By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 776 pages
of 776
German diminutive of Charlotte
This sweet and spunky German nickname for Charlotte has a fun literary connection: Das doppelte Lottchen (English title: Lottie and Lisa ) is a children’s book by German author Erich Kästner, which…
Welsh
"loveable"
Mabli is the sweet Welsh variant of Mabel, first used at the beginning of the 20th-century making it a relatively modern choice. Cute but energetic with the appeal of other Welsh names like Cadi and…
Breton contraction of Mari and Gwenn
French actress and film director Maïwenn Le Besco uses only her striking given name professionally; it’s a contraction of Mari (the Breton form of Marie) and Gwenn ("white, fair, blessed"). The name…
Scottish
"bitter"
Technically the vocative case of Màiri (the Scottish Gaelic form of Mary), Mhairi/Mhàiri has nevertheless become established as a given name in its own right. Although some bearers choose to…
Modern invented name
Adding that B to Randall transforms a pretty boyish surname choice into a 21st century spin on Brandy.
Botanical name
Aeta is a punchy botanical name which grabs attention without being overly long or frilly. British suffragette Aeta Lamb was a close collaborator of the now more famous Emmeline Pankhurst. Aeta was…
Chinese
"a simple aim"
Lin Zongsu was an early Chinese feminist, founding the first organisation campaigning for women’s voting rights in China (in 1911) and wrote prolifically in leader newspapers and journals advocating…
Japanese
"Thunderbird"
Japanese feminist Raicho Hiratsuka chose the name Raicho for herself - no doubt because of its fabulously meaning. As a journalist and publisher, Raicho fought for the rights of working class women…
English word or surname name
"May plus river bank"
Maybanke is an Australian name that has a sort of Southern charm that could appeal to many US parents - and is refreshing and unusual without being too challenging. Maybanke Anderson was a notable…
Malian variation of Eve
Aoua is a Malian variation of Eve - the original woman’s name - which is fitting for a name so closely connected to Mali's first female parliamentarian. Aoua Keita’s father insisted on giving her the…
"village"
Though Shuri is a well-established unisex name in Japan, most parents considering it now will be thinking instead of the iconic Princess Shuri from Marvel's Black Panther , memorably played in the…
Irish
Although it is now a unisex name in Ireland, Naoise is originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after…
Nordic
"pleasantness"
This striking Nordic variant of Biblical Naomi is famously borne by Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, best known for her role as Lisbeth Salander in the film adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium…
Literary name
"of Fred"
Offred is not technically a name but the "slave name" of a woman given to a man — literally Of Fred — in Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale . Offred, who was stripped of her own…
Greek
"the shining one"
Light and ethereal, Phaenna is one of the Charities or Graces in some Greek myths. She was worshipped in Sparta, along with Cleta ("renowned one").
Sanskrit
"pleasure"
A popular female name in India, Priti or Preeti is a sweet and pretty-sounding option.
"pleasure, joy"
A popular female name in India, Priti (or Preeti) is a sweet and pretty-sounding option.
Phonecian
"mother goddess"
Astarte is the ancient goddess of sexuality, fertility, and war, associated with Ishtar as well as Venus.
English and French word name and surname
Similar in look to Reverie, Revere is far-less dreamy. Connoting both the word meaning to admire or esteem and the US Revolutionary War patriot, Revere could make an interesting choice for a boy or a…
Aramaic
"great, immense"
Feminine form of Sagi.
