Names That Are Variations
Across 139 pages
of 139
Bard
English, Gaelic
"minstrel, poet"
A literary word name, now synonymous with Shakespeare, Bard also refers more generally to a poet, particularly one who recited epics and traditional poems out loud. Similar in sound to Bernard,…
Carlie
Variation of Carly, English
"free man"
The ie ending injects this late 20th century favorite with a bit of late 19th century charm. But not quite enough to make it a good 21st century choice.
Bazel
Slavic variation of Basil
"regal"
Gives a good boy name a bad boy feel.
Dix
Latin
"tenth"
Once a birth order name, now might work as a cool x-ending nickname. But be warned that it sounds very close to an unfortunate slang term.
Venya
Russian, diminutive of Venedikt, variation of Benedict
Vanya is much more familiar.
Benoit
French variation of Benedict
"blessed"
Once you get past the pronunciation hurdle, a smooth and elegant choice. In French, it's spelt with a circumflex: Benoît.
Ophira
Hebrew
"gold"
Feminine form of Ophir, a Biblical place name famed for its riches.
Beñat
Basque
"variation of Bernard"
This Basque name is more unusual and attractive than the grandfather-ish Bernard.
Odile
French variation of German Otthild
"prospers in battle"
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of…
Bligh
English variation of Blythe
Too tightly associated with the real-life villainous Captain Bligh of The Mutiny on the Bounty.
Federica
Italian, feminine variation of Frederick, German
"peaceful ruler"
Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that…
Danya
Russian variation of Daniel
Appealing Daniel diminutive, similar to other Russian names like Vanya and Ilya.
Ottavia
Italian, variation of Latin Octavia
"eight"
Softer and more romantic than Octavia, this is a name once used when it wasn't uncommon for families to have eight children. A possible substitute for the epidemically popular Olivia.
Braedon
Irish, variation of Bradan
"salmon"
One of the many, many, many variations of this name very popular with parents, including actor Kevin Sorbo.
Oberon
English spelling variation of Auberon
"noble, bearlike"
The name of the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream ; could work just as well for your little sprite.
Branden
Spelling variation of Brandon
The en ending is so fashionable these days, a lot of people prefer it even when the alternative as with Brandon has more heft.
Brannon
Irish variation of Brennan
Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
Brendon
Spelling variation of Brendan
Bretton
Spelling variation of Breton, French
"from Brittany"
Veering toward Brittany.
Faunia
Latin feminine variation of Faunus
"to befriend"
Faunia is more often rendered as Fauna, who was a Roman goddess of fertility, women and healing. Faunia was the downtrodden yet loving heroine of Philip Roth's Human Stain . Faunia and Fauna have…