By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 326 pages
of 326
English botanical name
A botanical name belonging to a small yellow flower in the poppy family. The word ultimately derives from chelidon, the Ancient Greek for "swallow (bird)". Characters called Celandine feature in The…
Literary name
No - not a trendy (mis)spelling of Everdeen of Hunger Games fame! Indeed, Everdene is the original literary nod with Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins choosing the name as a nod to Bathsheba…
French
This French form of the name Ismeria is one of those uncommon names that's been consistently used in France since the middle ages.The origins of this rare name are shrouded in mystery. Ismeria /…
Ajare is a rare feminine name with mysterious origins. It's possibly derived from African languages, where it might carry meanings related to 'beauty' or 'blessing.' The name has an exotic sound and…
Feminine form of Mathurin.
"crumb"
Originally used as a diminutive of Marguerite, this French term of endearment is super-rare as a given name in France, but could make for a sweet alternative to Mia in English-speaking countries. A…
Ethnee is a feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from 'Eithne,' a name borne by several figures in Irish mythology and history. The name is thought to mean 'kernel' or 'seed' in Old Irish,…
English word or surname name
"May plus river bank"
Maybanke is an Australian name that has a sort of Southern charm that could appeal to many US parents - and is refreshing and unusual without being too challenging. Maybanke Anderson was a notable…
Feminisation of Voltaire
The origins of the nom de plume Voltaire are obscure - it is believed that it is an anagram of Arovetli (the Latin form of his surname Arouet). But the name was also chosen for its connotations of…
Alternative spelling of Willodean
Irish
Although it is now a unisex name in Ireland, Naoise is originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after…
Latin from Greek
"to emerge or bringer of destruction"
Proserpine is the Roman equivalent of the goddess Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld in Greek myth. The story of Persephone is one of the most famous in classical mythology. The daughter of…
"the red one"
Quitterie is a quirky saint’s name which is considered très chic in France at the moment. St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in…
Phonecian
"mother goddess"
Astarte is the ancient goddess of sexuality, fertility, and war, associated with Ishtar as well as Venus.
English and French word name and surname
Similar in look to Reverie, Revere is far-less dreamy. Connoting both the word meaning to admire or esteem and the US Revolutionary War patriot, Revere could make an interesting choice for a boy or a…
"rose"
A relative of the very popular (in Ireland) name Róisín ("little rose"), Róise comes from the Gaelic word for "rose". It’s one of the very old Irish names for girls , in use at least since the early…
Greek
"bringer of blossoms"
An alternative form of Thallo, goddess of spring.
Place name
"Land of corn"
Tiree is the anglicised name of the Scottish island of Tiriodh in the Inner Hebrides. It’s known as Scotland’s "sunshine isle", benefiting from an uncharacteristically warm and sunny climate and…
"Avenging murder"
The name of one of the Furies in Greek mythology, a goddess who avenged crimes of murder. She is described as wearing a dripping blood-red robe, with a serpent coiled around her waist.
English word name
"two pence"
This quirky British nickname-turned- real-name is most famously borne by English actress Tuppence Middleton, who was named for her mother Tina’s childhood nickname. There is also a British literary…
