augusta_lee's list "Future Art Director" of 20 great name ideas: Satyana - Whistler!

Future Art Director

Acting couple Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof chose this Sanskrit word meaning, literally, "truth vehicle" for their daughter.  It has a melodic sound and strong meaning.  Think of it as rhyming with the Russian Tatiana.

Satyana

Nicabar

Catrice is a feminine name that appears to be a modern variation possibly combining elements of names like Katrice, Patrice, or Clarice. The 'Cat-' element might relate to Katherine (meaning 'pure') or could be a creative adaptation. The suffix '-rice' is found in several traditional names and derives ultimately from Latin elements. Catrice emerged primarily in American naming patterns in the mid-to-late 20th century, reflecting the trend toward creating distinctive names with familiar elements. The name has a pleasant rhythmic quality with emphasis on the first syllable and a soft ending. Though never among the most common names, Catrice has maintained a modest presence in naming records since its emergence. The name exemplifies the creative approach to naming that became increasingly common in the late 20th century, combining recognizable elements in new ways.

Catrice

This rare sixth-century saint's name has a modern, merry feel. 

Mabyn

One of the rare English surname names originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle". Also spelled Averill, it's an extremely rare choice today, but shares sounds with fashionable Ava and Avery.

Averil

Easter has been used as a name for several hundred years, as part of the day-naming tradition; now, this rarely heard holiday celebration name would make a novel choice for a springtime baby. 
Background:The early Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar Bede took the name of a goddess--Eostre-- whose feast was celebrated at the vernal equinox and gave it to the Christian festival of the resurrection of Christ.
 Easter appeared on the Top 1000 list during the first few decades of the twentieth century. It was heard for the character played by Jasmine Guy in the TV miniseries Queen.
 International versions include Pascal, Pasqua and Pascua.

Easter

This title of honor given to Charlemagne's twelve best knights would be prized as a name by most sword-loving little boys. 

Paladin

Virtually never heard in this country, with a quirky quality. 

Quimby

Tamsin is an offbeat name occasionally heard in Britain and just waiting to be discovered here. U.K. actress Tamsin Greig is a star of the show Episodes, Tamsin Olivier is the daughter of Joan Plowright and Sir Laurence Olivier..
 Tamsyn is the alternative medieval Cornish spelling. Other spellings are represented by actresses Tamzin Outhwaite and Tamzin Merchant, and by writer Tamasin Day-Lewis, sister of Daniel.
 Tamsin is a 1999 fantasy novel by Peter Beagle.

Tamsin

Common in Wales, but would really stand out here. One of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle names</a> of Stella McCartney's daughter Reiley; Dilys Powell was a well-known British film critic, Professor Dilys Derwent a Harry Potter character., a witch who worked as a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital, and was a celebrated Headmistress of Hogwarts School..

Dilys

Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of favor.

Odile

The haunting Lorca is a place name from the Spanish province of Navarre, but far more famous as the surname of the eminent Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca, who was the direct inspiration for the name of Leonard Cohen's now-grown daughter Lorca.
 An undiscovered treasure.

Lorca

Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
 Alcott would make an unusual and interesting surname name choice.

Alcott

More familiar to most English speakers in its Italian form, Tancredo, this Old School name is one to consider if you want something both authentic and highly unusual.

Tancred

Pronounced TEE-bow, this version, which is also a very common surname in France, has a lot more charm than the name it derives from &mdash; Theobald. A variant spelling is Thibaut.

 Trivia tidbit: Thibault is the name of a minor character in Peanuts.

Thibault

Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.


Romola

Arete is a minor goddess in Greek mythology who personifies the idea of excellence or perfect virtue. There is also a mythological queen Arete, with her sister an "exacter of justice".

Arete

Cleonie is a feminine name with Greek origins, likely derived from 'Kleonis,' a feminine form of 'Kleon,' meaning 'glory' or 'fame.' It may also relate to Cleone, a figure from Greek mythology associated with a sacred spring. This elegant, classical name has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, appreciated primarily by those with an interest in ancient Greek culture or looking for distinctive feminine names with historical depth. Cleonie has a delicate, refined quality with its flowing syllables and soft ending. The name suggests nobility, artistic sensibility, and timeless elegance. Despite its ancient roots, it feels fresh and distinctive in the modern naming landscape.

Cleonie

Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S.  Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330. 

Cerys

A new entry in the fashionable occupational name category -- and a jolly job it must be -- with the added attraction of relating to the great early 20th century American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler, of "Whistler's Mother" fame.