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Aslan
Turkish
"lion; fearless"
Aslan, derived from the Old Turkic word arslan , meaning "lion," is best known in the West as the name of the heroic lion in C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series, who serves as an allegorical…
Abner
Hebrew
"father of light."
This once neglected Biblical name is back on the scene, ready to shake off both its association with the long running satirical comic strip, L'il Abner and its historical Puritan image. The name…
Aurelius
Latin
"the golden one"
Since Aurelius was given the supermodel seal of approval by Elle Macpherson, it has joined Augustus as an ancient Roman name that feels usable today. Slightly mystical and magical with a golden hue,…
Annika
Swedish diminutive of Anna
"grace"
Annika is a surprise hit of recent years, inspired by golfer Sorenstam; for Trekkies, it was also the name of a 'Star Trek:Voyager' character. Some people's first memory of it might be as Pippi…
Abacus
Greek word name
A mathematical possibility, but the odds are against it.
Abelia
Hebrew
"sigh, breath"
This feminine form of Abel is also a flower name and makes a distinctive alternative to the widely used Abigail. There is a similar name, Adelia, that is beginning to be rediscovered thanks to the…
Aberdeen
Scottish place-name
Amiable, undiscovered geographic option.
Abilene
English from Hebrew
"grass"
Abilene is a rarely used place name, mentioned as such in the New Testament, that combines the cowboy spunk of the Texas city with the midwestern morality of the Kansas town where Dwight D.…
Abracham
Abracham is a rare variant spelling of the more common name Abraham, which has Hebrew origins meaning "father of many nations." This uncommon spelling may have emerged through transliteration…
Absalom
Hebrew
"father of peace"
Absalom, because of its biblical and literary associations, just might appeal to the daring namegiver. In the Old Testament, Absalom was the handsome, favored but rebellious son of King David. In…
Abyssinia
African place-name
Abyssinia is the ancient name of the Ethiopian Empire, no longer found on any map but with a possible future as a melodic girls' name in the ever-expanding place-name category. Among African names…
Acacia
Greek
"thorny"
Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl…
Achante
Achante is a distinctive feminine name with possible French or creative modern origins. While not widely documented in traditional naming dictionaries, it may derive from the French word 'enchanter'…
Achille
French variation of Achilles
"thin-lipped"
The French spin on the name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel seems somewhat more portable into the modern world.
Adagio
Italian, musical term
The literal meaning of Adagio is 'at ease.' Adagio's use for a slow musical passage or ballet is contradicted by its lively sound and feel.
Adelheid
German and Dutch form of Adelheidis, German
"noble, nobility"
The ancient German name Adelheidis gave rise to both Adelaide and Adelheid. While Adelaide is more popular and better known internationally, Adelheid is still used occasionally in Germany, the…
Adia
Adia is a feminine name with origins spanning several cultures. In Swahili, it means 'gift,' while similar variations appear in Hebrew and Arabic traditions with meanings relating to 'adornment' or…
Adlai
Hebrew
"God is just"
Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth…
Adrienne
Latin, feminine variation of Adrian
"man from Adria"
A long-integrated French feminine form of Adrian, now overshadowed by the a -ending version, but still a valid option, with considerable substance and dignity—though these days more parents would…
Aesop
Greek
There once was a moralizing fabulist who tried to make it as a baby name...and failed.