User-created list
Apocalyptic Names
Across 22 pages
of 22
Arcadia
Greek
"region offering peace and contentment"
Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden. For parents who want an unusual name with a friendlier nickname, Arcadia has the advantage of…
Ariadne
Greek
"most holy"
This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest…
Arkadi
Russian from Greek
"Arcadia"
Nice, bouncy three-syllable rhythm, à la Jeremy and Barnaby.
Arke
Greek
"swift"
Arke was the twin sister of the Greek rainbow goddess Iris. Arke is often associated with the seldom-seen, faded second rainbow. She had iridescent wings, which Zeus eventually took off her after she…
Arlo
Irish, English
"between two hills"
Arlo, an unexpectedly popular name for boys these days, is also finding new life as a girls' name. Its roots are primarily as an Irish or English surname, but it might also be a short form of the…
Arza
Hebrew
"panels of cedar"
Straightforward yet intriguing, a winning combination.
Aster
English; Amharic
"star"
This is a fresh new addition to the botanical list; comedian Gilbert Gottfried made it a real bouquet when he named his daughter Lily Aster. And the name of the little girl on television's Dexter…
Avi
Hebrew
"father"
The rise of trendy Arianna has led to unisex Ari gaining speed for girls in recent years as well. Now as Avianna climbs the charts, it may be time to start considering Hebrew Avi for a girl as well.
Aviva
Hebrew
"springlike, fresh, dewy"
Aviva is vivacious and memorable, a fresh spin on the Vivian and Vivienne names that have been getting more popular since Angelina and Brad chose one for their twin daughter. Another A-beginning…
Azra
Arabic
"virgin"
Azra is a perennial favorite Arabic name for girls in Turkey, Bosnia and Croatia. In the West, Azra could become a fresher take on Virginia or a more feminine spin on Ezra.
Bandit
Word or occupational name
"outlaw, thief"
We hesitate to call Bandit an occupational name, any more than Rogue or Vandal are occupational names, yet its use by one of the bandmembers of My Chemical Romance (for his daughter: we're thinking…
Berke
Berke is a masculine name with Turkish origins, meaning 'strong,' 'firm,' or 'solid.' It was notably the name of several Mongol leaders, including the grandson of Genghis Khan who ruled the Golden…
Beverly
English
"dweller near the beaver stream"
The remarkable success of the girls' name Everly makes a revival of the name Beverly seem possible. More commonly a masculine name in the 19th century, it began to be used for girls in the early…
Blanche
French
"white"
Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to…
Blythe
English
"happy, carefree"
Blythe is Nameberry gem — one of those names that visitors to the site are often searching for, despite the fact it's never ranked in the US charts as a given name. The name is derived the Old…
Boheme
French word name
"Girls Gone Child" blogger Rebecca Woolf made Boheme a first name when she gave it to one of her twin daughters (the other one's name is Reverie). La Boheme -- "The Bohemian" -- is a Puccini opera…
Brandt
German
"dweller on burnt land"
Less commercial-sounding than Brand.
Bravo
Italian word name
One way to encourage some cheers for your little one, but not recommended.
Bronwen
Welsh
"white breast"
Bronwen is widespread in Wales, but still rare enough here to sound somewhat international — we think Bronwen is a real winner. (Note: the Bronwyn spelling is an Anglicization, since the -wyn ending…
Cael
Irish
"slender"
Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale…
