Nameberry's Favorite Unique Names

  1. Cricket
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Nickname name from the era of Father Knows Best, though we can see it making something of a comeback, a la Clover and Pippa. Cricket has new potential especially since it has recently been chosen by Busy Philipps. Still, it's one of the quirkier girl names starting with C.
  2. Madelief
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "daisy"
    • Description:

      Madelief is an uncommon name but not unheard of in the Netherlands, where 123 girls were called Madelief in one recent year. With its soft sounds and similarities to all those "Madeleine" type names as well as names ending in "eef/eev" sounds (Aoife, Eve, Genevieve), Madelief has potential in English-speaking countries to be a fresh and pleasant change from Daisy, Margaret and Madeleine.
  3. Annabeth
    • Origin:

      Combination of Anna and Beth
    • Description:

      This is a long-recognized smoosh name merging Anna with the short form of Elizabeth, and is one of the prettiest combo names, a possible alternative to Annabel.
  4. Melusine
    • Origin:

      French, folkloric name
    • Description:

      Melusine was a figure from early European folklore, associated with the water. Her legends are especially connected with the northern and western areas of France, as well as the Low Countries. She is also connected with the French Lusignan royal house which claimed to be descended from Melusine. This name makes a good choice for people looking for a feminine mythological name but want to steer clear of Greek and Arthurian mythology.
  5. Lillemor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavia
    • Meaning:

      "little mother"
    • Description:

      Lillemor is a relatively recent coinage in Scandinavia, where it was most popular in the 1930s and '40s, especially in Sweden. As such, it is considered rather dated in Scandinavia, but it would certainly make a fresh choice for lovers of "Lily" names abroad — although the "Lil" in this case actually comes from lille "little".
  6. Lillemor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavia
    • Meaning:

      "little mother"
    • Description:

      Lillemor is a relatively recent coinage in Scandinavia, where it was most popular in the 1930s and '40s, especially in Sweden. As such, it is considered rather dated in Scandinavia, but it would certainly make a fresh choice for lovers of "Lily" names abroad — although the "Lil" in this case actually comes from lille "little".
  7. Zephan
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God has hidden"
    • Description:

      This shortened form of Zephaniah makes an original Old Testament choice. It might plausibly make an honor name for Stephen or Stephan, and comes with the appealing short form Zeph.
  8. Kitsu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "orange, tangerine; good luck"
    • Description:

      Sweet and colorful, Kitsu is Japanese name with a sleek and stylish sound. Meaning "good luck" or "tangerine, manadarin, orange tree" depending on which kanji are used, the name may also bring to mind Kitsune, a fox spirit from Japanese folklore with powers to shapeshift and bewitch.
  9. Tevel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Yiddish
    • Meaning:

      "world, universe"
    • Description:

      Derived from the Hebrew word for "universe, macrocosm, world", this modern choice may appeal to those who like Evren for its meaning.
  10. Cherith
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Winter stream"
    • Description:

      One of the rarer names to come from the Bible, Cherith has a fresh and modern sound despite its ancient roots. Cherith was the name of the stream that kept Elijah alive during the three years' drought which he announced to King Ahab. In English, Cherith pleasingly reminds one of the word cherish which is another plus to this underused girls' name.
  11. Talvi
    • Origin:

      Finnish, Estonian
    • Meaning:

      "winter"
    • Description:

      A sleek yet friendly name of Finnish and Estonian origin, Talvi is familiar in Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, but rare in English speaking countries. It comes from the Finnish talvi or Estonian talv, meaning "winter", making this an unexpected name to celebrate the colder seasons, to honor someone born in the winter months, or to give to a Christmas baby.
  12. Zélie
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      A cute, zippy French saint's name that's picking up in popularity there, and here in the US. Zélie originated as a short form of Azélie, thought to derive from Adelaide via the Occitan form Azalaïs. Saint Zélie was born Marie-Azélie.
  13. Loxley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "lynx glade"
    • Description:

      An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.
  14. Tennyson
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Dennis"
    • Description:

      Few people would have considered the surname of this famous Victorian poet as a first name until Russell Crowe chose it for his son in 2006. But, as a rhythmic three-syllable patronymic, Tennyson has a lot going for it, not least of all the appealing nickname Tenny; it would make a novel choice for the son of a Dennis.
  15. Maëlle
    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Maël, French, Breton
    • Meaning:

      "chief, prince, lord"
    • Description:

      A warm and stylish name, Maëlle is currently in the Top 150 in both France and Belgium. The feminine form of the even more popular Maël, it traditionally means "prince, lord", though this variant could be interpreted as meaning "lady", "chief", "ruler", or "princess" if you prefer.
  16. Kindred
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "family; connectedness"
    • Description:

      This unusual English word name and surname was the middle name of American sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, after his mother's maiden name. Its striking sound and appealing meaning make it a promising virtue name possibility for either gender.
  17. Amaria
    • Origin:

      Igbo, English, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "grace; beloved, bitter; to thrive and live long; Yahweh has said; to sparkle"
    • Description:

      Amaria is one of those rare names that sounds like a familiar and well-known choice. Part of this is done to its similarity to the likes of Amara, Amelia, Maria, and Aria, but another factor is it its multicultural roots.
  18. Hettie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Henrietta, English
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      It may take another generation or so, but this category of Hettie-Lettie-Lottie names could make a comeback.
  19. Ruska
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "autumn foliage"
    • Description:

      Ruska is a Finnish word referring to autumn foliage — often specifically autumn in Lapland, Finland where the colors are vibrant and magical.
  20. Elvet
    • Origin:

      Old English, place name
    • Meaning:

      "swan stream, swan river, swan island"
    • Description:

      This Old English name feels as if it could have stepped out of a fantasy novel, but it may be just similar enough to Everett and Elliot that it could work in the real world. Derived from the elements elfitu meaning "swan" and either ēa meaning "stream, river" or ēg meaning "island", it is a nature related option name, given to an area in the city of Durham in England.

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