Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Diminutive of Jacob, Hebrew
"supplanter"
A variation or short form of the popular Biblical boy name Jacob that has a totally different feel to it. Contemporary, modern, and zippy, it blends the cool air of Kade, Kai, Kace, and Karter, with…
Latin
"mild, merciful"
Clement, the name of fourteen popes and several saints, has a pleasantly, positive, slightly antiquated feel, like the phrase "clement weather." Clement C. Moore wrote the poem "A Visit from St.…
Kanaan is a masculine name with ancient origins, most directly connected to Canaan, the biblical land promised to the Israelites. The name derives from Semitic languages and may mean 'lowland,'…
African, Uganda
"second of twins"
Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more…
Diminutive of Caleb or surname
This up-and-coming single-syllable name has a few famous bearers, including baseballer Cale Iorg and Canadian hip-hop musician Cale Sampson. Sounding like Kale, this name also has a crunchy, hipster…
"all-knowing"
Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman…
Irish
"little slender one"
One of several Anglicized forms of Caolán, this spelling is borrowed from the Old Irish root, cáel . With its stylish -an ending and its cool 'KAY' sound, Caelan entered the Top 500 in England and…
Kam is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins, giving it different meanings depending on context. In Vietnamese, Kam can mean 'orange' or 'citrus,' while in Chinese contexts it may…
Scandinavian variation of Christopher, Greek and Latin
"bearer of Christ"
Kristofer and all his cousins (and kousins) is an ancient name that was hugely popular from the 1970s through the 1990s, spawning a wide number of variations. Americans will be familiar with this…
Kordell is a masculine name with Germanic roots, possibly derived from elements meaning 'heart' or 'courage' combined with 'valley.' This strong, distinctive name gained recognition in the United…
Spelling variation of Carsten
See CARSTEN.
Low German and Nordic variation of Christian
This Nordic-sounding name is ripe for wider usage, especially as a fresh alternative to Christian or similar-sounding Carl.
Greek
"beautiful"
Calixto is known in Spain as the name of three popes, one of whom was the martyr, Callixtus I, regarded as a saint. Calixto has a lot of energy and futuristic spirit, thanks in part to the…
Dutch and German variation of Casper and Jasper, Persian
"keeper of the treasure"
After half a century, this otherwise feasible name has at last started to lose its link to the friendly ghost; it certainly didn't scare model Claudia Schiffer, who chose it for her son, as did…
"slender"
Variant of Caelan
Modern invented name
Whether you think of it as Cale with a K, or a pet form of Kalen or Kaleb, this is just the kind of short, synthetic name finding a lot of favor now, but remember -- it's also the name of a vegetable.
Kaspar is a masculine name with ancient Persian origins, traditionally believed to mean 'treasurer' or 'keeper of the treasure.' It gained prominence in Christian tradition as one of the Three Wise…
Scandinavian
"Carl's son"
Good way to honor Scandinavian roots, or an ancestor named Carl or Charles.
Klement is a masculine name that represents a variation of Clement, derived from the Latin 'clemens' meaning 'merciful' or 'gentle.' This spelling with a 'K' is more common in Eastern European…
Kalixto is a masculine name that represents a variation of Calisto or Callisto, which derive from the Greek word 'kallistos' meaning 'most beautiful.' In Greek mythology, Callisto was a nymph who was…
