Less appealing than some other Irish surnames, such as Malone and Sullivan, unless used as a tribute to jazz musician Gerry. There could be some Mulligan stew teasing.

An elegant and fluid Arabic name that casts a brilliant light. Mashal is most commonly used among Muslim families in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, but has hopped in and out of the US charts since 1990. At peak usage, Mashal was given to 12 American baby girls in 1995.

This is one of the least known or used of the Theo names, quite possibly because of its last syllable. In Samuel Butler's 1903 novel The Way of All Flesh, there is a clergyman character named Theobald Pontifex.

Easter has been used as a name for several hundred years, as part of the day-naming tradition; now, this rarely heard holiday celebration name would make a novel choice for a springtime baby. Background:The early Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar Bede took the name of a goddess--Eostre-- whose feast was celebrated at the vernal equinox and gave it to the Christian festival of the resurrection of Christ.

If you want to move beyond Maya, you might consider this distinctive last name of poet Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou was given the nickname Maya by her brother and adopted Angelou from her first husband, whose last name was Angelos.

Israeli-born singer Keren Ann introduced this traditional Hebrew name to the US, where it could well be mistaken for Karen. Nevertheless, 100 girls were given the name in a recent year.

Kore is the original Greek form of the modern Cora, a name that's heading straight for the top of the charts in the English-speaking world. Kore was an alternate name for Persephone, goddess of the underworld. Spelling the name Kore may tip it toward the short form Kory or Korey.

The name of a breed of Spanish sheep is hardly worthy of a child.

Spiritual word names are becoming more and more popular – think Peace, Bodhi, Zen and Psalm – and Spirit is among the rarer options, given to a couple dozen baby girls each year in the US. It's the name of the horse in the kids' TV show Spirit.

Indian choice meaning fire in step with American styles.

A beyond unusual choice for a little redhead.

Rhythmic and enchanting.

Strong name from the Esan language of Nigeria, with a satisfyingly specific meaning for a child's place in the family.

African-American and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth was born as Isabelle into enslavement. She adopted her new name when she began traveling and preaching abolition in 1843. Sojourner is a heroine name that may, with the rise of spiritual word names such as Journey and Genesis, finally be ready for prime time.

Also transcribed as Kreios or Crius, Krios is an animal related name that could work well for an Aries baby (though they are not etymologically related), or perhaps for those who want an alternative to Kris or Kassius.

An energetic and distinctive choice.

A Japanese name with real firepower, Kasai could be a name that's going places. It's a well-kept secret in the US — for girls at least. Given to just 6 baby girls in a recent year, it was nevertheless picked for 63 boys, making it a masculine leaning unisex option.