Names That Are Variations
Across 139 pages
of 139
Dael
Dutch variation of Dale
Dael is cooler than Dale -- but why? Vowel switch gives an old nature name a hipper look.
Joan
English feminine variation of John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
Joan was the perfect name choice for one of the leading characters on Mad Men , being a quintessential girls' name of the period. A Top 10 name in the 30s, a Top 50 name from the 40s through the…
Cydney
Variation of Sydney, English from French
"Saint Denis"
Unnecessary complication.
Jethra
Feminization of Jethro, Hebrew
"excellence"
Rare and ethereal.
Cristina
Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, and Romanian variation of Christina, Greek
"a Christian"
Cristina is one case where the streamlined version feels more alluring. Cristina is found more often than Christina in many European countries and cultures, including Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking…
Bayleigh
Spelling variation of Bailey
Needlessly confusing; stick with Bailey.
Bailee
Spelling variation of Bailey
Like other "ee" names, Bailee is starting to lose its shine, slowly slipping down the charts.
Jessamy
English, variation of Jessamine
"jasmine flower"
Jessamy and big sister Jessamine are all but unknown in the U.S., but make distinctive alternatives to overexposed Jessica, Jessie, and Jasmine.
Jenifry
Cornish variation of the Welsh name Gwenfrewi
"white peace"
This Celtic saint's name is the most offbeat Jen name of all.
Cosima
Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek
"order, beauty, universe"
Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in…
Yelena
Russian variation of Helen
"bright, shining one"
One of many international versions of this classic.
Jelena
Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Estonian
"light"
A pretty international form of Helena used in many Slavic languages, also sometimes spelled Yelena.
Cornelia
Feminine variation of Cornelius, Latin
"horn"
In ancient Rome, Cornelia was considered the paragon of womanly virtue, making it a handsome name with an excellent pedigree. It's rare today, so if you want a name no one else is using, somewhat…
Ayn
English
"grace"
Ayn is a nonconformist name associated with controversial Russian-born writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, (born Alisa) author of The Fountainhead , who adopted it when she moved to the US in 1926.
Jeanne
French variation of Jean
"God is gracious"
Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
Jenica
Romanian variation of Jane
"God is gracious"
Jenica might work if you can't decide between Jennifer and Jessica. It's certainly a more distinctive option.
Jeannine
French variation of Jean
"God is gracious"
This feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt…
Korey
Variation of Cory, English, or Corey, Irish
"from the hollow"
Korey was never widely used for girls, while sisters Cory and Corey faded from the Top 1000 in the mid-90s though they hang on for boys. With the rise of the classic name Cora, derived from the Greek…
Aiyana
American from Arabic or African
"large eyes, or time, or beautiful flower"
Aiyana is a name that could easily cross cultures. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 1999 and hovers near the bottom of the Top 1000.
Yasmine
Arabic variation of Jasmine
"jasmine flower"
Any of the Y forms, which also include Yasmeen, Yasmin, and Yasmina, make this name more unusual and distinctive.