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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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Maynard

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "hardy, brave, strong"

    • Description:

      Sometimes pronounced MAY-nerd, which is death to a name. However, the name Maynard was given to 25 boys in 2022.
  5. Bebe

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Beatrice or any other B name

    • Description:

      High-kicking cohort of Coco, Gigi, Fifi, Kiki, et al.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  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. 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.
  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. Tabar

    • Origin:

      Scythian

    • Meaning:

      "ax"

    • Description:

      The name of a type of battle ax used in the Middle Ages in the Ottoman Empire and beyond, and the source of the word for "ax" in a host of modern languages, including Russian. Parents have been gravitating toward names with violent and militaristic meanings for years now, and compared to Hunter and Blade, this one feels both subtle and novel.
  12. Manny

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Emmanuel

    • Description:

      He can get it for you wholesale.
  13. 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.
  14. Rand

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "living on riverbank"

    • Description:

      The new Randy -- though a bit commercial, as in Rand Corporation, Rand McNally, et al.
  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. 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.
  17. 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.

  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. Jenelle

    • Origin:

      Variation of Jean

    • Description:

      Combo name wedding two long-popular syllables.
  20. Lynch

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "mariner"

    • Description:

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