Exotic & Unique Names
- Kendyl
Description:
Kendyl is a modern feminine name that emerged in the late 20th century as a creative spelling variant of Kendall. Kendall originated as an English surname derived from the place name in Cumbria, meaning "valley of the River Kent." The alternative spelling with a 'y' gives Kendyl a more distinctively feminine appearance while maintaining the original pronunciation. This name gained traction in the 1990s and 2000s alongside the trend of surname-inspired first names and creative spellings. While less common than Kendall, Kendyl offers a slightly more unique option with the same contemporary feel. The name projects an image of strength and modernity, balancing femininity with a sporty, approachable quality.
- Deante
Description:
Deante is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a variant of names like Dante or Deon, or possibly as a combination of the prefix 'De-' with another name element. The 'De-' prefix appears in many names of various origins, including French, Spanish, and Italian, often meaning 'of' or 'from.' Dante itself derives from the medieval Italian name Durante, meaning 'enduring.' Deante began appearing in naming records in the United States primarily in the late 20th century. The name shows creativity in contemporary naming practices, where prefixes and suffixes are combined to create distinctive names. While not among the most common names, Deante has maintained consistent, if limited, usage in the United States over recent decades.
- Dontae
Description:
Dontae appears to be a variant spelling of Dante or Donte. The name Dante has Italian origins, derived from the medieval shortened form of the name Durante, meaning 'enduring' or 'lasting.' The famous 13th-14th century Italian poet Dante Alighieri helped popularize this name. The variant spelling Dontae emerged more recently, primarily in the United States, showing increased usage beginning in the 1980s and 1990s. The addition of the letter 'a' creates a slightly different pronunciation while maintaining the connection to the original name. This spelling variation follows a pattern seen in many American names where traditional names are given alternative spellings. The name has maintained modest usage in the United States, though it's less common than the standard spelling Dante. Dontae has a strong, distinctive sound that contributes to its appeal.
- Sariya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"night traveler, night rain"Description:
A pretty Arabic name with an evocative meaning.
- Zoelle
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"life + girl"Description:
Zoelle is a modern-sounding name combining the stylish Zoe, which means life, with the trendy Elle, French for "she". Could make for a zippier spin on sweet Noelle.
- Kori
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corey, English, African, HebrewMeaning:
"from the hollow; lamb; coral"Description:
This variation of Corey has a Kardashian-style spelling update -- which might be why it's experiencing a boost in popularity of late. Kori is also a Kikuyu name meaning lamb, one of the many names from that African culture with animal meanings, and a short form of Koral, the Hebrew form of Coral.
- Marah
Origin:
Bibical place-nameDescription:
Marah is where the Israelites camped right after they walked through the parted Red Sea. Marah is related to Mara and has the same "bitter" meaning.
- Damaris
Description:
Damaris is traditionally a feminine name of Greek origin appearing in the New Testament as a woman who converted to Christianity after hearing St. Paul speak in Athens. Despite being listed as masculine in this case, it is historically used for girls. The name means 'gentle' or 'heifer' (young cow). Damaris has never been extremely common but has maintained a steady presence across centuries, particularly in Christian communities. It has a soft, melodious sound while remaining distinctive. The name experienced a slight increase in usage in the late 20th century as parents sought biblical names that weren't overused. Damaris combines religious significance with a gentle meaning and elegant sound, appealing to those looking for a name with spiritual heritage.
- Addisyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of AddisonDescription:
Addison has been a wildly popular surname name, mostly for girls, for a few decades now, and Addisyn is one of its many spelling variations.
- Taelon
Description:
Taelon is a modern masculine name with uncertain etymology, likely created as a contemporary invention rather than having deep historical roots. It may have evolved as a variation of Talon (meaning "claw" in English) or as a blend of popular naming elements like the prefix "Tae-" (found in names like Taegan) and suffix "-lon" (as in names like Marlon). Taelon gained some recognition after appearing as an alien race in the science fiction TV series "Earth: Final Conflict" in the late 1990s. The name has a distinctly modern, strong sound that appeals to parents seeking something unique with a contemporary edge. Though uncommon in official statistics, Taelon has seen scattered usage in North America since the 2000s, appreciated for its distinctive sound and spelling.
- Jaisen
Description:
Jaisen is a modern variant spelling of Jason, with roots in Greek mythology where Jason was the heroic leader of the Argonauts who sought the Golden Fleece. This alternate spelling adds uniqueness while maintaining the strong sound of the original name. Jaisen combines the traditional appeal of Jason with a contemporary twist, making it distinctive without seeming too unusual. While less common than the traditional spelling, Jaisen has appeared in birth records particularly since the 1980s and 1990s. The name carries connotations of leadership, adventure, and determination, reflecting its mythological origins. Parents choosing Jaisen often appreciate its familiar pronunciation with a personalized spelling that helps their son stand out.
- Keara
Origin:
Spelling variation of Keira or KieraDescription:
One of many takes on the Keira/Kyra concept, this one was chosen by ice-skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi.
- Mariya
Origin:
Hebrew or EgyptianMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Russian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian form of the classic Maria sure to cause a lifetime of spelling questions and pronunciation mistakes.
- Jaelyn
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Jaelyn is a name popular in many spellings and variations, including Jaelynn, Jaylin, and Jalen, and used for girls as well as boys.
- Takara
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"treasure, jewel"Description:
A lovely Japanese alternative to Tamara.
- Azalee
Description:
Azalee is a flowering variation of Azalea, the botanical name for colorful flowering shrubs native to several continents. The name derives from Greek 'azaleos' meaning 'dry,' ironically referring to the plant's preference for moist soil. This feminine name carries natural beauty and delicacy through its association with the vibrant, spring-blooming flowers. Azalee represents a Southern American spelling variation that was occasionally used in the early 20th century, reflecting regional pronunciation patterns. While the standard 'Azalea' has seen increased popularity as a nature-inspired name in recent decades, Azalee remains a rare vintage alternative. The name evokes images of Southern gardens and gentle sophistication, appealing to parents seeking a floral name with distinctive spelling and pronunciation.
- Chasity
Origin:
Variation of ChastityMeaning:
"chasteness"Description:
This alternative spelling of Chastity peaked all the way up at #253 in 1976, and hung on in the US Top 1000 until 2008. Both have now fallen out of favor.
- Karsen
Origin:
Spelling variation of CarsonMeaning:
"son of the marsh-dwellers"Description:
Carson is finally beginning to fall slightly after a nearly 2-decade reign of popularity, and we suspect its many spelling variations will follow suit.
- Urijah
Origin:
Spelling variation of UriahDescription:
A creative spelling of Uriah, possibly without the negative connotation. Biblically, Urijah was a prophet mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.
- Savion
Origin:
Modern invented name, possibly derived from XavierDescription:
Has lots of energy, perhaps due to its association with top tap dancer Savion Glover.
