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Names of Real People I Know

  1. Mirielle

    • Description:

      Mirielle is a feminine name of French origin, a variant spelling of Mireille, which derives from the Occitan name Mireio, made famous by Frédéric Mistral's poem of the same name. The name is thought to ultimately come from Latin 'mirabilis,' meaning 'wonderful' or 'marvelous.' With its melodious quality and gentle sound, Mirielle evokes images of elegance and feminine grace. The name carries a distinctly French flair, appealing to parents drawn to names with European sophistication. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it offers a beautiful alternative to more familiar names like Miriam or Marielle. The slightly varied spelling from the traditional Mireille adds a unique touch while maintaining the name's essential romantic character.
  2. Maxfield

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "Mac's field"

    • Description:

      This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.
  3. Princess

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      Part of the trend for formerly canine royal names; this is one a little girl might love—up till the age of eight.
  4. Reena

    • Description:

      Reena is a feminine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Indian traditions, particularly Hindi, it means 'precious jewel' or 'gem,' while it can also be considered a diminutive of names like Marina, Irene, Serena, or Katerina in Western contexts. The name has a pleasant, melodic quality that transcends cultural boundaries, making it appealing across different communities. Though never reaching mainstream popularity in Western countries, Reena has maintained consistent usage, particularly in South Asian communities. The name's brevity and easily pronounced syllables give it a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots. Reena projects a gentle warmth while still sounding distinctive, offering parents a name that combines simplicity with cultural richness.

  5. Sela

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "rock"

    • Description:

      Sela is a Biblical place name, the original term for the city of Petra, which is finding new life through actress Sela Ward, star of several TV series. The young daughter of singer Lauryn Hill is named Selah, pronounced the same but with a different derivation and meaning. Found among early African-American enslaved people, it was sometimes spelled Cela or Cella.
  6. Mariette

    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Marie

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      A less-popular alternative to Juliette, perhaps – although it feels rather more dated.
  7. Elder

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Anyone who's seen "The Book of Mormon" or visited Utah knows this as the title taken by male Mormon missionaries during their term of service. We'd advise anyone who lives somewhere with any significant Mormon population to avoid it for that reason.
  8. Coltrane

    • Origin:

      Irish surname

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Coltarán"

    • Description:

      The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan.
  9. Heywood

    • Description:

      Heywood is a masculine name of English origin, derived from a surname referring to 'the enclosed forest' or 'fenced wood' in Old English. As a given name, Heywood emerged from the English tradition of using family surnames as first names, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. While never extremely common, it gained some recognition through notable bearers like American filmmaker Heywood Gould and jazz musician Heywood Henry. The name conveys qualities of stability, tradition, and natural strength. It has an aristocratic English feel with its connection to land ownership and geography. Though Heywood has declined in usage in recent decades, it retains appeal for parents seeking a distinctive name with Anglo-Saxon roots and woodland associations.
  10. Rosalba

    • Origin:

      Latin, from the phrase rosa alba

    • Meaning:

      "white rose"

    • Description:

      One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa.
  11. Aideen

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "jealousy"

    • Description:

      A name possibly derived from Etain, an ancient Irish sun and horse goddess whose name is still used. Adina is a related choice.
  12. Aderyn

    • Origin:

      Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      Aderyn, like cousin Elowen, may have found her moment: Aderyn makes an original full name that gets you to the cute and trendy nickname Addie. Just remember to put the emphasis on the second syllable.
  13. Angeli

    • Description:

      Angeli is a feminine name with Italian and Greek roots, derived from 'angelo,' meaning 'angel' or 'messenger.' In Greek, 'angelos' referred to a divine messenger, later adopted into Christian traditions as heavenly beings. The name Angeli represents the plural form of angel in Italian, giving it a collective sense of divine protection. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys greater recognition in Italy, the Philippines, and other regions with strong Catholic influences. The name has a lyrical, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open-vowel ending. Angeli conveys a sense of ethereal beauty and spiritual significance without being overly religious. Its international character makes it recognizable across different cultures while maintaining its distinctive charm.

  14. Ayan

    • Origin:

      Somali

    • Meaning:

      "fortune"

    • Description:

      The African name Ayan was first seen on the US Top 1000 for boys in 2014. It's both simple and distinctive, a winning combination.
  15. Sheenah

    • Description:

      Sheenah is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Sheena, which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Sìne (a form of Jane or Joan) meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, it could relate to the Irish word 'sídhe' (pronounced 'shee'), referring to fairy folk in Celtic mythology, thus carrying connotations of magic and otherworldliness. The name might also connect to the Hebrew word 'shinah' meaning 'beautiful.' Sheenah has never been extremely common but saw modest usage in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century. Its melodic quality and exotic spelling give it a distinctive, gentle charm while maintaining cultural connections to Celtic heritage.

  16. Serina

    • Description:

      Serina is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant of Serena, derived from the Latin word "serenus" meaning "clear, tranquil, or serene." Alternatively, it could be related to the Greek name Seira meaning "chain" or have Persian roots as a variant of Shireen, meaning "sweet." The name has a gentle, melodious quality and has maintained modest popularity across several decades without becoming overly common. Serina appears in various cultures, including Italian, English, and Arabic contexts. The name evokes a sense of peacefulness and grace, with its soft sounds and flowing rhythm making it both elegant and approachable.

  17. Jeannine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Jean

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      This feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
  18. Asante

    • Origin:

      Ashanti, Akan, Twi

    • Meaning:

      "African ethnic group; warlike"

    • Description:

      Although Ashanti is a much better known name via the female hip-hop singer, Asante is also an appealing way to honor Asante or Ashanti heritage. It's the name of a people and language based in Ghana.
  19. Selia

    • Description:

      Selia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, creating a rich tapestry of meanings. It may be a variant of Celia, which derives from the Roman family name Caelius, meaning "heaven" or "heavenly." Alternatively, it could be connected to the Greek name Selene, referring to the moon goddess, thus carrying lunar associations. In some cultures, Selia is considered a diminutive of Selina or Celina. The name has a delicate, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While not among the most common names, Selia has maintained steady usage across various European countries and has seen occasional popularity in English-speaking regions. Its cross-cultural versatility and gentle sound make it appealing to parents seeking a name that is distinctive yet accessible.
  20. Taran

    • Description:

      Taran is a feminine name with diverse cultural roots. In Welsh mythology, Taran refers to thunder, and was associated with the Celtic thunder god. In Sanskrit, the name means 'star' or 'protector.' The name also appears in Slavic cultures with connections to meanings like 'youth' or 'vitality.' While traditionally used for boys in many cultures, Taran has gained popularity as a gender-neutral or feminine name in recent decades. Its short, strong sound appeals to parents looking for a name that is both distinctive and easy to pronounce. The name carries an earthy, elemental quality with its mythological associations while remaining contemporary in feel. Its cross-cultural versatility makes it appealing to families with diverse backgrounds.