Life
Most parents have big dreams for their kids, whether that means they become famous, do something great for the world, become a scientist, or you know, become a good person. And just in case names can influence this, I've created a list of 20 baby names inspired by scientists if your dreams for your baby are for them to be a great scientist. Whether that means they invent the next greatest thing, go into space, or come up with a new scientific theory that will blow everyone's minds and change the way we view the world as we know it.
This list spans centuries of famous men and women scientists, all contributing to different areas: physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, evolution, engineering, radiology, oncology, and more. Some of the people on this list are heroes in their own right for not only being brilliant scientists, but being brilliant and successful while also breaking racial and gender barriers. I don't know how much effect a name can have on your kid's future, but I don't think it would hurt to name them after one of these magnificent, intelligent, and admirable humans in the history of the world. Maybe they'll be the next greatest scientist that kids will read about in history books?
6
Elizabeth (Blackwell)
Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to receive a medical degree in America according to womenshistory.org — she also graduated first in her class and championed for women's involvement in the medical field.
"My God is abundance" or "God is my Oath" are the meanings of Elizabeth, according to Behind the Name.
7
Isaac (Newton)
Isaac Newton is known for being the physicist and mathematician who developed the principles of modern physics, as well as the laws of motion, according to Biography. He also designed and constructed a reflecting telescope in 1668, per the website. The name Isaac also means "he laughs, laughter," per SheKnows.
8
Jane (Cook Wright, Goodall)
According to blackdoctor.org, Jane Cook Wright overcame race and gender barriers and played a "fundamental role" in coming up with chemotherapy as a cancer treatment back in the 1940s. Her work "revolutionized cancer research and how physicians treat cancer," the website noted.
Jane Goodall is known for her "long-term study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania," according to Live Science, and it's "the world's longest running continuous wildlife research project."
The sweet name Jane also means "Jehovah has been gracious," according to SheKnows.
9
George (Washington Carver)
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became one of the most prominent scientists and inventors of his time and "actively promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion," according to Biography.
Per SheKnows, George is "from 'georgos,' meaning tiller of the soil, or farmer."
10
Katherine (Johnson)
Katherine Johnson was part of the "Hidden Figures" group of African-American women. She was a mathematician whose work helped send the first Americans into space. According to space.com, she is one of the most "celebrated black women in space science."
Katherine means "pure, clear" (like the galaxy!) according to SheKnows.
11
Galileo (Galilei)
Not only did Galileo construct a telescope, according to Biography, but he also developed the universal law of acceleration, and supported Copernican theory that the sun is the center of the universe as the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun.
Galileo's Italian origin means "from Galilee" and honors Jesus, who was also called "the Galilean," according to Baby Name Wizard.
12
Mary (Jackson)
Per Biography, Mary Jackson was also part of the "Hidden Figures" group of women who surpassed racial and gender barriers to help launch the first Americans into space.
Depending on who you ask, Mary can mean "bitterness" or "beloved lady," according to Baby Name Wizard.
13
Anaximander
Anaximander was a Greek philosopher who was "the first to develop a cosmology, or systematic philosophical view of the world," according to Britannica. Plus, your kid will definitely have the most unique name in the class.
Anaximander means "the king of the strong, the lord of manly," according to Name-Doctor.
14
Dorothy (Vaughan)
Dorothy Vaughan was a "human computer" who was part of the "Hidden Figures" group of women who helped launch the first Americans into outer space, per Biography.
Dorothy also means "gift of God," according to SheKnows.
15
Aristotle
Aristotle was the first to investigate logic, "invented the field of formal logic," and is called one of the most important philosophers and thinkers in history, according to simplyphilosophy.org. Britannica noted that Aristotle also "identified various scientific disciplines and explored their relationships to each other."
SheKnows says Aristotle means "superior, best of thinkers." How this meaning came to be seems like a chicken or the egg argument to me, don't you think?
16
Mae (Jemison)
Mae Jemison was the first black woman to travel to space, and is also an engineer and physician, according to space.com. Additionally, "Dr. Jemison resigned from NASA and founded the Jemison Group, Inc. Among her current projects are several that focus on improving healthcare in Africa and advancing technology in developing countries," per space.com.
Nameberry says Mae means "bitter or pearl." Let's go with pearl.
17
Alexander (Graham Bell)
Alexander Graham Bell was an inventor and scientist best known for inventing the original telephone. And according to Biography, he also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885.
Alexander also means "defender of men," according to SheKnows.
18
Rachel (Carson)
Not only was Rachel Carson a scientist and marine biologist, but she is most well-known for her writings about environmental pollution, which advanced the global environmental movement in the early 1900s, according to rachelcarson.org.
According to Baby Name Wizard, Rachel means "ewe, female sheep."
19
Niels (Bohr)
Niels Bohr was a Danish physicist who received the Nobel Prize in physics in 1922 for his contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory, according to Britannica.
Think Baby Name says Niels means "champion."
20
Jocelyn (Bell Burnell)
Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist and astronomer who provided the "first direct evidence of existence of rapidly spinning neutron stars," according to Biography. She also helped create a giant radio telescope as a research assistant.
The name Jocelyn also means "member of the Gauts tribe," according to Nameberry.