latvian origin, meaning "brave as a bear."
• Didzis - Latvian origin, meaning "great" or "mighty."
• Elmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "famous."
• Felikss - Latvian origin, meaning "happy" or "fortunate."
• Gints - Latvian origin, meaning "glowing" or "shining."
• Ingus - Latvian origin, meaning "ancestor" or "forebear."
• Juris - Latvian origin, meaning "earth" or "farmer."
• Krišjānis - Latvian origin, meaning "follower of Christ."
• Mārtiņš - Latvian origin, meaning "of Mars" or "warrior."

 

• Miķelis - Latvian origin, meaning "who is like God?"
• Miks - Latvian origin, meaning "who is like God?"
• Raimonds - Latvian origin, meaning "wise protector."
• Roberts - Latvian origin, meaning "bright fame."
• Sandris - Latvian origin, meaning "defender" or "protector."
• Taivo - Latvian origin, meaning "delight" or "joy."
• Valērijs - Latvian origin, meaning "strong" or "healthy."
• Viesturs - Latvian origin, meaning "messenger" or "ambassador."
• Žanis - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Aleksandrs - Latvian origin, meaning "defender of the people."

 

• Edvards - Latvian origin, meaning "wealthy guardian."
• Emīls - Latvian origin, meaning "rival" or "eager."
• Ivars - Latvian origin, meaning "archer" or "bow warrior."
• Kaspars - Latvian origin, meaning "treasurer" or "guardian."
• Kristaps - Latvian origin, meaning "Christ-bearer."
• Nauris - Latvian origin, meaning "strong" or "brave."
• Pēteris - Latvian origin, meaning "rock" or "stone."
• Uģis - Latvian origin, meaning "wealth" or "prosperity."
• Valters - Latvian origin, meaning "ruler of the army."
• Vilnis - Latvian origin, meaning "wave" or "wave-like."

 

• Zigurds - Latvian origin, meaning "victorious" or "protector."
• Arnolds - Latvian origin, meaning "eagle power."
• Elvijs - Latvian origin, meaning "elf" or "noble friend."
• Grigoris - Latvian origin, meaning "vigilant" or "watchful."
• Zigmunds - Latvian origin, meaning "victorious protection."
• Aldis - Latvian origin, meaning "old" or "wise."
• Guntis - Latvian origin, meaning "battle" or "fight."
• Harijs - Latvian origin, meaning "home ruler."
• Imants - Latvian origin, meaning "steadfast" or "strong."
• Sergejs - Latvian origin, meaning "servant" or "protector."

 

• Aivis - Latvian origin, meaning "ancestor" or "forebear."
• Baltars - Latvian origin, meaning "white" or "bright."
• Dainis - Latvian origin, meaning "song" or "folk poem."
• Elgars - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "bright."
• Guntars - Latvian origin, meaning "battle" or "fight."
• Juris - Latvian origin, meaning "farmer" or "earth."
• Kārlis - Latvian origin, meaning "free man" or "man."
• Lauris - Latvian origin, meaning "laurel" or "victory."
• Māris - Latvian origin, meaning "man" or "male."
• Normunds - Latvian origin, meaning "noble protector."

 

• Oskars - Latvian origin, meaning "God spear."
• Pēteris - Latvian origin, meaning "rock" or "stone."
• Raitis - Latvian origin, meaning "ruler" or "chief."
• Rihards - Latvian origin, meaning "brave ruler."
• Rolands - Latvian origin, meaning "famous land."
• Rūdolfs - Latvian origin, meaning "famous wolf."
• Sandis - Latvian origin, meaning "defender" or "protector."
• Toms - Latvian origin, meaning "twin."
• Uldis - Latvian origin, meaning "wealthy" or "prosperous."
• Valdis - Latvian origin, meaning "ruler" or "powerful."

 

• Viktors - Latvian origin, meaning "victor" or "conqueror."
• Vilmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "will" or "desire."
• Zigmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "victorious" or "famous."
• Arvids - Latvian origin, meaning "eagle" or "bird of prey."
• Bernards - Latvian origin, meaning "brave as a bear."
• Didzis - Latvian origin, meaning "great" or "mighty."
• Elmārs - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "famous."
• Felikss - Latvian origin, meaning "happy" or "fortunate."
• Gints - Latvian origin, meaning "glowing" or "shining."
• Ingus - Latvian origin, meaning "ancestor" or "forebear."

 

Latvian Origin Baby Girl Names

• Aija - Latvian origin, meaning "mother" or "ancient."
• Ance - Latvian origin, meaning "grace" or "favor."
• Anda - Latvian origin, meaning "swan" or "graceful."
• Baiba - Latvian origin, meaning "beautiful" or "pure."
• Brigita - Latvian origin, meaning "exalted" or "noble."
• Dace - Latvian origin, meaning "grace" or "elegance."
• Elīna - Latvian origin, meaning "shining light" or "bright."
• Gunta - Latvian origin, meaning "battle" or "war."
• Ilze - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "clear."
• Inese - Latvian origin, meaning "pure" or "holy."

 

• Jūlija - Latvian origin, meaning "youthful" or "soft-haired."
• Kārlis - Latvian origin, meaning "free man" or "man."
• Kristīne - Latvian origin, meaning "follower of Christ."
• Lauma - Latvian origin, meaning "fairy" or "nymph."
• Liga - Latvian origin, meaning "binding" or "unity."
• Māra - Latvian origin, meaning "mother goddess" or "great."
• Marika - Latvian origin, meaning "bitter" or "beloved."
• Natālija - Latvian origin, meaning "birthday" or "born on Christmas day."
• Paulīna - Latvian origin, meaning "small" or "humble."
• Rūta - Latvian origin, meaning "rue" or "herb."

 

• Sandra - Latvian origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
• Santa - Latvian origin, meaning "holy" or "sacred."
• Signe - Latvian origin, meaning "sign" or "token."
• Sondra - Latvian origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
• Valda - Latvian origin, meaning "rule" or "power."
• Vita - Latvian origin, meaning "life" or "living."
• Zane - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Alise - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "exalted."
• Danuta - Latvian origin, meaning "morning star" or "dawn."
• Elza - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "God's oath."

 

• Ginta - Latvian origin, meaning "defender" or "battle."
• Indra - Latvian origin, meaning "great" or "queen."
• Jekaterina - Latvian origin, meaning "pure" or "clear."
• Ksenija - Latvian origin, meaning "hospitable" or "welcoming."
• Magda - Latvian origin, meaning "great" or "magnificent."
• Marita - Latvian origin, meaning "little Mary" or "bitter."
• Melita - Latvian origin, meaning "honey" or "sweet."
• Mirdza - Latvian origin, meaning "glittering" or "shining."
• Nora - Latvian origin, meaning "light" or "honor."
• Olita - Latvian origin, meaning "small olive tree."

 

• Regina - Latvian origin, meaning "queen" or "sovereign."
• Sanita - Latvian origin, meaning "holy" or "saintly."
• Tija - Latvian origin, meaning "twig" or "small tree."
• Vaira - Latvian origin, meaning "protection" or "guardian."
• Viktorija - Latvian origin, meaning "victory" or "conqueror."
• Zanda - Latvian origin, meaning "defender" or "protector."
• Aļona - Latvian origin, meaning "bright" or "shining."
• Arta - Latvian origin, meaning "noble" or "pure."
• Dagnija - Latvian origin, meaning "day" or "morning."
• Dzintra - Latvian origin, meaning "deep" or "profound."

 

• Eira - Latvian origin, meaning "snow" or "snowy."
• Guna - Latvian origin, meaning "strength" or "virtue."
• Ilva - Latvian origin, meaning "moon" or "brightness."
• Inga - Latvian origin, meaning "guarded by Ing" or "protected."
• Irena - Latvian origin, meaning "peace" or "serenity."
• Janīna - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Katra - Latvian origin, meaning "every" or "each."
• Krista - Latvian origin, meaning "follower of Christ."
• Laima - Latvian origin, meaning "fate" or "luck."
• Līga - Latvian origin, meaning "binding" or "unity."

 

• Mārīte - Latvian origin, meaning "bitter" or "beloved."
• Nataļja - Latvian origin, meaning "birthday" or "Christmas day."
• Rasma - Latvian origin, meaning "dewdrop" or "morning dew."
• Sandija - Latvian origin, meaning "defender of mankind."
• Silvija - Latvian origin, meaning "forest" or "woodland."
• Soņa - Latvian origin, meaning "dream" or "sleep."
• Tamāra - Latvian origin, meaning "palm tree" or "date palm."
• Una - Latvian origin, meaning "one" or "only."
• Vija - Latvian origin, meaning "weave" or "braid."
• Anete - Latvian origin, meaning "grace" or "favor."

 

• Gita - Latvian origin, meaning "song" or "melody."
• Sarmīte - Latvian origin, meaning "frost" or "cold."
• Selīna - Latvian origin, meaning "moon" or "moonlight."
• Tatjana - Latvian origin, meaning "fairy queen" or "princess."
• Velta - Latvian origin, meaning "gift" or "present."
• Žanete - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Danute - Latvian origin, meaning "morning star" or "dawn."
• Filipa - Latvian origin, meaning "lover of horses."
• Ilma - Latvian origin, meaning "air" or "weather."
• Alda - Latvian origin, meaning "old" or "wise."

 

• Diana - Latvian origin, meaning "divine" or "heavenly."
• Elvira - Latvian origin, meaning "truth" or "white."
• Hilda - Latvian origin, meaning "battle" or "fight."
• Ilona - Latvian origin, meaning "shining light" or "moon."
• Katrīna - Latvian origin, meaning "pure" or "innocent."
• Liena - Latvian origin, meaning "flax" or "linen."
• Milda - Latvian origin, meaning "gentle" or "mild."
• Rita - Latvian origin, meaning "pearl" or "rose."
• Sinta - Latvian origin, meaning "rose" or "bloom."
• Tina - Latvian origin, meaning "follower of Christ."

 

• Ursula - Latvian origin, meaning "little bear."
• Vita - Latvian origin, meaning "life" or "living."
• Zita - Latvian origin, meaning "little flower."
• Astra - Latvian origin, meaning "star" or "celestial."
• Brigita - Latvian origin, meaning "exalted" or "noble."
• Dina - Latvian origin, meaning "judged" or "decided."
• Elise - Latvian origin, meaning "God is my oath."
• Jana - Latvian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
• Larisa - Latvian origin, meaning "citadel" or "fortress."
• Marta - Latvian origin, meaning "lady" or "mistress."

 

The Cultural Significance of Latvian Names

In Latvian culture, names are more than just identifiers—they are imbued with meaning and tradition. Many Latvian names are derived from nature, reflecting the country’s deep connection to its natural surroundings. For example, names like Gints (amber) and Rūta (rue) highlight the importance of natural elements in Latvian culture.

Naming ceremonies, or “vārda dienas”, are also a significant cultural tradition. These name days are celebrated similarly to birthdays, and each name has a specific day in the calendar dedicated to it. This tradition underscores the importance of names in Latvian culture and celebrates the connection between individuals and their names.

 

Modern Trends in Latvian Naming

While traditional Latvian names remain popular, modern naming trends reflect broader global influences. Contemporary Latvian parents might choose names from other cultures or modify traditional names to suit modern preferences. Despite these changes, many parents still value the historical and cultural significance of names, blending tradition with modernity.

 

Conclusion

Latvian-origin baby names are rich in meaning and cultural significance. From names that reflect strength and wisdom to those symbolizing natural beauty and joy, Latvian names offer a deep connection to the country’s heritage and values. Whether choosing a name with historical roots or one that reflects modern influences, Latvian parents carefully select names that carry meaningful messages and celebrate their cultural identity.

As you consider names for your baby, you may find inspiration in the melodic and meaningful names of Latvian origin, each carrying a story and a legacy that connects past and present.