Updated November 2023
Across 34 pages
of 34
English surname and word name
"humorous verse form"
A humorous rhyme, named for English humourist and novelist Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875–1956), who invented the form.
Botanical name and short form of Priscilla
"ancient"
Scilla are little woodland flowers in a beautiful bright blue color. Scilla can also be a short form of Priscilla, from Prisca "ancient".
Romani form of Sylvester
Welsh form of Arnold
As this name is essentially Arnold, it is out of fashion in Wales currently. The Welsh "LL" sound is likely to prove a challenge elsewhere in the world.
Variation of Austin, English, shortened form of Augustine
"great, magnificent"
An alternative spelling of Austin that is occasionally given to boys in the US.
Irish: feminine form of Alasdar
Spelled Alastríona in its native language, this Irish cousin of Alexandra is little-known but fairly intuitive.
Icelandic form of John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
The second-most-common variation of John in Iceland, behind Jón. Jóhann has had more steady rankings over the years.
Welsh form of Bridget
Santes Ffraid is the traditional Welsh name for St Bridget, the Irish national saint and legendary miracle worker. The connection becomes clearer through the Scottish form of the name, Bride. It's…
Greek form of Marius
"Mars"
Medieval French form of Catherine
"pure"
English antiquated short form of Walter, German
"army ruler"
Walter is an old school boys' name that is gently on the rise again. Short forms include Walt (as in Disney) and Wally, but Wat was once commonly used in England as a diminutive of Walter.
Welsh form of Simon
A classic from the Welsh Bible, but parents outside Wales would probably need a good reason to use the extra E.
Slavic form of Antonia
Ante is the equivalent to Antony in Croatia, Bosnia, and other Balkan countries. Antea is the feminine equivalent, and would make a sweet, modern-sounding alternative to dusty Antonia.
Slavic and Albanian form of Yochanan
This spelling of the Arabic name Yahya (equivalent to John) is popular in Balkan nations such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have large Muslim populations.
Catalan form of Marshall, French
"one who looks after horses"
Similar yet different to Marcel, and the cedilla spelling adds extra Catalan charm.
French feminine form of Cyril
"lordly"
Cyril has several attractive femaie forms, including the French Cyrielle as well as Cyrilla. The one downside of this unique name is that many English speakers will pronounce it like cereal, so…
Dutch form of Cyril, Greek
This European version of Cyril (pronounced like French Cyrille) makes the Top 100 in Belgium.
Short form of Oscar, Osias, Oswald et al
Ossie is best-known as the name of actor Ossie Davis, whose full name did not start with Os: It was Raiford. But Ossie makes a cute contemporary short form for any name beginning with Os.
Welsh form of Edward
Edward meets Stewart.
Welsh form of Frank
Vintage nickname Frank gets a Welsh makeover.