By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Greek
"sea nymph"
More intriguing than the more familiar form Nerida, this name is perfect for a beach baby, or a baby born under a water sign.
Greek mythology name
"water"
The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but…
Greek; Aboriginial
"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"
This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea…
Latin from Greek
"strength, valor"
Nerio was one of the Roman goddesses of war and a wife of Mars. Her name is among the many intriguing names that mean strong .
Literary name, Czech
"bad-tempered"
Evocative of the great Nobel Prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, real last name Basoalito, who took on the surname Neruda to honor a Czech poet of that name. One of the most poetic and arty boy names…
Welsh
"chief, lady"
A sweet yet substantial name of Welsh origin, Nerys has the fresh feel of Carys, but the vintage charm of Mavis, Morag, and Lois. Likely borrowing from the Welsh element nêr meaning "lord, chief",…
Welsh variation of Agnes
This is the most popular Welsh form of Agnes. Variants include Annest and Nest. There was an eleventh century Nest who was known as 'Helen of Wales' for her beauty and the problems it caused.
Spanish
"to snow"
One of several snowy options, this one lacking a tie to a specific place: an asset.
Hebrew
"oasis"
English
"new building"
Surname choice that's neither new nor bold. Newbold was the middle name of Edith Wharton.
"new borough, new settlement"
A name only a bully could love.
"new land"
Some will see this as spirited, others stuffy. The protagonist of the Edith Wharton novel The Age of Innocence was a popular and successful lawyer named Newbold Archer.
"new pond"
An obscure possibility...for a girl.
Male name that seems feminine enough to switch genders, if you're looking for a new lyn spin.
English place-name
"new port"
For sailors or jazz lovers. Or smokers of menthol cigarettes.
African, Nigerian-Igbo
"blessing"
Dynamic and creative; common in Africa, challenging here. Pronunciation isn't as difficult as you'd guess, but everyone will have to ask. Many favor n-GO-zee, but a native speaker tells us that it is…
Mostly heard on girls, but we've met boys wearing the name, too.
"victory"
Derived from Greek name Nike "victory", this name has been borne by many notable figures, from ancient times to the present day. It belonged to several early kings of Macedonia and to a 1st-century…
Modern invented name
Charming comedic actress Niecy Nash -- who's drawn widespread acclaim in the last few years as the star of Getting On and Claws -- was originally born Carol Denise. Her stage name likely originated…
"snows"
A name bestowed in honor of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de la Nieves, referring to a miracle she performed with unmelted snow in the August heat of Rome.
