Buried in Berries

  1. Alban
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "white, or, man from Alba"
    • Description:

      An ancient and highly unusual name; St. Alban -- sometimes also called Albinus or Aubin -- was an early martyr in Roman Britain. Using an alternate spelling, Alben Barkley was the 35th U.S. Vice-President, serving under Harry Truman. And Albin is popular in modern Sweden. But only the form Alban has the alternate meaning "from Alba".
  2. Aubin
    • Origin:

      French form of Albinus, Ancient Roman
    • Meaning:

      "white, blond, bright"
    • Description:

      Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey, though the two are not related. This stylish French choice derives from the Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning "white, bright" or sometimes "blonde". Pronounced with a strong O sound and with a barely there 'n', the name ranked at #275 in its native France as of 2023.
  3. Aya
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Hebrew, Danish, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "colorful, design; honey buzzard, bird; rock, lull, happiness; sign, verse"
    • Description:

      Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2012.
  4. Ayala
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "doe, gazelle"
    • Description:

      This animal-themed name is among the most popular for girls in contemporary Israel. Parents who want to move beyond the mega-popular Aliyah and sisters might want to consider Ayala. The male form is Ayal.
  5. Ayelet
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "deer, gazelle"
    • Description:

      Ayelet is an unusual -- and somewhat challenging -- Israeli name familiar thanks to sometimes controversial Jerusalem-born novelist-essayist Ayelet Waldman.
  6. Bebe
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Beatrice or any other B name
    • Description:

      High-kicking cohort of Coco, Gigi, Fifi, Kiki, et al.
  7. Bellamy
    • Origin:

      English and Irish from French
    • Meaning:

      "fine friend"
    • Description:

      Bellamy is a surname name with an admirable meaning and upbeat rhythm, similar to jovial choices like Rafferty, Barnaby and Willoughby.
  8. Bertrand
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "magnificent crow"
    • Description:

      This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director and screenwriter Bertrand Tavernier.
  9. Bingham
    • Origin:

      British surname
    • Meaning:

      "homestead at a hollow"
    • Description:

      Bingham is the unusual surname name chosen by Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy for their son. It was Bellamy's mother's maiden name, and the nickname Bing, coincidentally, belongs to almost-stepfather Kurt Russell's dad. We haven't heard Bing since crooner Crosby, but it does have a lot of zing.
  10. Brighid
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"
    • Description:

      Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et al. Whatever form it takes, Brighid is one of the most classic and enduring Irish names for girls.
  11. Crosby
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "village with crosses"
    • Description:

      Crosby is an attractively laid-back Irish surname with retro musical associations to Bing and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and with a jaunty air. Crosby Braverman was the name of a character on the TV show Parenthood, played by Dax Shepard.
  12. DELI
    • Delias
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "from Delos"
      • Description:

        A rarely used name meaning from Delos, a sacred island to the ancient Greeks. A more interesting and musical choice might be Delius, after the British-born composer of lush rhapsodies.
    • Elysia
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "from Elysium"
      • Description:

        While this might be used as an alternative spelling to Elisa, Alyssa, Alicia, and similar, this form stands out from the pack as Elysia relates to Elysian Fields, the home of the blessed dead in Greek and Roman mythology. Far less popular than other similar choices, it did rank in the UK Top 1000 until the 2020s, albeit near the latter end of the list.
    • Holland
      • Origin:

        Dutch place-name
      • Meaning:

        "wooded land"
      • Description:

        Holland, like most place names, is intrinsically gender neutral, but in practice today it's mostly female. There's about one boy Holland born in the US these days for every five girl Hollands. That's a reversal of the last century, when Holland peaked as a boys' name in 1893, falling off the Top 1000 completely in 1913.
    • Jean
      • Origin:

        English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.
    • Jenelle
      • Origin:

        Variation of Jean
      • Description:

        Combo name wedding two long-popular syllables.
    • Johanna
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.
    • Kennelly
      • Origin:

        Gaelic
      • Meaning:

        "male descendant of a wolf"
      • Description:

        Kennelly could be an upbeat modern namesake for a Grandpa Kenneth; it can also be spelled Kenneally.
    • Kenneth
      • Origin:

        Scottish and Irish
      • Meaning:

        "born of fire, handsome"
      • Description:

        Kenneth may have lost much of its luster now, but Kenneth has had its moments of glory. The first king of Scotland was Kenneth, and Sir Kenneth, a Christian crusader, was the hero of the Sir Walter Scott novel The Talisman.