Springtime eccentricity

Catalina

Spanish variation of Catherine

"pure"

This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin. Santa Catalina of Siena was, along with Saint…

Ruth

Hebrew

"compassionate friend"

Ruth, with its air of calm and compassion, was the third most popular name in the 1890s, remaining in the Top 10 through the 1920s. It's still in use today as some parents tiring of Rachel and…

Ivory

Word name

"hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals; pale, white"

Ivory was last popular a hundred years ago. In 2013, it finally began to regain some momentum in the female rankings, reentering the Top 1000, while 2024 saw it jump up the charts again by over 100…

Rue

Botanical names or word name

"herb; regret"

Rue has gone from Golden Girls actress to Hunger Games heroine to a fresh alternative to beloved middle name Rose. This botanical name is also a coincidental double word name, meaning "regret" in…

Wilhelmina

German and Dutch, feminine variation of Wilhelm

"resolute protection"

Wilhelmina might once have been condemned as a clunky relic best left in the past, but a steadily increasing number of parents are dusting it off for their 21st century babies. A reasonably popular…

Karlie

Variation of Carly, English

"free man"

Supermodel Karlie Kloss lends this spelling variation some style. Having appeared in the US Top 1000 since 1991, it was in trouble of dropping off completely when it ranked Number 992 in 2009. Since…

Mona

Irish

"noble good"

Mona had more than a moment in the sun, peaking in 1950 at Number 230 but falling off the Top 1000 completely in the late 1980s. Its similarity to the word "moaner" undercuts the appeal of its…

Nahla

Arabic

"a drink of water"

Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.

Annia

Latin, female variation of Antonius

"priceless one"

An ancient Roman name that has never made it into the modern world.

Harleen

Harleen is a feminine name of Punjabi and Sikh origin, combining elements that mean 'God's love' or 'with God's grace.' The name blends 'Har' (a reference to God) with 'leen' (absorbed or immersed).…

Avri

English or Hebrew, spelling variation of Avery or feminine short form of Avraham

The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form…

Nataliya

Nataliya is a feminine name with Slavic origins, primarily used in Russian, Ukrainian, and other Eastern European cultures. It is a variant of Natalia, derived from the Latin phrase 'natale domini,'…

Bryony

Greek

"to sprout, to swell"

Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan…

Starlet

Starlet is a feminine English word name that evokes images of both celestial beauty and Hollywood glamour. Derived from 'star' with the diminutive suffix '-let,' it literally means 'little star,'…

Nevena

Bulgarian; Macedonian; Croatian; Serbian

"marigold"

If you're looking for a creative way to get to Neve, Nevena is a lovely option with a sweet floral meaning.

Ula

Celtic

"gem of the sea"

Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name…

Eglantine

French and English botanical name

"sweetbriar"

This name for the sweetbriar shrub is a bit too reminiscent of eggplant, but it does have literary creds, having appeared in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales . The French form Églantine appeared in the…

Praxis

Greek

"practical"

Praxis makes perfect? Though this mythological name sounds boyish, it's a female name, an equivalent for Aphrodite.

Swan

English

"swan"

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan…

Victorie

Victorie is a feminine name derived from Latin roots meaning "victory" or "conqueror." It represents a French variation of Victoria, carrying the same triumphant connotations with a distinctly French…