User-created list
Favorite names from my Family Tree
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Johannes
German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Estonian variation of John
"God is gracious"
An Old World name that might have a chance to rise again with other ancient and worldly forms. Be sure to say yo-HAHN-es.
Karl
German and Scandinavian variation of Charles
Manly almost to the point of macho.
Laurentius
Laurentius is a masculine name of Latin origin, meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel.' It's the original Latin form of the more common Lawrence or Lorenzo. The laurel wreath was a symbol…
Leander
Greek
"lion-man"
Leander was once an almost unknown name, however, with the popularity of Leo and the rise of Leandro, it now feels like a perfectly accessible alternative to Leon or Alexander. In Greek legend,…
Leopold
German
"brave people"
An aristocratic and stately Germanic route to the popular Leo, Leopold is a royal name: Queen Victoria used it to honor a favorite uncle, King Leopold I of Belgium. These days, this royal tie may be…
Mauritz
Mauritz is a masculine name of Latin origin, serving as a German and Scandinavian variant of Maurice. Derived from the Roman name Mauritius, it means 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish'. The name carries…
Napoleon
Greek
"lion of the new city"
Overly ambitious choice, recently borne by the hapless hero of cult movie hit Napoleon Dynamite.
Nikolaus
German
"victory of the people"
German form of Nicholas
Nils
Scandinavian variation of Nicholas
"people of victory"
Like Lars, Sven, Niels, and Nels, an unjustly neglected straightforward Scandinavian name. Surname Nilsson or the anglicized Nelson derives from Nils.
Olof
Olof is a Scandinavian male name, primarily used in Sweden and Finland. It derives from the Old Norse name Óláfr, composed of the elements 'ancestor' and 'heir' or 'descendant', essentially meaning…
Teodor
Slavic variation of Theodore, English from Greek
"gift of God"
You’re most likely to find this Theodore cognate in Eastern Europe, where it ranks among the top names for boys in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and Romania. The nickname Teo is a real winner.
Valdemar
Nordic variation of Vladimir
Ten years ago we would have advised people to steer clear of this name (and maybe choose the similar sounding Walter instead); but with the rise of other Nordic and Eastern European names like Viggo…
Albertina
Diminutive of Alberta, feminine form of Albert, German
"noble, bright"
Albertina is a dainty, antiquated -- dare we say demure? -- pet name for Alberta, the feminine spin on the once-popular Albert. With Albert one of the classic boys' names due for a comeback, we can…
Andrietta
Andrietta is a feminine name that serves as an ornate diminutive form of Andrea or Andria, ultimately derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning 'courageous' or 'manly.' This elaboration adds a…
Apollonia
Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name
"destroyer, strength; father's light"
This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain . It could…
Augusta
Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin
"great, magnificent"
Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and…
Aqvilina
Dorothea
Greek
"gift of God"
Dorothea is a romantic Victorian-sounding name that blends elegance, gravitas and a hint of clunkiness too. Popular in the early decades of the twentieth century, it has been off the charts since…
Elin
Swedish variation of Ellen
The Elin variation makes an old favorite sleeker and more modern. Elin came to prominence via the ex-Mrs.Tiger Woods and is now perhaps best known via novelist Elin Hildebrand.. It entered the US Top…
Elsa
German diminutive of Elisabeth
"pledged to God"
Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly…