Dog Names That Mean Survivor or Fighter

Just a few years ago, Dustin, Dylan, and Daryl seemed like radical, edgy names for girls; now even Great-aunt Alberta wouldn't raise an eyebrow.

This Arabic names has many spelling variations but this is the one that of the more phonetic transliterations and is therefore most used in English-speaking countries.

A name with two strong literary associations, one overwhelmingly negative -- Lolita's pedophilic narrator Humbert Humbert -- and one positive, in the preferable European version: Italian author Umberto Eco.

Caedmon is considered the first English poet -- a nice literary tie-in to the streamlined version.

This name has been off the USA Top 1000 list since before 1900, but it has some great musical credentials: consider American blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander and country music legend Pat Alger.

Most famously borne by Loja Saarinen, a Finnish-American artist and wife of architect Eliel Saarinen. She was born Minna Carolina Mathilde Louise Gesellius and went by Louise or Loja.

A strong name with a strong meaning, like its cousin Zafir.

The Finnish word for "victory" is a rare name even throughout the Nordic country, but with its on-trend V sound it could make a striking choice.

Commonly used Muslim name, also sometimes chosen to honor Egyptian president Gamal Abdel-Nasser.

A jauntier, more accessible form of Siegfried.

Strong African name with a meaning to match.

Not to be confused with the identically spelt Greek feminine form, which is pronounced with three syllables, Zosime is the French form of the male name Zosimus. Zosime or Zosimus is a quirky Z starting name with a long history. It has been the name of several early saints and a pope, as well as the Byzantine author of a history of the Roman Empire, published in the sixth century CE.

Derived from Yngvi, an alternative name for the Norse god Freyr.

Irish surname-names are hugely popular for girls in the US these days, with Riley and Kennedy ranking high on the official popularity lists. Connery is uncommon, but certainly attractive and usable.

This variation of the popular Indian name Sanjay was borne by a popular-against-all-odds American Idol contestant.

Zafreen variant used by Stephenie Meyer in the Twilight saga.

The unusual name chosen by influencer Ty Haney and musician Mark Wystrach for their son, brother to Sundance.