By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
English, modern combination of Esme and Marie
"loved, esteemed + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Parents have been creating their own names from existing appellations since the beginning of time. So have authors, from Shakespeare to George R. R. Martin. As far as modern attempts go, Esmarie,…
Latin
"lucky"
A lacy, lucky name very popular in the Hispanic community a decade ago, less so now.
Franchesca is a feminine name that represents a romantic variation of Frances or Francesca. Derived from Latin origins meaning 'free one' or 'from France,' this spelling adds a distinctive flair to…
Genevie is a feminine name that appears as a shortened form or variation of Genevieve. The name Genevieve comes from Germanic origins, meaning 'tribe woman' or possibly 'woman of the race.' Genevie…
Hadasa is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, a variation of Hadassah, which means 'myrtle tree.' In the biblical Book of Esther, Hadassah was the Hebrew name of Queen Esther before she became royalty.…
Hazelyn is a feminine given name that represents a modern variation of Hazeline, which itself derives from the Old English word "hæsel" meaning "hazel tree." The name evokes images of the hazel tree…
Irlanda is a feminine name derived from the Latin word 'Hibernia,' which was the ancient Roman name for Ireland. This beautiful name directly references the European island nation with its rich…
Invented name
This modern invention sounds a lot more common than it actually is due to its similarities to hot names such as Amaya, Maya, and James.
Joselin is a feminine name with medieval origins, derived from the Germanic name Gauselin, a diminutive of Gauz or Goz, meaning 'Goth.' It came to England with the Norman Conquest and evolved into…
Place-name
Juneau, the name of the city in Alaska, has rightfully taken a back seat as a name to the classic Juno. Most famous reference: When the pregnant teenager is introduced in the movie "Juno," the…
English, combination of Mary and Ellen
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + shining light"
A gentle old-fashioned compound name that has never been epidemically popular, but is now almost unused. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots…
Marysol is a beautiful feminine name blending multicultural elements, primarily combining the traditional Mary (from Hebrew, meaning "bitter" or "beloved") with "sol," the Spanish word for sun.…
Elaboration of Nayeli, Zapotec
"I love you"
A sleek yet sparky elaboration of the Zapotec name Nayeli, with the endearing meaning "I love you". While Nayeli has ranked in Mexico, the US, Spain, and the Netherlands, Nayelis is a rarer option,…
"perpetual"
A 3rd century saint's name sometimes used in Catholic communities, and in Western European countries like Portugal and Italy.
Hebrew
"God's presence; dwelling place of God"
A spiritually significant choice, Shekinah is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling", and has been by Jewish scholars to refer to place of divine presence. While it isn't a…
Sumayah is a feminine name of Arabic origin, traditionally spelled as Sumayyah or Sumaya. It carries significant historical importance in Islamic tradition as Sumayyah bint Khayyat was the first…
Tatianna is a feminine name of Russian and Latin origin, representing an elaborated form of Tatiana. The name ultimately derives from the Roman clan name Tatius, possibly meaning "father" or…
Tehani is a feminine name of Polynesian origin, particularly popular in Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures. The name typically means 'sea' or 'heavenly flower,' connecting it to both natural beauty and…
Russian form of Zenobia, Greek
"force of Zeus"
Zenovia makes Zenobia even more unusual. This mythology-adjacent name is worth a look.
Zuleyma is a feminine name with Arabic roots, a variant of Zuleima or Zulema, which derives from the Arabic word 'salima' meaning 'peace' or 'healthy'. The name gained popularity in Latin American…
