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Cool Unusual Names That Start With Vowels

  1. Arwen

    • Origin:

      Literature, Sindarin, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "noble maiden; fair, blessed"

    • Description:

      Best known as the princess of the Elves in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Arwen is a fantasy-inspired choice that feels perfectly down to earth. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 400, making it one of the fastest rising names, more than doubling in use from the previous year.
  2. Asher

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate, blessed, happy one"

    • Description:

      Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
  3. Ashira

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "I will sing"

    • Description:

      Unusual name with stylish, silky feel.
  4. Aspen

    • Origin:

      Nature and place-name

    • Meaning:

      "a poplar tree that quakes in the breeze"

    • Description:

      As trendy as the chic Colorado ski resort, with a hint of whimsy from the shimmering trees, Aspen has been climbing the charts for boys since the early 90s. While it has always been more popular for girls, it could work for a boy too.
  5. Astrid

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "divinely beautiful"

    • Description:

      Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
  6. Atalanta

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "equal in weight"

    • Description:

      Atalanta was a beautiful mythological maiden who refused to marry any man who couldn't beat her in a footrace -- quite a role model. This myth is found in Ovid's Metamorphoses and later in Swinburne's Atalantis in Calydon.
  7. Athenea

    • Description:

      Athenea is a feminine name derived from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and crafts. This variation adds a feminine ending to the classical name, giving it a softer, more ornate quality while maintaining its powerful mythological associations. Athena was born fully armed from the head of Zeus and represents intelligence, reason, and strategic skill. The name Athenea carries these noble connotations of wisdom and strength while offering a slightly more unique alternative to the more common Athena. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Athenea has some usage in Spanish-speaking regions. It appeals to parents drawn to classical mythology who want a name with intellectual gravitas and feminine elegance that remains relatively uncommon.
  8. Atlas

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of the heavens"

    • Description:

      Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
  9. Atlee

    • Description:

      Atlee is a feminine name of English origin, derived from an Old English surname meaning 'at the clearing' or 'at the meadow.' It was traditionally used as a place name and surname before transitioning to a given name. With its connection to nature and pleasant meadow imagery, Atlee evokes a sense of openness and tranquility. The name has experienced periodic usage throughout the 20th century but remains relatively uncommon, giving it distinctive appeal. It gained some recognition through association with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee (though with a different spelling). As a first name, Atlee fits well with contemporary trends toward short, nature-inspired names with historical roots. Its simplicity and gentle sound make it accessible, while its rarity offers individuality for those seeking a name that stands apart from popular choices.

  10. Auden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "old friend"

    • Description:

      The poetic, soft-spoken Auden has recently started to be considered as a first name option, used for both sexes, appreciated for its pleasing sound as well as its link to the distinguished modern Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden.
  11. Aura

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "soft breeze"

    • Description:

      Aura is a New Age-y word turned name turned contemporary slang for karm. In Greek and Roman mythology, Aura was the Titan of the breeze and the fresh, cool air of early morning. But at odds with her peaceful, well, aura, the mythological Aura is a tragic figure, ultimately transformed into a fountain by Zeus.
  12. Aurelian

    • Origin:

      English form of Aurelius, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "golden one"

    • Description:

      Aurelian is an ancient name gaining contemporary visibility along with many other forms of the Ancient Roman Aurelius, including Aurelia and Aurelio.
  13. Auri

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Description:

      An airy variant of the Finnish name Aura, which derives either from the Greek "aura" (breath; breeze) or from Old Norse "aurr" (earth; clay). It is also sometimes encountered as a short form of Aurora or Aurelia.
  14. Auriel

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "gold"

    • Description:

      Auriel is a Roman name that was revived during the nineteenth-century craze for unique names. Could make an interesting substitution for the popular Aurora or Ariel.
  15. Aurora

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dawn"

    • Description:

      The goddess name Aurora has consistently been on the US popularity list since the nineteenth century, but has really taken off in the past 30 years. Aurora also enjoys remarkable international popularity, ranking in the Top 100 throughout the English-speaking world as well as in Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries.
  16. Autumn

    • Origin:

      Season name

    • Description:

      Crisp and colorful, Autumn is the most popular season name now -- the only one in the Top 100 in recent years -- with Autumn's coolness only surpassed by Winter. Jennifer Love Hewitt named her daughter Autumn James.
  17. Aveline

    • Origin:

      French from German

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"

    • Description:

      Aveline is a name that's long been an obscure cousin of more widely-used choices, but may come into its own riding the tail of the megapopular Ava, which may derive from the same root.
  18. Ayelet

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "deer, gazelle"

    • Description:

      Ayelet is an unusual -- and somewhat challenging -- Israeli name familiar thanks to sometimes controversial Jerusalem-born novelist-essayist Ayelet Waldman.
  19. Aylin

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "of the moon"

    • Description:

      This Turkish name has some of today's most popular sounds - partly like Isla and Ayla with the well-loved -lin ending of Evelyn, Oaklynn, and Brooklynn. Used internationally, it's currently on trend in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, and Mexico too. It also ranks in the US and The Netherlands Top 500s, and in the the UK Top 1000. With its glowing meaning and contemporary sounds but established feel, Aylin could make a lovely choice.
  20. Azalea

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "azalea, a flower"

    • Description:

      Azalea is one of the fresher flower names, along with Zinnia and Lilac, that are new to the name bouquet — in fact, it entered the Social Security list for the first time in 2012. So if Lily and Rose are too tame for you, consider this brilliant pink springtime blossom with a touch of the unusual that has been growing in popularity.