Names That Mean Possibly

Stellan is a strong, attractive, Scandinavian possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard, and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. Its trendy 'an' ending and the similarity in sound to the popular Kellen/Kellan make it all the more accessible.

Titus, once seen as a slightly forbidding Roman, New Testament, and Shakespearean name, was brought back to contemporary life in the USA by the TV series Titus 2000, increasing in popularity along with other revived ancient names like Linus and Silas.

Thaddeus, a distinguished, long-neglected name, has several areas of appeal: a solid New Testament legacy, a nice antique feel, and the choice of several more modern nicknames and international variations.

This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. Also written as Gaël, it's a popular choice across Spain, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and France, and the US.

This character name from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas has an ancient appeal, even though it seems to be a modern coinage. It may have been inspired by similar sounding names, like the Turkish Aylin ("of the moon") or the Irish Eileen, a form of Helen or Aveline.

The increasingly popular Irish boys' name Declan is crossing into the girls' column now as well, used for over 50 baby girls in the US last year.

Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo.

An attractive alternative spelling to Kellan, but the authentic Welsh "ll" sound may be hard to come by outside Wales.

Very rarely used for girls, but New York socialite Kelly Bensimon and photographer Gilles Bensimon gave it to their youngest daughter in 2000.

A unisex name, Rylan plays on many popular baby names, including Ryan and Riley. For boys, the trendy Rylan is in the US Top 500, while for girls, it fell out of Top 1000 in 2023, having been a regular feature since 2009.

Poetic and alluring, Zemfira is the name of the tragic heroine in Alexander Pushkin's narrative poem The Gypsies. His work has been adapted into a multitude of ballets and operas and may have inspired Prosper Mérimée's novella Carmen, on which the famous opera of the same name was based.

Allaire, a last name in France. could make a first, with its light and airy feel.

Delysia has twice been used as a stage name. The first time (in real life) by fin-de-siecle French actress Alice Delysia; the second time (in the movies) by the character played by Amy Adams in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". It is a soft, romantic name which is reminiscent of elyssium and Elissa.

A character in Winston Graham's Poldark series of historical novels set in Cornwall around the turn of the 19th century. Rowella is the rebellious sister of Morwenna Chynoweth, and the lover of her sister's odious husband Osborne Whitworth. She is played by Esme Coy in the recent BBC adaptation. The origins of the name are unclear, but Rowella's fashionable ending could make it the perfect stands-out-fits-in choice.

Like Alwen, but with an extra feminine frill. Alwen itself is of obscure origin but possible meanings include: "white brow" (from the Welsh ael and gwen; "white footstep" as an alternative to Olwen; "nourishing" from a Welsh river name, ultimately from the pro-Celtic *al(aun)o-; "white, bright" as Breton form of Albina; and "elf joy" as a Breton variation of Old English Ælfwynn.

Strong, friendly surname choice, à la Bailey.

An unusual but beautifully simple name, possibly a variation on Aelwen, that belongs to a river in north-east Wales. It may appeal if you like similar names like Arwen, Anwen and Olwen.

O-ending boy names are on trend, and the Welsh language provides some interesting lesser-used ones...such as Beuno. St Beuno lived in the sixth century, established a monastery in North Wales, and is recorded as having restored several people from the dead. Eleven churches in Britain now bear his name, including several on the ancient pilgrim route to Bardsey Island.

Appealing topographical name that's rare even in Wales. Morus Elfryn was a popular Welsh singer in the 1970s.