Differentish and not too differentish names

Most of the inspiration for these names come from nature, places, emotions, virtues, French, Portuguese, and Gaelic backgrounds.
  1. Coco
    • Description:

      Coco as a masculine name represents a playful, vibrant choice that has cross-cultural appeal. Originally a nickname or diminutive form, it has French connections and gained recognition through notable figures like fashion designer Coco Chanel (though she was female). For boys, it maintains a cheerful, energetic quality. The name has a musical sound with its repeating syllables and may be associated with warmth and friendliness. While traditionally more common as a pet name or nickname, Coco has seen increasing use as a standalone given name for boys in recent years, particularly among parents seeking something unconventional and charming with international flair.
  2. Faith
    • Origin:

      Virtue name
    • Description:

      Faith is one of the most straightforward of the virtue names popularized by the Puritans in the seventeenth century, many parents still choosing it as an indicator of their religious conviction. Faith peaked in 2002 at Number 48.
  3. Piper
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "one who plays the pipes or flute"
    • Description:

      Piper's rising popularity for girls makes it an unlikely masculine choice.
  4. Sapphire
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Greek, and Latin jewel name
    • Meaning:

      "blue"
    • Description:

      Sapphire goes waaaaay beyond Ruby and Pearl. This September birthstone, occasionally used a century ago, might be worth a reappraisal, perhaps as a Sophie/Sophia alternative. Sapphire is the pseudonym of Romona Lofton, who wrote the book Push, which was turned into the movie Precious. Sapphire entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, and is proving to be one of the freshest gem names for girls. Another intriguing variation is the lovely Sapphira.
  5. Zephyr
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "west wind"
    • Description:

      If you're looking for a name that's light and breezy, this could be it. A name from mythology: Zephyrus/Zephyr was the Greek god of the west wind, and with its similarity in sound to the likes of Stefan or Seth, its zippy Z initial and cool Y, it is primed to rise up the US charts.