By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 169 pages
of 169
Irish variation of Mary, Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea; bitter; beloved; love"
Almost as popular in the 1950s among the Irish in Boston as it was with those back in Bray, Maureen was once among the most prominent Irish names for girls in the US but has fallen from favor along…
Italian variation of Raphaela, Hebrew
"God has healed"
Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela. Rafaela is the most…
Polish variation of Isaac
See ISAAC.
Scandinavian, feminine variation of Tyr, an ancient Indo-European god
High profile supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks has put this name in the spotlight, endowing it with her confident, superattractive image.
Spelling variation of Deborah
"bee"
When Deborah seemed too formal in the laid-back sixties, Debra stepped in as a pared-down alternative, but the pendulum is about to swing back.
Variation of Emery; variation of Amari, German; Hebrew
"industrious; eternal"
When pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable, Emari is considered a variation of Emery, a stylish unisex name common among baby girls. But in most cases, Emari is used as an alternate…
Greek
"lover of singing"
See PHILOMENA.
Variation of Carson, English and Scottish surname
"son of the marsh-dwellers"
While Carson and its spelling variations lean masculine, many parents still see the appeal of this surname name for girls each year.
English variation of Lee
"pasture, meadow"
This spelling adds a little more femininity to the neutral Lee. Leigh and sister Lee were quite popular in the 1960s and 1970s among the first cool wave of unisex names for girls, but now have…
Spelling variation of Six
This number-adjacent name was first used in 2019 in the US, while a more recent count saw it given to 23 boys (and five girls). It follows in the footsteps of Sevyn.
Russian, Sanskrit
"victor; house"
Sharp and spiky with international potential, as a feminine name, Nikita has its roots in Hindi, Marathi, and ultimately Sanskrit. It comes from niketa , meaning "home, habitation", and may also be…
French variation of Tziporah, Hebrew
"bird"
This lovely name is a softened French version of Tziporah, the biblical wife of Moses. Unfortunately, in the US, it's become attached to the cosmetics franchise. The brand Sephora claims to have…
Modern variation of Silas, Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, Greek
"of the forest; prayed for; zeal"
Biblical and literary name Silas is already super cool and sleek, but some parents have been modernizing it by spelling it Sylas, Zylas, and now Zylus. Given to 66 boys in 2024 compared to just 6 the…
Russian, variation of Yuliya, cognate of Julia
"youth"
This is the Armenian version of the familia Julia, which has a rich and evocative sound. Other variations are Iuliya, and the diminitive Yulya.
Ethiopian or Slovene variation of Rozalija
"a people from southwest Ethiopia; rose"
Simple but sultry.
Spelling variation of Adelaide, German
"noble, nobility"
Many girls' names beginning with Ad- are enjoying newfound popularity, mainly Adelaide, Adeline, and Ada. Adalaide is a spelling that bridges the gap between Ada and Adelaide, which in German come…
Bosnian variation of Ayla, Turkish
"halo, moonlight"
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
"mild, merciful"
A more romantic form of old school Clement, which ranks in the Top 100 boy names in Chile. Clemente, like Clement, derives from the Late Latin name Clemens, the name of 14 popes and several saints.
English variation of Leroy
Once a staple of the 1920s, like Leroy and Elwood, Elroy is languishing in style limbo now. One feature that might make it worth a second glance is its royal meaning, for those looking for a vintage…
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.
