By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 255 pages
of 255
Anglo-Saxon
"noble counsel"
Also spelt Aethelred, this was the name of two Saxon kings of England. The most famous is Ethelred II "The Unready", who actually reigned as King twice: from 978-1013 and from 1014-1016. His nickname…
Older variant of Ethelred
Persian, Arabic
"paradisiacal, heavenly"
A variant of Firdaus, Ferdowsi was borne by a 10th-century poet and historian, who wrote the epic Shahnameh "The Book of Kings", which recounts the history of Persia.
Variant of Firdaus
Italian
Although this Italian name is identical to the word for "lily", it is actually a cognate of Giles (English) or Gilles (French), meaning "young goat".
Japanese
"wise one"
Common Japanese name from the '60s-'80s. In Japan it's now associated with the Manga series Kenichi: the Mightiest Disciple .
Variant of Jawad
Samoan
Keneti is an appealing Samoan name made famous by New Zealand actor KJ (Keneti James) Fitzgerald Apa, who plays Archie Andrews in the teen drama series Riverdale . His father, also called Keneti, is…
Norse
"sea warrior"
An Old Norse name derived from the Irish Muircheartach "sea warrior". Kjartan is a modern variant.
Finnish
"beloved"
A rare Finnish name which is used for both sexes, usually in the middle spot.
Swedish
"little brother"
Originally a nickname, this has become a given name in Sweden, albeit rare. It's much more common as a middle, however.
Portuguese
"lily"
Derived from the Latin lilium , Lírio is a unisex floral name which was used for a witch character in the cult 1996 horror film The Craft .
French
A unisex French diminutive of Louis or Louise, which has been on the rise for both sexes in France in recent years. A famous male bearer is French cyclist and three-time Tour de France winner Louison…
Nature name
The name of a grass plant native to India, which is used in aromatherapy and for its essential oil.
English surname
A virtuous surname which has occasionally been used as a unisex given name, as in the case of Vanity Fair author William Makepeace Thackeray.
Literary name
"knight of the sea"
In Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene , Marinell is a knight and the son of a water nymph. He is wounded in battle against the valiant female knight Britomart.
Irish surname
"son of Laurence"
Uncommon surname name used by Zak Williams for his son—it was his father Robin Williams's middle name.
Latin
"I guide"
Maine's state motto.
English word name
"an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold or risky"
A wild word name, associated with risk taking, thrill, discovery, and exploration, Adventure has yet to appear in the US stats, though in a recent year, Venture was chosen for 16 boys and Quest for…
Arabic
"the shining one"
An alternate name for Alhena, one of the stars in the Gemini constellation.
