Updated October 2026
Across 9 pages
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Ancient place-name, feminine variation of Illyrius, Greek
Illyria can trace all its varied associations to the name of an ancient place in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, also called Illyricum. Its inhabitants, conquered by the Romans in 168 BC,…
Greek mythology name
Io may be one of the slightest names in the book, but there aren't many two-letter names with as much substance as this Greek mythological example. Io, a name used for the largest moon of Jupiter,…
Spanish, Greek
"rainbow"
Iridiana is a name, predominantly used in Mexico, used as an even more elaborate form of Iridián. Both of these names are related to the Greek name Iris, who in Greek mythology was the…
Portuguese, meaning unknown
Apparently a smoosh of Isabel and Mara, this name is used in Brazil, but very rare in the USA. For parents looking for alternatives to Isabella and Isadora, it could be an undiscovered gem.
Greenlandic
"thread, sinew"
This is a Greenlandic girls' name made royal when Prince Frederik and Princess Mary - now King and Queen - named their twin daughter Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda.
Basque
"island"
Among the Top Ten Basque baby girls' names, this is actually the place name of an island and is related to other such names as Isla. An unusual O-ending girls' name.
Word name
One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.
English
"small island"
Isla is a contemporary gem, so why not Isle? As an English word name, it takes you straight to the literal definition — a small island — which could have an appealing, aspirational ring to it, for…
English variation of Yves
"yew wood"
Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys.
English, Spanish
"work + oath"
A rare vintage compound name formed from Ida plus Isabel, historically found mostly in Spanish speaking communities.
English word name
Often used in connection with poetry, Imagery has potential as an unusual name. Perhaps you'll get a daydreamer with this one.
Cornish
This punchy little name, reminiscent of Latin Io, has a whimsical and beautiful fable behind it. According to legend, the Cornish saint Ia was an Irish princess who sailed across the sea to Cornwall…
Mesopotamian
The mother goddess Ishtar (also called, or identified with, Ashtoreth, Ashtoret, Astarte and Inanna) was worshipped by the Assyrians and Babylonians as the goddess of love, war, justice and…
Irvine is a masculine name derived from a Scottish place name and surname, ultimately from Celtic origins meaning 'green water' or 'fresh water,' referring to the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland.…
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 /…
Welsh
"weathy lord"
Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward.
Hebrew
"he resembles me"
In the Old Testament, Ishvi is the name of one of Asher's sons.
Scottish
"from the river island"
Innis is the name of an island (and Gaelic word for island) which became a Scottish surname and clan name before being used as a first. It hasn't been heard much in the U.S., but could attract more…
"with me"
Uncommon biblical name from the Old Testament.
Invented name
Imoen is the name of a character from the video game series Baldur's Gate , although in real life it's apt to be mistaken as a typo for Imogen.