Parenting

130+ Palindrome Names That You'll Love Forward And Backward

by Team Scary Mommy
Updated: 
Originally Published: 
Palindrome names, baby wearing hat yawning
Minnie Zhou/Unsplash

When choosing a name for their baby, some parents base their decisions on meanings, particular ethnic origins, or people they admire (both in and out of their own families). For others, it’s more about a certain quality they would like their child to possess, like elegance, a fiery personality, or strength and power — think names that mean fire and warrior names. In contrast, some aren’t necessarily that concerned about the meaning but are looking for a name that’s clever and nuanced — almost like its own little riddle. Admittedly, that’s a pretty specific name search, but as always, we’ve got you covered, this time, with palindrome names.

In case it’s been a while since you learned about palindromes in elementary school, they are words, phrases, and even entire sentences that are spelled the same forward and backward. One of the most famous examples of a palindrome is “Able was I ere I saw Elba,” and is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. Still, many scholars believe it appeared years after his death. But for our purposes, it doesn’t matter who said it first — it’s still an example of a palindrome.

One reason the faux Napoleon quote probably started popping up in the mid-19th century is that wordplay like palindromes and anagrams (words or phrases formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase) were particularly popular during that period. (Victorians and Georgians knew how to party!)

But palindromes go back much further than that: to approximately 70 B.C.E. to be (semi) exact. They were written in Latin and found in graffiti in the ancient city of Herculaneum, which is now part of modern-day Italy. There is also evidence of palindromes used in ancient Sanskrit and ancient Greek. The word “palindrome” dates back to 1638 and has its roots in ancient Greek. And whether it was ancient times, the Victorian era, or today, there’s a reason people like palindromes: they’re fun and make you think. (OK, technically, that’s two reasons, but you get the picture.)

And to help complete the picture, here are some examples of words, phrases, and entire sentences that are palindromes:

  • Taco cat
  • Borrow or rob?
  • No, Mel Gibson is a casino’s big lemon.
  • King, are you glad you are king?
  • A nut for a jar of tuna.
  • Was it a car or a cat I saw?
  • Madam, in Eden, I’m Adam.
  • Oozy rat in a sanitary zoo.
  • Yo, banana boy!
  • UFO tofu
  • Too bad I hid a boot.
  • Mr. Owl ate my metal worm.
  • Civic
  • Level
  • Radar
  • Aibohphobia (the unofficial name of fear of palindromes)
  • Noon

Love the idea of giving your child a unique name? Here’s a mega-list of palindrome names: some for girls, others for boys, and some that are gender-neutral.

Palindrome Names for Girls

Forward or backward, these palindrome names for girls are pretty stinkin’ cute:

  1. Abeba
  2. Ada
  3. Adharahda
  4. Aeaea
  5. Ahsha
  6. Aidia
  7. Ailia
  8. Ala
  9. Aleela
  10. Alula
  11. Alyla
  12. Ama
  13. Ana/Anna
  14. Anana
  15. Anina
  16. Anona
  17. Arara
  18. Ardra
  19. Arora
  20. Artisitra
  21. Aurorua
  22. Ava
  23. Aviva
  24. Aya
  25. Aziza
  26. Azza
  27. Cec
  28. Eevee
  29. Ege
  30. Elle
  31. Habibah
  32. Halah
  33. Hannah
  34. Havah
  35. Hayah
  36. Ireri
  37. Itati
  38. Ivi
  39. Izzi
  40. Kaylyak
  41. Layal
  42. Lil
  43. Liril
  44. Lyryl
  45. Maham
  46. Mem
  47. Nan
  48. Nin
  49. Non
  50. Rosor
  51. Syny
  52. Viv
  53. Ziliz

Palindrome Names for Boys

These palindrome names for boys are fun and clever, no matter how you read them!

  1. Aoloa: This Hawaiian name means “long cloud,” “distinguished,” or “costume”
  2. Ata: This name has Persian and Turkish origin and means gift or forefather
  3. Ara: “Brings rain”
  4. Bob: Fames bright or shining
  5. Callac
  6. Davad: Beloved or uncle
  7. Ebbe: Brave or strong board
  8. Ede: Wealthy
  9. Ede
  10. Exe
  11. Idappadi
  12. Iggi
  13. Jaj
  14. Jalaj
  15. JJ
  16. Kanak
  17. Kerek
  18. Kilik
  19. Kook
  20. Kuruk
  21. Lal
  22. Lemel
  23. Luul
  24. Mallam
  25. Mujum
  26. Natan
  27. Neuquén
  28. Nolon
  29. Nosson
  30. Noxon
  31. Odo
  32. Okonoko
  33. Oruro
  34. Otto
  35. Ovidivo
  36. Oyo
  37. Pylyp
  38. Ramar
  39. Rayar
  40. Reinier
  41. Rekker
  42. Renner
  43. Rigir
  44. Rykyr
  45. Rydyr
  46. Sabas
  47. Sagas
  48. Shahs
  49. Silis
  50. Tenet
  51. Tommot
  52. Utu
  53. Vokov
  54. Zoz

Gender-Neutral Palindrome Names

These gender-neutral palindrome names are not only unique — they’ll also grow with your child, regardless of how they identify.

  1. Asa: Healer or doctor
  2. Efe: Older brother or “wealth has been achieved”
  3. Ese: God’s gift or gift of god
  4. Immi: Universal or virgin
  5. Isi: Consecrated to god
  6. Kanak: Gold, sandalwood, or the golden one
  7. Laval: “Of the valley”
  8. Maram: Wish or desire
  9. Minim: Least or smallest
  10. Neven: Saintly
  11. Noon: “The time of the brightest sunshine”
  12. Pip: Lover of horses
  13. Redder: A wheelmaker or wheelwright
  14. Williw: This name sounds a lot like willow, which means freedom
  15. Yanay: My beloved
  16. Siris: Beautiful victory

Italian Palindrome Names

Palindrome names are already filled with unique monikers, but if you’re looking for ones with Italian flare, we found several. If you’re looking for more Italian names, we have Italian surnames and Italian girl names too!

  1. Aerea: Thanks
  2. Afa: Derives from Polynesian origins and means hurricane
  3. Alla: Russian name that means other
  4. Ara: This Arabic name means worshipping, “brings rain,” or beautiful
  5. Atta: This name has Arabic and Turkish roots and means father, twin, ancestor, forerunner, or forefather
  6. Avallava
  7. Aveva: A Hebrew name that means springlike, dewy, or fresh

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