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Olympic Baby Names

  1. Ulla

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "will, determination"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Nino

    • Origin:

      Italian, diminutive of Giannino and of Antonino

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Slovene and Serbian form of Theodora

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Teodora is an extremely attractive and international choice, with several equally attractive, user-friendly nicknames. Appealing short forms might include Tea, Dora, or Dory for English speakers, however, classic diminutives include the Spanish, Italian, Serbian and Portuguese Dora, the Bulgarian Todorka, and the Swedish Thea.
  4. Rulon

    • Description:

      Rulon is a masculine name of uncertain origin, though it may have Scandinavian or English roots. It gained some recognition in the United States through Rulon Gardner, an Olympic gold medal wrestler. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its two clear syllables and unusual combination of consonants and vowels. While remaining quite rare in general usage, Rulon has maintained a steady, if minimal, presence particularly in Mormon communities in the western United States. The name carries a solid, dependable quality with its firm consonant sounds. Its uniqueness makes it appealing to parents seeking a masculine name that stands apart from common choices while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce and spell.
  5. Perrine

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Perry or Peter, English or Greek

    • Meaning:

      "dweller near a pear tree or rock, stone"

    • Description:

      Five girls were given the name Perrine last year. Other feminine Perry or Peter alternatives are Perrin, Perry, or even Petra.
  6. Geraint

    • Origin:

      Celtic, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      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.
  7. Pavel

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pavel may be widespread in the former Soviet Union, but it has a somewhat impoverished image here.
  8. Commodore

    • Description:

      Commodore is a masculine name derived from the military naval rank, which originated from the French 'commandeur' and Latin 'commendare' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to command.' As a given name, it gained limited usage in the United States during the 19th century, reflecting the nation's growing naval power and admiration for military titles. The name carries strong connotations of authority, leadership, and nautical tradition. While never widely popular, Commodore occasionally appeared as both a first and middle name for boys, particularly in families with naval connections or patriotic values. The name experienced a slight resurgence of interest with the popularity of Commodore computers in the 1980s. Today, it remains a rare choice that conveys strength and distinguished heritage.

  9. Katinka

    • Origin:

      Hungarian, Russian, and Dutch diminutive of Katherine or Katarina, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      With its distinctive '-inka' suffix, common in Slavic and Eastern European diminutives, Katinka carries a playful yet sophisticated quality. The name enjoyed some popularity in the Netherlands and Hungary throughout the 20th century but remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.
  10. Arnaud

    • Origin:

      French variation of Arnold

    • Meaning:

      "ruler, strong as an eagle"

    • Description:

      French given and surname.
  11. Joji

    • Description:

      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.
  12. Vashti

    • Origin:

      Persian

    • Meaning:

      "lovely"

    • Description:

      This Persian name with an Old Testament pedigree has a warm Sasha-like feel. The Biblical Vashti was a queen who refused her husband's orders to appear naked in front of his party guests and so was deposed in favor of Esther. For her independent spirit, Vashti has become something of a feminist icon.
  13. Xeno

    • Origin:

      Green

    • Meaning:

      "of Zeus"

    • Description:

      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".
  14. Marika

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Mary

    • Description:

      Foreign variations of Mary are definitely the way to go; this one has a nice Dutch-girl feel. It also works as a cultural crossover name, e.g. between European languages and Japanese.
  15. Gilmore

    • Origin:

      Irish and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "devoted to the Virgin Mary"

    • Description:

      For better or worse, this name is still firmly attached to the TV series Gilmore Girls. It's one of a number of Scottish and Irish surname names beginning with Gil, meaning "servant". In this case, it's "servant of Mary", making it a subtle male Marian name.
  16. Oceana

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "ocean"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Nevena

    • Origin:

      Bulgarian; Macedonian; Croatian; Serbian

    • Meaning:

      "marigold"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a creative way to get to Neve, Nevena is a lovely option with a sweet floral meaning.
  18. Livio

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Livius, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "envious"

    • Description:

      This Italian version of the ancient Roman Livius, with an unenviable meaning, is popular in France and make a fresh spin on Oliver or Levi. In the US, this is a very rare name -- it was given to only five baby boys in 2024 -- with big potential thanks to its similarily to Livia and Olivia.
  19. Sanna

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands.
  20. Ariarne

    • Origin:

      English, invented name

    • Description:

      Phonetic spelling of Ariane worn by the Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who goes by the nickname Arnie.