Buried in Berries

  1. Velma
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "will helmet"
    • Description:

      Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo.
  2. Tipper
    • Origin:

      Diminutive or variation of Irish surname Tabar
    • Meaning:

      "water pourer"
    • Description:

      A nickname with quirky, old-fashioned charm, Tipper likely comes from the Irish surname, Tabar, meaning "water pourer", though it may also just be used as a playful pet name for a girl, if it happens to suit. Former Second Lady of the United States, Tipper Gore (born Mary Elizabeth), is possibly the most famous bearer, having been bestowed the nickname because her favorite childhood lullaby was "Tippy Tippy Tin".
  3. Wilkie
    • Origin:

      Scottish surname from a diminutive of William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      William was such a popular name, thanks to the Conquerer, in early England that it gave rise to a range of nicknames, including the distinctly Scottish Wilkie. Heard mostly as a surname these days, it's the middle name of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's son James and the first name of writer Collins. While Wilkie could make an adorable short form for a little boy, we'd recommend a more substantial full name such as, well, William.
  4. Morton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "town near the moor"
    • Description:

      An English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses, but hardly heard since th 1950s.
  5. 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.
  6. 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".
  7. Nixi
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "goddess of childbirth"
    • Description:

      The Nixi were a tribe of childbirth goddesses in ancient Rome. The similar Nixie is a girls' name associated with German water nymphs. Whichever variation you choose, this is a unique name with a modern feel and evocative ancient roots.
  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. 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.
  10. Nuri
    • Origin:

      Short form of Nuria or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my fire"
    • Description:

      Nuri might be a nickname for the place name Nuria, popular in Spain and Portugal as a honorific for the Virgin Mary. Nuri is also a usually-masculine name heard in the Middle East, but to the Western ear it might work for girls or boys.
  11. Nuri
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light or my fire"
    • Description:

      A name used in the Middle East but that could easily work in the US. As a girls' name, Nuri can also be a short form of Nuria. It was chosen by Christy Lefteri for the protagonist of her novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo which may have familiarized people with the name.
  12. Jenelle
    • Origin:

      Variation of Jean
    • Description:

      Combo name wedding two long-popular syllables.
  13. 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.
  14. Velia
    • Description:

      Velia is a feminine name with ancient Roman roots, derived from the Velian Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. It may also relate to the Latin 'velare' meaning 'to veil' or 'to cover.' In some cultures, Velia serves as a variant of Ofelia or Ophelia. With its classical origins and melodic sound, Velia carries an elegant, somewhat mysterious quality. The name has remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, though it has some usage in Italy and Spanish-speaking regions. Velia combines brevity with a flowing, feminine sound, making it appealing for parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible with historical depth.

  15. Rousseau
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "little redhead"
    • Description:

      Rousseau gives French flair to other red-haired names like Russell and Rory. It is associated with the influential eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as the painter Henri Rousseau.
  16. Lally
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any La- name
    • Description:

      A likable nickname-name in the Callie, Hallie mode.
  17. 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.
  18. Bebe
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Beatrice or any other B name
    • Description:

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

      English, diminutive of Emmanuel
    • Description:

      He can get it for you wholesale.
  20. Saralee
    • Origin:

      Composite of Sara and Lee
    • Meaning:

      "princess; meadow"
    • Description:

      The cake company pretty much knocked this otherwise-pretty compilation name out of consideration for most parents.

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