Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English word name
"someone who dances"
A word name that's appealing when applied to a person boogying or doing ballet; a different story in the context of Santa's reindeer.
Spanish
"sweetness"
Miguel de Cervantes invented this elaborate-sounding name -- which roughly translates as "sweetness" -- for the beautiful maiden Don Quixote is obsessed with in his great novel. Even in the fictional…
African, Fula
"born in abundance"
A wonderful meaning for a bright and musical West African name.
Diminutive of Francisco
"free man"
Frisco is a frisky, roguish semi-place-name (San Francisco natives never call it that) that could make a lively, unusual o-ending choice. Frisco is the kind of nickname name sometimes used for cowboy…
Persian
"flower"
This name was given a lithe and graceful image by ballerina Gelsey Kirkland, but was later far surpassed by Kelsey and Chelsea.
French from German
"pledge"
Ghislaine still sounds unusual to us, even though in France this name is dated. It can also be spelled Ghislain. In the US, it is best known through association to Ghislaine Maxwell, the…
English
"dance"
African
"born on Monday"
Juba, a strong and resonant unisex name, belonged to an ancient African king, is a city and river name, and is traditionally given to Ashanti (of Ghana) girls born on Monday.
Diminutive of Mercer
"a merchant"
Merce Cunningham (born with the French version Mercier) was a highly influential avant garde dancer-choreographer and his name still resonates with an aura of bold originality.
French, dance term
Minuet is delicate, dancey, and lacy, with a Masterpiece Theatre feel. Is Minuet a real name? Not really, though similar-sounding French names such as Minette and Manette are.
Irish and Scottish variation of Myrna
"festive; affection, endearment"
Poetic name that's terminally mournful, though its meaning is anything but. Myrna plays a powerful role in Irish legend.
Ojibwa
"star dancer"
Fanciful image distinguishes this Native-American name.
French variation of German Otthild
"prospers in battle"
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of…
Latin
"little wave"
Mythological spirit of the waters; spelled Undine, she was an Edith Wharton heroine.
Spanish, diminutive of Frances
Sassy but slight nickname name.
Spanish, diminutive feminine variation of JosÉ
Personification of pep.
Spelling variation of Rudolph, German
"famous wolf"
You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
"swan"
Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan…
Germanic
"swan battle"
Form of Swanhild, borne by the heroine of the ballet Coppélia . The -a ending certainly gives this ancient name a lighter, more balletic feel.
"sway"
A rhythmic word name with modern, gender-neutral appeal, Sway is rising for baby girls alongside potential full form Swayze. Sway first piqued the interest of girl parents in 2001, after Angelina…
