This appealing Irish name is borne by actor Conleth Hill, who plays Varys in Game of Thrones. It is an anglicization of the original spelling Connlaodh.

Merel is a soundalike of Meryl and may be thought of as a variation of that name, but it's also the Dutch word for blackbird and so you can make it more stylish as one of the flock of cool new bird names, joining Wren, Lark, and Sparrow.

This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with a Greek or Turkish heritage.

This is a soft and strong Arabic and Persian name commonly heard in the Middle East.

Although this variation is less popular than ultra-trendy Aiden, this simplified spelling doesn't do anything for the name.

The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football. Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn, best known as the name of the seacoast town St. Merryn, is also related. The name is usually used for girls.

A melodic name, popular among the African-American community, where it joins sound-alikes Amari, Jamari, and Damari. It ultimately derives from the Arabic Qamar, meaning "moon", and is also used by Swahili speakers and those from Comoros and Somalia. It could also be considered a Greek place name, from a coastal village in Santorini.

Kealan is a masculine Irish name, a variation of Keelan or Caelan, derived from the Gaelic 'caol' meaning 'slender' or 'thin.' Sometimes interpreted as 'slender and fair,' the name carries connotations of physical grace and beauty. While traditional in Ireland, Kealan has gained modest international recognition in recent decades as parents seek names with authentic cultural roots. The pronunciation (KEY-lan) flows smoothly with its balanced syllables. This name represents a perfect blend of distinctiveness and accessibility, as it's recognizable but not overly common. Kealan connects its bearers to Irish heritage while working well in multicultural settings.

There aren't many gemstone names that are firmly masculine but Malachite is one of these. The gemstone is a rich green colour and is often used for decorative sculptures. The name is thought to derive from the name of the Mallow plant, the leaves of which resemble the patterns on the gemstone. The name is also similar to the Hebrew name Malachi.

Israeli-born singer Keren Ann introduced this traditional Hebrew name to the US, where it could well be mistaken for Karen. Nevertheless, 100 girls were given the name in a recent year.

This highly unusual name has been kicked up a notch, thanks to cooking guru Emeril Lagasse.

Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.

This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.

A sleek yet friendly name of Finnish and Estonian origin, Talvi is familiar in Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, but rare in English speaking countries. It comes from the Finnish talvi or Estonian talv, meaning "winter", making this an unexpected name to celebrate the colder seasons, to honor someone born in the winter months, or to give to a Christmas baby.

A locational surname turned rare first name, which would likely be misheard as the much more familiar Ray.

One of the seven archangels listed in the Book of Enoch, Ramiel is considered to be the angel of hope, guiding faithful souls to heaven and watching over those who will be resurrected. He was fictionalised in Neil Gaiman’s comic series The Sandman. Ramiel feels like a thoroughly on-trend choice, and an interesting twist on familiar Biblical names like Daniel and Gabriel.

Veridian is a variation on Viridiana or Viridis, meaning green. Veridian is also the name of an American aeronautical company, so we recommend you stick with the alternatives.

Davin is one of those hybrid names that is appealing for both genders, though it is more common for boys. Though Davin has a strong and attractive sound, either David or Devin would be preferable. It has been declining in use over the last decade.

Matai is a multicultural masculine name with diverse origins and meanings. In Māori culture, it means 'leader' or 'chief', reflecting leadership qualities and community respect. It also appears in Hebrew where it's a variant of Matthew, meaning 'gift of God'. In Polynesian cultures, Matai can refer to a family or community leader with decision-making responsibilities. The name has gained modest popularity in New Zealand due to its Māori heritage, while also appearing in Israel and among Pacific Islander communities. With its strong connotations of leadership and its cross-cultural appeal, Matai has become increasingly appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with meaningful roots.

One of the most popular African names for boys, Kymani was in the US Top 1000 list from 2008 until 2016. Spelled Ky-mani, it's the name of Bob Marley's son.