Updated November 2023
Across 9 pages
of 9
English from French
"elf ruler"
Once a popular choice in for boys in the Middle Ages and again during the 19th century, Aubrey has mostly been used for girls in the US since the 1970's. With its arty, surname-y, and sophisticated…
English word name
"Female ruler of an empire, consort of an Emperor"
Yet another noble name to join King, Prince, Princess, et al. The name Empress was given to over 100 baby girls in the US last year.
German and French, feminine variation of Gerald
"ruler with the spear"
Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie. Geraldine was…
Variation of Seraiah, Hebrew
"God is ruler"
The biblical Seraiah may have been male, but all the modern babies named Serayah or Seraiah are female, some inspired by actress Serayah McNeill of Empire .
Feminine variation of Henry, German
"estate ruler"
Despite a return to such feminizations of male names as Josephine, Clementine, and Theodora, starchy Henrietta has not made it into that group. Still, if you look hard enough, you'll see that…
Portuguese diminutive of Rodrigo
"famous ruler"
This charming mini name began life as a nickname for Rodrigo but has since taken on a life of its own, ranking as an independent name in Portugal, it’s country of origin. If you’re looking to honor a…
German, diminutive of Friedrich or Frederick
"peaceful ruler"
Since female cousins Mitzi and Fritzi have entered the realm of possibilities, there's a chance that Cousin Fritz could as well. Fritz is the name of several notables, from early German-born film…
French variation of Frederick, German
Dropping the final "k" of Frederick definitely makes it a more user-friendly classic boys' name . It streamlines it and also hints at Frederic's status as a French variation of the Germanic…
English
"wealthy ruler"
Formerly in style limbo, Edric has recently started to see more use by parents. It could be because it sounds medieval yet accessible - which George R. R. Martin took advantage of for several…
Hungarian
"glorious ruler"
The Hungarian classic Laszlo, with its zippy 'z' middle and energetic 'o' ending, has become something of a hipster option, beginning to be considered by cutting-edge parents. A name with a royal…
Dutch and German, from first name Hendrik
Hendrix is a trendy first name, complete with cool letter X and the familiar sounds of Henry. Likely inspired by guitar great, Jimi Hendrix, the name is predominantly used for boys, with 1130…
German
"ruler of the people"
This form of Theodoric, familiar via Marlene, is a possible German import. It is an Anglicized ancestor of Derek and all its variations. A noted bearer was acclaimed classical German baritone and…
"peace"
This traditional Germanic name hasn't been on the U.S. list since 1958, but perhaps due to the mythic power of painter Frida Kahlo, parents are beginning to show some interest in it.
Color name, Finnish feminization of Henry, English from German
Reddish dye that sounds as if it could be a real name — of the outdated, Old World, Yetta-Hedda variety.
Traditional German names of this ilk have had a difficult time emigrating into the American name pool, mostly because anti-German sentiment during the two world wars of the 20th century drove German…
Sikh, Punjabi
"ruler of the heart"
One of the many long forms of the popular Indian name Raj.
French variation of Theodoric
A hugely popular choice in France back in the 60s and 70s, Thierry took the number one spot in 1964,though it has since dropped out of the French Top 500. Derived from the Germanic Theodoric (not a…
Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
"great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
"home ruler"
Anglicized form of Heinrich
Welsh, German
"ice ruler"
Sleek, sharp, and soulful, Isolde is the German form of Iseult, the fabled lover of Tristan in the Arthurian romances. First appearing in the 12th-century, the name was fairly popular in the form of…