Updated November 2023
Across 34 pages
of 34
Finnish form of Old Norse Hjalmar
"helmet protector"
Distinctive-sounding Scandinavian name . with deep roots. Short form is the attractive Jari.
Breton form of Elinor or Helen
"light"
One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.
Irish form of Bridget
"strength or exalted one"
Pronounced 'breed', this is among the common Irish names for girls in the Emerald Isle, but would have major pronunciation problems in the US. Better to stick with Bridget.
Short form of Abijah, Hebrew
"God is my father"
The Biblical Abijah might be temporarily lost to time, but this antiquated short form could move with it into the modern era.
Short form of Lafayette, French
"faith"
Short form found in historical records, feels a tad feminine for modern times.
Short form of Hezekiah, Hebrew
"God gives strength"
Drawn from old record books, Kiah is an antiquated nickname that feels perfectly appropriate for modern times -- maybe more so than father name Hezekiah.
Short form of Zachariah, Hebrew
"The Lord has remembered"
If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.
Short form of Micajah, Hebrew
"Who is like God?"
Sounds a bit like a nickname in a Dickens novel, but this short form was used in New England a few centuries ago, back when names like Micajah were popular. Both short and long forms are now ripe for…
Variation of Sukey, pet form of Susanna
"lily"
This spelling seems to be taking off as a result of media appearances as characters in first "Gilmore Girls" and then as Sookie Stackhouse, the Anna Paquin character in "True Blood," based on "The…
Short form of Elisabetta, Italian variation of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Isabetta is a charming spin on both the Elizabeth and Isabella families and a new way to go if you love the originals but want something more, well, original. Isabetta Rose is the name chosen by…
Dutch short form of Matthijs
"gift of God"
Usually pronounced to rhyme with nice — though others may rhyme it with Jace — Thijs is a popular Dutch name short for that country's form of Matthew. Matt Lauer's half-Dutch son is called Thijs.
Short form of Katherine, Greek
"pure"
Katti or Kattie is a short form of Katherine, more old fashioned than Kate and more unusual than Kathy.
Short form of Ferdinand
"bold voyager"
Dinand is popular in the Netherlands thanks to a local singing sensation. Dinand is one of many Dutch short forms that come from the middle or end of a name -- think Bas for Sebastian or Hans from…
Hebrew, female form of Elul, month name
Elula, female derivation of Elul, the name of the sixth month on the Hebrew calendar, was used by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter. The couple kept their unusual choice…
Welsh
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
Basque form of Dolores
"sorrows"
Nekane is the decidedly modern, upbeat-sounding Basque form of the sorrowful and dated Spanish Dolores. Basque names, largely unknown in English-speaking countries, offer a fresh lexicon of names,…
Spanish feminine form of Roman family name Tullius, meaning unknown
Tulia, rhyming with Julia, is one of several offshoots of the noble Roman family name Tullius, best known as the middle name of the philosopher Cicero. While the single L is considered the Spanish…
Anglicized form of Irish Damhnait
"fawn"
Dymphna – also spelled Dympna – is the distinctive name of an Irish virgin martyr. According to the legend, she was a Celtic princess who fled to Belgium to escape the abusive attentions of her…
Short form of ZULMA, Arabic
"healthy, vigorous"
Zuly is the spunky short form of Zulma, and is commonly used on its own, often in the Latino community.
Armenian form of Isabel, a form of Elizabeth, Hebrew
The dashing Zabel -- or its Frenchified variation Zabelle -- was the name of a 13th century ruling queen of Armenia. In this modern era ruled again by the name Isabella and Isabel, Zabel provides a…