By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 139 pages
of 139
Italian variation of Thaddeus
"gift of God"
A particularly charming spin on the original, as is the Spanish name Tadeo. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016.
Latinized form of German Tielo or Till
"people"
One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys…
Scandinavian, variation of Thurston
"Thor's stone"
Thurston Howell was the snooty millionaire on Gilligan's Island , but these days such surname names don't have the same elitist air.
Danish, Old Norse, Greek
"thunder; luck, fortune, chance"
The modern Tyge, also found in other European countries as Tygo, Tyko, Tage, and Tycho, can be considered a form of the Old Norse Tóki, a diminutive for any names containing the Thor element. In…
Scottish variation of William
Most Americans would take the easy way out and spell it Willem, as in artist de Kooning and actor Dafoe.
Irish variation of William
A spelling that would definitely attract a lot of attention -- and a certain amount of confusion as well.
German and Scandinavian variation of Walter
Vill always sound as if you're pronouncing Walter with an affected accent.
Greek variation of Benedict
Though this one would be sure to inspire confusion, Ven- names can be an intriguing alternative to the Ben- group.
Hungarian variation of Hilary
Would make an interesting, cinema-related choice: King Vidor is in the Guinness Book of Records as the film director with the longest career, beginning in the silent era..
German variation of William
The way Wilhelm is pronounced anyway, so a pointless spelling variation.
Finnish variation of William
Inventive nickname option, but with built-in pronunciation problems.
Czech variation of William
Substituting the V for the W sounds almost comedic to the American ear.
French variation of Walter
"ruler of an army"
Often spelled Gauthier, this could make a distinctive way to honor Grandpa Walter, but first syllable pronounced 'goat' might be a problem.
Latin, from Greek, variation of Xanthos
"golden-haired"
Spelt Xanthos in Greek, this alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound (pronounced ZHAN-thus) and can always be shortened to Xan.
Spanish variation of Simon
The J spelling -- both are pronounced as if they started with H -- is more common, but the X has more flair.
French variation of Zachary
This is one you will get tired of explaining.
Hungarian variation of Zachariah
If for whatever reason you're wed to the whole Zachary concept, this variation -- either as a proper name or a nickname -- is one way to make it new.
French variation of Zephyr
"west wind"
This name feels warmer and more human-appropriate in its longer version, but still retains that breezy feel. Trivia tidbit: Zephyrinus was a Jewish pope.
Egyptian mythological name or variation of Seth, Hebrew
"appointed, placed"
Author Toni Morrison is an acknowledged master of naming, and Sethe, the name of one of the main characters of Beloved , which can be pronounced as Seth or Seth-eh, relates to the male biblical name…
Polish variation of Catherine
"pure"
Countless notable figures from Polish history, and one America's Next Top Model contestant, have used this version of Catherine, made extra spicy by that "zy." Those interested in honoring a relative…
