Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names · Historic and Vintage Names
Unique Names from History
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Theodosia
Greek
"gift of God"
This feminine form of Theodosius has long been buried deep in the attic, but might be a good discovery for the parent who wants to move beyond Theodora. Vice President Aaron Burr named a daughter…
Thurstan
Scandinavian, variation of Thurston
"Thor's stone"
Thurston Howell was the snooty millionaire on Gilligan's Island , but these days such surname names don't have the same elitist air.
Wulfric
English
"wolf power"
Most famous as one of the many middle names of Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter , Wulfric is an earlier form of the medieval English name Ulric. It has also belonged to an 11th- century Earl of…
Wystan
English
"battle stone"
Dignified first name of poet W. H. Auden, less exposed than his currently stylish surname.
Xerxes
Persian
"hero among heroes"
The two X's may be a challenge for even the most intrepid baby namer. Xerxes was the name of two early kings of Persia and the Handel opera Serse or Xerxes is loosely based on Xerxes I.
Leofstan
Old English
"dear, beloved stone"
A chivalrous, knightly sounding choice, that blends the appeal of Tristan, Leon, Laertes, and Leonard. Appearing in several historical chronicles and borne by a 10th century Bishop of London called…
Zillah
Hebrew
"shade"
A light, bohemian-sounding biblical name, mentioned in the bible as a wife of Lamech, one of the first men.
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…
Amalfrida
German
"noble peace"
Part Amalia, part Winifred, part Frederika, Amalfrida is an Old Germanic name, combining the elements amal and fridu , to give the charming meaning, "noble peace". With a hint of historical fantasy…
Achilles
Greek, meaning unknown
The name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel, Achilles is more popular in its international form, Achille, which is popular in France, Italy, and Belgium. This variation did however…
Agrippina
Latin
"born feetfirst"
A name with a rich history in Ancient Greece and Rome, Agrippina was the sister of Caligula and mother of Nero, who had her murdered. The original male version, Agrippa, can also used for girls. The…
Alaric
German
"all-powerful ruler"
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West…
Alethea
Greek
"truth"
Alethea, the name of the Greek goddess of truth, came into fashion in England in the 16th century, in tandem with the virtue names. Alethea may find new favor now, thanks to its similarity to Athena,…
Amasis
Egyptian
"son of Iah"
Amasis II was the last ruler of Egypt before it was conquered by the Persians. His name is a variant of Ahmose — which he is also referred to by — a name meaning "son of Iah" referring to the minor…