"inspiring wonder and awe"
Origin: English
Language: English
Awesome
Pronunciation: [ AHS-uhm ]
Awesome is a girl name of English origin meaning "inspiring wonder and awe." Ranked #41,435 in the US, popular nicknames include Awe.
A bold word name that says exactly what it means
American
Bold
Playful
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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Things to Know About This Name
- The word is overused informally; may not be taken seriously in professional contexts
The Story of Awesome
Awesome derives from the Old English word meaning inspiring dread or reverential fear, originally used in religious contexts when describing the divine. Over centuries it softened to mean deeply impressive, then in 1980s American slang it became a casual exclamation of enthusiasm. As a given name, Awesome sits at the bold edge of the word-name trend, alongside names like Noble, Brave, and True.
Awesome as a given name is exceedingly rare, appearing mostly among parents who want something genuinely one-of-a-kind. It exists on the fringe of the inspirational word-name movement that has brought us names like Journey, Serenity, and Legend.
In American popular culture, awesome became the definitive enthusiasm word of the 1980s and has never really left. Its use as a name is a uniquely American phenomenon, reflecting a tradition of giving children names that express high aspirations.
Historical Record
Awesome first appeared in US Social Security records in 2017.
Over 12 babies have been named Awesome in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Awesome is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #41,435 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word awesome originally had a solemn religious meaning before becoming casual slang
- Word names like Awesome follow the Puritan tradition of virtue names like Prudence, Mercy, and Grace
- The Awesome Foundation is a global funding organization that gives micro-grants for awesome projects
Awesome in Other Languages
French
Formidable
German
Großartig
Italian
Meravigliosa
Spanish
Asombrosa
Japanese
オーサム
Popularity Over Time
#41,435
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #41,435
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Awe
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Awesome
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Awesome is also used as a boy name, ranked #22896.
View Awesome as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Awesome →Compare Awesome with...
Same Origin Names (American)
Names with Similar Meaning
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Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About Awesome
What does the name Awesome mean?
"inspiring wonder and awe" (from English). Awesome derives from the Old English word meaning inspiring dread or reverential fear, originally used in religious contexts when describing the divine. Over centuries it softened to mean deeply impressive, then in 1980s American slang it became a casual exclamation of enthusiasm. As a given name, Awesome sits at the bold edge of the word-name trend, alongside names like Noble, Brave, and True.
What is the origin of the name Awesome?
Awesome has English and American origins. In English, it means "inspiring wonder and awe".
Is Awesome a boy or girl name?
Awesome is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #41435. As a boy name, it is ranked #22896. Awesome is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Awesome?
Awesome is pronounced AHS-uhm.
How popular is the name Awesome?
Awesome is currently ranked #41435 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Awesome?
Common nicknames for Awesome include Awe.
What are good middle names for Awesome?
Popular middle name pairings include Awesome Joy, Awesome Grace, Awesome Mae, Awesome Sky, Awesome Rae, and Awesome Hope.
What are good sibling names for Awesome?
Names that pair well with Awesome as siblings include Bliss, Noble, Brave, Stella, True, and Sage.
How many syllables does Awesome have?
Awesome has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Awesome a common or rare name?
Awesome is an uncommon name, ranked #41435 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Awesome
Awesome is a girl name with American origins . The name means "inspiring wonder and awe" in English .
Is Awesome a boy or girl name? Awesome is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #41,435 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #22,896. Awesome is more commonly used as a boy name.
Awesome is currently ranked #41,435 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Awesome has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHS-uhm, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Awesome include Awe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis