Names That Mean Brilliant

Wilbur is a stylish name in the UK whose merits are just starting to be discovered in the US. Wilbur, the loveable pig who Charlotte of the Web called Some Pig, is an inspirational hero. And Wilbur and Orville Wright were early aviationists.

One of the names of the sun god Apollo, this is better known in its feminine form, Phoebe.

Years ago we might have said that this name was unthinkable, but with old-fashioned names being so popular right now (consider Atticus, Leonidas, Arthur, Jasper, Augustus etc) what's to stop Cuthbert from becoming more wearable? Bertie is a cute (and very fashionable) nickname option for this grand old name.

This comes from Faivish, the Yiddish form of Phoebus, the Greek sun god...and it's also the little mouse in "An American Tail."

Irish Gaelic form of Evelyn or Aveline, more authentically spelled Eibhlín.

This name belongs to the eponymous heroine of Rossini's opera Zelmira (1822) about a (fictional) princess of Lesbos who saves her father and husband and her kingdom.

A common Vietnamese name heard evenly for boys and girls in the U.S. Sounds like tahn or tong, depending on what part of Vietnam you come from.

One of the most easily imported Arabic names.

Some cutting-edge parents might revive Osbert as a substitute for Oscar. We like the "divinely brilliant" meaning. Cool or terminally nerdy? Your call.

Ancient saint's name used for cowardly cartoon lion.

Like Norbert and Hubert, feels terminally dated -- in addition to which it's a nut.

A male Spanish given name derived from the Latin name Fulgentius.

A li'l hell-raiser name in the Ryder-Rogue-Rebel vein.

A short and bright Arabic name with that zippy Z initial.

A common Vietnamese name heard for both boys and girls in the U.S.

Cuthbert is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon, so Cuddy too may be lost to history.

An Indian boy name with an appealing meaning.

A pretty Arabic possibility which would work well in many languages.

Just one letter separates Alohi from the famous Hawaiian greeting "aloha," but that one letter makes all the difference.