Refreshingly Different
By Loislyn
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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Names that make you say "oh, I like that" or "hmmm, never heard of it but that would be refreshing to hear!"
- Caspian
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"white"Description:
One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.
- Boone
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"blessing, lucky"Description:
Boone is one of the advancing herd of lean and lanky cowboy names with a laid-back, backwoods, Western feel—and surprising French roots. It's inevitably linked with legendary frontiersman Daniel, and also with the positive connotations of the word boon. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
- Amelie
Origin:
French variation of AmeliaMeaning:
"work"Description:
Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie; it entered the American popularity list in 2002 and is now solidly established in the Top 1000.
- Fraser
Origin:
Scottish from FrenchMeaning:
"strawberry"Description:
Though TV's "Frasier" made the name famous, and Frazier is a well-used variation, Fraser is the original, used mostly in Scotland.
- Anton
Origin:
German, Russian, and Scandinavian variation of Anthony, LatinMeaning:
"from Antium"Description:
Cultured and cultivated in an old-style, Old World way, Anton is popular across Europe. It may be associated with the classic Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and also with ballroom dancer Anton Du Beke.
- Leda
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Delta
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"fourth letter; island formed at the mouth of a river"Description:
Delta is an unusual vintage option, blending the sounds of Della and Etta. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a geographical term, used to describe an island formed at the mouth of a river, some may be put off by Delta's links the airline company of COVID variant on the same name.
- Twila
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"woven with a double thread; twilight; star"Description:
The intriguing and creative feeling Twila is a vintage name that was semi-popular in the first half of the 20th century. Evoking the glowing light of twilight, it might appeal as an alternative to Lila, Tyler, or Skylar, or for the for the grown-up fans of the Stephanie Meyer's vampire series, Twilight.
Twila — also spelled Twyla — has a number of possible origins. On one hand, it could simply be inspired by the word "twilight", connecting it to the time of evening when the sun is below the horizon. Alternatively, it could come from the word "twill", a type of textile weave that creates a sturdy fabric, or, it could be inspired by the French Étoile (said EH-TWAL), meaning "star".
- Tova
Origin:
Hebrew, SwedishMeaning:
"good, pleasing; beautiful, beloved"Description:
A lively feeling choice with multicultural origins, Tova is both a Hebrew name with a positive meaning and a Swedish variant of Tove, a modern Old Norse name meaning "beautiful, beloved". In Hebrew, it would be pronounced as TOH-VAH, while in Swedish, it would be said as TOO-vuh.
- Bertram
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright raven"Description:
Last in fashion in the 1930s, Bertram might once have been firmly in the best left in the past category, but with sweet nickname Bertie and the cool option of Bram, Bertram might just be one to reconsider. Fitting in with other clunky vintage options like Chester, Sidney, Abram, Ebenenzer, and Wilfred, Bertram is a literary option, appearing as the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster and on a character in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well.
- Merritt
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"boundary gate"Description:
Merritt is an old-style surname name that could be seen as a positive virtue name. It was used in the late 19th and early 20th century for boys, reaching the Top 400 in 1899, and is notable today for being one of the names most evenly divided between boys and girls. Emmy winner Merritt Wever helped popularize it for girls.
- Waverly
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow of quivering aspens"Description:
Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Its upper-crusty surname feel places it among the new stylish English names for girls, successors to Ashley and Whitney.
- Rina
Origin:
European diminutive of Catherine, Hebrew, Sanskrit, JapaneseMeaning:
"pure; joy, singing; melted; white jasmine"Description:
One of those short, punchy names with its roots in a variety of different cultures and languages, Rina is sister to names like Mina, Mira, Lina, and Nina. Retro in feel, but never overused in the US, it peaked in 1980 when it was given to 90 girls.
- Alcott
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller at the old cottage"Description:
Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
- Zelia
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"zealous, ardent"Description:
An appealing name almost unknown in our culture but with roots in several others; worldlier than cousins Celia and Delia.
- Orchid
Origin:
From GreekMeaning:
"orchid flower"Description:
Orchid is a hothouse bloom that has not been plucked by many modern baby namers — yet. In the language of flowers, orchids symbolize love, beauty, and sophistication.
- Thesally
Origin:
from the Greek Thessaly, a region of Ancient GreeceDescription:
Thessaly is the name of an area of Greece, known for being near Mount Olympus. This variation lends itself to the nickname Sally. You may also wish to consider the name Larissa, which is the capital of the Thessaly region.
- Humphry
Description:
Humphry is a masculine name that represents a historical spelling variant of Humphrey. Derived from the Germanic elements "hun" (meaning bear cub) and "frid" (peace), the name literally translates to "peaceful warrior" or "peaceful bear strength." This variant spelling was more common in medieval times before spelling standardization. Humphry has deep historical roots in European naming traditions and was carried by notable figures including the 13th-century philosopher Humphry of Hereford. While less common than the Humphrey spelling today, it offers a slightly streamlined, distinctive alternative that maintains the name's distinguished history and character. The name evokes a sense of vintage charm and traditional masculinity, appealing to parents interested in historical names with substantial heritage and meaning.
- Daley
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"assembly, gathering"Description:
Much stronger than Dale for a boy.
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