Names That Are Variations
Across 139 pages
of 139
Gracia
Spanish variation of Grace
Although Gracia is the literal Spanish translation of Grace and is used as the Grace equivalent in Spanish-speaking countries, where it's pronounced grah-see-ah or grah-thee-ah, it's also a long-time…
Celie
French variation of Cecilia
"blind"
Attractive, underused name made famous by the heroine of The Color Purple. Still, if you're going to go to Celie, why not go all the way to Celia or Cecelia? You can always use Celie for short.
Gwyladyss
Old Welsh variation of Gladys
Gwyladyss is an Old Welsh variation of the New Welsh Gladys, pronounced like the more familiar form, but modern English speakers can be forgiven for not knowing that. Gladys would be a difficult…
Giuseppina
Italian feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
One case where the English version -- Josephine -- is far preferable.
Cela
Spelling variation of Sela
"rock"
This spelling variation of the Biblical place-name Sela is found on early American census roles, but Sela is more usual today. Cella is another early variation.
Cecily
Feminine variation of Cecil
"blind"
Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily…
Silje
Danish
"variation of Celia"
This Danish variation of Celia / Cecilia is quite popular in Denmark in recent years.
Aryana
Spelling variation of Ariana
Both Ariana and Arianna sit comfortably in the US Top 100, so it makes sense that Aryana with the trendy y would join the fray. However, due to its inevitable confusion with the other spellings and…
Aphra
Hebrew, variation of Aphrah
"dust"
Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific…
Addyson
Spelling variation of Addison
"son of Adam"
Variation of the very trendy Addison, perhaps lending itself more obviously to the nickname Addy.
Abbigail
Spelling variation of Abigail, Hebrew
"my father is joyful"
A fast-rising variation of Abigail that was shooting up the popularity charts a few years ago, but whose star is now falling now that Abigail is not quite as hot as she once was.
Giulia
Italian variation of Julia
"youthful"
An Italian version of an English classic beginning to be adopted by cutting-edge American parents, including Entourage 's Debi Mazar.
Síle
Irish Gaelic
"blind"
The Irish Gaelic form of Cecilia, which is the origin of the Anglicized version Sheila, which subsequently became very popular across the English-speaking world.
Giuditta
Italian variation of Judith
Italian accent glamorizes even Judith.
Margarita
Spanish, Russian, Greek
"pearl, daisy"
Margarita is an international form of Margaret that shares its meaning of "pearl", but also directly translates to "daisy" in Spanish and Greek. Despite being widely associated with the alcoholic…
Ceara
Spelling variation of Irish Ciara
Even though the pronunciation of Ceara and the more usual Ciara is KEER-a, most Americans would tend to mispronounce this spelling variation as Sierra.
Giavanna
Spelling variation of Giovanna
This spelling made its way into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, fell off in 2014, then reentered in 2015. This spelling variation is riding the original's popularity, and we anticipate both…
Giordana
Italian variation of Jordana
Spelling twist makes it more striking.
Aryanna
Spelling variation of Ariana/Arianna, Greek
"most holy"
In all its iterations, this name is on the rise. Ariana and Arianna are both highly popular choices in the US, and as with other popular appellations, creative spellings are inevitable. The trendy y…
Gillian
Feminine variation of Julian
"youthful"
Gillian is a name that was in common usage in Great Britain until the 1970s, when it dropped out of the Top 100 and is yet to return. Until recently, it had not crossed the Atlantic in significant…