Names That Mean Gracious

A Top 10 name in Slovenia, where it is a form of John. Žan is pronounced similarly to the French Jean.

Traditionally a male Hebrew name, but now with increasing use for baby girls as well.

Currently fashionable in Slovenia.

This feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.

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

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.

An lesser-known member of the John-Joan family, though popular in its native habitat, has never emigrated, possibly due to its non-intuitive pronunciation.

Sure to be mispronounced.

This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.

A joyous, celebratory-sounding name.

More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.

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

A spunky diminutive of Hanne, itself derived from Johanna or Johanne.

A gorgeous Hebrew name that was originally used for boys, but is now increasingly used for girls as well. As a bonus, you get the sweet built-in nickname Nina.

Elaborate, ultra-feminine variation of Gianna.

Jeanette is a fancification of Jeanne, Jeanetta makes it even fancier.