Names That Mean Form

This feminization of Anthony, like other early French forms, such as Babette and Nanette, is not heard as often as it once was, but it could be time for a reappraisal of this delicate Gallic choice. 
 The name is most familiar via the ill-fated Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution. Antoinette Giry is a character in Phantom of the Opera. And the theatrical Tony awards were named for theatrical actress and director Antoinette Perry (born Mary Antoinette). 
 Other options: Antonia and Antonella.

Antoinette

The name of one of the Three Wise Men from the East is heard in several European countries, but rarely in the US. Last year about 50 baby boys were named Gaspar in the US vs. about 200 named Casper, still haunted for some by the cartoon ghost. Root name Jasper is by far the most popular of the group.

Gaspar

The Portuguese version of the Old Testament name Hosea was the fastest-rising boys' name of 2017, in percentage terms. Almost 12 times as many boys were named Oseias in 2017 as in 2016, though it's still a way outside the Top 1000.
 
Given to around 40 boys in a more recent year, it may appeal to those who also like Ozias

Oseias

A variation of the Arabic name Uwais, this animal-inspired name was a fast rising choice in England and Wales in 2023. It ultimately derives from an archaic Arabic word for wolf and is notably borne by cricketer Owais Shah, praise poet (or Sana Khawan) Owais Raza Qadri, and comedian Owais Khan. 



Owais

Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe because the spelling makes the pronunciation less clear. Is it bree-a or bray (answer: bree-a).

Brea

Light and sweet yet elaborate at the same time, Mianna may appeal to those who can't decide between the likes of Mia, Anna, Elianna, and Gianna. And while it may look like an invented choice, it has more solidity than you might think!
 
As a Finnish choice, it's a contraction of classic compound name, Marianna, giving it the meaning "beloved grace", "bitter grace" or "drop of sea and grace", depending on how you interpret Maria. Alternatively, you could also see it as a form of Mariana, a Latin name relating to Mars, the god of war.
 
On the other hand, you might see it as a more contemporary choice, derived from either Myanna (likely a blend of the word "my" with classic Anna), or created as a mix of Mia and Anna (giving it either the same meaning as Marianna or Myanna, depending whether you see Mia as a form of Maria or a Spanish word name). 
 
Pronounced as mee-ANN-uh, my-ANN-uh, or mee-AHN-uh, the name has been very quietly appearing in the US charts since the 1990s, but a more recent year saw it spike up the charts when it was chosen for 53 girls compared to just 20 the year prior. 
 
Content creator Mianna Deberry is a notable bearer.

Mianna

Derived from the language of the Nahua people of Mexico and Central America, Xitlaly is a variation on Citalli, a sparkly name meaning "star".

Xitlaly

The original Greek form of Luke, similar to the English Lucas, but with the emphasis on the second syllable. Loukas Notaras was a Byzantine Greek statesman - the last grand Duke of the Byzantine Empire, while a more recent bearer is Czech-Greek footballer, Loukas Vyntra.

Loukas

If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the Lambs pronunciation.  Clarice was the name of the wife of Lorenzo de' Medici, and Clarice Cliff was a famed British ceramics artist. Though a Top 300 name from 1906 to 1934, modern parents might prefer the more delicate Clarissa.



Clarice

A variant of the highly popular Noah, Nuh has featured in the UK Top 1000 on and off since the 2010s.

This melodious name has been consistently popular in Italy for decades, where it ranks among the top choices for baby girls. Giorgia gained international attention partly through Italian singer Giorgia Todrani, known professionally by her first name only, and Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni. 

The name combines classic roots with a modern, fresh sound that resonates with contemporary parents. In Italy, Giorgia is appreciated for its cultural connection, phonetic elegance, and the balance it strikes between tradition and modernity. The name has a warm, approachable quality while maintaining a touch of sophistication. 

Pronunciation is exactly like the English form Georgia. Like Gianna and Giada, the Giorgia form might find more fans in the US.

Giorgia

Enticing modern nickname name possibility. 

Nika

Many European cultures spell Christopher with a K and thus the short form Kris. There were about 35 baby boys named Kris, just Kris, in the US last year, and only a handful of baby girls -- this after the name ranking in the Top 1000 for both genders from the late 1940s through the 1970s.

However you spell it, it's an appealing name that's in a slump right now because of overexposure. It's also one of the original gender neutral names, paving the way for a new way of thinking about names and gender.

Kris

Hard as it might be to believe, Gladys was the Harper of 1900, emerging almost out of nowhere to take the naming world by storm. It became a favorite among parents — and writers of romantic Edwardian novels, seen as alluring and unusual. One impetus was the 1870 Ouida novel Puck, whose heroine was the idealized beauty, Gladys Gerant.
 Gladys reached as high as Number 11 at the turn of the last century, popular along with other s-ending names such as Doris. Though Gladys hasn't shown any signs of revival yet, some parents might respond to the 'glad'ness of it, and its gladiola-flower feel. 
 It's been associated in the U.S. with singer Gladys Knight.

Gladys

Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.

Mathis

It's hard to believe, via a 21st-century sensibility, that Fannie was ever a Top 50 name. But Fannie was even more popular than Fanny in its late 19th-century heyday, and stuck around much longer, staying on the Top 1000 until the 1960s while Fanny fell off in 1940. Today, however, Fannie sounds antiquated at best, and rude at worst.
 
Much of Fannie's usage today can be accounted for in Amish communities, among whom Fannie is a classic choice.

Fannie

Andrey

Davey and Davy are frequently used for little boys but rarely appear on the birth certificate, Davy Crockett exempted.

Davey

This short form of Mikael, a variation of Michael, may originate in Finland but it's most popular in Germany and The Netherlands. Mika can make a cute and original way to honor a Michael in the family, but be prepared for a lot of people pronouncing it with a long i as in Mike.

Mika

A multicultural choice with a zippy yet elegant sound, Zemira may be interpreted as a variation of the Hebrew Zimri or the Arabic Zamir and Samir. From its Hebrew roots, Zemira may have the wonderful, melodic meaning of "song, music, praise", while from its Albanian origins, it is equally as tuneful, with the meaning "good voice". Alternatively, from its Arabic roots, it could mean "heart, mind, conscience" via Zamir and "companion for the evening talk" from Samir. 
 
Most familiar in Bosnia and Brazil, a recent year also saw it given to 45 girls in the US