Updated October 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Italian and Spanish
"serene"
Placido was commonly used by early Christians to convey their serenity in the faith, and it was borne by several minor saints.
Word name
Wishful thinking.
French diminutive
"apple"
Pom is a shortened word name that's not much used in France, but cute and familiar here as one of Babar (the Elephant's) triplets. Pom, pommy and pommie are (non-derogatory) terms sometimes used by…
English
"land near the port"
There are two lovely Portlands, in Maine and Oregon, but not many babies with their name.
The singular version sounds more contemporary.
Nature name
An evocative, windswept choice that is part of the third generation of western-influenced names, picking up where first Jesse and then Dakota left off, though with a slight feminine edge.
French
"brave little one"
Common surname rarely used as a first.
Place-name
Provo is the name of a conservative Utah city that's unlikely to be among the most fashionable place-names. You'd do better with Utah.
Literary name
Puck was Shakespeare's mischievous pixie who'a had a few television incarnations in more recent years. A popular name in The Netherlands but nowhere else, from what we can tell. We love Puck for its…
"dweller by the hollow"
Perhaps if there's a Putnam in your background.
Spiritually resonant, but will definitely raise grandparents' eyebrows.
Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
"resolute protection"
Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct…
Greek
"practical"
In mythology, another name for Aphrodite -- but the rare feminine name that sounds better for a boy.
Forget Patience and Charity: Here's a Colonial name (and sentiment) that seems perfect for modern times.
Occupational name
Painter is among the most creative choices in this very fashionable category of names, with a particularly pleasant sound. Whereas most occupational names conjure up physical labor, this one feels…
"leaf"
Phyllon, the male version of Phyllis (which gives you a clue to its pronunciation), was introduced as a baby name by Dutch model Doutzen Kroes and her husband DJ Sunnery James. Phyllon is one of…
"fiream"
A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the…