User-created list
By lynsiejo · Updated May 2023
Across 12 pages
of 12
Greek
"chaste maiden"
Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon. It was briefly in the US charts in the late 19th century.
"glorious, renowned"
Rare and distinctive name with intimations of antiquity, also a Shakespearean character.
English
"residence near a marshy place"
Streamline it to Marsh, Mason, or Carson.
Roby is a masculine name that functions as a diminutive or variant of Robert, which comes from Germanic elements meaning "fame" and "bright." This shorter, friendlier version maintains the…
Hebrew
"inheritance"
This biblical name of the mother of King Jotham of Judah has an appealing soft Russian accent.
Keene is a masculine name of English origin functioning primarily as a surname before its adoption as a given name. It derives from the Middle English 'kene,' meaning 'bold,' 'sharp,' or 'eager.' As…
"meadow-dweller"
Almost as passé as Hyman.
"captain"
Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.
"mother's gift"
Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in…
Greek mythology name
The mythological queen whose perpetual weeping for her slain children turned her into a stone has always cast a pall over this name. Still, when other names with less-than-savory associations --…
Spanish
"vineyard"
Occasionally heard in the 1920s and 30s, along with siblings Bina and Mina; Vienna would be a more modern choice.
"sensible, prudent"
Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron ,…
Short form of Theresa, English, Greek, or Cornish
"to harvest; third"
While Tessa is now preferred, this slightly sharper diminutive of Theresa was the more familiar option in the early 20th-century. It enjoyed a brief return to the US charts in the 60s and 70s but is…
Feminine form of Alvin, English
"noble friend, friend of the elves"
Similar to Alma and Alba, Alina and Alexandra, Alvena is a clunky but interesting possibility. A notable bearer is Alvena Vajda Sečkar, an American painter, children's book author, and social…
"olive"
A rarely heard Hebrew name whose zippy first initial Z transforms it from dated Yetta-like image to more lively Catherine Zeta Jones-like appeal.
Variation of Albert, German
"noble, bright"
Adelbert is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements 'adal' meaning noble or aristocratic and 'beraht' meaning bright or famous. It's an antiquated form of Albert. Popular among…
"elf power,"
With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
Hebrew from Greek
"changing"
There is some disagreement whether there are one or two figures named Alpheus in the Bible. There's an Alpheus who's the father of James and an Alpheus who's the father of Levi, and if James and Levi…
Alwilda is a rare feminine name with Norse and Germanic origins. In Norse mythology, Alwilda (also spelled Alfhild) was a legendary shield-maiden and pirate princess who disguised herself as a male…
"burden"
Amasa is a rare Biblical name borne by two figures. One is the son of Abigail and nephew of King David, who named him commander of the rebels. This Amasa met a tragic end when he was murdered by…
