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Unusual Names from My Family Tree

emilyfontes
By emilyfontes
Updated Sat May 20 2023
I'm the family genealogist and in documenting over 3500 people for my family tree I've run across some very unusual and interesting names. These are all first or middle names.
  1. Zebulon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "exaltation or little dwelling"

    • Description:

      An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb.
  2. Omri

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my sheaf"

    • Description:

      Old Testament name of a king of Israel, related to the harvest.
  3. Keziah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "cassia tree"

    • Description:

      This lively Old Testament nature name (belonging to one of the three beautiful daughters of Job) entered the US Top 1000 list in 2024, and ranks highly here on Nameberry — making it one to watch!
  4. Reason

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a statement offered in explanation or justification"

    • Description:

      Provocative word name that may strike the right chord for an adventurous baby namer.
  5. Ona

    • Origin:

      Lithuanian variation of Anna, Catalan diminutive of Mariona

    • Meaning:

      "grace; wave; bitter; wished-for child"

    • Description:

      One of those names with a wide array of meanings across different cultures; it's the Lithuanian form of Anna, for instance, and William Blake used it as the name of one of his mysterious, godlike characters. But it's found major popularity in Spain, where it's just outside the Top 50. It makes the Top 10 in Catalonia, being both a diminutive of Mariona and the word for "wave".
  6. Larkin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"

    • Description:

      The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name, borne by poet Philip Larkin.
  7. Vere

    • Origin:

      English from French

    • Meaning:

      "alder"

    • Description:

      Upper-class surname in England that might be prime for adoption here.
  8. Medora

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "mother's gift"

    • Description:

      Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.
  9. Diantha

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "divine flower"

    • Description:

      Diantha, a mythological flower of the supreme Greek god Zeus, is a melodious and more unusual cousin of Diana, heard most often in The Netherlands.
  10. Erastus

    • Origin:

      Latinized form of Greek Erastos

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      The Biblical Erastus was an assistant of Paul's in the New Testament. A name used in the 19th century that has fall off the scope, but may be revived as parents dig deeper for undiscovered Biblical choices.
  11. Electa

    • Origin:

      American, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "chosen, elected; amber"

    • Description:

      An early American name inspired by the word spiritual word "elect" and by a passage in the New Testament in which the Christian Church is referred to as "The Elect Lady and Her Children". Used in the 19th and early 20th century, it has since faded out of view, last appearing in the stats in 2016 when it was given to 7 girls.
  12. Hepzibah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "my delight is in her"

    • Description:

      This is a streamlined spelling of the biblical Hephzibah. Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.
  13. Jerusha

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "inheritance"

    • Description:

      This biblical name of the mother of King Jotham of Judah has an appealing soft Russian accent.
  14. Dabney

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "from Aubigny"

    • Description:

      Dapper-sounding choice with old American roots (Dabney Cosby was a 19th century Virginian architect who worked with Thomas Jefferson on some of that state's most iconic buildings). Dabney Montgomery was Martin Luther King Jr's bodyguard, giving this name yet more American history depth. Dab is a sweet nickname option for this name.
  15. Dennison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Dennis"

    • Description:

      A case in which the son is now more attractive than the father. There have been Colonial settlers surnamed Dennison on this side of the Atlantic since 1623.
  16. Arvilla

    • Description:

      Arvilla is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from the elements 'avis' meaning 'bird' or possibly from 'arvum' meaning 'field.' Some sources suggest it may be a variant of Arvella or a feminine form of Arvil. The name has been present in American naming records since the 19th century, particularly during the Victorian era when elaborate feminine names were popular. While never enormously common, Arvilla saw modest usage through the early 20th century before declining in popularity. Today, it remains a rare vintage choice that carries a delicate, old-fashioned charm with its melodic sound and distinctive ending. Those named Arvilla might appreciate its uniqueness and connection to nature themes.

  17. Zerelda

    • Description:

      Though the etymology of this name is unclear, it had modest usage in the United States during the nineteenth century. Zerelda has a double connection to outlaw Jesse James: Zerelda James was his mother, and Zerelda Mimms was his wife and first cousin. Zerelda G. Wallace was a temperance activist and a women's suffragist during the same era. All three of these Zereldas were born in Kentucky.
  18. Azuba

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "forsaken"

    • Description:

      Azuba is a form of Azubah, the Old Testament wife of Caleb. The name was used among early African-Americans.
  19. Brannon

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Brennan

    • Description:

      Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
  20. Luvena

    • Description:

      Luvena is a feminine name with possible derivation from Latin roots, potentially related to 'luv' or 'love.' It may be a variation of names like Lavinia or a creative formation based on the English word 'love' with a feminine ending. The name has a gentle, affectionate quality in its sound and implied meaning. Luvena has never been widely popular but maintains a quiet presence in naming records, particularly in some Southern American naming traditions. The name's soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds give it a melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking something unconventional yet pleasant-sounding. Luvena carries romantic connotations without being overly sentimental, striking a balance between uniqueness and accessibility. Its similarity to words for love in various languages gives it a universal appeal.