Medieval Beauties

An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. Yet, even now that Ever- names are the height of style, Everard hasn't been seen on the charts for decades.

It feels like a slenderized modern version, but Jennet actually has deep roots. Could this plucky name rescue Janet and Jenny from their datedness?

This spelling of Bennett is typically seen as a surname, but gets moderate use as a first name for baby boys and girls.

An old royal name in England and Scotland that's also spelled Marjorie. Popular in the Middle Ages and Tudor period, it was revived at the end of the 19th century, peaked in 1921 and dropped off the list in 1958, enough time to be reconsidered as a Margaret alternative. The name Margery Daw is familiar via the seesaw nursery rhyme and Margery Williams wrote the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit..

The romantic fairy tale-like name has come to modern attention via the beautiful but terrifying sorceress in Game of Thrones. The character may look as lovely as her name sounds, but it's hard to imagine a parent familiar with the book wanting to use the name for their child. Two alternate directions: Millicent or Melisande.

Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. Only 14 baby girls were given the Ysabel spelling in the US last year, while Isabel and Isabelle were each given to about 1800 babies.

Aldous has long been associated with British writer Huxley, author of Brave New World. So many of these rare British names are starting to be reconsidered by the literary or hipster crowds and this one, considering its pedigree, deserves the renewed interest.

Trea is a concise masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of names like Treavor or Patrick (via the Irish nickname Patrea), or it could derive from the Irish 'treasach,' meaning 'warlike' or 'fighter.' In some cases, it might represent a variation of the word 'treasure,' suggesting someone highly valued. As a standalone name, Trea remains quite uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. Its brevity makes it straightforward to pronounce and spell across cultures, though its rarity means people may occasionally need to clarify it. The name has a contemporary feel despite potential traditional roots, making it appeal to parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible with a strong, confident sound.