User-created list
By Myn · Updated May 2023
Across 14 pages
of 14
English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
"battle-mighty"
Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude…
English
"cattle ford"
Stuffy presidential choice: consider Hayes instead.
Welsh
"fertile upland"
An appellation that couldn't be more Ivy League or sound less Welsh. The name of the University is taken from the surname of college benefactor Elihu Yale. In the movie Manhattan , Yale Pollack is…
Greek
"chorus-singer"
Corisande is a very unusual, haunting choice, with the aura of medieval romance--it is found in early Spanish romantic tales, arriving in the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. 'La…
Hebrew
"fawn or gazelle"
Old Testament name of the daughter-in-law of Naomi, now eclipsed by the originally misspelled Oprah. Oprah Winfrey may have made her name more famous than this original Biblical version, but no baby…
German
"elf warrior"
This name woould be hard to picture in a contemporary kindergarten, though it does have some cultural cred via Finnish architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto. Aalto would actually make a more…
Latin feminine variation of Horatio
Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
Elisveta appears to be a variant or alternate transliteration of Elizaveta, the Russian form of Elizabeth. The name ultimately derives from Hebrew Elisheva, meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is…
"village with oak trees"
This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist -…
Otelia is a feminine name with Germanic roots, derived from the elements 'aud' meaning 'wealth, fortune' or 'prosperity.' It's a variant of Odelia or Ottilia, names that have been used since medieval…
Norwegian
"famous ruler"
This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . You can honor an ancestral Ronald…
Myrene is a rare feminine name with possible roots in Greek mythology and language. It likely relates to 'myrrh,' the fragrant resin that has been valued since ancient times, or could be a variation…
"God's gift"
Whether you think of the chocolates or the naked long-haired lady on the horse, Godiva is a name with baggage no child should have to carry.
French and English botanical name
"sweetbriar"
This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales . The French form Églantine appeared in the…
Rhydderch is a masculine Welsh name with ancient Celtic roots. It derives from the elements 'rhudd' meaning 'red' or 'crimson' and 'derch' meaning 'splendid' or 'magnificent.' Historically, it was…
Aude is a feminine French name with ancient Germanic roots, derived from the element 'ald' meaning 'old' or 'experienced,' suggesting wisdom and maturity. In medieval France, Aude gained recognition…
Ottomar is a rare masculine name with Germanic origins. It combines the elements 'ot' or 'otto' meaning 'wealth' or 'prosperity' and 'mar' meaning 'famous' or 'renowned,' creating the meaning 'famous…
Ymelda is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Imelda. With roots in Germanic languages, the traditional form means 'universal battle' or 'powerful fighter.' The 'Y'…
