Names That Mean Form
Across 34 pages
of 34
Britann
English Romani, form of Britannia
Oline
Norwegian feminine form of Ole or Olaf, Scandinavian, Norse
"ancestor's legacy, ancestor's relic"
Oline is an old school feminization of the classic Scandinavian names, Ole or Olaf, whose light, timeless sounds means it still ranks in the Norwegian Top 100 today.
Meic
Welsh form of Mike
Mike with a standout spelling. The musician Meic Stevens is considered to be Wales' answer to Bob Dylan.
Meeri
Estonian short form of Margaret or Mary
Meeri is kind of like Siri with an M. This unusual name is certainly cute and intriguing but would forever be mistaken for Mary.
Marko
Variation of Marco, Spanish form of Mark
"warlike"
Marko is one of the many names derived from Mars, the god of war. Marco is the more usual Spanish form but Marko is a variation used in Spain along with Russia, Ukraine, and several Slavic countries.
Ry
Short form of Ryder or Rylan; spelling variation of Rye
Musician Ry Cooder brought this short form into the lexicon -- his full name is Ryland -- and it feels more familiar now that more Ry- beginning names such as Ryder and Riley are, ahem, riding up the…
Mair
Welsh form of Mary
One of the many international versions of Mary that could make an unusual alternative. The similar sound to Maya/Maia could be a plus or a minus. Mair appears in the many Welsh towns and villages…
Ciri
Diminutive of Cirilla, Latin
"lordly"
Ciri may sound exactly like the ubiquitous digital Siri, but it's achieving fame in its own right as the familiar name of Princess Cirilla of The Witcher series. The name's meaning is a nod to her…
Demetrio
Spanish form of Demetrius, Greek
"follower of Demeter"
Demetrio is an original way to a mythological name, and is further appealing as a boy's name inspired by a goddess, the earth mother Demeter.
Zabelle
Spelling variation of Zabel, form of Isabel which is a form of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Zabelle and Zabel are fresh (to us) and ancient forms of Isabel, making zippy variations for modern lovers of that ancient name who feel the original is overexposed.
Mathéo
French form of Mateo, from Hebrew
"gift of God"
A stylish member of the Matthew family that's currently popular in Belgium — more so than traditional Mathieu.
Jowan
Cornish form of John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
A rare but appealing and accessible member of the John family. It sees steady low-key use in England.
Caty
Short form of Katherine or Catherine
"pure"
An alternative spelling of Katy, if you're more of a C person.
Ovidi
Catalan form of Ovid
A distinctive name derived from the Latin Ovid, made famous by the singer-songwriter Ovidi Montllor.
Vasily
Russian form of Basil, Greek
"royal"
Vasily is one of many forms of the Greek Basil, all rare in the US.
Sabrine
French form of Sabrina, British river name
Sabrina is the Latin name for the Severn, Britain's longest river. Drop the final syllable and you get a streamlined, French-esque name that's just as elegant, but without the Teenage Witch…
Vasilia
Variation of Basil, Greek
"royal"
Vasilia is likely an alternative transcription of the Greek name Vasileia, or the Serbian and Macedonian Vasilija, which if you follow their etymological roots, eventually originate from Basil,…
Kalenah
Danish or Hawaiian form of Katherine or Karen
"pure"
Kalenah, another form of Kalena, may have a variety of possible derivations, though we see it as one of the many descendants of Katherine.
Orlo
Short form of Orlando or Roland, German
"famous throughout the land"
Orlo is a name nobody ever heard of until the surprise popularity of the unrelated but similar-sounding Arlo. If Arlo can be a hit, why not Orlo? Why not indeed. Some sources identify Orlo not as a…
Denys
French from Greek, vernacular form of Dionysius; "god of Nysa"
"god of Nysa"
Alternative spelling of Dennis, and the usual transliteration from Ukrainian. Used (though rarely) for both sexes.