Olympic Baby Names

Used especially in Latin America, this would make a funky spin on Maria.

The connection to a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend gives this name a hint of nobility. Geraint Thomas was a Welsh cyclist who competed in the 2008 Olympics.

Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.

If you're a lover of the beach and sea, and want a name that relates to the largest body of water, there are several variations you could consider.

French given and surname.

Depending on your cultural references, you may think of Phantom of the Opera author Gaston Leroux, or the macho villain of Beauty and the Beast. While he's hardly a role model (unless you too use antlers in all of your decorating), his name was likely chosen because it's a classic in France. It's been used there since the middle ages, partly in honor of the Frankish bishop St Gaston. It went out of style in France mid-century, but now it's having a revival, entering the Top 300 in 2017.

Eliška is warm and friendly, in the Misha, Sasha mode.

This Irish form of international favorite Cara is a new entry into Ireland's Top 100. But in the US last year, no babies were named Caragh. That final gh, though often silent in English as in might or weigh, would almost certainly prove confusing.

Old-school Italian names that shortens a wide range of longer names, making it feel much more popular than it is on its own.

With an X at the start and an O at the end, Xeno is undeniably modern and cool. If you're looking for a derivation, it could come from either the Greek male name Xenon, meaning "foreigner"; of from Zeno, a latinized form of the Greek name Zenon, meaning "dedicated to Zeus".

Sanne is hugely popular in the Netherlands, but almost unknown here; which makes it an interesting prospect for the parent in search of an unusual name. Pronounced sah-na, Sanne is in keeping with the Dutch taste for nicknames plucked from the middle or end of a name vs. the beginning, such as Bas for Sebastien or Bram for Abram.

Joji is a masculine name with Japanese origins, where it serves as a shortened or casual form of George (Jōji in Japanese). The name has gained international recognition partly through Japanese-Australian musician and YouTube personality Joji (born George Miller). In Japanese, the name is typically written in katakana as ジョージ and carries the same meaning as George, which comes from Greek roots meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker." Joji has a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining its cross-cultural appeal. While still relatively uncommon as a legal given name outside Japan, its popularity has increased somewhat in multicultural communities. Parents might choose this name for its simple pronunciation, cultural connection to Japan, and modern, global feel.

This name is currently best known on The Bachelorette's Tenley Molzahn. In the 1950s, it was attached to the Olympic figure skating champion Tenley Albright, and Jessica Biel played a Tenley in the movie Summer Catch.

Kiko is a versatile masculine name with multicultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'happy child' or 'rare child,' while in Hawaiian culture, it's often a diminutive of Francisco or Federico. The name also appears in African languages, particularly Swahili. Kiko's brevity and repeating 'k' sound create a rhythmic, memorable quality that works well across different languages and cultures. This short, punchy name has gained moderate popularity globally, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries and Japan. Parents are drawn to Kiko for its international appeal, positive connotations, and contemporary feel. The name's cross-cultural presence makes it suitable for families with mixed heritage or those seeking a modern name that travels well across borders.

Apolo is a masculine name that serves as a variant spelling of Apollo, the Greek god of light, music, healing, and prophecy. This simplified spelling is particularly common in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries. The name derives from Greek origins, though its exact etymology remains debated—some connect it to the Greek 'apollymi' meaning 'to destroy,' while others link it to 'apella' meaning 'assembly.' Apolo projects strength and artistic talent, carrying the mythological associations with the sun, beauty, and athletic prowess. The name has seen modest popularity in Latin American countries and has gained some recognition through notable bearers like Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno. Its streamlined spelling offers a more modern, accessible version of the classical name.

Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.

As this word is less often used to mean derriere, it becomes more possible to view Fanny as the kind of appealingly quaint nickname name, like Josie and Nellie, that many parents are favoring now.

An English surname originally given to the illegitimate sons of a monarch. It might be a nice middle name choice to honor an ancestral Roy, though as a first, it does have a cool meaning.

The Old Testament Noah has been so popular for so long that variations are becoming popular too. Noe is a streamlined form used in Greek and Latin Bibles, and in Georgia too. Spelled as more often as Noé, it is also popular across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain.

This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.