User-created list
By smm1 · Updated March 2023
Across 10 pages
of 10
French from Latin
"russet"
Roux is the name of the dashing Johnny Depp character in Chocolat . Roux is French from a Latin word meaning russet or brownish red; it's also a cooking term for a mixture of flour and butter that…
English
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
Irish
"raider"
An Irish surname-name that's used almost exclusively for girls these days, given last year to nearly 2000 baby girls in the US vs. 23 baby boys.
German surname and literary name
"from Gaddesby"
Gatsby is one of the most famous literary surnames, borne by the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby . The book's Jay Gatsby gussied up his surname from Gatz, whose meaning is…
French place-name
What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative. Macon has played major roles in two novels, Anne Tyler's…
Latin
"ninth"
Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue. In Roman mythology, Nona was also a goddess of…
"stern"
Though it has literary credentials--making an appearance in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and as the mean-spirited teacher Severus Snape in the Harry Potter books, most modern parents would find it…
"white, bright."
The ancient name Albus has modern currency as the first name of the headmaster of Harry Potter 's Hogwarts, more formally known as Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Can Albus work if…
Seger is a masculine name with Germanic and Dutch origins, derived from words meaning 'victory' or 'conqueror.' As a surname, it's been established for centuries in Northern European countries. In…
Word name
Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple has opened the world of botanical names beyond flowers to trees, herbs, fruits, and — why not — nuts. Cayley and Brandon Jenner have a daughter named Joan Almond.
"pledge"
This feminine form of Arliss, is familiar via the recent HBO series. But why not just use Arliss?
Hebrew
Arliss is most famous as the name of a few high-profile male characters, though it can just as easily work for a baby girl.
"ash tree farm"
Ashley substitute with a slightly more unisex feel; it was picked for her daughter by TV host Nancy O'Dell.
Hindi
"mighty sword"
Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings .
French surname
Bardot joined the first and last names of other glamour girl icons such as (Jean) Harlow when David Boreanaz chose the surname of '50s French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot for his daughter. Bardot…
German
"warrior fighting with a spear"
Last-name-first-name with a romantic but dangerous edge.
Diminutive of Brandon
"broom-covered hill"
A little heavy on the fiber content; we prefer Bram. But Bran is also the Celtic god of the underworld, whose symbol is the raven. It's probably not a coincidence that George R.R. Martin chose this…
