Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Diminutive of Benjamin
Benji is undeniably cute, much in the way of a — yes, an adorable movie mutt. Ben is the handsome traditional short form of Benjamin, but Benji makes a more unexpected nickname
Variation of Iman, Arabic
"faith"
Emani is more popular than the original Iman, for girls at least. About 200 baby girls were named Emani in the US last year, while 80 girls were named Iman. Iman is quite gender-neutral, with 60 baby…
Nahuatl
"star"
A celestial choice that's used both in Mexico and by Latinx Americans. The Hispanized form spelling Xitlali may be more familiar.
Modern invention, from Hebrew or Arabic
"music from God; evening conversation; beauty; mind, heart; one who builds"
With its zippy Z initial and its similarity to the popular Amari, Kamari, and Zamir, this modern invention has more than doubled in popularity in the last decade. Given to 111 boys and to 40 girls in…
Catalan diminutive of Xavier, Basque or Arabic
"new house or bright"
This nickname was given often enough as a standalone to land it in the Top 1000 from 2010—2013.
Short form of Esaias or variation of Esau, Hebrew
"salvation of the Lord; hairy"
An energetic and compact Spanish name, likely derived from Esaias or Esau, it is best associated with actor Esai Morales of American Family and Bad Boys fame. Pronounced as EH-sye in Spanish, it may…
Variation of Johari, Arabic from Persian
"jewel"
A rare but rising unisex name more common among boys. Names ending in -ari are a hot subset of gender-neutral names that grows each year as parents create new combinations.
French and Finnish variation of Henry, German
"estate ruler"
The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
Russian variation of George
Common Russian name familiarized here via cosmonaut Yury Gagarin and a character in Dr. Zhivago , but we don't see it ever gaining permanent resident status.
Modern invented name
Camari is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Italian word 'camara' meaning 'chamber' or 'room', or have connections to Arabic origins meaning 'moon'. Some…
Hawaiian
"heavenly mist"
Unusual yet accessible Hawaiian choice. The Noel beginning makes it a possible name for baby girls born at Christmas .
Norse mythological name
"lock"
Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.
African place-name, Maasi
"cold water"
Kenya is fairly commonly heard as a girl's name, but its capital city makes a much more exceptional choice. The name comes from the Maasai phrase "Enkare Nairobi," which translates to "cold water."…
Ilani is a feminine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Hawaiian culture, Ilani relates to concepts of heaven or sky, suggesting elevation and spiritual height. In Hebrew, it can be…
Kiari is the middle name of the celebrity child of rappers Cardi B and Offset...and also the first name on her dad's birth certificate. If you like unique modern names, this is an attractive option…
Finnish
"snow"
Lumi may be a rare girls' name in the USA and England, but it comes in the Top 50 in Finland, where it means snow. Given the popularity of Winter, Holly, Ivy and many other wintery-christmassy names,…
Hebrew
"follower of Marduk"
Mordecai, although it has a noble heritage, has never caught on in this country, because of its rather weighty image. Nevertheless, with parents searching for rarer Biblical names that work as…
Variation of Jove
"father of the sky"
Joining Lennon, Bowie, and Hendrix in the realm of classic rock-inspired names that feel fashionable today is Jovi — as in Bon Jovi. Jovi is a variation of the Latin Jove — another name for the Roman…
Ishani is a feminine name with Sanskrit origins, carrying rich cultural significance in Hindu tradition. The name means 'ruling' or 'powerful' and is associated with Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord…
Persian, English, Arabic, Hebrew
"golden; blooming flower; shining, brilliance; God has helped"
Zari has a cool, nickname-y charm and contemporary appeal, owing to its multicultural origins and Z initial. It was given to more than 100 girls in the US in a recent year and has featured as a…
