Island Beneath the Sea

Adi is a versatile unisex name with rich multicultural origins, though primarily used for girls in Western contexts. In Sanskrit, Adi means 'first' or 'beginning,' while in Hebrew it can mean 'ornament' or 'jewel.' The name also appears in Indonesian, Germanic traditions, and as a nickname for names like Adelaide or Adina. Its brevity and international recognition make it appealing across cultural boundaries. Adi's simplicity belies its depth of meaning and cultural significance, particularly in Hindu tradition where 'Adi' refers to the primordial or first principle. The name's short, melodic sound with soft consonants gives it a gentle yet distinct quality. For parents seeking a minimalist name with global appeal and spiritual undertones, Adi offers elegant simplicity.

This spelling variation of Adrian was popular in France and Belgium during the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, peaking in 1991 when it reached the Top 20 in France. While it has since declined in use, it remains a familiar choice in French speaking countries.

Bernard is obviously a saint's name, but how did it get to the big, benevolent dog? The eleventh century monk, patron saint of mountain climbers, who lived in the Alps, was famed for setting up safe houses for pilgrims on their way to Rome over the treacherous St. Bernard Pass, and the canine breed, also used to rescue people in treacherous conditions, was named for him.

Brandan is a masculine name with Irish and Gaelic roots, serving as a variant spelling of the more common Brandon or Brendan. It derives from the Gaelic name Breandán, which means 'prince' or 'brave'. The original name can be traced back to St. Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk famous for his legendary voyage across the Atlantic. Brandan offers a slightly distinctive spelling while maintaining the strong, reliable character of the traditional forms. The name gained moderate popularity in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s, though this specific spelling has always been less common than Brandon or Brendan, giving it a touch of uniqueness.

Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".

Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa — but it dropped out again the following year.

It's the French Steve yet feels oh so much more debonair. Well-used and still a popular classic in French-speaking lands, but one of the many French names for boysunfamiliar to most English speakers, except maybe fashionistas who associate it with designer Etienne Aigner. A new way to honor Grandpa Steve?

Eugenia, a name scarcely used at all since the 1980's, is another that flourished a century ago and could be due for a revival.

Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur Delacour, a French witch and the Beauxbatons champion for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter.

Francois is the ultimate sophisticated French name.

Jasper is an internationally-popular name that takes many forms, among them Casper, Gaspar, and the French version Gaspard. Virtually unknown in the US, Gaspard is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen undoubtedly gave this name a boost. The French pronunciation (jiz-ELLE) gives it a more graceful, balletic, gazellelike feel.

Harrison, a name made viable by Harrison Ford, is increasingly popular with parents who want an H name that's more formal than Harry or Hank but doesn't veer into the stiff Huntington-Harrington territory.

A name that is truly honored in France, as the name of several saints, artists like Daumier, and writers like Balzac.

Hortense is actually the French feminine form of Hortensia, the name of a strong, politically active early Roman woman. Hortense began to be used in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. Napoleon had a stepdaughter named Hortense, it was the name of one of the main characters in the film Secrets and Lies and is also associated with novelist Hortense Calisher. As unappealing as it might be to most American parents, Hortense is now Number 155 in France (as of 2021).

Isidore and variants are remarkably underused and ripe for revival, a la Theodore and company.