Rare but Recognizable Names

Azor

Variation of Azure, English, Hebrew

"sky blue; helper"

Either a variation of the colorful word name, Azure, or a (typically masculine) name of Hebrew origin, appearing in the New Testament as an ancestor of Jesus. Some scholars suggest it could short…

Taisie

Scottish

"soft or gentle"

Taisie is a feminine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, typically considered a diminutive form of names like Anastasia or potentially derived from Tess or Stacy. In Gaelic contexts, it might be related…

Miffy

Invented name

The adorable and iconic bunny character Miffy was created in 1955 by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. Her Dutch name is Nijntje, a contraction of the Dutch word for "little bunny", konijntje . Bruna searched…

Myrtie

Myrtie is a feminine name that serves as a diminutive form of Myrtle, derived from the evergreen shrub sacred to the goddess Venus in Greek and Roman mythology. Popular in the late 19th and early…

Endellion

Cornish place and saint's name

"fire soul"

Endellion is the name of an early saint who was a daughter of King Brychan and goddaughter of King Arthur whose life is commemorated by the Cornish village of St. Endellion. This intriguing ancient…

Glencora

Literary

"heart of the glen"

Inspired by Glendora, this name was invented by prolific Victorian novelist, Anthony Trollope for his Palliser novels. It blends the English glen with the Latin cor to make the whimsical meaning…

Marikit

Tagalog

"pretty, beautiful"

Sweet and confident in sound, Marikit is a Tagalog name, used in the Philippines. According to Filipino legend, the town Marikina was named after a woman called Marikit who became suddenly aware of…

Mclane

Scottish, Irish

"son of the servant of St. John"

Stylized as McLane and sometimes spelled as McLain and McLean, this occupational surname has potential as a given name. With the familiar sounds of popular Lane and Laney, the cool 'Mac' beginning of…

Artula

Celtic

"bear"

Derived from the Gaulish and old Celtic word artos meaning "bear", Artula shares its roots with the classic boy name Arthur. Some sources also suggest it could be linked, or even part of the…

Evanthia

Greek

"blooming"

A pretty and highly unusual relative of Evanthe, which would fit right in with the popular Ev- family of names while standing out for its rarity.

Roselani

Hawaiian

"heavenly rose"

A rare Rose name with a beautiful meaning.

Margalo

Greek variation of Margaret

"pearl"

Margalo could make an intriguing spin on Margaret, with Margo as a nickname. The name appears in E. B. White's Stuart Little — as a bird. Margalo Gilmore (born Margaret) was a well-known British-born…

Marsaili

Scottish form of Marcella

"warlike"

Although it is sometimes cited as the Gaelic equivalent of English Margery or Marjorie ("pearl"), Marsaili in fact derives from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, via the related name Marcella.…

Cleome

English flower name

"spider flower"

A pretty plant with pink or lilac flowers.

Maxeline

Variation of Maxellende, French

"greatest"

A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and…

Sweden

Place-name

"Swede, one's own tribe"

You may be surprised to learn 73 girls have been named Sweden since the 2000s. Appearing sporadically in the US name stats over the last twenty years, the name derives from the Old Norse Svíar which…

Eadlyn

Anglo-Saxon

Eadlyn Helena Margarete Schreave de Koskinen is the protagonist of Kiera Cass' Selection novels. Eadlyn and its variants Eadlin and Edelyn are uncommon in real life, but feel bang on-trend and…

Merrily

English word name or combination of Mary and Lee

"cheerful, joyful; drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + meadow"

Slightly sing-song and very joyful, with a hint of Melody, a bit of Felicity, and a dash of Truly thrown in, Merrily was briefly popular in the 1940s. It can be considered a smoosh name, blending…