Cool Colours
- Alani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"orange tree"Description:
One of those names you may not even be aware of if you haven't been paying attention to recent naming trends, Alani was given to more than 700 baby girls in the US in one recent year, to be the second most popular feminization of Alan after Alana. It's certainly the most modern-sounding female version of Alan.
- Bruna
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"brown"Description:
Possibility for a dark-haired babe.
- Melora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"golden apple"Description:
Euphonic hybrid of the sounds of Melissa and Laura. Melora Hardin is an actress who was featured on The Office.
- Caliban
Origin:
RomanianMeaning:
"black"Description:
In Shakespeare's The Tempest, Caliban is the name of the deformed son of a witch: not the greatest literary reference for a child. But Caliban does have an appealing international-yet-accessible feel and a rhythmic sound. As long as nobody knows its origin, it might make a great name for a boy or even a girl.
- Arjun
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"bright, shining, white"Description:
Popular in India and among Indo-Americans, this name of the hero of a famous Hindu epic has an extremely pleasing sound.
- Iola
Origin:
Greek or WelshMeaning:
"violet; beautiful lady"Description:
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
- Oro
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"gold"Description:
Rare, with a gleaming, golden image.
- Fenella
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"white-shouldered one"Description:
More unusual than Fiona and more user-friendly than Fionnuala, the engaging Scottish Fenella, has been scarcely heard in this country.
- Sorrel
Origin:
Botanical name and FrenchMeaning:
"reddish brown"Description:
A fragrant herbal and color name that could make a sensitive, distinctive choice.
- Blane
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"yellow"Description:
Blane is the attractive surname name of an important sixth-century Scottish saint, though Blaine is a more familiar spelling. Ultimately from the Old Irish Bláán, it has the coloful and upbeat meaning of yellow.
- Cyan
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"greenish blue color"Description:
Cyan is a highly unusual blue-green color name, a classmate of Celadon and Cerulean. It does come with the homey nickname Cy.
- Midori
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"green; beautiful bird"Description:
In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly used on girls.
- Fuchsia
Origin:
Plant and color nameMeaning:
"vivid purplish-red; tubular flower"Description:
A plausible color name, it was chosen by the singer Sting as a middle name for his daughter, after a character in the Gormenghast fantasy trilogy, of which he's a big fan. Another bearer is Fuchsia Voremberg, a member of the BBC Show, Antiques Roadshow who specializes in diaries and manuscripts.
- Aneirin
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"very golden or noble"Description:
Aneirin is the original form of the more common Aneurin (which was a mistaken spelling used after the 17th Century). Aneirin was one of the first great Welsh poets who flourished in the 6th Century. He was said to be the Prince of Bards.
- Crimson
Origin:
Color nameMeaning:
"rich deep red"Description:
Crimson could be a possible competitor for Scarlett's success, though it's lacking that Johansson charm.
- Mauve
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"violet-colored"Description:
Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names, Mauve has the added benefit of being similar to stylish Maeve and classic Maude.
- Rumo
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"red"Description:
Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.
- Irissa
Description:
Irissa is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Iris, the Greek name meaning 'rainbow' and associated with the goddess who served as messenger of the gods and personification of the rainbow. Alternatively, it could be an elaboration of Irisa, a name with Slavic or Baltic connections. The additional syllable gives Irissa a flowing, melodic quality compared to the more common Iris. This name remains quite rare in most countries, offering distinctiveness while still being relatively intuitive to pronounce. Irissa carries an ethereal, slightly exotic feel that might appeal to parents seeking a name with classical connections but uncommon usage.
- Charna
Origin:
YiddishMeaning:
"dark, black"Description:
Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.
- Omaira
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"long life; red"Description:
Omaira is an intriguing Middle Eastern possibility.
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