Possibly to honor Canadian short story writer Alice -- though Alice is more far accessible and--until very recently-- nearly as distinctive.

A rugged and rare alternative to Gwen, Gwyneth, and Gwendolyn, Gwennan derives from the Welsh gwen meaning "white, blessed" and nant meaning "stream". A nature name with a familiar sound, it was borne by one of the daughters of the legendary Welsh king Brychan Brycheiniog. Footballer Gwennan Harries, rugby play Gwennan Hopkins, and harp player Gwenan Gibbard are notable bearers.

Compact and creative, it has been associated with one-time Cagney & Lacey star Tyne Daly.

The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.

Beautiful downtown Burbank -- about as glamorous a place-name as Akron...or Detroit.

Zenebe is an appealing name well-used in Ethiopia but rarely heard outside its native land. But it translates easily into English and Zen makes for a cool and attractive nickname. A winning choice for those looking for an African boys' names that bridges cultures.

Variant of Treveri. The Treveri people gave their name to modern-day Trier, formerly known in English by its French name Treves, which is the oldest city in Germany and was one of the ancient capitals of the Roman Empire. This could be a novel way to honor an ancestral Trevor.

A family name that wouldn't appeal to many parents.

Irish name with an intriguing lilt.

nature namesare in, and even fish names like Pike and Salmon are open for consideration.

An incredibly poetic name that could be worn well in many cultures.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

Pacific is an adventurous kind of place-name, with the added bonus of the association with peace.

Simple, succinct, and water-inspired, Neer is a unisex name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, translating literally to "water, liquid" in English. While it more popularly appears as Neera (also said to mean "waterlily"), Neer may appeal to those who enjoy one syllable names like Noor.

In the Bible, daughter of King Saul and wife of King David.

A rare choice from Greek mythology, Herse was the name of several figures including a daughter of Zeus and Selene and a consort of Danaus. Also borne by one of the Jupiter's moons, Herse may now be more familiar in its modern form, Ersi.

Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.