By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 599 pages
of 599
Variation of Laertes
An abbreviated, more modern-sounding version of Shakespearean and Ancient Greek name Laertes. If the "ae" is too confusing for you, Leart is another option.
Latin cognomen
The name of minor characters in Shakespeare's two of Roman plays – Julius Caesar and Timon of Athens – and a noble Spanish surname. Though probably etymologically unrelated to the Latin word for…
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.
Scandinavian diminutive of Jakob
"supplanter"
Nickname-name that's all the rage in Scandinavia.
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…
Italian place name
The name of an extremely civilized, wealthy city in the north of Italy merits more notice as a first name, a la Verona and Milan. It was used as one in the Canadian sci-fi series Killjoys .
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…
Diminutive of Esthappen
The name of the hero in Arundhati Roy's acclaimed 1997 novel The God of Small Things , who is rendered mute by childhood trauma. His twin sister, with whom he is very close, is named Rahel. Probably…
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,…
Fussy is an unusual masculine name that isn't commonly recognized as a traditional personal name in most cultures. It may be a nickname that evolved into formal usage, a family surname adopted as a…
Eliut is a masculine name with potential Hebrew or Spanish origins. It may be a variant of Eliot/Elliot (from the Hebrew Elijah, meaning 'Jehovah is God') or possibly related to the Spanish name…
Japanese
"victory"
As well as meaning victory, the name Katsu is strongly associated with heroism and masculinity.
Luo; Japanese
"bending or leaning; little beach"
The surname of the 44th US President has been been adopted as a first, for girls as well as boys, by admiring parents around the world. And the O beginning even makes it fashionable. Though Barack…
Mares is a masculine name with varied origins and meanings across different cultures. In Latin languages, it may be related to 'mar' meaning 'sea,' suggesting connections to water and maritime…
Eliso is a masculine name with Georgian origins, although it shares similarities with the Spanish feminine name Elisa. In Georgian culture, this lyrical name has historically been used for boys.…
Bahasa
"the great"
This name may be "great" in Bahasa (the main language of Indonesia), but the sound does not sit lightly on the English-speaking tongue.
Maaka is a masculine name with Polynesian origins, particularly prominent in Māori culture where it means 'strength' or can refer to 'red ochre,' a sacred earth pigment. In the Māori language, the…
Indonesian
"prince"
A strong Indonesian name that's easy to translate to the English-speaking world.
Word name
"pathway, trail; piece of music; trace, impression"
Chosen by US politician, Sarah Palin back the late 80s, Track is an unexpected word name with multiple layers. Perhaps too on the nose for most, it has appeared in the US stats only one, in 2011,…
