By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Irish form of Geraldine
"spear ruler"
Gearóidín is familiar to our Irish members, but is probably unseen outside the Emerald Isle. It would provide some steep challengers to people unfamiliar with Irish names, but since that hasn't…
French poetic form
This could be an obscure choice for literary families, but beware the connotations with virus and virulent.
Word name from the Latin
"eight"
In literature, the Ottava rima is a form of poetry consisting of eight line stanzas and the rhyme scheme ABABABCC. Originating in Italy, it is typically used for epic and narrative poetry, with…
Latin word name
"female graduate of an institution"
Born by Elisabeth Moss in Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch . Like many things in the Wes Anderson universe, this name just transcends reality.
Form of poetry
The sestina is a type of poetry dating back to the medieval troubadours of Spain and France. As its name suggests, the sestina has six stanzas, each with six lines. Perfect for a sixth daughter or…
English word name from the Greek Euphonia
"well sounding"
With the rising use of Eugenie and Eulalia, could literary Euphony make a debut? It certainly has a pleasant meaning and is euphonic itself.
English word name
Eloquence feels right at home with names like Cadence and Rhapsody.
English word name from the Greek Elegeia
"lament"
An elegy is a poem lamenting a deceased person. As a name, it could be used by parents in remembrance of a recently deceased person or as a euphonic and unusual literary name. The original Greek…
Latin; Sanskrit
"soul; tiny"
Anima is a name that could work in so many languages, blessed as it is with easy spelling and pronunciation. It works equally well in the East and in the West, as its roots can either come from…
Ivannah is a feminine name that appears to be an elaborated form of Ivan or Ivana, with the ornamental '-ah' ending adding a softer, more feminine quality. The root name Ivan derives from Slavic…
Indigenous Australian variation of Lois
Famous Indigenous lawyer Lowitja O'Donoghue brought this name into prominence in Australia. She now has a research institute named for her. We think this fresh take on Lois has wide appeal.
Aboriginal Australian
"black swan"
Maroochy Barambah, an Australian singer, brought this name into prominence in Australia.
Indigenous Australian place name
Similar in sound to Meredith, this could be an interesting choice for parents looking for a unique name. Merri is an obvious and appealing nickname.
Icelandic
"snow rose"
A modern Icelandic smoosh name.
Greek
"yellow horse"
Modern form of the Classical name Xanthippe, name of Socrates' wife, this name is often used as a by-word for a nagging, scolding woman.
Xhosa
"God is with us"
South African musician Unathi Msengana brings this unusual choice to a wider audience.
Latin, tear
This name has a sad meaning, though we suppose they could be tears of joy.
Irish, Gaelic
"daisy"
An intriguing name with a floral meaning, Nóinín is the Irish word for "daisy". Occasionally used as a sweet diminutive for Onóra, or Nora, and sometimes written as Noneen, it might make for a rare…
Romani form of Tierney
Celtic mythology
One of the many variations of the name of the Lady of the Lake, best known as Nimue.
