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.

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

Though slightly haughtier and less accessible than cousin Edmond, Esmond could appeal to some parents seeing a distinguished appellation. It began being used (albeit sparingly) in England in the nineteenth century, possibly influenced by William Makepeace Thackeray's novel The History of Henry Esmond.

The cute short form gained prominence when it was used for young Prince William of England.

Very popular on its native turf, foreign-sounding here.

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.

Short form of Bronisława, usually spelt Bronia in Poland.

An unusual yet accessible Scandinavian choice, though it might be confused with Harvard.

Alexandrina is the most elaborate and unusual of the Alex- girls's names.The real first name of Queen Victoria, who was given it in honor of her godfather, Alexander I of Russia (her childhood nickname was Drina), it would make a distinctive pick, even though some might find five syllables a bit much. It was particularly popular in Scotland in the 1930s.

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.

The Welsh version of William is almost unheard-of across, but it's fairly straightforward and could make a good heritage choice or alternative honor name.

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.

Name of one of the three main Hindu gods.

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.

Variation of Pharamond.

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

With Yale and Brown in the mainstream, why not this upscale college name and surname as well.

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.