By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 169 pages
of 169
Italian variation of Benedicta, Latin
"blessed"
The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.
Scandinavian variation of Birgit
"exalted one"
Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown in the US, Berit is could make an off-beat alternative to Betty, Beth, or Merritt for those with Scandinavian ancestry.
American variation of Caitlin or Kaylin
While the Cailin spelling doesn't appear on popularity charts, other forms such as Kaylin and Kaylen do, along with several similar names, from Caitlin to Jalen to Kayla. The result: a name that…
Finnish variation of Andrew, English from Greek
"strong, manly"
The Finnish form of Andrew is featured in mythology as Antero Vipunen, a giant in Finland's national legend the Kalevala
Variation of Cameron or Aboriginal
"crooked nose; of the wind"
Camira is one of those rare names that feels at once familiar and unique. A handful of baby girls were named Camira in the US last year.
Variation of Kaylee, English
"laurel, crown"
With its C spelling, Cayley is softer than its more popular counterpart, Kayley. It's never ranked in the US Top 1000 and at this point probably never will, now that the -aylee, -ayley, and -aylie…
German variation of Augustus, Augustine, Augustin
"great, magnificent"
Confessional memoirist Augusten Burroughs is the first literary notable to bear one of this family of names since the confessional saint.
English variation of Denise, French from Greek
"god of Nysa"
French variation of Aimeric and Heimirch, German, English
"estate ruler; home ruler"
Pronounced with either two or three syllables, Aymeric is a rare, French way to honor a Henry. Derived from Aimeric, itself from the Germanic Heimrich and the English Henry, Aymeric makes an…
Greek variation of Alexis
Rather than confusing things with Elexis, we'd stick with the original Alexis version.
English variation of Barnabas, Aramaic
"son of consolation"
Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it…
West African variation of Fatima
"a woman who abstains"
Fatima, a popular Muslim name, was a daughter of Muhammad and one of the four perfect women of the Quran. Fatumata (also spelled Fatoumata) and its short form Fatou are West African variations.
Spelling variation of Brixton, British place name
Brixton is a once-tough now-gentrifying-and-cool area of London that has also become one of the hottest boys' names in the US, entering the Top 1000 names list in 2015. Spelling variation Brixten was…
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…
Japanese
"present, now"
Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.
Greek or Welsh
"violet; beautiful lady"
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that…
Spanish, feminine variation of Jove, Roman king of the gods
Lively and joyful. Jovie could be a cute short form.
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…
Finnish variation of Asketill, Norse
"helmet of God"
Cool Finnish name ripe for import.
Italian variation of Letitia
"gladness"
Letizia is a pretty Latin variation of Letitia; it's one of those Italian names for girls that makes the more familiar version feel less prissy and more appealing. Letizia was the first name of…
