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Not so guilty pleasures!

Lumille
By Lumille
Updated Fri May 12 2023
  1. Cassian

    • Origin:

      Latin, variation of Cassius

    • Meaning:

      "hollow"

    • Description:

      Rugged but gentle at the same time, Cassian is a saintly and stylish choice that was derived from the name Cassius. Before 2017, it was an obscure choice, given to a tiny handful of boys each year. As of 2023, however, it's become one of the top ten fastest-rising names in the US, more than doubling in usage since 2022 and edging closer towards the Top 500.
  2. Tristan

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "noise or sorrowful"

    • Description:

      Tristan -- known through medieval legend and Wagnerian opera -- has a slightly wistful, touching air. This, combined with the name's popular "an" ending, makes Tristan very appealing to parents seeking a more original alternative to Christian.
  3. Mika

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Slovene, Hebrew, English, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful fragrance; who is like God?; follower of Demeter"

    • Description:

      Mika is a sparky and stylish Japanese girls' name that translates easily to English. Also used as a Slovene and Hebrew diminutive for Mihaela and Michaela, as an alternative spelling to the Biblical Micah, and as a Greek diminutive of Dimitra (via Mimika), it is a truly multi-cultural choice.
  4. Leander

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lion-man"

    • Description:

      Leander was once an almost unknown name, however, with the popularity of Leo and the rise of Leandro, it now feels like a perfectly accessible alternative to Leon or Alexander. In Greek legend, Leander was the powerful figure who swam across the Hellespont every night to visit his beloved Hero, a priestess of Venus.
  5. Leonie

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lion"

    • Description:

      Leonie is a chic French and German form of a name that exists in a range of variations from Leona to Leonia to Leon to Leo to Lionel, all newly fashionable after a couple of generations in style limbo.
  6. Idris

    • Origin:

      Welsh; Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "ardent lord; studious, interpreter"

    • Description:

      A name that crosses cultures, Idris was virtually unknown in the US before the emergence of the charismatic actor Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then for depicting Nelson Mandela. Since then, the name has grown with the actor and is a popular choice in the UK and Belgium, and a familiar one in The Netherlands, France, and the US.
  7. Vesper

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "evening star"

    • Description:

      This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming novel, and is just now beginning to provoke interest among namers, with its spiritual reference and soft, whispery sound.
  8. Sunny

    • Origin:

      English nickname

    • Description:

      Upbeat nickname-name that can't help but make you smile. You might want to use it as a short form for a more "serious" name such as Sunniva, but Sunny is undeniably, well, sunny.
  9. Leda

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "happy"

    • Description:

      Leda is that rare name that has not yet been discovered in the current craze for ancient names from mythology. In classical Greek myth, Leda was a great beauty who mothered another great beauty, Helen of Troy.
  10. Astoria

    • Origin:

      Place name

    • Description:

      Long more associated with the New York Waldorf- hotel and the neighborhood in Queens than as a baby name, Astoria is finally beginning to emerge from their shadow and find favor with parents looking to move beyond Brooklyn. The name Astoria is drawn from the surname of titan of industry John Jacob Astor, theorized to mean "hawk."
  11. Cyra

    • Origin:

      Persian or Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sun or throne, or lord"

    • Description:

      Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own. One noted bearer is writer Cyra McFadden.
  12. Thora

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "thunder goddess"

    • Description:

      Thora, related to Thor, is the ancient Norse thunder goddess name that's much softer and gentler than its meaning suggests. A noted bearer is actress Thora Birch.
  13. Apolline

    • Origin:

      French form of Apollonia, feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "destroyer"

    • Description:

      Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris -- it's a Top 100 name for baby girls in France -- and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world. Derived from the mythological name Apollo, the name may mean strength; Apollo was the god of sun and light. Apolline is a perfect choice for those attracted to the name Apple who don't want to go quite that far.
  14. Zeno

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Greek Zenon, related to Zeus, king of the gods

    • Description:

      Zeno, the name of two ancient philosophers, has a muscular dynamism that's lightened by its cheerful final vowel, resulting in a kind of offbeat sci-fi feel. Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of thought, Zeno of Elea was another early, original Greek thinker, famed for his Paradoxes.
  15. Eleri

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "greatly bitter"

    • Description:

      Striking name of a legendary princess and a Welsh river that feels both moody and modern. It is currently popular in Wales.
  16. Solenne

    • Description:

      Solenne is a feminine French name derived from the Latin word 'sollemnis,' meaning 'solemn' or 'ceremonial.' In French culture, it carries connotations of dignity, grace, and reflection. The name has been consistently used in France for generations but remains relatively uncommon elsewhere. Solenne gained some international recognition in the late 20th century as cultural barriers diminished, though it retains its distinctly French character. Those named Solenne are often perceived as thoughtful, dignified, and possessing inner strength. The name's beautiful sound combined with its meaningful etymology makes it an elegant choice for parents seeking something traditional yet distinctive.

  17. Rasmus

    • Origin:

      Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus

    • Meaning:

      "beloved, desired"

    • Description:

      A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and uplifting meaning, Rasmus seems prime for use. The Rasmus is a Finnish rock band.
  18. Indira

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "beauty"

    • Description:

      A striking and feminine possibility associated with a modern hero — long-time Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi. It is also a significant choice within Hinduism, as it is used as an alternative name for Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu and the goddess of luck and prosperity.
  19. Sora

    • Origin:

      Japanese or Korean

    • Meaning:

      "sky; conch shell"

    • Description:

      A simple and pretty multicultural name: as a Japanese name, it's unisex and means "sky"; as a Korean name, it's feminine and means "conch shell".
  20. Cybele

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "the mother of all gods"

    • Description:

      The Anatolian mother goddess Cybele had a place in Greek, Roman, Trojan, and Anatolian mythology. Today, she has special meaning as a symbol of gender nonconformity.