By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 139 pages
of 139
Latin, feminine variation of Severino
"stern, serious"
Not only stern and serious, but a little too severe.
English, variation of Foster
"scissors maker"
Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India , Howard's End , and A Room with a View . But if you choose…
Latin, female variation of Nicasio
"victorious"
An interesting and unusual member of the "Nic" family--far more distinctive than NICOLE or NICOLA.
Spanish variation of Serafina, Hebrew
Would certainly be misconstrued as SERAFINA, adding a lot of confusion to a little girl's life.
Swedish and Dutch variation of Klaes, form of Nicholas
"victory of the people"
Pronounced klaus, this spelling of the name is associated in this country with the major Pop Art sculptor Swedish-born Claes Oldenburg, known for his colossal public sculptures of everyday objects…
Irish, variation of Laura
"bay laurel"
As represented by supermodel Laragh McCann, gives the ordinary LAURA or LARA a soft Irish accent.
Spelling variation of Cornelius
"horn"
Cornelious is an elaborated spelling variant of Cornelius, a masculine name with ancient Roman roots. The name derives from the Roman clan name Cornelius, possibly stemming from the Latin word…
Spelling variation of Ephraim, Hebrew
"fruitful, fertile, productive"
The Ephram spelling, a phonetic spin on the original, may gain ground as it's the one used for the hero's name in the novel Ruby by Cynthia Bond, the new pick for Oprah's book club.
Spelling variation of Lisa
"pledged to God"
While Liesa is the German short form of mother name Elizabeth, Leisa is a spelling variation and is pronounced just like Lisa, though some people say it Lee-sha.
Spelling variation of Dalton
Stick with the original.
English, variation of Rae, diminutive of Rachel
"ewe"
Rae is one of the coolest middle name choices: why not leave it at that?
Hungarian feminine variation of Timaeus or invented name
"honor; good spirits, cheerful"
Familiar in Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Czechia, and Slovakia, but rare elsewhere, Timea is a name with several possible origins. Some suggest is was a literary invention, created by the writer Mór…
German variation of Mary
"bitter"
Pronounced MY-keh, this German form of Mary was very popular a few decades ago. Might make a fresh alternative to Mikayla and sisters. The Frisian version is Maike, and the Biblical male Micah sounds…
Mary has hundreds of variations around the world, and this German form, pronounced Ma-RYE-keh, is virtually unknown in English-speaking lands. A possible alternative to Mariah?
Persian, variation of Naveed
"good news"
Usher put this spin on an attractive and popular Iranian name when he chose it for his son.
Greek, female variation of Aeneas
"the praised one"
This name found in the fantasy series Endymion/Rise of Endymion has a slightly physiological feel to it.
Irish variation of Maura or Mary
Unusual Mary variety with literary underpinnings, most famously as a character in J.M. Synge's Riders to the Sea . You may have to do constant explaining of the spelling and pronunciation, but if…
Italian variation of Blaise
"one who stutters or lisps"
Surprising relative of the French saints' name Blaise, which is definitely easier on the English ear than vowelsome Italian version. Also spelled BIAGIO.
Swedish and Norwegian variation of Tove
"beautiful"
Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
Feminine variation of Jonah, Hebrew
"dove"
Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.
