Rare Names from my Family Tree
- Lafayette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"faith"Description:
Foppish name with a distinguished forebear, French general Marquis de Lafayette, who fought in the American Revolution. It accounts for the L in L. Ron Hubbard. Old-time short form: Fayette or Fate.
- Eustace
Origin:
English from GreekMeaning:
"stable"Description:
Eustace was originally popularized by St. Eustace, who was born a Norman nobleman and is said to have been converted to Christianity by seeing a crucifix between the antlers of the deer he was hunting. It was introduced to England by the Normans, and can be found in medieval legend. In literature the name appears in the person of Eustace Clarence Scrubb in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.
The image of Eustace today is as sedate and stuffy as the monocled Eustace Tilly character on The New Yorker magazine covers. Its diminutive Stacy became a unisex hit.
- Presley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"priest's meadow"Description:
More universal than Elvis...and more conventionally attractive, too. Cindy Crawford used it for her son, though it's on the rise mainly for girls. The last time Presley ranked in the Top 1000 for boys was 1903, 120 years ago. Today, it's used for girls 14 times as often as for boys, mainly because of the -ley ending.
- Hardy
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bold, brave"Description:
Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country.
- Godfrey
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"God's peace"Description:
Godfrey was very popular in the Middle Ages, but today you're more likely to hear it as a surname than a first name. It has a solid, old-man charm, but a couple of possible deal-breakers: the first syllable being God, and no obvious nickname. Goff, maybe? For a different feel, we also like the Italian artist's version Giotto.
- Jacobi
Description:
Jacobi is a masculine name derived from Jacob, which has Hebrew origins meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." This form represents a Latin genitive case of Jacobus, essentially meaning "of Jacob" or "son of Jacob." Particularly used in Germanic and Jewish naming traditions, Jacobi carries scholarly and religious significance. While less common than Jacob or Jakob, Jacobi has gained modest popularity in recent decades as parents seek distinctive variations on traditional names. The name projects intelligence and sophistication while maintaining connection to the biblical patriarch Jacob. Jacobi appeals to families looking for names with substantial historical roots but contemporary feel, offering familiar sounds in a less common package.
- Robinson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Robin"Description:
This can be a cool and unusual way to honor your family Robert, conjuring up memories of Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson, as well as narrative poet Robinson Jeffers, born John Robinson, who shared his mother's middle name.
- Melba
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.
- Reva
Origin:
Hindi river name; HebrewMeaning:
"rain"Description:
Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
- Iren
Description:
Iren is a feminine name that functions as a variation of Irene, with roots in ancient Greek. Derived from "Eirene," it means "peace." In Greek mythology, Eirene was the goddess of peace, giving the name a rich heritage and symbolic meaning. This shorter variant maintains the elegant essence of Irene while offering a more concise, modern feel. Popular in Eastern European countries, particularly Russia, Hungary, and parts of Scandinavia, Iren provides an international alternative to the more common Irene. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, its simplicity and cross-cultural appeal make it an attractive option for parents seeking a name that is both traditional and somewhat distinctive in Western contexts.
- Alpha
Origin:
Greek, first letter of the alphabetDescription:
The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
- Drucilla
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strong"Description:
Pleasingly quaint and dainty New Testament possibility; the nickname Dru modernizes it.
- Balthasar
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"God protects the king"Description:
Balthasar was one of the biblical Three Kings who visited the infant Jesus, also used by Shakespeare and in the oil-rich Getty family; offbeat and intriguing. Balthazar is another, equally appropriate spelling.
- Easter
Origin:
English, from GermanDescription:
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.
- Vianna
Description:
Vianna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, primarily connected to Latin and Romance languages. It may derive from the ancient Roman name 'Viviana,' meaning 'alive' or 'full of life,' or relate to geographical locations like Vienna (Wien) in Austria or Viana in Spain and Portugal. The name combines melodic qualities of names like Vivian and Anna, creating a flowing, elegant sound. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Vianna has seen modest usage in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking regions. The name carries a sophisticated European flair while remaining relatively easy to pronounce and spell. Vianna offers parents a distinctive alternative to more common names like Vivian, Brianna, or Gianna, sharing similar sounds while maintaining its own identity. Its cross-cultural nature makes it adaptable across linguistic boundaries.
- Beta
Origin:
Greek, second letter of the Greek alphabetDescription:
If you can't have an Alpha male, how about a Beta girl.
- Henric
Description:
Henric is a masculine name representing a Germanic and Scandinavian variant of Henry, which derives from the elements 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler), meaning 'ruler of the home' or 'lord of the household.' This spelling is particularly common in Sweden, Finland, and parts of Eastern Europe. While the anglicized Henry has dominated in English-speaking countries, Henric maintains popularity in northern Europe. The name carries a distinguished heritage, having been borne by numerous royals and nobles throughout European history. With its strong consonants and clean pronunciation, Henric projects qualities of leadership, strength, and noble character. This spelling gives the classic name a distinctive Nordic touch while preserving its historical dignity.
- Clarinda
Origin:
Literary elaboration of ClaraMeaning:
"bright, clear"Description:
A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.
- Vena
Description:
Vena is a concise feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Latin word 'vena' meaning 'vein,' symbolizing life's vital essence, or possibly from a shortened form of names like Lavena or Rovena. In some cultures, it relates to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. Vena has remained consistently uncommon throughout history, appealing to parents who prefer rare, short names with a gentle sound. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel despite its ancient roots. With its soft consonants and open ending, Vena offers a delicate yet distinctive choice. Its rarity means a Vena will likely stand out while still carrying a name that's easy to pronounce and spell.
- Rosana
Origin:
Portuguese form of RoxanaMeaning:
"bright, dawn"Description:
This elegant, minimally-spelled name could be a variant of Rosanna/Roseanna. But it's also the Portuguese version of Roxana, with all the meaning and history of the name, but none of the "Roxanne" associations.
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