Names That Mean Gracious

An example of the traditional French/Catholic style of double names starting with Jean: in this case, two Gospel writers. Star Trek, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is from 24th-century France, where the French language is almost extinct, but parents apparently still give their children classic French names.

Jean-luc

This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.

Janne

La is the French prefix used to indicate paternity, much the same way Mc or O' are used in Irish and the son suffix is used in English. First names with the La prefix were popularized in the 19th century by the Free Blacks of New Orleans, who used La plus the father's first name, making Lashawn (or LaShawn) a name meaning son (or child) of Shawn, a phonetic spelling of Sean, the Irish variation of John. 

Lashawn

Rare Scottish variant of John, with multicultural overtones. 

Gahan

Siobahn

Rather dated smoosh name. The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Jeanmarie

The Catalan form of Mercedes, with the same Marian associations.

Mercè

Nonie

Popular Irish name brought here by singer Sinead O'Connor, could make a striking choice for a child with deep Irish roots. 

Sinéad

Jaunty Jancey hails from the United Kingdom, where it appeared in England as a surname and in Scotland as a nickname for Janet. It's extremely uncommon in the US, given to fewer than five baby girls in the most recent year on record. You'll be hard-pressed to come across another Jancey in your life, so if unique names are a priority for you, this jolly and accessible choice belongs on your list.

Jancey

Hoana

Žana

Anglicized form of Seònaid, the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of Janet. It has historically been quite popular in Scotland, although it hasn't ranked in the Top 100 there since 1995. 

 Shona is also, coincidentally, the name of an ethnic group who live in southern Africa, mainly Zimbabwe.

Shona

Giambattista is an Italian combination name, used to honor John the Baptist. 

Giambattista

A jaunty diminutive of Jovan, itself a Serbian and Macedonian form of John. The name is occasionally linked to Jove too, another name for Jupiter, the supreme Roman god. 

Jovica

A Dutch form of Jolene (of Dolly Parton fame), or a short form of Marjolijn (a nature name, relating to the herb marjoram), Jolijn is a familiar choice in the Netherlands where it has featured in the Top 500 since 2008. Notable bearers include actresses Jolijn van de Wiel and Jolijn Henneman.

Jolijn

A modern Greek variation of classic John, ultimately linked back to the older Greek form, Ioannes. Giannis, Ioannis, and Yannis are more popular alternatives. 

Ioanis

A unisex Dutch nickname with a cute and lively sound. On a boy, Jantje is typically short for Johannes.