Names That Mean Surprise

A unisex name used in India with an upbeat meaning. It was one of the fastest rising names in the UK in 2023.

Only in use in the US since the late 1950s, Marivel may have originated as a creative spin on Marvel, perhaps influenced by Maribel, which has followed the same popularity trajectory (although much higher up the charts).

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

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

Of the Faust- name family, Fausto is considered the most stylish.

The Yiddish name from which the common matronymic Jewish surname Glick derives.

Often heard in India, this is the name of the Hindu goddess of abundance, beauty, and prosperity, the embodiment of grace and charm --lucky omens indeed. The goddess Lakshmi is worshiped daily in Hindu homes, and has festivals held in her honor.

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".

Kouki is an uncommon choice in Japan today, but it's been used for several anime characters.

Upbeat choice.

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

Too close to nausea.

A deity of fate and destiny in Latvian and Lithuanian mythology. Laima prophesizes how the life of a newborn will take place — sometimes there was only one Laima, while in other cases three Laimas would give contradicting predictions.

Saint Madern, also sometimes referred to as Saint Madron, was a Cornish monk and hermit sanctified in the 6th century. The Cornish village of Madron is named after him.

Parvaiz would certainly stand out in an American classroom.

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

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.