By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 599 pages
of 599
Mateu is the Catalan form of Matthew, a name derived from the Hebrew name Mattathia, meaning 'gift of God.' Common in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and other Catalan-speaking regions, Mateu…
Yiddish diminutive of Abraham
"Father of multitudes"
Whether you're looking for an unexpected nickname for the imposing Abraham or a fresh spin on the Biblical classic, this highly unusual variation might appeal to namers with a sense of adventure.
Motya is an unusual masculine name with possible origins in several cultures. It may be related to the ancient Phoenician site of Motya in Sicily, giving it historical significance. Alternatively, it…
Aymer is a masculine name with medieval Norman origins, derived from the Germanic elements 'haim' (home) and 'heri' (army). It was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest and appears in…
Mirco is a masculine name of Italian and Germanic origin. It is a variant of Mirko, which is derived from the Slavic element 'mir' meaning 'peace' or 'world.' In Italian usage, Mirco can also be…
Alper is a masculine Turkish name with roots in the Turkic word 'alp,' meaning 'hero,' 'brave,' or 'courageous.' The suffix '-er' adds the meaning of 'one who is,' making Alper translate roughly to…
Turkish variation of Jahan
"world"
With its expansive and bold meaning, Cihan feels like it could fit the vibe of names such as Atlas, Ocean, and Cosmo. Familiar in Turkey and Azerbaijan (where it is typically written as Ci̇han), it…
Burly is an uncommon masculine name that originated as an English nickname or descriptive surname before occasionally being adopted as a given name. Derived from the Old English word 'burlic,'…
Latin
"desire"
The name of the Roman god of love, the son of Venus, considered so romantic as to be unfit for mere mortals. Yet now that Romeo and Venus herself are fair game for modern babies, why not Cupid?
Scottish surname
"small or black stream"
An unusual and appealing Scottish family name that would work as well for a girl as a boy.
Catalan
"golden"
Intriguing name that's a Top 100 choice in Spain and virtually unknown outside that country. But has definitely possibilities for the adventurous baby namer.
American invented name
Bexen occasionally pops up as a surname and place name in Germany and elsewhere in Mitteleuropa, probably drawn from the German name Beck, which means "brook". As a first name, though, Bexen is…
Gizmo is a modern masculine name derived from the English word meaning a gadget, device, or small mechanical object. The term gained popularity after the 1984 film 'Gremlins,' which featured a…
Moose is an unconventional masculine name derived from the North American mammal. As a given name, it emerged from nickname usage, typically assigned to individuals with large, strong builds or…
Scandinavian diminutive of Jakob
"supplanter"
Nickname-name that's all the rage in Scandinavia.
Basque
"oak"
Basque soccer star Aritz Aduriz helped propel this distinctive name -- derived from "haritz," the Basque word for "oak" -- to the Top 100 Spanish baby names .
Messy is an unconventional masculine name that likely developed as a nickname before occasionally being used as a given name. It might be derived from names like Messiah or Messias, which have Hebrew…
Variation of Ealar, Scottish form of Hilary
"cheerful"
Ellar Coltrane, the star of Richard Linklater's acclaimed 2014 movie "Boyhood," is an outlier, namewise. Most others with his first name are girls, and there aren't even many of them -- the last time…
Dutch short form
As you may surmise from its origins as a short form for Constantijn and Augustijn, Stijn rhymes with nine and fine, though most English-speakers wouldn't guess that. A popular name in the Netherlands…
Marve is a masculine name with Scandinavian roots, likely derived as a variant of Marvin or possibly from the Old Norse name Márfi. The name carries connotations of strength and maritime connections,…
