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Fantastical Names

  1. Harper

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "harp player"

    • Description:

      You might think of Harper as the hottest name of the last decade, jumping from obscurity to the Top 10, where it remained until last year.
  2. Haven

    • Origin:

      Word name, English

    • Meaning:

      "a place of safety"

    • Description:

      Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
  3. Haya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "life; universal feathers"

    • Description:

      Appealing crosscultural choice.
  4. Hazael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God sees"

    • Description:

      This name of an Old Testament king is reminiscent of the woodsy nature name Hazel. Given to just 35 boys in 2024, it could make a similar but less popular option than Top 1000 Azael.
  5. Hereswith

    • Origin:

      Old English

    • Meaning:

      "Strength of the army"

    • Description:

      Hereswith is a rare name that comes to us from the dark ages. She was a Northumbrian saint, whose more famous sister, Hilda, was the Abbess at Whitby and patron of the first English poet, Caedmon. The name has a soft, lispy sound that is more wearable than its spelling would suggest.
  6. Hezekiah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God gives strength"

    • Description:

      This name of an influential Old Testament king of Judah is one that would challenge even the most adventurous biblical name-seeker, but it does have the modernizing short forms Zeke or Kiah.
  7. Ianthe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "purple flower"

    • Description:

      Like Violet, Lavender and Lilac, Ianthe is a purple flower name. Chosen by the poet Shelley for his daughter, Ianthe has a poetic, romantic, almost ethereal quality. In the ancient myth, she was the daughter of Oceanus, supreme ruler of the sea, and also a Cretan woman so beautiful that when she died the Gods made purple flowers grow around her grave.
  8. Icarus

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Description:

      Icarus, the mythological figure famous for flying too close to the sun, has a couple of negatives: his rash reputation, and those "icky" nicknames.
  9. Idalah

    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name

    • Description:

      Idalah is a town in Zebulon that makes a distinctive first name for a modern girl. Where the boys get most of the ancient yet unusual Biblical names, Idalah is one for the girls' side.
  10. Idalia

    • Origin:

      Greek, Germanic

    • Meaning:

      "behold the sun; work, labor"

    • Description:

      A pretty, if unusual choice for a summer baby, particularly a girl with an ancestor named Ida. An epithet of the goddess Aphrodite, Idalia is derived from the Greek place name Idalion.
  11. Idony

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "love again, renewal"

    • Description:

      Idony was the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth, and variants of her obscure name could come under consideration with the rest of the fashionable I pack.
  12. Ilke

    • Description:

      Ilke is a feminine name of Turkish origin. It means 'first, beginning' or 'principle' in Turkish, making it a name with significant philosophical implications. The name is relatively uncommon outside of Turkey and Turkish communities worldwide. As a modern Turkish name, Ilke represents core values and foundational beliefs. Its simplicity and meaningful etymology make it appealing to parents seeking a name with depth. While not widely used internationally, Ilke has a distinctive sound that is both elegant and easy to pronounce across different languages, potentially contributing to its gradual increase in usage among multicultural families.
  13. Illeanna

    • Description:

      Illeanna is a feminine name with connections to multiple origins. It may be a variant spelling of 'Ileana,' a Romanian name derived from Greek 'Helen,' meaning 'torch' or 'bright light.' Another possibility is that it derives from Irish elements, possibly related to 'Aileen' or 'Eileen.' The doubled consonants give the name a distinctive appearance while maintaining a melodic pronunciation. Though relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Illeanna offers a blend of exotic flair and familiarity. Parents might choose it seeking a name with cross-cultural appeal that combines elegance with uniqueness. The name carries a romantic, slightly mystical quality while remaining accessible.
  14. Ilona

    • Origin:

      Hungarian variation of Helen, Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "shining torch; light; joy"

    • Description:

      This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in the US.
  15. Ilse

    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Ilsa

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
  16. Ilya

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Elijah

    • Meaning:

      "the Lord is my God"

    • Description:

      A rare example of an a-ending boy's name that sounds masculine, Ilya has a large measure of creative Slavic charm. >p>Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is the central character in Goncharov's novel "Oblomov." Unfortunately, he spends most of his life in his bathrobe and slippers.
  17. Imogene

    • Description:

      Imogene is a feminine name of Celtic origin, believed to be derived from the Gaelic word 'imogen,' meaning 'maiden' or 'daughter.' Some scholars suggest it may also have connections to the Latin phrase 'Iphigenia,' from Greek mythology. The name gained literary significance through Shakespeare's play 'Cymbeline,' where the virtuous protagonist bears this name. Imogene enjoyed moderate popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries before declining, though it has seen renewed interest in recent years as part of the revival of vintage names. With its combination of classical literary associations and a distinctive, melodic sound, Imogene appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth, intellectual connections, and a touch of antiquated elegance.

  18. Imre

    • Origin:

      Hungarian, from German

    • Meaning:

      "strength"

    • Description:

      Commonly heard in its native country, and might get a boost here too, now that Alanis Morrissette has used it for her son Ever's middle name.
  19. Indah

    • Origin:

      Indonesian

    • Meaning:

      "pretty"

    • Description:

      An Indonesian name that is virtually unknown in the Western World but that is eminently portable, sister of India and Indre or Indra.
  20. Indira

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "beauty"

    • Description:

      A striking and feminine possibility associated with a modern hero — longtime Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.