Updated May 2023
Across 4 pages
of 4
Greek, English
"pale yellow"
Ochre is an exceedingly rare name, found only a few times since the nineteenth century, and not showing up in any current data. Yet it means much the same thing as popular Sienna (another clay…
French and English, diminutive of Ottolie
"prospers in battle"
Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter…
Hebrew
"light of God"
Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
African
"my heart is content"
It's hard to find a name meaning much sweeter than Obiajulu's.
Turkish
"free, independent"
Properly spelled Özgür, this is a familiar unisex name and surname in Turkey, though little-known in the rest of the world. The pronunciation is not far removed from Oscar, which could be a helpful…
Yoruba
"born at the right time"
A stunning and unique West African name for a daughter.
French variation of Olympia
Latin
"to excite, to stir the mind"
A pretty, feminissima name, more distinctive than Cynthia. George Bernard Shaw used it for a character in his play The Apple Cart, about which it is said 'Orinthia is a name full of magic for me.'
French variation of German Otthild
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of…
French
"bright warrior"
A medieval French feminine form of Humbert, also found as Humbeline.
Invented name
Nabisco has never revealed the origins of their sandwich cookie brand name, but the prevailing theory is that it was derived from Oreodaphne , a genus in the laurel family.
Nature name
Ten times as many boys are named Oak as girls: about 50 boys last year to five girls. Of course, nature names don't have any traditional gender identification the way names like John and Mary do, so…
Japanese surname
Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon.