Aphra would make an interesting choice-- especially since it's the name of the first professional female writer in English, the seventeenth century's Aphra Behn. Born in 1640, she was a prolific dramatist of the English Restoration, and a spy.

Feminine form of Ophir, a Biblical place name famed for its riches.

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.

Attractive, rhythmic choice with roots in several languages and cultures. It's a lesser-known a celestial name, meaning "star" in Basque and referring to a star in the constellation Boötes in Arabic.

Hilary may feel too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.

Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.

Simple but sultry.

This nickname was given often enough as a standalone to land it in the Top 1000 from 2010—2013.

Perhaps to honor an ancestral Abraham, but presents a confusing image.

Striking and glamorous, though perhaps just plain Zara is intriguing enough.

Though most parents would shy away from Ebenezer, short form Eben is affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it. This also makes a fresh new spin on the very popular Ethan or Evan.

Zeila, the name of a port town in Somalia, has cultural resonance and an appealing sound.

New twist to the Maur- names, a bit cosmetic sounding.

Suren as a feminine name is relatively uncommon, as it is traditionally a masculine name in Armenian and Indian cultures. In Armenian, Suren means "powerful" or "majestic," derived from the Persian name Surena. In Indian contexts, particularly Sanskrit, it can mean "deity" or "warrior." As a feminine name, Suren represents a bold cross-cultural choice that carries strong connotations of strength and dignity. The gender-neutral quality of this name makes it appealing to parents looking for unique names that break traditional gender associations. While rare for girls, it offers a distinctive option with rich cultural significance and a powerful sound that combines softness with strength.

Girlish for Ethan: attractive and unusual.

Ancel is a distinguished masculine name with French origins, derived from 'Anselm', which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'god' (ans) and 'helmet' or 'protection' (helm). The name carries connotations of divine protection and noble character. Historically, Ancel has maintained modest usage in France and among French-speaking populations. It gained some recognition through notable bearers like Ancel Keys, the American physiologist who studied the Mediterranean diet. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Ancel has persisted as a distinctive alternative to more common names, appealing to parents seeking a name with French elegance and historical depth without being overly familiar.

Alizala is an uncommon feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may represent an elaborated form of Aliza (a Hebrew name meaning 'joy') with a decorative suffix, or could blend elements of popular names like Aliza and Layla. Another possibility is derivation from Arabic linguistic roots related to beauty or precious qualities. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its alternating 'a' and 'l' sounds creating a rhythmic pattern. Alizala remains extremely rare in English-speaking countries and does not appear on popularity charts. Its exotic sound and multicultural possibilities make it appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with international flair and feminine musicality.

An occasionally heard African name, hobbled by a zoolike sound.

See SELENA.