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  1. Nuala

    • Origin:

      Irish, short form of Fionnuala

    • Meaning:

      "white shoulders"

    • Description:

      Officially a shortening of the traditional and tricky Gaelic Fionnghuala/Fionnuala, Nuala makes a lovely choice all on its own. Nuala is well-used in Ireland.
  2. Seraphim

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fiery"

    • Description:

      This ephemeral name of the loving angels surrounding the throne of God is all but unheard of in the US, although its feminine forms Seraphine and Seraphina are catching on. In Russia, it's long been in use, spelled Серафим (Serafim).
  3. Pomeline

    • Origin:

      French, related to "apple"

    • Meaning:

      "apple"

    • Description:

      A rarely heard--even in France--name, most prominent as the third name of Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi, the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and granddaughter of Grace Kelly.
  4. Eirian

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "silver, bright, brilliant, snow"

    • Description:

      A modern, unisex Welsh name with a shiny feel, Eirian can mean "silver" (from Welsh arian) or "snow, brilliant, bright" (from eira). It may appeal to those who like rising star Eira, but want something longer, or more gender neutral.
  5. Aphrodite

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "foam or born from the sea"

    • Description:

      The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion for goddess names, we may see more little Aphrodites in the playground with Jupiter and Juno. Nineteen baby girls received the name in the US last year.
  6. Dresden

    • Origin:

      German place name

    • Meaning:

      "people of the forest"

    • Description:

      Sad tinge to the name of the beautiful German city firebombed during World War II. Its name derives from Sorbian drezga, meaning "forest".
  7. Arianwen

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "silver, white, fair, blessed"

    • Description:

      Rarely heard outside of Wales, Arianwen combines the pretty Welsh element gwen with the silvery arian, giving it a metallic and shining meaning. The name is sometimes listed as one of the daughters of the legendary fifth-century king and saint, Brychan Brycheiniog.
  8. Osias

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "salvation"

    • Description:

      Osias has a Latinate and biblical feel without making an appearance in the Bible. The related Ozias, on the other hand, is a form of Uzziah, found in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, and could make a distinctive path to the nickname Oz or Ozzie--both far cooler, in our opinion, than Oswald.
  9. Endymion

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "dive into, enter"

    • Description:

      The name of a mythically handsome youth – loved by Selene, the moon, who bore him fifty daughters. If you're looking for a mythological name for your son, this might make an excellent choice both rare and appealing.
  10. Zephyrin

    • Origin:

      French variation of Zephyr

    • Meaning:

      "west wind"

    • Description:

      This name feels warmer and more human-appropriate in its longer version, but still retains that breezy feel. Trivia tidbit: Zephyrinus was a Jewish pope.
  11. Gwyneira

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "white snow"

    • Description:

      An unusual Gwyn name with a lovely meaning, this compound name pairs Gwyn with the name Eira, meaning "snow". A relatively modern creation, it remains very rare.
  12. Illyria

    • Origin:

      Ancient place-name, feminine variation of Illyrius, Greek

    • Description:

      Illyria can trace all its varied associations to the name of an ancient place in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, also called Illyricum. Its inhabitants, conquered by the Romans in 168 BC, were called the Illyrians. Its mythological ancestor was Illyrius, a demigod and son of King Cadmus and the goddess Harmonia.
  13. Estrella

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "star"

    • Description:

      Bright and vibrant but elegant too, Estrella is a rising star among Hispanic families that would make a good cross-cultural choice too. A Spanish word name that literally means "star", it is similar to other popular names with the same stellar meaning such as Esther and Stella.
  14. Cadmus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "one who excels"

    • Description:

      Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents — especially since Cadmus Peverell is a human Harry Potter character, one of the three original owners of the Deathly Hallows.
  15. Arianell

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "silver + yellow; silver + shining"

    • Description:

      This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered. Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.
  16. Cassiane

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "cinnamon"

    • Description:

      Cassiane, also spelled Kassiani or Kasiani, is an ancient Greek name best known as the name of a saint famous as a hymnographer. The Hymn of Cassiane, traditionally sung on Tuesday of Easter Week in the Greek Orthodox Church, is associated with fallen women. The 9th century saint Cassiane was supposed to be in love with the Emperor Theophilos, who rejected her when she proved to be more intelligent than he.
  17. Amidala

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful flower"

    • Description:

      An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.
  18. Araluen

    • Origin:

      Aboriginal Australian

    • Meaning:

      "water lilies; place of the water lilies"

    • Description:

      Araluen is a beautiful Aboriginal Australian place name, used in several sites, always connected to the dainty water lily.
  19. Ambrosine

    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Ambrose, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "immortal"

    • Description:

      This feminine form of Ambrose has not seem much use in the United States, but it does sometimes appear on the birth certificates of those from Cajun or Creole backgrounds.
  20. Lienzo

    • Description:

      Lienzo is an uncommon masculine name with Spanish origins, literally meaning 'canvas' or 'linen cloth.' This artistic name evokes creativity, possibility, and the blank canvas of potential that a child represents. Though rare as a first name, Lienzo has been gaining modest attention among parents seeking unique names with creative associations. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing sounds and distinctive 'z,' making it both memorable and pleasing to the ear. Lienzo carries subtle artistic connotations without being overly thematic, offering a name that's unique without being difficult to pronounce. For families with Spanish heritage or those drawn to artistic symbolism, Lienzo represents an expressive, uncommon choice that balances uniqueness with accessibility.