Unique Names that Start With I

Smooth and sleek one-syllable name, sometimes suggested for Sagittarius boys. 

Ives

Strong and sharp but with a pretty, poetic feel about it, Iseult appears in the world of Arthurian legend. Also written as Yseult, Ysolt, and Isolde, the name might have Germanic roots, blending is and hilt to give it the cool, wintery meaning of "ice battle".
 
The figure of Iseult was first mentioned in a 12th century French text, in which she accidentally takes a love potion and falls in love with Tristan, the nephew of the king she was meant to marry. Since then, the forbidden lovers have appeared in literature, art, and film countless times.
 
Pronounced as i-SOOLT or i-ZOOLT among English speakers, EE-salt in Ireland, and EE-ZUU in France, international forms include the Italian Isotta and the Slavic Izolda.

Iseult

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 those wanting to raise independent children.
 
Despite having the sharp, bright sounds of Isla, Iris, and Ivy, a similar end to Hazel and Mabel, and h all the same letters as Elsie, Isle has yet to appear in the US stars. What is it then that puts parents off?
 
Maybe because the proximity to shop aisle or the fact it rhymes with eyeful? Perhaps it just hasn't been discovered? Still, with word names in vogue and names relating to the sea piquing interest, could Isle — or even Islet (Islette?), Quay, or Shore — be next?

Isle

The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel. 
 Although this name has been around since the thirteenth century, its origins remain obscure.
 Ismay has appealed to several authors as a character name--Robertson Davies in his Cornish Trilogy, Ruth Rendell in The Water's Lovely, and Ken Follett in his World Without End.
 Caveat: Could be confused with Esme.

Ismay

One Puritan virtue name unlikely to thrive in the 21st century.

Increase

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.

Izaro

Created by novelist Clive Barker for an entire universe in his book Imajica: strange but magical.

Imajica

An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.

Ibby

Fanciful name created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz.

Ianu

A phonetic variant of the gorgeous Greek name Ione, and one that was used by model Coco Rocha for her daughter in 2015.

Ioni

Ianto is a lively and unique spin on John, possible familiar to American sci-fi fans via the popular character on Torchwood.

Ianto

From the name of the river which flows through Pakistan, India, and Tibet.

Indus

Iria is a diminutive version of Eirene / Irene and is therefore associated with the Greek goddess of peace.

Iria

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. 

Ivalo

Integrity may be an outstanding quality, but Honor or True may work better as names. 

Integrity

Inspiration might inspire some as a middle name choice. 

Inspiration

Inoa is an evocative choice from the South Seas. 

Inoa

A rare vintage compound name formed from Ida plus Isabel, historically found mostly in Spanish speaking communities.

Idabel

Often used in connection with poetry, Imagery has potential as an unusual name. Perhaps you'll get a daydreamer with this one.

Imagery

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 on a leaf. She was martyred and buried at the spot where the church of St Ives (called Porth Ia - "St Ia’s cove" - in Cornish) now stands. EE-ah is the Cornish pronunciation, but EYE-ah is also accepted.

unique names that start with the letter I, including Ives, Iseult, Isle, Ismay, Increase, Izaro, Imajica, Ibby, Ianu, Ioni, Ianto, Indus, Iria, Ivalo, Integrity, Inspiration, Inoa, Idabel, Imagery, and Ia. (Page 9)

Unique Names that Start With I

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