Over The Top

Said to refer to either Jupiter or Venus, either of which would be preferable as a name.

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.

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.

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

One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Rarely heard outside of Wales, Arianwen is one of many pretty wen-ending names prominent in ancient Welsh legend.

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.

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.

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

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

Gamaliel is a biblical masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning 'reward of God' or 'God is my rewarder'. In the New Testament, Gamaliel was a respected Pharisee and teacher of law under whom the apostle Paul studied. He was known for his wisdom and moderation. Throughout history, the name has been used in Jewish, Christian, and particularly Protestant communities, though it has never been widely popular. In the United States, Gamaliel saw limited use in the 19th century, particularly among Puritan families and religious communities. Today, it remains uncommon but might appeal to parents seeking a rare biblical name with historical significance and a distinctive sound.

Esylt is a feminine name of Welsh origin, being a variant spelling of Essyllt or Esyllt, which is the Welsh form of Isolde (or Iseult). The name is prominently featured in Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology as the Irish princess in the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde. The Welsh pronunciation typically emphasizes the first syllable (ES-ilt). While maintaining deep connections to Celtic heritage and medieval romance, this particular spelling remains extremely rare even in Wales. The name carries associations with tragic beauty, forbidden love, and ancient Celtic traditions. Its unusual spelling and mythological connections make it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with strong cultural roots and literary significance while remaining distinctly uncommon.