Short form of Bronisława, usually spelt Bronia in Poland.

With the plethora of Alexes around, Xan (and Xander) have emerged as hot new nicknames for Alexander. Xan also stands well on its own. It can be found--not surprisingly--in several computer games.

Possible Hayden alternative.

While Aasmund and Asmund are also used, it is Åsmund that is the most familiar spelling of this name in Norway. Derived from the Old Norse Ásmundr, it is a cognate to the Old English Osmund. Borne by the 11th-century Runemaster, Åsmund Kåresson, more recent bearers are footballer Aasmund Bjørkan, biologist Åsmund Asdal, and politician Åsmund Grøver Aukrust.

This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.

If you want to go waaaaay beyond William, consider this Welsh form, which can also be spelled Gwilym, Gwilim, or Gwillym.

Spirit that protects babies from illness...and surname of designer Naomi.

A name that is rarely heard and might be worth considering as a way of zipping up a namesake Sandra. It has long been associated with iconoclastic British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.

Another name for the Hindu god-Vishnu.

Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari. This form remains popular in Sweden, however.

Folke - which has two syllables - is a Top 100 name in its native Sweden, but rarely heard elsewhere. A related alternative is Fulk, popular with the Normans but little-used now.

Shura is a unisex Russian nickname for Aleksandr or Aleksandra, themselves forms of Alexander. Less known in the English-speaking world than Sasha, it's also more assertive — probably because of that "sure" sound.

Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.

What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.

Variation of Pharamond.

Name of one of the three main Hindu gods.

Zhansaya is a beautiful and comforting name, popular in its native Kazakhstan. A Top 20 choice back in the 2000s, it has since declined slightly in use, but remains familiar and appealing.

Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.

An ancient saint's name belonging to an 8th century English missionary. Variants include Walpurga and Walpurgis.

This handsome name remains undiscovered outside of Armenia, but its stylish V initial and -an ending make it an attractive choice for the taking. In Armenia, Vahan has been going in and out of the Top 50 since 2007, most recently ranking at #49.