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Classic Baby Names with a Twist

  1. Alessandro

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      For anyone seeking a more unusual version of Alexander, this is a real winner.
  2. Arno

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "eagle"

    • Description:

      Subtract the last two letters of Arnold, and you're left with a much more modern-sounding name. Arno is also the name of the main river in Florence, upon which sits the famed Ponte Vecchio. The Italian river name means "flowing water".
  3. Anja

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian; Finnish; Slovene; Croatian; Serbian, from Russian

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Anja is one of the most international of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
  4. Vincenzo

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Vincent

    • Meaning:

      "conquering"

    • Description:

      This classic yet poetic Italian name for boys, is a Top 50 choice in its native Italy, and has been climbing up the charts in the US and the UK too. It had sporadically made the US charts throughout the 20th century, but it has been consistently present since 2009.
  5. Esmond

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "graceful protection"

    • Description:

      Though slightly haughtier and less accessible than cousin Edmond, Esmond could appeal to some parents seeing a distinguished appellation. It began being used (albeit sparingly) in England in the nineteenth century, possibly influenced by William Makepeace Thackeray's novel The History of Henry Esmond.
  6. Perla

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Pearl

    • Description:

      Consistently popular Latina gem name; good choice for those who can't shake Pearl's grandmotherly vibe.
  7. Vittorio

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Victor

    • Meaning:

      "conqueror"

    • Description:

      Was there ever a name that rolled more appealingly off the tongue? Vittorio calls to mind the glory days of Italian cinema, featuring names like Vittorio de Sica and Vittorio Gassman.
  8. Willem

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protector"

    • Description:

      Common in Holland, the appealing Willem (as in de Kooning and Dafoe) makes William fresh and distinctive.
  9. Mariel

    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

    • Description:

      Mariel Hemingway popularized this attractive and unusual variation of Mary. It's a fairly recent form, emerging in the twentieth century. Other variations include Marielle and Mariella, which is found in Italy.
  10. Jacoby

    • Origin:

      Variation of Jacob, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Jacoby, a surname spin on Jacob shot up the charts in the middle of the 2000's, thanks largely to the popularity of Jacoby Ellsbury, the first Native American of Navajo descent in the Major Leagues, but has been dropping steadily since it peaked at Number 423 in 2008. As of 2022, it dropped out of the US Top 1000 and is given to around 170 boys each year.
  11. Sosie

    • Origin:

      Variation of Sosi, Armenian, or diminutive of Susan or Sophie, Hebrew, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "palm tree; lily; wisdom"

    • Description:

      Sweet and cosy but with substance too, Sosie is a rare, multicultural name. Used as a short form of Susan, Sosan, Sophie and Sophia, it could make a fresh alternative to Suzy, Izzy, or Josie; alternatively, it's an Armenian name in its own right, derived from Sosi meaning "palm tree".
  12. Paolo

    • Origin:

      Italian, variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Paolo is an irresistibly lush Italian name for boys, worlds more romantic than its spare English equivalent.
  13. Adriano

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "man from Adria"

    • Description:

      Adriano is a dashing Italian name which gets around the possible gender confusion of Adrian.
  14. Stefano

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Stephen

    • Meaning:

      "garland, crown"

    • Description:

      As commonly heard in Rome, Italy, as Steve is in Rome, New York. With the accent on the first syllable, Stefano has a lot of charm.
  15. Marta

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "lady"

    • Description:

      Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
  16. Emiliana

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emily

    • Meaning:

      "rival"

    • Description:

      The enormous popularity of Emily and Emma means that parents will be looking further afield for substitutes -- and this is one of the prettiest.

  17. Dougal

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "dark stranger"

    • Description:

      Heard in the Scottish highlands, and much more in tune with the present times than the dated Douglas — for which it could make a perfect tribute name.
Dougal was the Scottish nickname for invading dark-haired Danish Vikings, just as Fingal was given to the blonder Norwegians.
  18. Alexandrine

    • Origin:

      French and German variation of Alexandra

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.
  19. Clelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "famous"

    • Description:

      The obscure yet not unappealing name of a legendary heroine of Rome. The ancient Clelia escaped an Etruscan invader by swimming across the Tiber River.
  20. Ashling

    • Description:

      Ashling (also spelled Aisling) is a feminine Irish name derived from the Gaelic word "aislinge," meaning "dream" or "vision." In Irish literary tradition, an aisling was a poetic genre involving dream-vision poems where Ireland appeared to the poet as a woman. The name emerged in popularity during the Irish cultural revival of the 20th century and has become increasingly popular among diaspora families seeking to connect with their Irish heritage. While relatively uncommon outside Ireland and Irish communities, Ashling offers a lyrical quality with its soft sounds and meaningful heritage. The name represents imagination, hope, and the mystical aspects of Irish cultural tradition.