User-created list
By OliviaJayne · Updated June 2022
Across 3 pages
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French
"desired, wished"
One of the original French names chosen by midcentury parents for their sophistication and je ne sais quoi , Desiree has since become completely assimilated in the US. It ranked in the Top 1000 from…
Celtic
"island of apples"
Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina--…
Irish Gaelic
"beautiful, radiant"
Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh , meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman…
Latin
"evening star"
This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming…
Variation of Holly, English nature name
This alternate spelling of Holly is still quite popular in the UK but hasn't seen use in the US since the end of the millennium.
Diminutive of Theodora, Greek
"gift of God"
Cute boyish short forms like Stevie, Scottie, Frankie and Billie are in some ways a relic of the past, when girls were given feminized versions of their father's names, but now, they're back in as…
Persian
"splendid"
Associated with the ancient Rosetta stone, this is also the pretty Italian pet form of Rosa.
French, Irish
"from Arcy; dark one"
A surname style choice, familiarly used in the UK, Darcey is a variation of Darcy and Darcie. Popularized by ballerina Darcey Bussell, it currently ranks in the Top 400 in the UK, below the…
Honour is a feminine virtue name derived from the Latin 'honor,' representing high respect, recognition, and integrity. Used primarily in English-speaking countries, particularly with British…
Spanish, diminutive of Lola and Dolores, Spanish
"lady of sorrows"
In Nabokov's notorious novel, Lolita is the pet name given by the pedophilic narrator, Humbert Humbert, to his victim: a young girl called Dolores and nicknamed Lola or Lo by her mother. Still, it…
Welsh variation of Jane
"God is gracious"
Simple and pretty and user-friendly, the Welsh Sian was used by U2's Dave "the Edge" Evans for his daughter. In Welsh, it is also spelled Siân.
Short form of Harriet, English
"estate ruler"
Harri and Harrie are two underused short forms of the under-appreciated classic Harriet. Another adorable nickname, Hattie, is used more than three times as much as Harriet.
Lulah is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Lula, which itself could be a diminutive of Louise (meaning "renowned warrior") or Talullah (meaning "leaping…
