User-created list
By anauthornotamom · Updated May 2023
Across 5 pages
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Welsh
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
Slovene variation of Martin and Valentin
"warlike; strength, health"
Tine is an undisputably masculine name in Slovenia, but with the same sound as Tina, wouldn't translate as well in English-speaking countries.
Greek
"beloved sister"
A seriously classic name meaning love , Adelpha is also the name for a genus of butterflies.
French, combination of Anne and Marie
"grace + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
One of the oldest and most widely used compound names, now a bit dated but not as much so as its opposite Mary-Ann. The hyphen is optional. The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include…
English and Dutch
"grace, kindness, love"
A variant spelling of Charis or Carys, relatively popular in the Netherlands.
Norse
"love"
This name looks like a sister to the names Elsa and the Czech name for girls Eliška, a popular diminutive of Elizabeth — and sometimes it is (in German, for example). But it is also a word in Old…
German
"beloved God"
This feminine form of Gottlieb sounds as medieval as it is. It's one medieval name that has not made it into the modern age.
English, Norse
"love again, renewal"
Idony is a Medieval variation of Idonea, itself an English form of Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth. She was notable for carrying, keeping, and guarding the box of apples from…
Yoruba
Short but impactful, Ife is a meaningful Yoruba name, taken from the word ífé meaning "love". Predominantly used in Nigeria or among Nigerian families, it may also be used in as an element in longer…
Possible variation of Esme
"esteemed, beloved"
The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel. Although this name has been around since the thirteenth century, its origins remain…
Icelandic and Swedish variation of Carita, Swedish from Latin
"beloved"
Karita and Karitas are the Icelandic spins on Charity, also found as Carita and Caritas throughout Scandinavia. While to the English speakers, these names may feel like a Latinate endearment, they…
Hawaiian
"loved one"
An appealing unisex Hawaiian name (more commonly used for boys) with a lovely meaning and vibrant sound. It derives from the words ke "the" and aloha "love". Keahloha is also a common Hawaiian…
Finnish
A rare Finnish name which is used for both sexes, but more often for girls. It is usually found in the middle spot.
Cornish variation of Loveday, English
"beloved day"
Lowdy is a friendly variation of the traditional Cornish name Loveday. In medieval England, a loveday was when adversaries would meet to settle their dispute peacefully. Babies born during such days…
"loveable"
Mabli is the sweet Welsh variant of Mabel, first used at the beginning of the 20th-century making it a relatively modern choice. Cute but energetic with the appeal of other Welsh names like Cadi and…
Diminutive of Mabel
"beautiful lover"
You can just hear some sassy dame in a 1930s movie using this name. We prefer the original -- or even its original, Amabel.
French diminutive of Marie
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
A less-popular alternative to Juliette, perhaps – although it feels rather more dated. The meaning of Marie is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam…
Finnish variation of Pippi and Pepa, Swedish, Spanish
"lover of horses; Jehovah increases"
Peppi ranked in the Finnish Top 50 from 2007-2012, where it was used for hundreds of baby girls each year. In Finland, Peppi is used as the translation for Pippi in the Pippi Longstocking books.
Greek, Zulu, Xhosa
"lover, friend; to live of life"
In the Zulu and Xhosa languages of Southern Africa, Phila is a unisex name pronounced "PEE-la" and means "to live of life" It's also the feminine version of the ancient Greek name Philo, pronounced…
