By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 76 pages
of 76
Word name and surname
"dweller in the open country"
Fielding is a surname style name, originally given to someone who lived in the country or worked in the fields, however it might also be considered a word name relating to sports such as cricket.…
Short form of Lafayette, French, English word name
"faith; predestined, destiny, chance"
Fate was in the US Top 1000 for boys in the late 19th century, not as a word name but as a short form of the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be…
English, French
"St. Peter's Herb"
Sage, Rosemary, Saffron, Ginger, and Cassia are used as names, so how about Samphire? This unusual name is given to a plant from the parsley family that grow on seaside cliffs but it's also used to…
English, uncertain origin
Emily substitute, though it sounds like a child's mispronunciation of "enemy".
Variation of Hartland, English
"stag land, deer land"
The name Hart is both cool and sweet, but Hartlen provides a longer form that fits in well with the likes of Rowen, Holland, and Harlow. A unisex name that leans masculine in the US, it is derived…
Place name, English
"Clare's hill"
An English place name associated with a now ruined palace and a set of 12th century laws which defined the relationship between church and state, Clarendon is a surname-style choice with historical…
English
"pretty"
An old-fashioned feeling nickname, based on a colloquial pronunciation of the word "pretty", Purdy (also spelled Purdie and Purdey) could be used as a short form of Perdita, as a nickname for…
English surname or variation of Suede
"soft leather material; Swedish; swath, track"
Combining the sounds of Sage, Sadie, and Jade, and gender neutral vibes of Quinn and Blake, Swade might be one to watch out for in coming years. It can be viewed in two ways: a respelling of word…
Hyphenated name
"delicate + beloved, drop of the sea"
Stylish Delilah meets vintage Mae to make this spirited compound name, which has the combined meaning of "delicate and beloved", "delicate drop of the sea", or "languishing, weak, and bitter",…
Word name
"small, spotted beetle"
Also known as a ladybug, the small, spotted beetle gets its name from the phrase "Our Lady's birds", lady referring to the Virgin Mary, who was often depicted wearing a red cloak in early art. The…
English from French
"God is gracious"
Jeannette has fallen out of fashion, but this English variant breathes a bit of fresh air into the dusty classic.
"path or road to a triangular piece of land"
A mellow sounding surname, Carroway could work as a fresh spin on Caroline and a unique way to get the nicknames Coco or Carrie. Reminiscent of the earthy, bitter herb, caraway, and with a touch of…
French, English
"swan; graceful swan"
An unusual, bird inspired name, Swanna may be considered a feminine form of the French Swann — a well-used name for boys in France — or a compound name, mixing Swan with Anna, and lending it the…
"adorable and beautiful"
A mix of Adora and Bella, Adorabella is a totally sweet name, but perhaps so sweet, it would work better for a pet. You could also consider the more versatile options of Adora, Bella, or Arabella,…
English word name
"ocean blue"
A descriptive, colorful choice with a "celebrity baby name" feel — think Blue Ivy, North West, Golden Raye — Ocean-Blu is one of many hyphenated names appearing in the UK stats. Since 2012, it has…
"dear, beloved"
Said to rhyme with Earl or Pearl, Dearle is a surname style name, likely from the Old English deorling , meaning "darling, beloved, dear one". Considered a variation of Darrell, it could make an…
French form of Eudoxia, Greek
"good deeds"
Popular in France in the early 20th century, this is the French form of the virtuous Eudoxia, a Greek name associated with good deeds and good judgement. Notable bearers include Eudoxie Bridges,…
English compound word name
An unexpected, descriptive, and whimsical word name, blending classic Rose with contemporary Winter. It's been appearing in the US stats since 2013 and is given to a small handful of girls each year.…
Variant of Millicent, English
"strong in work; brave and strong"
If Millicent feels too clunky, Melissa too dated, and Amelia too popular, you could consider this ultra rare alternative. Ultimately from the Gothic name, Amalaswintha , meaning "strong in work" or…
Diminutive of Elisabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
A sweet alternative to Lisa, Elise, and Lizzy, Lisey appears in the title of a Stephen King novel, Lisey's Story , a psychological horror novel about the widow of a famous author. It may appeal to…
