By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 255 pages
of 255
Hebrew
"my father's gift"
Modern Hebrew form of the Old Testament name Abishai.
"my father is a gift"
The name of one of King David's heroes in the Old Testament. A variant form is Avishai.
Latin
The first bearer of this majestic name was a 12th century prince of Taranto and Antioch, whose father gave him the nickname of Bohemond (after a mythical giant called Buamundus gigas) due to his…
Variant of Bohemond
Greek
Meaning "golden flower", this name was borne by a semi-legendary 3rd century saint.
"free"
A nickname for Eleftherios, sometimes bestowed in its own right. Notable bearers include Greek singer Lefteris Pantazis and writer Lefteris Papadopoulos.
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 .
"sincerity, truth"
Unisex Japanese name more often given to boys.
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…
