The unusual and the odd

Unusual and odd names,mostly for characters not actually person-babies
  1. Ivo
    • Origin:

      Germanic, Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "yew wood, archer; God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Succinct, stylish, and catchy, Ivo has the energetic impact of other names ending in -o. It is a multicultural choice with two distinct origins, and, as such, is familiar across a variety of countries, ranging from the Netherlands to Brazil, from Portugal to Czechia.
  2. Ozias
    • Origin:

      Greek, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my strength is God"
    • Description:

      A cool Biblical option that entered the US Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024, Ozias gets extra points for its user-friendly nicknames Oz and Ozzie or Ozzy. Given to around 280 boys in 2024, it is five times more popular than it was in 2014.
  3. Alaric
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "all-powerful ruler"
    • Description:

      Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
  4. Raphael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"
    • Description:

      Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
  5. Calix
    • Origin:

      Male variation of Calixta or Latin
    • Meaning:

      "chalice"
    • Description:

      Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 62 baby boys were named Calix in 2024. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
  6. Zosia
    • Origin:

      Variant of Sophia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"
    • Description:

      This unusual and alluring choice was used by David Mamet for his daughter, who is now grown and an actress on the hit show Girls.
  7. Meliora
    • Origin:

      Latin, Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "better; honey"
    • Description:

      Unusual and lush Roman name adopted, improbably, by the Puritans.
  8. Cyra
    • Origin:

      Persian or Greek
    • Meaning:

      "sun or throne, or lord"
    • Description:

      Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own. One noted bearer is writer Cyra McFadden.
  9. Inaya
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Bengali and Urdu
    • Meaning:

      "care, concern"
    • Description:

      Inaya is a soft and expressive name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
  10. Valencia
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "brave, strong"
    • Description:

      This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.
  11. Othello
    • Origin:

      Variation of Otho
    • Meaning:

      "wealth, fortune"
    • Description:

      Possibly created as an elaboration of Otho or Otto, Othello is almost exclusively associated with Shakespeare's 1603 tragedy of the same name. Borne by a Moorish General who is tricked and manipulated by the cunning Iago, Othello is also the name of a classic board game.
  12. Ludovic
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish variation of Ludwig
    • Meaning:

      "famous warrior"
    • Description:

      Euro-cool. Heard more in Scotland than in England or the US, Ludovic Lesly is a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Quentin Durward and Sir Ludovic Kennedy was a noted Scottish broadcaster and writer. Cute nickname: Ludo.
  13. Guthrie
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "windy place"
    • Description:

      Guthrie, one of the most attractive Scottish names that's also a surname, has a particularly romantic, windswept aura, with a touch of the buckaroo thrown in.
  14. Suvi
    • Origin:

      Finnish
    • Meaning:

      "summer"
    • Description:

      To the non-Scandinavian ear, a cute and unusual nickname name, used by Finnish supermodel Suvi Koponen. It has a zippy, yet sunny feel to it, and could make an interesting alternative to Susie.
  15. Anaise
    • Origin:

      Variation of Anais
    • Description:

      Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
  16. Cordis
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the heart"
    • Description:

      Cordis is an unusual and substantial unisex choice.
  17. Ashira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "I will sing"
    • Description:

      Unusual name with stylish, silky feel.
  18. Vendela
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "wanderer"
    • Description:

      An unusual name associated with the gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian model, actress, and TV host, Vendela is possibly a feminine form of Wendell.
  19. Halona
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "happy fortune"
    • Description:

      Resonant and unusual.
  20. Eero
    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Eric
    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"
    • Description:

      Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.

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