Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved early Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner. In opera, Gilda lives on as the name of the daughter of Rigoletto.

Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.

An unusual old school name which is made more modern by that fashionable El- beginning.

This lovely Indian name could spruce up Sarah. It has at least two distinguished bearers — Sarojini Naidu (freedom fighter and poet) and Sarojini Sahoo, a modern Indian feminist writer and journalist.

Named for its snowcapped mountains, Nevada is a state name which, unlike Carolina, Montana, and Dakota, has been relatively undiscovered. Warning: today's unvisited place-name could become tomorrow's trampled tourist attraction.

Strong West African name with the common element ade, meaning "crown".