Amari is a name that's rising in popularity for both boys and girls in the US, used last year for about 2000 baby boys and 1000 baby girls. It's among the Top 20 gender neutral names.

Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 62 baby boys were named Calix in 2024. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.

Theron is best known these days as the surname of actress Charlize, but it does have a long history as a first name, ranking in the Top 500 in the early part of the 20th century and only dropping out of the Top 1000 in the early 1990s. Theon is a similar name made familiar by the popular series Game of Thrones: Might it and Theron rise in tandem?

Venedict is a masculine name of Slavic origin, serving as a variant of Benedict, which comes from the Latin "benedictus" meaning "blessed." Popular in Eastern European countries, particularly Russia, Venedict carries the same dignified quality as its more common counterpart while offering a distinctive Slavic flair. The name has historical connections to religious traditions through St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine monastic order. While relatively uncommon in Western countries, Venedict provides an intriguing option for parents seeking a name with classical roots and an international character. The nickname "Venya" is sometimes used in Russian-speaking regions.

Kostas makes the ancient emperor's name more approachable.