Down the Rabbit Hole Names

Zaza

Hebrew

"movement"

Funky choice with za-za-zoom. Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.

Yveline

Yveline is a feminine French name derived from the Germanic name element 'iv' meaning 'yew tree,' which symbolized eternity in ancient cultures. It's also connected to the male name Yves and shares…

Clematis

Flower name, from Greek

"vine branch"

Flower name that sounds a bit too much like a disease.

Alchemy

Latin word name

"a medieval chemical science"

One of the most extreme of the new word names, recommended only to the most mystical-minded parents. Actor Lance Henriksen spelled his daughter's name Alchamy.

Tosca

Italian

"from Tuscany"

Tosca is one operatic heroine that has never taken off as a baby name -- there were no babies named Tosca in the US last year -- but it's the name of entrepreneur Elon Musk's sister so may benefit…

Tamayo

Japanese

"generation jewel"

Japanese name with a special crossover/creative touch via its association with the colorful paintings of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo.

Cortana

Cortana is a feminine name that gained recognition primarily through popular culture. Most famously, it was used for the artificial intelligence assistant character in Microsoft's Windows operating…

Clothilde

French from German

"famous in battle"

Pronounced klo-TEELD, this name is well used in France, but rarely heard here; it has a chic and sophisticated air.

Mesa

Spanish, Thai

"table; April"

Mesa is both the term for a flat-topped mountain, derived from the Spanish word for "table", and the Thai variation of April.

Berenike

Berenike is a feminine name with ancient Greek origins, representing the original Greek form of Berenice or Bernice. The name derives from 'pherenike,' combining 'pherein' (to bring) and 'nike'…

Willabelle

Willabelle is a charming feminine name combining the Germanic element 'wil' (meaning will or desire) with the French-derived suffix 'belle' (beautiful). This compound construction emerged primarily…

Charmae

Charmae is a feminine name that appears to be a modern creation combining elements of names like Charmaine and Mae. The prefix 'charm' evokes qualities of magnetism, delight, and enchantment, while…

Alexane

French variation of Alexandra

"defending men"

This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.

Quintia

Latin

"the fifth"

Like Quentin, Quintin and Quintana, Quintia was once reserved for the fifth child in a family, but now would make an interesting choice for a child coming anywhere in the birth order.

Condoleezza

Invented name, English from Italian

Made famous by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, whose parents fashioned her name from a musical term meaning "with sweetness".

Finch

English word and nature name

"to swindle"

Bird name possibility, rarer than Lark and Wren but with the same short, punchy feel. Only five baby girls were named Finch in the most recent year, and four times as many baby boys.

Adelpha

Greek

"beloved sister"

A seriously classic name meaning love , Adelpha is also the name for a genus of butterflies.

Agacia

Variation of Agatha, Greek

"good woman"

With so many A-beginning names finding their way into style, Agacia is one unusual choice that could get more attention. It's part Agatha, part Acacia, and quite intriguing.

Lovise

Lovise is a feminine name with Scandinavian roots, functioning as a Nordic variant of Louise, ultimately derived from the Germanic name Ludwig meaning 'famous warrior.' Common in Norway, Denmark, and…

Xene

Xene is a rare feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the Greek word "xenos" meaning "stranger" or "foreigner." This distinctive name combines exotic appeal with a simple, two-syllable…