Names That Are Variations

Carla

Feminization of Carl, German, Carlo, Italian, and Carlos, Spanish

"free man"

While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent…

Talya

Russian, diminutive of Natalya; also spelling variation of Talia

See TALIA.

Fabienne

French variation of Fabia

"bean grower"

Instead of the usual French suspects -- Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle -- why not consider Fabienne, which is less common and just as pretty.

Fabiana

Italian and Spanish feminine variation of Fabian

"bean grower"

The fashion for elaborate girly-girl names, especially those that end with -ella or -ana, has put this distinctive Latin favorite into play.

Karita

Icelandic and Swedish variation of Carita, Swedish from Latin

"beloved"

Karita and Karitas are the Icelandic spins on Charity, also found as Carita and Caritas throughout Scandinavia. While to the English speakers, these names may feel like a Latinate endearment, they…

Anneli

Scandinavian variation of Annalie or Hannah

"grace"

Anneli is one of the hundreds of Anne variations with an intriguing spelling. This name has been popular throughout Scandinavia over time and would certainly translate easily to English-speaking…

Noémie

French variation of Naomi

Particularly pretty French version of the biblical standard.

Fabia

Latin female variation of Fabian

"bean grower"

Fabia is one of several pleasant international-accented female versions of Fabian.

Nadine

French variation of Nadia, Russian

"hope"

Part of the vogue for French-sounding names in the 1920s and 30s, Nadine has been replaced by the Russian sound of Nadia and Natasha.

Karissa

Spelling variation of Carissa

Both Karissa and Carissa are trending downward, along with the other issa names that first rose to popularity in the 1970s. Karissa fell out of the Top 1000 in 2014, two years after Carissa.

Munro

Spelling variation of Monroe

Possibly to honor Canadian short story writer Alice -- though Alice is more far accessible and--until very recently-- nearly as distinctive.

Morna

Irish and Scottish variation of Myrna

"festive; affection, endearment"

Poetic name that's terminally mournful, though its meaning is anything but. Myrna plays a powerful role in Irish legend.

Evalyn

Spelling variation of Evelyn

"desired; water, island"

This variation draws more from Eva than from Eve, which might lead to pause as to whether it should be said EHV-eh-lin or EEV-eh-lin. While the former is more popular in the US, both pronunciations…

Monique

French variation of Monica

"advisor"

The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.

Moira

Irish, variation of Mary

"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"

Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes , Moira…

Evonne

French variation of Yvonne

A variation made famous by Australian Aboriginal tennis champ Evonne Goolagong.

Annalie

Nordic, German

"grace"

Melodious and unusual form of a name with an uncountable number of variations. Many will understand it as the more down-to-earth Annalee.

Randa

English, feminine variation of Randall; also Arabic

"delicate desert tree"

Sounds incomplete, like a pet form of Miranda.

Mirabella

Italian variation of Mirabelle

"wonderful"

The short-lived magazine edited by former Vogue chief Grace Mirabella put this beautiful name off-limits for a while, but now it's perfectly fit to join the fashionable Bella pantheon. More…