Sacred Choices: Baby Names Inspired by Saints

Choosing a baby name inspired by saints can give your child a name with deep spiritual significance and a virtuous role model. Saints like Francis, Teresa, Anthony, and Cecilia have left legacies of faith, charity, and courage that can inspire your little one throughout their life. If you want to name your heavenly bundle after a saint, you have plenty of choices spanning across centuries of Christian tradition, from beloved apostles to modern-day holy men and women. Researching the stories behind these sacred names can add special meaning to your decision and provide your child with an inspiring patron to look up to.

Baby boy names

Saintly names for your little boy

• Adrian - After St. Adrian of Canterbury, a renowned scholar who established a prestigious school in Anglo-Saxon England
• Alexander - After St. Alexander of Jerusalem, an early Christian bishop and martyr known for his scholarship
• Anthony - After St. Anthony the Great, one of the founders of Christian monasticism who lived in the Egyptian desert
• Augustine - After St. Augustine of Hippo, an influential philosopher and theologian whose writings shaped Western Christianity
• Benedict - After St. Benedict of Nursia, founder of Western monasticism and author of the famous Rule of Benedict
• Christopher - After St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers who, according to legend, carried the Christ child across a river
• Dominic - After St. Dominic de Guzmán, founder of the Dominican Order known for his commitment to education and preaching
• Francis - After St. Francis of Assisi, known for his love of animals, nature, and simple living who founded the Franciscan Order
• Gabriel - After the Archangel Gabriel, God's messenger who announced the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary
• Ignatius - After St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order and author of Spiritual Exercises
• Joseph - After St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and patron saint of fathers, workers, and the Universal Church
• Lawrence - After St. Lawrence, a deacon of Rome martyred for distributing Church treasures to the poor
• Martin - After St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who became a monk and bishop known for his charity
• Michael - After the Archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly hosts and protector against evil
• Nicholas - After St. Nicholas of Myra, bishop known for secret gift-giving who inspired the Santa Claus tradition
• Patrick - After St. Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland and became its patron saint
• Peter - After St. Peter the Apostle, one of Jesus's closest disciples and the first Pope of the Catholic Church
• Sebastian - After St. Sebastian, a Roman soldier martyred for his Christian faith and patron saint of athletes
• Thomas - After St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar and one of the most influential medieval philosophers and theologians
• Vincent - After St. Vincent de Paul, known for his compassion for the poor and establishing charitable organizations

Baby girl names

Blessed names for your baby girl

• Adelaide - After St. Adelaide of Burgundy, Holy Roman Empress known for her piety and charitable works
• Agnes - After St. Agnes of Rome, a young martyr who refused to renounce her faith
• Anne - After St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and grandmother of Jesus
• Bridget - After St. Bridget of Sweden, mystic and founder of the Bridgettine Order
• Catherine - After St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church and influential spiritual writer
• Cecilia - After St. Cecilia, patron saint of music who sang to God as she was dying
• Clare - After St. Clare of Assisi, founder of the Poor Clares and close follower of St. Francis
• Elizabeth - After St. Elizabeth of Hungary, known for her extraordinary charity and care for the poor
• Faith - After St. Faith of Conques, a young martyr during Roman persecutions
• Frances - After St. Frances of Rome, devoted wife and founder of the Olivetan Oblates
• Helena - After St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great who found the True Cross
• Joan - After St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans who led French troops to victory
• Lucy - After St. Lucy of Syracuse, martyr whose name means 'light'
• Margaret - After St. Margaret of Scotland, queen known for her devotion to the poor
• Mary - After the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus
• Monica - After St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine whose prayers led to his conversion
• Teresa - After St. Teresa of Avila or St. Thérèse of Lisieux, both Doctors of the Church
• Veronica - After St. Veronica who wiped Jesus' face on the way to Calvary