Classic Baby Names
Classic Baby Names with a Twist
Across 6 pages
of 6
Kalman
Latin, short for Kalonymous
"gracious, good reputation"
This is a rarely heard multi-cultural name, related to a 14th century Jewish scholar named Kalonymous ben Kalonymous, who translated important texts from Arabic to Hebrew. It is also a Hungarian…
Dorit
Hebrew
"of this generation"
Popular in Israel, sounds a lot more current than Doris.Brings to mind Dickens' Little Dorrit , though Dorrit was the surname of its heroine Amy.
Laurence
Latin
"from Laurentum"
A feminine form in France, this boyish choice could make a fresh alternative to Lauren or Laura -- or be an inventive way to honor Grandpa Larry.
Devorah
Hebrew
"bee"
The Biblical name of a great prophet and judge who helped organize an army and effect a major victory over the Canaanites. Sounds much fresher than the Anglicized Deborah.
Linden
English tree name
"tree of the genus Tilla"
Though this name of a sturdy tree that can live for centuries was quite popular for boys in the first half of the twentieth century, at this point in time we can see Linden as a fresh-sounding…
Clelia
Italian, Latin
"famous"
The obscure yet not unappealing name of a legendary heroine of Rome, likely derived from the Roman family name, Cloelius. It is believed to come from the Latin word cluere , meaning "to have renowned…
Lysander
Greek
"liberator"
Lysander is a distinctive Greek name that could be thought of as a more creative cousin of Alexander. In ancient history, Lysander was the name of an esteemed Spartan naval commander and his literary…
Madelena
Madelena is a graceful feminine name representing a variation of Magdalena, ultimately derived from Magdala, an ancient place name meaning "tower" in Aramaic. This name connects to the biblical…
Christo
Slavic
"one who carries Christ"
This unusual name, which is jauntier than Chris when used as a diminutive of Christopher, is associated with the Bulgarian installation artist of that name, responsible for wrapping many public…