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Ancient (mostly) and/or Internationally-Inspired Names

  1. Ilaria
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Hilary
    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"
    • Description:

      Hilary may feel too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.
  2. Adara
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "maidens; noble, exalted"
    • Description:

      A charming multicultural choice with a daring yet grounded sound, Adara is a both a Hebrew name with a noble meaning, and an Arabic name with ties to astronomy. Popular in Puerto Rico and Spain, it is also on the rise in the US.
  3. Luciana
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Lucianus
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Lushly elaborate name that makes Lucy more grownup and sensual. Carnie Wilson chose it for her daughter. Lucianus is an ancient Roman family name and Lucianus of Samosata was an early satirist. Heard most often in the Italian and Spanish cultures, Luciana is usually pronounced loo-chee-anna.
  4. Aziza
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful and beloved"
    • Description:

      Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a Turkish variation is Azize. In African mythology, the Azizi are a supernatural race of forest dwellers who give practical and spiritual advice.
  5. Calixto
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"
    • Description:

      Calixto is known in Spain as the name of three popes, one of whom was the martyr, Callixtus I, regarded as a saint. Calixto has a lot of energy and futuristic spirit, thanks in part to the attention-grabbing 'x.' He is the main character in the Spanish classic, Fernando de Rojas's Tragicomedy of Calixto and Melibea.
  6. Wystan
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "battle stone"
    • Description:

      Dignified first name of poet W. H. Auden, less exposed than his currently stylish surname.
  7. Raleigh
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of roe deer"
    • Description:

      Attractive North Carolina place-name and surname of explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. Distinctive, classy-but-approachable choice for either sex.
  8. Jubal
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "ram's horn"
    • Description:

      This unusual name might be a possibility for musical families: Jubal was credited in Genesis with the invention of the lyre, flute, harp, and organ. It also has a jubilant feel through its sound and meaning, and has had some southern popularity via Confederate general Jubal Anderson Early. George Eliot wrote a poem called The Legend of Jubal.
  9. Piran
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"
    • Description:

      It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.
  10. Zahir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "helper, supporter"
    • Description:

      A popular name in the Middle East and one of the most evocative choices of its genre. One of the 99 names of Allah. The feminine form is Zahira.
  11. Rhodri
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "wheel, circle"
    • Description:

      Rhodri, the name of an important ninth century Welsh king known as Rhodri the Great, a renowned warrior who was the ancestor of many of the later dynasties of Wales, was revived in modern Wales. Has a nice Rory-like feel.
  12. Calixta
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"
    • Description:

      Calista Flockhart may have made her variation of this beautiful Greek name familiar to modern Americans, but the even-edgier x version was the name of an earlier feminist heroine: a character in Kate Chopin's The Storm.
  13. Tarian
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "shield"
    • Description:

      Country singer Travis Tritt is partial to the letter T for his children's names: he has a Tyler, a Tristan, and a son named Tarian. Tarian is a unisex Welsh name which, though used more for girls in Wales, would be perfectly acceptable here for a boy.
  14. Omari
    • Origin:

      Swahili, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "populous, flourishing"
    • Description:

      This name, like Omar and Amari, has been in the US Top 1000 for many years. After taking a downturn in 2008, it's now again on the upswing. Actor Omari Hardwick keeps it in the public eye.
  15. Larkin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"
    • Description:

      The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name, borne by poet Philip Larkin.
  16. Zamir
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic, Albanian
    • Meaning:

      "nightingale, song; heart, conscience, mind; good voice"
    • Description:

      An interesting bird name choice if you're seeking a nonbiblical Hebrew name. The zippy Z sound is appealing to more parents, and Zamir entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022 and was one of the fastest rising names in 2023.
  17. Osric
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "divine ruler"
    • Description:

      Clad in armor. But while this name may have been forbiddingly antiquated not that long ago, the connection to the trendy nickname Os or Oz makes it a real possibility.
  18. Celio
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "belonging to heaven"
    • Description:

      A welcoming name that seems to say "hello". Celio can be thought of as a much rarer male variation of Celia. With heavenly names in the ascendant, we may be hearing lots more of Celio.
  19. Egon
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "strong with a sword"
    • Description:

      Muscular German name that never fully assimilated into American culture.
  20. Zoran
    • Origin:

      Croatian; Serbian; Slovene; Macedonian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn"
    • Description:

      Originating from the word "zora", meaning "dawn" in the South Slavic languages, Zoran is a handsome, edgy name with a distinct Z initial that could easily cross cultures.

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