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Really Unusual Names That I Love!

  1. Eden
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "place of pleasure, delight"
    • Description:

      Eden is an attractive, serene name with obvious intimations of Paradise, one of several place names drawn from the Bible by the Puritans in the 17th century.
  2. Adhara
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "virgins"
    • Description:

      Adhara is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Also known as Adara, this name is perfectly suitable for a child.
  3. Esmeralda
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "emerald"
    • Description:

      Esmeralda came into use as an applied use of the Spanish word for emerald, esmeralda. In the 1831 Victor Hugo novel Notre-Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the heroine was born Agnes, but called La Esmeralda in reference to the jewel she wears around her neck. The name Esmeralda got increased visibility via the Disney version of the story.
  4. Yulissa
    • Description:

      Yulissa is a feminine name with Hispanic origins, likely developed as a variation of Julia or Julissa. The name combines the melodic 'Yul' prefix with the soft ending 'issa,' creating a name that flows beautifully in Spanish pronunciation. Growing in usage since the 1990s, particularly in Latin American communities and among Hispanic families in the United States, Yulissa offers a distinctive alternative to more common Julia derivatives. The name has a contemporary feel while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Yulissa balances uniqueness with accessibility, as its pronunciation is relatively intuitive despite being uncommon in mainstream American culture. This beautiful name represents cultural heritage while having a modern, feminine quality that appeals to many parents.
  5. Rocco
    • Origin:

      Italian from German
    • Meaning:

      "rest; rook, crow; roar"
    • Description:

      Cool and edgy meets sunny and beachy with this charming Italian option that might be more timeless than you think. Borne by St. Rocco, the 14th-century patron of the sick, known for helping those with the plague, it has been appearing in the US charts since the 1890s, spiking in the 1920s, then again in the 2000s, after Madonna polished it up by choosing it for her soon with British director, Guy Ritchie.
  6. Nira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light, or furrow, plowed field"
    • Description:

      Symbolic name given to girls born on TuB'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
  7. Clover
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Old English
    • Meaning:

      "key"
    • Description:

      Clover is a charming, perky choice if you want to move beyond hothouse blooms like Rose and Lily, and it's recently become a new celeb favorite, chosen by both Neal McDonough and Natasha Gregson Wagner, who used it to honor her mother, Natalie Wood, one of whose most iconic films was Inside Daisy Clover.
  8. Rosalia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      Elegant and bright with plenty of flair, Rosalia is widely-used in Spain and Italy, where there is a Sicilian Saint Rosalia. The name Rosalia refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging garlands of roses on tombs, which could make it work as a commemorative name, though today it would most likely be used in honor of the uni-named Spanish pop star Rosalía.
  9. Arturo
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Arthur, Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      Italian, Portuguese and Spanish variation of Arthur that makes the original feel more romantic and dashing.
  10. Azaria
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Azariah
    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh has helped"
    • Description:

      A Biblical name with a modern feel, Azaria is a spelling variation of the Hebrew name, Azariah. Used as a masculine name in the Bible, this spelling is now more commonly used on girls.
  11. Khaleesi
    • Origin:

      Literature
    • Meaning:

      "warlord"
    • Description:

      Khaleesi is an invented name introduced to the world by inventive and prolific author George R. R. Martin for his wildly popular Game of Thrones series—it's Dothraki for "queen" and is one of the titles of the character Daenerys. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2014.
  12. Soleil
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      An attractive French word name known here via former child TV star Soleil Moon Frye, aka Punky Brewster. It started to be lightly used in the U.S. in the 1920s and is now attracting some attention as both a sunny nature and an international word name. It's currently in the Nameberry Top 500.
  13. Iola
    • Origin:

      Greek or Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "violet; beautiful lady"
    • Description:

      Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
  14. Willodean
    • Origin:

      American
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection + valley; resolute protection + high ranking priest; willow valley"
    • Description:

      The Social Security Lists show this name to have been used throughout the 1920s and 30s especially in Southern states, where it likely appealed alongside Clarabel and Marigold. It feels part double-barrel, part surname, and part nature-inspired, which may encourage more parents to consider it in the future.
  15. Ilona
    • Origin:

      Hungarian variation of Helen, Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "shining torch; light; joy"
    • Description:

      This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in the US.
  16. Odette
    • Origin:

      French, from German
    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"
    • Description:

      Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly sophisticated yet upbeat choice. In fact, it charted in the US charts in 2025 for the first time since 1905!
  17. Rafe
    • Origin:

      Variation of Ralph, English
    • Meaning:

      "wolf-counsel"
    • Description:

      A top ranking choice in England and Wales, making frequent appearances on the Telegraph Announcments, Rafe feels equal parts rugged, amiable, and posh. Traditionally seen used a variant of Ralph (itself from the Old Norse Ráðúlfr), it came into use in the 17th century to reflect this particular pronunciation.
  18. Thekla
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "fame of God"
    • Description:

      Deriving from the ancient Greek name, Theokleia, Thekla is a contracted form that appears in the New Testament. According to the Acts of Paul, Thekla (or Thecla) is a 1st century saint and the first virgin martyr who angers her mother and her suitor by vowing to remain chaste after hearing Paul speak.
  19. Enrico
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Henry
    • Description:

      One of several Latin names starting with E that would work and play well with others in any family.
  20. Gustav
    • Origin:

      Teutonic
    • Meaning:

      "staff of the Goths"
    • Description:

      Gray-bearded name heard primarily in Sweden and Germany.

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