Names That Mean Surprise

Notably borne by Faustin Soulouque, a 19th-century president, and later emperor, of Haiti.

Though the accent falls on the second syllable, people will mistake this name of the first month of the Jewish calendar or for the Japanese car.

The name of prize-winning American architect Robert Venturi would make a somewhat awkward first.

In Roman mythology. Felicitas was the deity of good luck.

Pretty and unusual.

Brimming over with a sense of good fortune. Could make a little girl feel very lucky.

An attractive name that's uncommon even in its native Finland. Onneli ja Anneli is a Finnish children's movie translated to English as Jill and Joy, although the names are unrelated.

A bright, celestial sounding choice with a lucky meaning. Violinist Maimuna Murashko and actress Maimuna Memon are notable bearers.

While the female version, Miranda, has long been popular, maybe it's time to consider the equally attractive male version.

Derived from the Finnish word "mielu", meaning "luck", Mielikki is the Finnish goddess of forests and the hunt.

Accessible and attractive Tibetan name used for both sexes.

Maimun is a common name in Arabic-speaking countries, where its meaning bestows good fortune.

What parent wouldn't love this meaning?

Offbeat, under-the-radar choice to honor a Grandma Rosalie.

The Estonian writer Mats Tõnisson created Milvi as a nickname for Miranda. It's also connected to the Estonian word miilama, meaning "glow" or "burn slowly".

Unrelated to the gemstone, Opalluk is a rare name of Greenlandic origin with an endearing and lively meaning. Rarely used as a given name, it would be a surprising choice. Upaluk is another form of the name.

The futuristic consonant x sets this apart -- for better and worse -- from all the other Felices, Felicias, and Felicitys.