Nameberry's Favorite Unique Names
- Fjord
Origin:
Norse word nameDescription:
The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders. It conjures vivid blue, ice laden landscapes.
- Solas
Origin:
Invented name, or Norwegian or Spanish surnameMeaning:
"pride; light, bright"Description:
Solas is a surname name in both Norwegian (as Solås) and Spanish (as Solás), but it was introduced as a first name via the video game franchise Dragon Age. In the series, Solas is an Elven mage whose name is derived from the Elven word for "pride".
- Elvet
Origin:
Old English, place nameMeaning:
"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.
- Laertes
Origin:
Ancient GreekMeaning:
"gatherer of the people"Description:
An Ancient Greek name with a huge dose of literary credibility. Laertes was the father of Odysseus in Greek mythology, who therefore pops up in Homer's The Odyssey.
- Elswyth
Origin:
Anglo-SaxonMeaning:
"strong temple"Description:
An Anglo-Saxon name borne by the queen of Alfred the Great. American novelist Helen Ricker wrote under the pen-name Elswyth Thane. Variants include Elswith, Ealswith and Ealhswith.
- Zélie
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"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.
- Kirrily
Origin:
Aboriginal, AustralianMeaning:
"tree bark or leaf"Description:
Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori Kiri which means tree bark, or the Aboriginal word kira which means leaf – plus the lee sound.
- Talvi
Origin:
Finnish, EstonianMeaning:
"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.
- Melusine
Origin:
French, folkloric nameDescription:
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.
- Somerled
Origin:
Norse, Scottish Gaelic, “summer traveler”Description:
A rare and evocative name which calls to mind warm, endless summer days. This is an Anglicized form of the Old Norse name Sumarliði, also found in Scottish Gaelic as Somhairle (pronounced SO-ar-lee). The Sorley spelling is now more popular in Scotland.
- Ebba
Origin:
Feminization of Ebbe, Swedish and Danish, or variation of Old English ÆbbeMeaning:
"bear god; brave boar"Description:
Ebba, the feminine version of Ebbe (a diminutive of Eberhard or Asbjorn) and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity.
- Nairne
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"river with alder trees"Description:
A name with a pleasing nature meaning, a surname style, and pleasant Scottish burr. Reminiscent of Mare, Raine, and Blair, it is as yet undiscovered as a first name.
- Caradoc
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"amiable, beloved"Description:
Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys, Caradoc is ultimately derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos meaning "loved", itself originating from the Celtic karu.
- Revere
Origin:
English and French word name and surnameDescription:
Revere is a word name meaning to admire or esteem, an appealing meaning. In the USA, however, Revere attracts further connotation as the surname of Paul Revere, one of the celebrated patriots of the American Revolution. As a surname, the meaning of Revere might be river or robber.
- Tomine
Origin:
NorwegianMeaning:
"twin"Description:
Currently in the Norwegian Top 100, Tomine is a feminine form of the classic Tomas. Gentle yet tough, it was first used in Norway in the 18th-century.
- Madelief
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"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.
- Oceander
Origin:
Modern inventionMeaning:
"ocean man"Description:
Oceander is a modern creation, spinning cool words name Ocean and Océane into a name in the style of Leander, Evander, Alexander, and similar. As such, it may be said to mean "ocean man", pairing the nature-name with the Greek ander element.
- Marinell
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"knight of the sea"Description:
In Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Marinell is a knight and the son of a water nymph. He is wounded in battle against the valiant female knight Britomart.
- Loxley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"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.
- Fenris
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"fen-dweller"Description:
Variation of Fenrir.
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