Over The Top

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Castiel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my cover is God"
    • Description:

      Castiel, which vaulted into the Top 1000 on the wings of the angel hero of the television show Supernatural, is the name of the Angel of the day Thursday. It may also derive some appeal from the newly-fashionable "Cas" syllable, as in Cassian and Cassius.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Cyprian
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "man of Cyprus"
    • Description:

      With a long and noble history -- Cyprian was one of the great Christian Latin writers -- this could make a highly unusual but meaningful choice.
  8. Altalune
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "over the moon"
    • Description:

      Altalune is an invention used by Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson as one of several middle names for their daughter. It's evocative Latin meaning roughly translates to "over the moon." Celebrity baby Altalune will be called the more familiar Luna for short.
  9. 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.
  10. Melchior
    • Origin:

      Dutch from Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "city of the king; king of light"
    • Description:

      The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider.
  11. Vespera
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "evening star"
    • Description:

      Said to refer to either Jupiter or Venus, either of which would be preferable as a name.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Damiane
    • Origin:

      Brazilian Portuguese and German feminization of Damian, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "to tame, subdue"
    • Description:

      A name with an ancient pedigree which might prove confusing to the modern ear.
  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. 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.
  18. Ursuline
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ursula
    • Meaning:

      "little bear"
    • Description:

      Ursula, while beautiful, still carries a whiff of the Disney sea witch. Perhaps Ursuline smells a bit sweeter?
  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. 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".

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