Names That Mean Name

Familiar-but-new, Zealand has a lot going for it with its spunky Z initial and globe-trotting vibes. Sparingly used for boys since the 2000s and even more occasionally used for girls since 2010, YouTube family The Labrants brought this name into the spotlight when they called their son Zealand in 2019.
 
Since then, the number of boys called Zealand has greatly increased, while for girls, it has seen a very modest increase in use. Givento 6 girls in a recent year (along with 110 boys), it remains a <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/210/place-names-off-the-map">a rare place name for babies</a>. 
 
In terms of etymology, Zealand is the English translation of the Dutch province, Zeeland (originally called Seelant), though it's more commonly associated with New Zealand, the Oceanic country named by the Dutch. The name translates to "sea land", making this <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/641/names-that-mean-ocean">an ocean inspired choice</a>.
 
Similar in style to Holland and close in sound to Zaylee, perhaps Zealand will see more use in the future.

Zealand

Almond may seem like a hippy modern name, but its use for American boys goes right back to the mid-nineteenth century. In these cases, it was either a variation of Almund, meaning "noble strength," or the surname Aleman, meaning "German."

Almond

Dittany

Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.

If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa, which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter, to prepare for the coming spring.

For our part, we like February along with December and January as <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/89/winter-baby-names">names for winter babies</a>; we also like the possibility of Airy and Rue as nicknames.

A possible stumbling block, however, is that clumsy "bruary" sound in the middle that no one ever quite gets right.

February

The kittiwake is a black, white and grey seabird which takes its name from its distinctive call. A dramatic nature-inspired middle name or a super quirky route to the nickname Kit.

Kittiwake

Nicandra is the name of a plant known as apple-of-peru and also shoo-fly plant. It's also the feminine form of Nicander, an ancient Greek poet, physician, and grammarian.

Nicandra is the name of the heroine of the novel Loving and Giving by the Anglo-Irish writer Molly Keane.

Nicandra

A pagoda, a tiered tower for religious use found in Asia, is admittedly a very unlikely source of inspiration for a baby name. However, Pagoda was used as a character name in Wes Anderson's 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums.
 
The etymology of the word is contested, with some sources suggesting it derived from the Portuguese word pagode, which in turn may have come from the Persian butkada, meaning "idol dwelling." Another theory posits that it comes from a South Chinese pronunciation of the word for an eight-sided tower.

Pagoda

One of several fascinating names used in Charlaine Harris's Midnight, Texas books and the NBC adaptation thereof, Fiji is a pleasingly quirky place name that's been little used for babies. Though it has been used quite a lot for fancy bottled water, we don't think it quite qualifies as a <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/10/water-baby-names">water name</a>.

Fiji

Musical choice that might work great in the middle. Alternative in all its forms, Fife and sister name Fifer are <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/472/scottish-names-for-girls">Scottish names for girls</a> that can make a new twist on Piper.

Fife

Lupine

Made familiar as a baby name via Tiger Woods, whose birth name is Eldrick. The golf star has made it a viable option for baby boys, and a handful of girls are also given the name each year in the US.

Tiger

Conifer

A rarely used nature name with a gentle sound, Aloe appears as a (masculine) name in Akwaeke Emezi's fantasy novel, Pet, and in its sequel Bitter. Reminiscent of Arlo and Milo, Aloe is associated with the soothing, healing qualities of Aloe Vera.
 
While Aloe has never been given to more than five boys in the US, in a recent year, it was chosen for eleven girls.

Aloe

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.

Swan

We suggest sticking to George or Jorge, due to the unfortunate definition of gorge: to eat greedily.

Gorge

Tatjana is an interesting twist on an already uncommon name, borne by German-born supermodel Tatjana Patitz. Note that as j is pronounced as y in German, the name is spoken just like sisters Tatiana and Tatyana.

Tatjana

A pretty blue wildflower traditionally considered a universal healer and lucky charm – the name is because the sight was thought to speed travelers safely on their way. An interesting addition to the group of handsome boy names ending in -well, like Maxwell and Bramwell.

Speedwell

Dynamic new word name possibility with the cool Ev- starting sound.

Evoke

The name of a port town in Maine, named after the birthplace of one of its founders Alexander Shapleigh, of Kittery Court, Devon, England.