Names That Mean Form
Across 34 pages
of 34
Beck
Short form of Rebecca or English
"one living beside a small stream"
Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.
Zeline
Hungarian form of Celeste; variation of Zelina
Z names have been popular in recent years, and here's an obscure option for achieving the initial, though Zelina may be a little more successful in the US with its feminine -a ending.
Santana
Spanish, condensed form of Santa Ana
Santana is a saintly name...or Latin rock band. While traditionally masculine, character Santana Lopez on the show Glee showed the name's potential for a girl as well. Sound-wise, it feels like…
Beah
English diminutive of Beatrice, Latin
"she who brings happiness"
A rarely seen member of the Beatrice clan, with its own distinctive charm.
Emeline
French form of German Amelina
"work"
An old name, with a history separate from Emily and Emma and a different kind of vintage feel, that's a possible alternative to top-of-the-pops names. More common spelling is Emmeline.
Sabine
French, German, and Dutch form of Sabina, Latin
"Sabine"
A concise choice with a hint of chic, Sabine is the French, Dutch, and German form of the Latin Sabina. While it has never charted in the US, Sabine saw a slight increase in use in recent data, with…
Ronja
Swedish literary name
Pippi Longstocking author Astrid Lindgren invented the name Ronja for her book Ronja, the Robber's Daughter . She was inspired by the lake Juronjaure, located in Norrbotten, Sweden. Lindgren's…
Eilish
Anglicized variation of Eilis, Irish form of Hebrew Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar outside of Ireland. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle…
Raz
Hebrew short form of Raziah
"the Lord's secret"
Raz, like many similar names, is used for both girls and boys in modern Israel. Simple, sleek, memorable.
Eban
Hebrew, pet form of Ebenezer
"stone of help"
Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it.
Bobby
Diminutive of Roberta, English
"bright fame"
Bobby is a nickname-name that's long been used on its own for both girls and boys, though the Bobby spelling is more usually masculine while the girls' version is usually Bobbie. There were just over…
Siobhan
Irish Gaelic
"god is gracious"
Siobhan is the Irish variation of Joan, which is derived from the ancient Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. In this way Siobhan is indirectly related to the name Sinead—the Irish form of Jeannette, which…
Posie
Variation of Posy or short form of Mariposa, English or Spanish
"a bunch of flowers or butterfly"
Posie and its near-identical twins Posy and Posey are delicate old-fashioned flower names of the type that are stylish today: Think Poppy, Marigold, Clover. Perhaps because it's the name of cosmetics…
Susan
English diminutive of Susannah, Hebrew
"lily"
Although Susan had her heyday from the thirties to the sixties, and is now common among moms and new grandmas, and though most modern parents would prefer Susanna/Susannah, we have spotted some…
Pierrette
Feminine form of Pierre, French version of Peter
"rock"
Pierrette is the French feminine form of Peter or Pierre, an antiquated if charming feminization in the style of Albertine.
Dree
Diminutive of Andrea, feminine form of Andrew
"strong and manly"
This unique one-syllable name was added to the mix by Mariel Hemingway for her now grown model/actress daughter; it could make a distinctive middle name or Bree substitute.
Tavi
Feminine short form of David or short form of Octavia
Tavi has been catapulted into the spotlight by teenage fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. This cute name, previously not on anyone's scope, could be a way to honor an ancestral David or a short form of…
Tamsin
English, contracted form of Thomasina
"twin"
Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes , Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan…
Pegeen
Irish, diminutive of Mairead, Irish form of Margaret
Infrequently used relic of the Maureen-Colleen-Kathleen era, though it does seem to have a bit more energy than the others.
Pola
Short form of Amapola, Arabic
"poppy"
Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.