Names That Mean Sweetness

Anike is an attractive name with ties to several cultures, both African and Scandinavian. The African pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable while the Nordic one emphasizes the first. While there will be inevitable confusion over pronunciation, either form is "correct".

Miguel de Cervantes invented this elaborate-sounding name -- which roughly translates as "sweetness" -- for the beautiful maiden Don Quixote is obsessed with in his great novel. Even in the fictional world of the book, though, Dulcinea is not the woman's real name; Aldonza is. And because she never appears in person in the text, it's unclear whether she is as beautiful and saintly as the protagonist believes her to be. Probably not, given Don Quixote's track record.

Ear-catching alternative to Lydia.

A charming Yoruba name that could easily cross cultures. In Yoruba, the word adùn also means "flavor" and aadun is a popular street food.

Dulcinia is a rare variation of this name from Don Quixote. Neither variation was used for any baby girls in the US last year.