Olympic Baby Names

This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.

Also spelled as Freydís, this Norse and Icelandic name appears in Norse mythology, borne by Viking warrior and half-sister of Lief Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir. While Freda and Freya are far more familiar in the English-speaking world, Freydis more distinctive and underused. Fourteen babies were given the name in the US in 2024.

Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And then there's Gregor Clegane, one of the most feared and purely evil characters in the world of Game of Thrones.

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

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.

With a sunny, airy sound, a clunky-cool look, and a lovely, nature-inspired meaning, Solfrid was popular in its native Norway back in the mid-20th century, but has been out of the Top 100 since the 60s and has yet to catch on elsewhere. Made up of the Old Norse elements,sól meaning "sun" and fríðr meaning "beautiful" or "beloved", notable bearers include Olympic weightlifter, Solfrid Koanda, actress Solfrid Heier, and content creator, known as Solfrid ASMR.

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

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.

Antonella is a feminine form of Anthony growing in popularity throughout Latin America as well as in the US.

A zippier spelling of Fraser, a Scottish surname borrowed from either the Old French word for "strawberry plant" (fraise), a now lost French place name (from the surname "de Fresel"), or from the Gaelic frasach meaning "curly-haired". English actor Frazer Hines is a notable bearer.

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.

Keturah, the Old Testament name of Abraham's second wife, is a possibility for anyone seeking a truly unusual and interesting biblical name; certainly a lot more distinctive than that of Abraham's first wife, Sarah.

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.

Much stronger than Dale for a boy.

Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela.

French given and surname.

Jona is a masculine name with Hebrew origins, derived from the name Jonah, which means "dove" in Hebrew. It is a concise and streamlined variation of Jonah, which appears in the Bible as a prophet known for the whale (or large fish) story. Jona has a simple, strong sound while maintaining a gentle meaning. While less common than Jonah in English-speaking countries, Jona enjoys some popularity in Germanic and Scandinavian regions. The name carries spiritual connotations of peace and divine messenger, reflecting the symbolism of the dove in various cultural traditions. Jona has a modern feel while connecting to ancient roots, appealing to parents seeking a Biblical name with a contemporary edge.

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.

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

This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.