Names That Are Variations
Across 139 pages
of 139
Baylee
Variation of Bailey, English occupational name
"law enforcer, bailiff"
This Bailey variation is the second most popular spelling for girls, and while the -ee ending does make it more feminine, it feels more substantial in the original form. Bailee and Bayley are two…
Barrie
Feminine variation of Barry
"spear"
The kind of cutesy female spin not popular since Barry was big for boys, several decades ago. Consider Bara instead.
Barbro
Scandinavian variation of Barbara
A more upbeat, modern-sounding version of a granny name.
Varvara
Russian, Greek, and Czech variation of Barbara
An interesting and appealingly international spin on Barbara, with a lot of charm and energy.
Basilia
Greek, feminine variation of Basil
Rare but attractive female form of Basil.
Sheba
Hebrew, short variation of Bathsheba
"daughter of an oath"
This biblical place-name for the region now known as Yemen started to feel fresh again as the name of the heroine of Zoe Heller's Notes on a Scandal , played on screen by Cate Blanchett. Sheba is…
Beatriz
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Beatrice
"she who brings happiness; blessed"
Attractive translation of Beatrice, popular with Hispanic parents. Beatriz is currently a Top 10 girl name in Portugal. The original Latin form of the name, Beatrix, was in early sources spelled…
Belia
Spanish variation of Bella
Pretty and unusual translation of Bella.
Benilde
French variation of Latin
"good"
The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.
Berit
Scandinavian variation of Birgit
"exalted one"
Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown in the US, Berit is could make an off-beat alternative to Betty, Beth, or Merritt for those with Scandinavian ancestry.
Wilhelmina
German and Dutch, feminine variation of Wilhelm
"resolute protection"
Wilhelmina might once have been condemned as a clunky relic best left in the past, but a steadily increasing number of parents are dusting it off for their 21st century babies. A reasonably popular…
Birgit
Scandinavian variation of Brighid
"strength"
Birgit is pronounced with a hard ' g ' and is one of the many international versions of the Irish Bridget. Birgit Nilsson was a celebrated Swedish operatic soprano.
Roberta
Feminine variation of Robert, English from German
"bright fame"
Roberta has been one of the most successful feminization names, up at #64 in 1936. It's a name that's found all over children's lit, often nicknamed Bobbie or Robbie, though Bertie is another…
Brea
Spelling variation of Bria or short form of Breana, English
"strong, virtuous and honorable"
Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe…
Breana
Variation of Briana, English
"strong, virtuous and honorable"
While this spelling is running a close second on the popularity charts to the original Briana, it feels more invented — probably because it is. Some parents may want to move further away from Brian,…
Breanna
Variation of Brianna, English
"strong, virtuous and honorable"
The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want…
Brigid
Irish variation of Brighid
"strength or exalted one"
Brigid is the simpler Irish version of the name of the goddess of fire, which may also be spelled Brighid. Other variations include Bridget, the most usual spelling in the U.S., and the French…
Brigitte
French variation of Brighid
"strength or exalted one"
Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
Britta
Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt
"strength or exalted one"
If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.
Brigidine
Irish variation of Brighid
Brigidine is a unique take on Bridget used by singer Sinead O'Connor. But assuming you're not an Irish rock star, you'd probably do better to stop at Brigid.