Updated May 2023
Across 6 pages
of 6
Scandinavian variation of Nicholas
"people of victory"
Like Lars, Sven, Niels, and Nels, an unjustly neglected straightforward Scandinavian name. Surname Nilsson or the anglicized Nelson derives from Nils.
French from Latin
"Nazareth"
Saint-Nazaire is a harbor town in France; the name relates to Nazareth, where Jesus lived as a child. Two possible variations: Nazarius, an Italian martyr, and Nazario.
Arabic
"light"
English
"new town"
Named after Isaac. Or Wayne.
French
"northerner"
Somehow more modern and likable than Morris or Doris.
English word name
"natural, physical world"
An all-encompassing nature name, Nature has seen surprising take up for girls in recent years, with more than 270 given the name in the first half of the 2020s. For boys, it has remained rare, given…
Spanish place-name
"covered in snow"
Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.
More often used in Britain than here, where most names ending in ville fall into the unthinkable class, this might make an exception via fans of the musical Neville Brothers. Charles Dickens used the…
Sanskrit
"quiet"
This name, used in both India and Nepal, is one of those lovely boys names that opts for quiet strength over hypermasculine energy. Bollywood cinematographer Nirav Shah is a notable bearer of this…
Hebrew
"light of Jehovah"
Neriah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah as the father of Baruch and Seraiah ben Neriah. According to the Talmud, Neriah and his sons are all prophets. The name is traditionally…
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
Greek, diminutive of various names beginning with the element Niko-
Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.
Hindi
"new, novel"
Sleek, and fresh, Navin is a Hindi name that could fit in with the currently popular in/an/en/on-ending boys' names.
"comforter"
This name of a minor Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament is rarely heard outside the Jewish culture.
"friend"
Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion".
Greek
"New"
Bright and energetic, Neon seems like it would be a modern coinage, borrowed from neon lights. Instead, Neon is found way back in Ancient Greece. The lights are named for neon gas, discovered in 1898…
"breeze, fresh air"
A traditional Arabic choice, used on girls and boys, with a bright, fresh, and nature connected meaning. Naseem is an alternative Arabic and Urdu form, while Nesim is used in Turkey. Though unisex,…
English, diminutive of Edward
"wealthy guardian"
Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance. Usage of Ned in literature goes back to a Ben…
Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.
This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.
Diminutive of Nicholas or Nicole
Nicky is a forever-cute short form of Nicholas once used as a full name but now relegated to nickname (no pun intended) status.