Rare but Recognizable Names
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About this list
The names
Truce
English word name
"an agreement between opponents to stop fighting for a certain time"
With its harmonious meaning and gentle sound, Truce has joined the wave of virtuous word names that have risen up the charts in the 21st century. Reflecting a wish for peace during turbulent times,…
Caradoc
Welsh
"amiable, beloved"
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,…
Svea
Nordic
"spear"
More Scandinavian names are making their way into English-speaking homes. If Sven and Freya are useable, why not Svea? With a similar sound to Ava, it is associated with Mother Svea, a national…
Aideen
Irish
"jealousy"
A name possibly derived from Etain, an ancient Irish sun and horse goddess whose name is still used. Adina is a related choice.
Elswyth
Anglo-Saxon
"strong temple"
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.
Alodia
Germanic
"foreign riches"
A melodious ancient saint's name now more commonly heard in its French form, Elodie.
Lucelia
English variation of Lucilia
"light"
A variant of the ancient roman Lucilia. Add an accent and Lucélia is a municipality in Brazil and the name of actress Lucélia Santos. Lucelia is a rare name and barely breaks the Social Security…
Elitsa
Bulgarian
"fir tree, spruce"
Also spelled Elitza, this sweet but spiky name comes from the Bulgarian ела meaning "fir tree". Similar in sound to Eliza, though not related to it, this could make a charming option for a December…
Almendra
Spanish, Latin
"almond"
A rare choice with familiar sounds, Almendra is a Spanish word name meaning "almond", making it a nature-inspired choice with links to Bible and to marzipan treats. With potential nickname Alma, it…
Ellerbe
English surname
"Aelfweard's land or farmstead; settlement of the elf guardian"
The name of a town in North Carolina, Ellerbe is derived from the Old English surname Elwordebi, meaning "Aelfweard's farmstead". Contracted and altered overtime, it appears in various forms,…
Ottawa
Place name, Algonquin
"to trade"
The capital city of Canada makes an unusual name for a baby, though it was recently used by nutrition and fitness Instagrammer, Kaleigh Kellner. The Canadian city ultimately gets it name from adawe…
Mozelle
French, Hebrew, Latin, "drawn from water; little meuse"
"drawn from water; little meuse"
Mozelle is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Moses, which means "drawn from the water" in Hebrew. There is also the possibility that it is derived from Latin, to…
Tesni
Welsh
"warmth from the sun"
A sweet little name with one of the most poetic meanings around: it means "warmth from the sun" in Welsh. Though it's among the undiscovered Welsh names , it's one that deserves wider use.
Delyth
Welsh
"pretty and blessed"
If you like soft, lispy Welsh names like Gwyneth, or want an alternative to Delilah, Adele, or Edith, consider this out-of-the-ordinary option.
Myrna
Irish
"festive; affection, endearment"
An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…
Ita
Irish
"thirst"
The name of one of the most famous medieval Irish saints, who was known as "the foster-mother of the saints," and founded a nunnery in the county of Limerick. Might be of interest to someone looking…
Lua
Galician and Catalan form of Luna, Portuguese, Latin
"moon; to set free"
Properly spelled Luã, this is a light and bright alternative to mega-popular Luna, with the same celestial meaning. Lua is also an attractive choice for tech-heads, with Lua being a popular…
Atalanta
Greek mythology name
"equal in weight"
Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in…
Cerelia
Latin
"relating to springtime"
Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.
Caedmon
Anglo-Saxon, Brythonic
"battle, wise warrior"
An ancient name with poetic and mystical qualities, Caedmon was borne by a 7th-century poet, notable for being the first English poet to have their name recorded. Caedmon appears in the 8th-century…