User-created list
By Fionnuala_MacBrighde · Updated May 2023
Across 10 pages
of 10
Greek, female form of Hermes
"cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker"
Though we've gotten used to Hermione via Harry Potter , and even Hermes with its godlike and fashion associations, most people would still have a problem with Hermia (too close to hernia?) and…
Irish
"life, or beauty"
Aoibhe may be considered a form of either Aoife -- beauty in Irish -- or Eve, which means life. Either way, this popular Irish name for girls is pronounced as Eva though outside of Ireland few would…
Greek, meaning obscure
Dido was the heroine of Virgil's Aeneid and of the opera "Dido and Aeneas," and in Roman mythology the founder of Carthage. A strong ancient name in the Juno mode, but it could have some awkward…
French variation of Ralph
"wolf-counsel"
Raoul, with its unique three-vowel middle, rolls off the tongue in an appealing way. Raoul is one of the French names that sounds infinitely more romantic and attractive than the somewhat harsh…
Russian from Greek
"song of the hero"
Well used in Russia, this is a distinctive and undiscovered choice here. Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is the fictional protagonist of Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoyevsky.
Arabic
"sublime"
Fashion designer surname that could make a dynamic first.
Ruari is a masculine name of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin, derived from 'Ruaidhrí' or 'Rúadhraí,' meaning 'red king' or 'red-haired king.' The elements come from 'ruadh' (red) and 'rí' (king).…
Variation of Muriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
This pleasant modernization of a dated original is still rare but has real modern possibilities. Alternate versions include Merial and Meryl. Meriel was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US…
Irish Gaelic
"God is gracious"
Lovely Irish name which has inspired many Anglicized variations, but using the original form preserves the integrity of one of the most beautiful Gaelic girls' names.
Scottish from Norse
"elf victory"
Ailsa is a traditional Scottish name for girls related to a rocky island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. It might make an interesting alternative to the outdated Ashley or overly popular…
English, contracted form of Thomasina
"twin"
Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes , Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan…
Edetta is a feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a diminutive or variation of Edith or Odette. This rare and distinctive name carries a vintage charm with its soft sounds and feminine ending.…
Ashling (also spelled Aisling) is a feminine Irish name derived from the Gaelic word "aislinge," meaning "dream" or "vision." In Irish literary tradition, an aisling was a poetic genre involving…
Welsh
"love"
Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S. Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330.
Dalaigh is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, likely derived from the surname Ó Dálaigh, meaning 'descendant of Dálach.' The ancestral name relates to 'dál,' suggesting concepts of assembly,…
Nonnie is a charming feminine name with several possible origins. It may function as a diminutive nickname for names like Yvonne, Leona, or Fiona, or it could be derived from the Italian 'nonna'…
