As a parent or soon-to-be parent, you’re already working to give your child the right tools and life lessons to make smart, wise decisions. So why not give them a head start with a name that carries a little wisdom in its DNA?

A wisdom-inspired name is also a great opportunity to show your child that being “wise” isn’t tied to one kind of path. It can mean creative wisdom, scientific brilliance, emotional intelligence, or the kind of street smarts that get you through the hard stuff. Whether your child grows up to be a critical thinker, a natural leader, or the friend everyone goes to for advice, a name rooted in wisdom feels like a pretty solid foundation.

Below, we’ve rounded up 89 baby names that mean wise, wisdom, intelligent, and brilliant—drawn from Greek, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, Sanskrit, Norse, and beyond. For even more naming inspiration, check out our lists of unique baby names, strong baby names, nature-inspired names, and gemstone baby names.

Baby names that mean wise for girls

From ancient goddesses of wisdom to modern favorites that have topped the charts for years, these girl names carry meanings rooted in intelligence, knowledge, and good judgment. If you love the Sophia family, you’ll find several gorgeous variations here.

1. Akilah: Arabic for “intelligent; wise; bright.”

2. Alvira: Spanish/Latin for “all-wise; prudent.”

3. Athena: Greek for “goddess of wisdom and war.”

4. Cassidy: Irish/Gaelic for “clever; curly-headed.”

5. Dana: Persian/Irish for “wise; knowledgeable.”

6. Dara: Hebrew/Khmer for “nugget of wisdom; star.”

7. Kayla: Arabic/Hebrew for “wise child; laurel crown.”

8. Kaya: Hopi/Japanese for “wise child; elder sister.”

9. Mackenzie: Irish/Gaelic for “child of the wise ruler.”

10. Maira: Arabic for “quick-witted; intelligent.”

11. Matilda: Germanic for “mighty in battle; strength.”

12. Michiko: Japanese for “beautiful, wise child.”

13. Minerva: Latin/Etruscan for “the mind; Roman goddess of wisdom.”

14. Minnie: English/German for “of the mind; resolute protector.”

15. Monique: French/Latin for “wise counsel; advisor.”

16. Orinthia: Greek for “wise one; to excite or stir.”

17. Phoebe: Greek for “bright; radiant; shining.”

18. Prudence: Latin for “good judgment; foresight; wisdom.”

19. Quinn: Irish/Gaelic for “wise; counsel; intelligent.”

20. Rae: English/German for “wise protection.”

21. Ramona: Spanish/Old German for “wise protector.”

22. Reina: Spanish/Latin for “queen; wise.”

23. Rona: Gaelic/Norse for “wise ruler.”

24. Saffi: Greek/Danish for “wisdom (variant of Sophia).”

25. Saga: Old Norse for “goddess of prophecy and wisdom.”

26. Sana: Arabic for “brilliance; splendor.”

27. Shannon: Irish/Gaelic for “old and wise; wise river.”

28. Sofia: Greek/Italian/Spanish for “wisdom.”

29. Sophia: Greek for “wisdom.”

30. Sophie: French/Greek for “wisdom.”

31. Sophina: English/Greek for “wisdom; understanding.”

32. Sonya: Russian/Greek for “wisdom (variant of Sophia).”

33. Sunita: Sanskrit for “well-conducted; wise; full of knowledge.”

34. Ulima: Arabic for “wise; astute; learned.”

35. Veda: Sanskrit for “knowledge; sacred wisdom.”

36. Zofia: Polish/Slavic for “wisdom (variant of Sophia).”

Baby names that mean wise for boys

Whether you’re drawn to biblical wisdom (Solomon), Norse mythology (Odin), or something that just feels sharp and modern (Kenzo), these boy names all carry meanings tied to wisdom, counsel, and intellect. Browse more options in our full list of baby boy names.

37. Akil: Arabic for “intelligent; wise; thoughtful.”

38. Alden: Old English for “wise old friend.”

39. Aldrich: English/German for “wise, old ruler.”

40. Alfred: English/Anglo-Saxon for “wise counselor.”

41. Alfie: English for “wise counselor (short form of Alfred).”

42. Alger: English/German for “wise spearman; clever warrior.”

43. Alvis: Old Norse for “all-wise; all-knowing.”

44. Apollo: Greek for “god of knowledge, music, and light.”

45. Aydin: Turkish for “bright; clear; wise.”

46. Bernard: Germanic for “brave as a bear; strong and wise.”

47. Bodhi: Sanskrit for “awakening; enlightenment.”

48. Cato: Latin for “all-knowing; wise.”

49. Conrad: Germanic for “wise counsel; brave advisor.”

50. Cyrus: Persian for “sun; wise; far-sighted.”

51. Eldridge: English/German for “wise ruler.”

52. Ethan: Hebrew for “strong; firm; enduring; wise.”

53. Feivel: Yiddish for “bright one; wise.”

54. Hakim: Arabic for “wise; learned; judicious.”

55. Hewett: French/German for “little wise one; bright mind.”

56. Hubert: German for “bright heart; bright mind.”

57. Hugh: English/German for “mind; intellect; bright spirit.”

58. Hugo: Latin/Spanish for “mind; intellect.”

59. Hutchings: English for “son of the wise mind.”

60. Kavi: Sanskrit for “poet; seer; sage.”

61. Kenzo: Japanese for “wise; healthy; strong.”

62. Lambert: German for “bright land; brilliant country.”

63. Odin: Old Norse for “fury; frenzy; god of wisdom and war.”

64. Rainer: German for “wise army; counsel warrior.”

65. Raymond: French/German for “wise protector; counsel protection.”

66. Redmond: Irish/German for “wise protector.”

67. Reginald: English/Latin for “counsel power; wise ruler.”

68. Ronald: Norse/Gaelic for “ruler’s counselor; wise advisor.”

69. Solomon: Hebrew for “peace; wisdom (the wise biblical king).”

70. Talib: Arabic for “seeker of knowledge.”

71. Ugo: Italian for “mind; intellect (Italian form of Hugo).”

72. Wilbur: English/German for “resolute; brilliant; wild boar.”

73. Zeki: Turkish for “clever; intelligent.”

Gender-neutral baby names that mean wise

These names work beautifully for any baby and carry the same wisdom energy. Sage, in particular, has been climbing the charts for both boys and girls. For more flexible picks, browse our trending baby girl names and trending baby boy names.

74. Aldo: Italian/German for “old and wise; noble.”

75. Arinya: Aboriginal Australian for “knowledge; understanding.”

76. Rishi: Sanskrit for “sage; wise seer.”

77. Sage: Latin/English for “wise; healthy; herb associated with wisdom.”

78. Savant: French for “a person of great learning; wise one.”

79. Ray: English/German for “wise protection; beam of light.”

Baby names that mean intelligent and brilliant

If you love the idea of a wisdom name but want something that leans a bit more toward brilliance, intellect, or sharpness, these names deliver. They span cultures from Greek to Japanese to Chinese and beyond.

80. Akira: Japanese for “bright; clear; intelligent.”

81. Brilliance: English for “exceptional intelligence or talent.”

82. Cassandra: Greek for “she who shines among men; prophetess.”

83. Favian: Latin for “man of wisdom; understanding.”

84. Hui: Chinese for “intelligent; wise.”

85. Imran: Arabic for “prosperity; knowledge.”

86. Karasi: African (Hausa) for “life and wisdom.”

87. Leonardo: Italian/Germanic for “brave as a lion; strong-minded.”

88. Pallas: Greek for “wisdom; another name for Athena.”

89. Zhi: Chinese for “wisdom; intellect; will.”

Whatever name you choose, giving your child a name rooted in wisdom is a beautiful way to set them off on the right foot. For more naming ideas, explore our lists of spring baby names, summer baby names, or baby names inspired by TV shows.

A version of this post was published September 8, 2022. It has been updated.