The Best Baby Names that Mean Happiness & Joy

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland shares her favorite names that mean “happy” and “happiness”

Co-authored by Natalie Mulholland and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

• For Boys
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• For Girls
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• Gender-neutral
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• More Names

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If you’re expecting a bundle of joy, choosing a name for your little one that means “happy” or “happiness” is the perfect way to celebrate their arrival and match the sunshine and optimism they’re sure to bring into the world. In this article, we’ve compiled the best masculine, feminine, and gender-neutral names that mean “happy,” with help from naming experts. Keep reading to find the perfect name!

Baby Names Meaning Happy

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland recommends the following names that mean “happy” or “happiness”:

• Asher: “Happy” or “blessed,” Hebrew origin.
• Beatrice: “She who brings happiness" or "bringer of joy,” Latin/Italian origin.
• Cayo: “Rejoice,” Spanish/Latin origin.
• Felicity: “Happiness” or "good fortune," Latin origin.
• Nara: “Joyful” or “flower from heaven,” Japanese/Korean origin.
• Ori: “My joy” or “my light,” Hebrew origin.
• Tate: “Cheerful” or “glad,” Old English/Norse origin.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Boy Names that Mean “Happy”

1. 
   There are lots of masculine names that mean “happy” or “joy.” These cheerful options are a sweet way to welcome a baby boy and inspire him to always look on the bright side of things. For instance:

   • Anand: “Happiness or joy,” Sanskrit origin.
   • Asaad: “Happier” or “luckier,” Arabic origin.
   • Cayo: “Rejoice,” Spanish and Latin origin.​​
   • Felix: “Happy” or “lucky,” Latin origin.
   • Fortunato: “Happy” or “lucky,” Latin origin.
   • Gaius: “To rejoice,” Latin origin.
   • Gil: “Happiness or joy,” Hebrew origin.
   • Harshad: “Bringer of joy,” Indian origin.
   • Isaac: “One who laughs or rejoices,” Hebrew origin.
   • Koji: “Happiness” or “good fortune,” Japanese origin.
   • Makari: “Happy” or “blessed,” Greek origin.
   • Naeem: “Happiness” or “comfort,” Arabic origin.
   • Rhys: “Enthusiasm” or “passion,” Welsh origin.
   • Ron: “Joy,” Hebrew origin.
   • Said: “Happy,” “joy,” or “blessed,” Arabic origin.
   • Selig: “Happy in life” or “blessed,” Yiddish origin.
   • Yoshiro: “Happy individual,” Japanese origin.
   • Zorion: “Happy,” Basque/Portuguese origin.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert and content creator who focuses on sharing a name’s origin, meaning, category, notable people, and more.

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming expert. She shares name meanings and tips with her 20k+ followers on her Instagram, @little_name_library.

   Jennifer Ficarra is a name consultant and the founder of Nom de Bloom. She also shares naming content on social media.
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Section 2 of 4:

Girl Names that Mean “Happy”

1. 
   There are plenty of beautiful girl names that relate to happiness and cheer. For instance, naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson says, “Names like Eden, Grace, Joy,… and Clara often feel comforting because they’re soft-sounding and emotionally grounded.” She especially adores the name Lettie (a diminutive of Letitia), which has Spanish roots and means “joy and gladness.” Other names include:

   • Abigail: “My father’s joy,” Hebrew origin.
   • Alaïa: “Joyful, happy,” Basque origin.
   • Alisa: “Great happiness” or “joy,” Hebrew origin.
   • Allegra: “Joyful” or “lively,” Italian origin.
   • Beatrice: “She who brings happiness" or "bringer of joy,” Latin and Italian origin.​​
   • Bonnie: “Cheerful” or “beautiful,” Scottish origin.
   • Clara: “Bright,” Latin origin.
   • Eden: “Delight,” Hebrew origin.
   • Elvira: “Happy truth,” German origin.
   • Farah: “Happiness” or “joy,” Arabic origin.​​
   • Felicia: “Happy” or “lucky,” Latin origin.
   • Felicity: “Happiness” or "good fortune," Latin origin (from felicitas).​​
   • Grace: “Blessing,” Latin origin.
   • Gwyneth: “Happy” or “blessed,” Welsh origin.
   • Hana: “Happiness” or “flower,” Spanish origin.
   • Hillary: “Happy” or “cheerful,” Latin origin.
   • Joy: “Happiness,” Latin origin.
   • Kalea: “Joy or happiness,” Hawaiian origin.
   • Leda: “Joy” or “woman,” Greek origin.
   • Lettie/Letitia: “Joy” or “gladness,” Spanish and Latin origin.
   • Miyuki: “Beautiful happiness,” Japanese origin.
   • Naomi: “Pleasant,” Hebrew origin.
   • Nara: “Joyful” or “flower from heaven,” Japanese and Korean origin.​​
   • Rena: “Joy” or “melody,” Hebrew origin.
   • Sachiko: “Happiness” or “child of bliss,” Japanese origin.
   • Zella: “Happy” or “blessed,” Yiddish origin.

Section 3 of 4:

Gender-neutral Names that Mean “Happy”

1. 
   There are plenty of names that mean “happy” or “joyful” that aren’t traditionally masculine or feminine. In particular, Dr. Wilson says names like “Sunny, Pax, or Winnie give a sense of joy and warmth in a way that’s gentle and immediate.” Check out some of these other great gender-neutral options:

   • Asher: “Happy” or “blessed,” Hebrew origin.​​
   • Ayo: “Joy,” Nigerian origin.
   • Bliss: “Perfect joy” or “cheerful,” English origin.
   • Blythe: “Happy” or “cheerful,” English origin.
   • Cai: “Happy” or “rejoice,” Latin origin.
   • Dechen: “Great happiness,” Tibetan origin.
   • Gale: “Joy” or “wind,” English origin.
   • Huan: “Happy,” Chinese origin.
   • Joyce: “Joyous,” Latin origin.
   • Merry: “Jolly” or “cheerful,” English origin.
   • Ori: “My joy” or “my light,” Hebrew origin.​​
   • Pax: “Peace,” Latin origin.
   • Sunny: “Sunshine” or “happy,” English origin.
   • Tate: “Cheerful” or “glad,” Old English and Norse origin.​​
   • Winnie: “Joyful friend” or “friend of peace,” Welsh origin.
   • Yijun: “Joy” or “harmony,” Chinese origin.
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Section 4 of 4:

More Joyful Name Ideas

1. Looking for more names that have joyful and positive meanings? We’ve got you covered! Check out these lists, which are full of other beautiful names for boys and girls, as well as gender-neutral options:

   • Names that Mean Hope
   • Names that Mean Peace
   • Names that Mean Beautiful
   • Names that Mean Gift from God
   • Irish Names that Mean Blessed
   • Names that Mean Angel
   • Names that Mean Life
   • Names that Mean Light
   • Names that Mean Protect
   • Names that Mean Sun
   • Names that Mean Flower
   • Names that Mean Gold

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