By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 169 pages
of 169
Polish variation of Francis, Latin
"Frenchman, free man"
French variation of Luna, Latin
"moon"
The modern French take on Luna, ranking in the French Top 100, but sure to cause confusion in the US.
Spanish variation of Gerald
Tightly bound to flamboyant newsman Geraldo Rivera--who was born Gerald..
English, variation of Gregory
"vigilant, a watchman"
This Anglicized surname derived from Latin Gregorius was originally a pastoral occupational name associated with a herder of cattle or sheep. As a first name it would make a fresh alternative to…
German, Russian and Scandinavian variation of Margaret
"pearl"
A common name in many cultures, sometimes spelled Margarethe.
Bulgarian variation of Mariana
"related to the god Mars"
Mariyana is the Bulgarian transliteration of this international Mariana, a name that is related to the Roman god of war, or is used as a compound of Mary (or Maria) and Anna (or Ana), to get the…
English variation of Robert
"bright fame"
All varieties of Hob are antiquated nicknames for Robert, though this one has the "Calvin and Hobbes" cartoon association too. It may also be linked to philosopher Thomas Hobbes, giving it a more…
Welsh and Galician variation of James and Jacob
Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello , was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.
Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, variation of Elijah
"Yahweh is God"
This variation of the Hebrew Elijah is used in various Balkan countries.
Ethiopian, Amharic, variation of Isaac
Issak is a variant of Biblical Isaac used in Ethiopia.
Estonian variation of John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
Estonian translation of John, currently ranking in Estonia's Top 20.
Variation of Namir, Arabic
"leopard"
An animal inspired Arabic name, that could work in Hebrew too.
Latin variation of Arabella
"beautiful altar"
Lacks the vintage charm of the original Arabella, but with the love for all names Bella, it might appeal to some.
Polish variation of George
"farmer"
Writer Jerzy Kosinski put this foreign variation on the U. S. name map.
French feminine variation of Raphael, Hebrew
"God has healed"
American baby girls are usually given an a-ending version of this name -- Rafaela, Raffaella, Raphaella and so forth. But the sleek, sophisticated Raphaelle? Not a single baby girl received that name…
Turkish variation of Rayan, Arabic
"land that is lush and rich in water"
Feminine variation of Sabir
"patient"
Sabira is an appealing Arabic name that refers to one of the essential Quranic qualities of patients. Sabri is another form of the name that can be used for both girls and boys and has a modern,…
Czech variation of Charles
A name that seems to switch genders when it switches nationalities.
Irish variation of John
Sean may be off its peak for boys, but there were still 1300 baby boys named Sean in the US in the most recent year counted, versus only five baby girls. In fact, there were fewer than 30 baby girls…
Spelling variation of Kassian or Cassian
As the ancient saint's name Cassian becomes more widely known and more popular, variations will proliferate. Kasian is one but creates pronunciation questions.
