Cool Unusual Names That Start With Vowels
- Aeron
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"berry"Description:
Aeron was possibly a minor Celtic god of war, and is definitely a river in modern-day Wales.
- Ailana
Origin:
KazakhMeaning:
"moonlight"Description:
A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
- Ailis
Origin:
Scottish GaelicMeaning:
"noble"Description:
This attractive and unique Scottish form of Alice can also be found in the spelling Aileas. Like Alice, it ultimately derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis. Spelt with the fada, Ailís, it's Irish and pronounced with a longer final vowel: AY-leesh.
- Akira
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"bright, intelligent"Description:
A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games and because of its international feel. It was a fast rising choice in 2024, when it entered the Top 1000.
- Alaia
Origin:
BasqueMeaning:
"joyful, happy"Description:
Alaia, a fast riser in the US, sounds just like several other popular stylish names, many of them with different origins and meanings. There's Arabic Aaliyah, like the late singer, and the Hebrew Aliya and the Sanskrit Alaya. Azzedine Alaia is a high-fashion Parisian designer of Tunisian origin.
- Alban
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white, or, man from Alba"Description:
An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain. Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S. Vice-President, serving under Harry Truman. And Albin is popular in modern Sweden. But only the form Alban has the alternate meaning "from Alba".
- Alec
Origin:
Diminutive of Alexander, GreekMeaning:
"defending men"Description:
Alec, though an old nickname for Alexander, is much fresher sounding than Alex, with the additional advantage, at least to some parents, of being distinctly male (there are as many girl Alexes these days as there are boys). While Alec has a clipped British image, it's actually one of the classic Greek names for boys, by way of father name Alexander.
- Alek
Origin:
Polish, Armenian, Serbian, and Russian form of Alex, Greek, GreenlandicMeaning:
"defending men; harpoon line"Description:
A variation of Alex used in a number of languages, Alek has the cool, solid feel of Erik and Axel. It can also be a name of Greenlandic origin, meaning "harpoon line".
- Alessa
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"defender of men"Description:
Italian form of Alexa, sometimes short for Alessandra, which sidesteps the Amazon Alexa issue.
- Alessia
Origin:
Italian variation of AlexisMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
Young Canadian pop singer Alessia Cara has given this spicy-sounding name a new lease on life, propelling it into the Top 1000 in 2016. It was one of the fastest rising girl names of the year in 2016, then again in 2023. As a form of Alexander, Alessia could make a wonderful honor for any of Alexander's variants—Alexandra, Alexis—or as an alternative to Alexa, now best known as Amazon's AI voice.
- Alethia
Description:
Alethia is a feminine name derived from the Greek word 'aletheia,' meaning 'truth' or 'disclosure.' In ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Plato and Heidegger, aletheia represents the concept of unconcealedness or the revealing of reality. The name carries profound philosophical undertones about honesty and authentic existence. Pronounced ah-LEE-thee-ah or ah-leh-THEE-ah, this melodic name has a timeless quality with its classical roots. While never ranking among the most popular names in Western countries, Alethia maintains steady usage, particularly among families valuing its meaningful etymology. The variant spelling Alethea is also seen. The name appeals to parents drawn to classical Greek names or those seeking a name with intellectual depth and positive moral associations.
- Alis
Description:
Alis is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It can be considered a variant spelling of Alice, which derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis, meaning 'noble type.' Alis appears in Welsh tradition and also exists as a simplified spelling in various European cultures. In some Baltic contexts, it may be a masculine form. The name has a crisp, clean sound with its straightforward spelling, while maintaining the classic elegance associated with Alice. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Alis offers international appeal with its cross-cultural recognition. Parents might choose Alis for its subtle difference from the more common Alice, appreciating its simplified spelling and slight exotic quality while retaining familiar pronunciation and classical roots.
- Allessandra
Description:
Allessandra is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Alessandra, the Italian form of Alexandra. Deriving from the Greek name Alexandros, it means 'defender of mankind' or 'protector of humans.' The double 's' spelling is less common than the traditional Italian form but adds a distinctive touch while preserving the name's elegant sound. While not as prevalent as Alexandra or Alessandra, this variation has gained modest usage among parents seeking a classical name with a unique spelling. The name carries a sense of strength and nobility, having been borne by various historical figures and cultural references. Its international recognition makes it adaptable across different cultures while maintaining its sophisticated Italian flair.
- Allura
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"to entice, attract"Description:
Sounds like a princess -- or an enticingly evil witch -- in a fairy tale.
- Altalune
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"over the moon"Description:
Altalune is an invention used by Uma Thurman and Arpad Busson as one of several middle names for their daughter. It's evocative Latin meaning roughly translates to "over the moon." Celebrity baby Altalune will be called the more familiar Luna for short.
- Althea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"with healing power"Description:
Althea is a poetic, almost ethereal name found in Greek myth and pastoral poetry, associated in modern times with the great tennis player Althea Gibson, the first African-American to win at Wimbledon.
- Amara
Origin:
Igbo, Sanskrit, ArabicMeaning:
"grace, immortal, tribe"Description:
Strong, attractive, and stylish, Amara is a true multicultural choice enjoying some popularity in both the US and the UK. In the US Top 1000 since the turn of this century, Amara has been holding steady in the rankings between overly popular and obscure.
- Amaria
Origin:
Igbo, English, Arabic, Hebrew, GreekMeaning:
"grace; beloved, bitter; to thrive and live long; Yahweh has said; to sparkle"Description:
Amaria is one of those rare names that sounds like a familiar and well-known choice. Part of this is done to its similarity to the likes of Amara, Amelia, Maria, and Aria, but another factor is it its multicultural roots.
- Amarissa
Origin:
Combination name, Ama + issaMeaning:
"little lover"Description:
Amarissa is kind of cobbled together from two traditional elements: Ama, which means "love" or "lover" and is found in such more established names as Amabel and Amariah, and -issa, which is a common feminine suffix that functions as a diminutive. While Amarissa is pretty and frilly, it may frequently be misunderstood as Marissa, Melissa, and may ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.
- Ambrosia
Origin:
Latin, feminine form of AmbroseMeaning:
"Immortal"Description:
Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.