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Buried in Berries

  1. 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.
  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 just outside the Top 200 in its native France in a recent year.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Bebe

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Beatrice or any other B name

    • Description:

      High-kicking cohort of Coco, Gigi, Fifi, Kiki, et al.
  11. Lynch

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "mariner"

    • Description:

      One Irish surname that will never make it as a first.
  12. Manny

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Emmanuel

    • Description:

      He can get it for you wholesale.
  13. Jenelle

    • Origin:

      Variation of Jean

    • Description:

      Combo name wedding two long-popular syllables.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Nicci

    • Description:

      Nicci is a feminine name functioning primarily as a diminutive form of Nicole or Nicola, which derive from the Greek name Nicholas meaning 'victory of the people.' This short, snappy variation emerged as a nickname but has been used as an independent given name since the late 20th century. The double 'c' spelling gives Nicci a contemporary feel compared to the also-used Nicki or Nicky variants. While never reaching high popularity rankings, Nicci has maintained steady if modest usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name has a youthful, friendly quality that can transition well into adulthood, appealing to parents looking for something concise yet connected to traditional naming roots.

  20. 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.