"truthful, honorable"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Honest
Pronunciation: [ AHN-uhst ]
Does Honest flow with your last name?
A virtue name as rare as the quality itself
American
English
Unique
Bold
Spiritual
Whimsical
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"respectable, virtuous"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Honest
Honest derives from the Latin 'honestus,' meaning honorable, respectable, or virtuous — from 'honos' (honor). As a virtue name, Honest joins a tradition of English Puritan naming that gave us Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence, and Patience. The Puritans of the 16th-17th centuries believed names should reflect aspirations for the child's character. Honest as a name is rare but resonant — a bold declaration of the parent's highest wish for their child.
Virtue names have experienced a resurgence in the 21st century as parents seek names with clear meaning and intentionality. While Honor and True have charted nationally, Honest remains extremely rare and distinctive. Celebrity culture has driven some virtue names — actress Jessica Alba has a daughter named Haven, and Kanye West and Kim Kardashian named a daughter True.
The tradition of virtue names dates to ancient Rome (Felicia, Prudentia) and was enthusiastically adopted by English Puritans in the 16th-17th centuries. In contemporary American culture, virtue names project values of authenticity and intentionality in parenting — naming a child Honest signals what parents most want to cultivate.
Historical Record
Honest first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 301 babies have been named Honest in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Honest is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,569 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Honest Abe is the most famous American associated with this virtue — Abraham Lincoln's legendary commitment to truthfulness earned him this nickname
- The Puritans named children with virtue names so regularly that some names became common: Prudence, Patience, Faith, Hope, Charity
- 'An Honest Man' is a 2020 Danish film, and honesty-themed names appear throughout literature from Shakespeare to Dickens
Honest in Other Languages
Latin
Honesta
French
Honnête
German
Honest
Italian
Onesta
Spanish
Honesta
Popularity Over Time
#4,569
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Honest
A
Abraham Lincoln
Politician
1809
16th President of the United States, known as Honest Abe for his legendary truthfulness
H
Honest John Fictional
Other
The sly fox character in Disney's Pinocchio (1940) who tempts Pinocchio away from school — ironically named for dishones...
The sly fox character in Disney's Pinocchio (1940) who tempts Pinocchio away from school — ironically named for dishonesty
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Compare Honest with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,569
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Honi
Nessie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Honest
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Honest is also used as a boy name, ranked #3209.
View Honest as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Frankish origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Honest
What does the name Honest mean?
"truthful, honorable" (from Latin). "respectable, virtuous" (from Latin). Honest derives from the Latin 'honestus,' meaning honorable, respectable, or virtuous — from 'honos' (honor). As a virtue name, Honest joins a tradition of English Puritan naming that gave us Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence, and Patience. The Puritans of the 16th-17th centuries believed names should reflect aspirations for the child's character. Honest as a name is rare but resonant — a bold declaration of the parent's highest wish for their child.
What is the origin of the name Honest?
Honest has Latin, American, and English origins. In Latin, it means "truthful, honorable". In Latin, it means "respectable, virtuous".
Is Honest a boy or girl name?
Honest is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4569. As a boy name, it is ranked #3209. Honest is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Honest?
Honest is pronounced AHN-uhst.
How popular is the name Honest?
Honest is currently ranked #4569 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Honest?
Common nicknames for Honest include Honi and Nessie.
What are good middle names for Honest?
Popular middle name pairings include Honest Grace, Honest Mae, Honest Joy, Honest Skye, Honest True, Honest Faye, and Honest Pearl.
What are good sibling names for Honest?
Names that pair well with Honest as siblings include True, Justice, Brave, Noble, Honor, Sage, and Valor.
How many syllables does Honest have?
Honest has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Honest a common or rare name?
Honest is an uncommon name, ranked #4569 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Honest?
About the Name Honest
Honest is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "truthful, honorable" in Latin .
Is Honest a boy or girl name? Honest is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,569 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,209. Honest is more commonly used as a boy name.
Honest is currently ranked #4,569 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Honest has 2 syllables and is pronounced AHN-uhst, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Honest include Honi and Nessie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Honest include Honey, Honesty, Honesti . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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