User-created list
unusual names that I love (1)
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Lorraine
French
"from the province of Lorraine"
Sweet Lorraine might just be old enough to be ripe for reconsideration. This French place name has moved in and out of fashion in the few hundred years it's been used as a girls' first name, somewhat…
Lianne
Variation of Leanne, English combination of Lee + Anne
"meadow grace"
Lianne is occasionally used independently, but fairly flimsy. Our advice: Keep looking for a name that carries more individual authority.
Lilou
Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise
"lily; lily + renowned warrior"
Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked…
Lexa
Lexa is a feminine name with multiple origin possibilities. Most commonly, it's considered a shortened form of Alexandra, which derives from Greek elements meaning 'defender of mankind.' It also…
Lenore
German variation of Leonora, Italian derivative of Eleonora, meaning unknown
A "modernization" of Leonora that has suddenly come back on the radar along with the many other Leo names--both male and female. With literary cred via a famous eponymous poem by Edgar Allan Poe (and…
Lake
Nature name
This body of water runs deep; the best of a group of new possibilities that includes Bay, Ocean, River, and the more established Brook. It has received attention via the actress Lake Bell. Lake would…
Madigan
Irish
"little dog"
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
Mahala
Hebrew and Arabic
"tender"
An interesting and rhythmic name often heard in the Native American community; in fact,in the Gold Rush era in California and Nevada, it was so common that it became a generic English term for a…
Maison
French word name
"house"
Mason with a French accent. Some parents may pick this spelling as an attempt to feminize or distinguish from trendy Mason.
Mal
Mal is a versatile feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it derives from names like Malorie or Mallory, while in Irish it connects to Máire or Molly. In Vietnamese, Mal (often…
Mara
Marin
Latin
"of the sea"
Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina. As a place-name, Marin is pronounced with the…
Maxwell
Moana
Maori, Samoan
"deep ocean, sea"
This Maori name, often heard in New Zealand, is an attractive, evocative choice for lovers of the ocean made famous – perhaps too famous – by the Disney heroine. Moana was also an alternate name for…
Moxie
English slang
"aggressive energy, know-how"
Like Penn Jillette, you can have your own little brash babe.
Murron
Myra
Nadya
Slavic and Russian
"hope"
Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own.
Nastya
Russian diminutive of Anastasiya, Greek
"resurrection"
A Russian diminutive of Anastasiya, also spelled as Nastia, this form is notably borne by YouTuber Anastasia Radzinskaya "Like Natsya".
Neve
Anglicized spelling of Irish Niamh or Italian and Portuguese
"snow"
Introduced to the American public by actress Neve Campbell; it was her Dutch-born mother's maiden name. Neve is an interesting and fresh new possibility, one which Conan O'Brien chose for his…