Rare but Recognizable Names
Across 9 pages
of 9
Concord
Word name
"harmony, peaceful coexistence"
With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.
Zerrin
Turkish
"golden, yellow, daffodil"
A bright and succinct name of Turkish origin, with a glowing meaning to match, Zerrin derives from the Persian zarrin . It is also used as the Turkish word for daffodil, lending the name a springy…
Elvet
Old English, place name
"swan stream, swan river, swan island"
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…
Ruzmarin
Serbian
"rosemary"
A botanical, masculine name, Ruzmarin is the Serbian word for the strong smelling shrub and herb. It is rarely used as a given name however.
Vivendel
Norwegian nature name
"honeysuckle flower"
The Norwegian word for "honeysuckle" could make for a fresh and vibrant nature-inspired choice.
Tazu
Japanese
"rice-field stork"
Tazu has a certain snazzy appeal.
Acacius
Greek
"thorny; or, innocent, not evil"
Acacius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Akakios and can be interpreted to relate to the same root as the name Acacia, for the thorn bush, or Akakios which means "not evil." With the modern…
Meraud
Cornish
"a profit from the sea"
A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is…
Benvon
Medieval Irish
"Lady of Munster"
Benvon might sound like a contemporary creation, however, it is in fact an anglicization of the Old Irish name Bean Mhumhan, in which Bean means "lady, woman" and Mhumhan refers to the Irish province…
Sholto
Scottish from the Gaelic
"sower"
Rugged but gentle, Sholto is a traditional Scottish first name, especially within the Douglas clan, with Sholto Douglas being its mythical ancestor. It is an Anglicized form of Sìoltach, meaning…
Salix
Latin, botanical name
An unusual name related to the willow family.
Calix
Male variation of Calixta or Latin
"chalice"
Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 62 baby boys were named Calix in 2024. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to…
Olympio
Italian, Spanish, Greek
"from Mount Olympus"
Olympio is a masculine name with Greek origins, derived from Mount Olympus, the mythological home of the Greek gods. The name carries associations with strength, divinity, and athletic prowess,…
Tomine
Norwegian
"twin"
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. Sharing the Aramaic meaning of the Biblical…
Farin
Persian, Germanic, French, Irish
"praise, commendation; journey, traveller; iron gray; little man, dove"
Farin is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Persian, it means "praise" or "commendation", while in Germanic contexts, it may relate to "journey" or "traveller." From its French…
Tessel
Dutch diminutive of Theresa, Telse, or Tesselschade
"to harvest; pledged to god; damaged at Texel; Texel island"
Popular in The Netherlands back in the 2000s, Tessel is a diminutive of Theresa or Telse; a short form of the rare Tesselschade, or a place name, referring to the Island of Texel (said Tessel). It…
Sable
English animal name
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both…
Minta
English, diminutive of Araminta, invented hybrid name
Minta is an eighteenth century short form of a literary beauty still used in England today, but yet to be discovered by American baby namers. It has a fresh and dainty feel. Virtually unheard today,…
Albertine
French feminine variation of Albert
"bright, noble"
Albertine and Alberta are old-fashioned feminizations ala Geraldine and Roberta: a little bit clunky, a little bit regal, just waiting for a celeb to use them to make them cool again. Familiar in…
Digby
English, Norse
"town by the ditch"
Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention. In fact, it ranked in the UK Top 1000 in a recent year where it fits in with the…