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Unusual and On-Trend
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Bettina
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"God is my oath"
Bettina is a dainty ballerina version of Betty, that has not been heard much since its 1950s-60s heyday. Bettina appeared in the Danielle Steele novel Loving, and in real life as one of Grace Kelly's…
Ripley
English
"strip of clearing in the woods"
With its surname-style, literary feel, and similarity in sound to Finley, Juniper, Pippa, Riley, and Presley, Ripley is an unexpected choice that was given to more than 200 girls in each recent year.…
Thandie
South African, Xhosa
"beloved"
A captivating and sprightly name brought into the limelight by actress Thandiwe Newton.
Meyer
German, Dutch, Hebrew, "tenant, farmer, leader; great; bringer of light, shining"
"tenant, farmer, leader; great; bringer of light, shining"
Old-fashioned but right on trend with the likes of Miller, Baker, Sawyer, and Major, Meyer has been borne by gangsters, businessman, sculptors, composers, and writers alike. A versatile choice in…
Cadmus
Greek
"one who excels"
Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents…
Chaucer
English
"maker of breeches"
One of the most distinguished names in literature could become a hero name in a family of poetry-lovers -- or be seen as a trendy new occupational name.
Sidonie
Latin
"from Sidon "
Sidonie is an appealing and chic French favorite that is starting to attract some American fans as a fresher alternative to Sydney. Also spelled Sidony, Sidonie was the birth name of the French…
Keeva
Irish, phonetic spelling of Caoimhe
"gentle, beautiful, precious"
Keeva, the name chosen by "How I Met Your Mother" star Alyson Hannigan for her daughter, has recently been a Top 20 name in Ireland, using the authentic spelling Caoimhe. The male version is…
Gordon
Scottish
"great hill"
As this long-term Age of Jordans, both male and female, begins to wind down, the neglected Scottish favorite Gordon, with its more distinguished history, could come back as a distinctive alternative.…
Gentry
English
"aristocracy"
Gentry is a word name that's gaining ground for girls as a kind of updated Jennifer, especially in the Jentry (or Jentri or Jentree) spelling.
Marius
Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war
Marius, frequently heard in Germany and France, is a slightly fusty yet accessible name that has (Les Mis) to Anne Rice. With the rise in interest in such Latin names as Maximus and Atticus, Marius…
Ruskin
Scottish
"from a family of tanners"
British-sounding literary surname choice.
Cathal
Irish
"battle rule"
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to…
Domino
Latin
"lord, master"
Swaggering, cutting-edge choice equally appropriate for both genders. It's also very rare, given in the US in 2015 to only seven baby girls....and no recorded baby boys. Do you want to be the first?
Yancey
Native American
"yankee"
A fancy TV western name that didn't catch on like fellow cowboys Luke and Josh, but definitely has a certain amount of charm. It is also spelled Yancy, as in the 1950s series Yancy Derringer . It was…
Yardley
English surname
"wood clearing"
Yardley, a surname redolent of British soaps and perfume, was used for her daughter by Megyn Kelly. Yeardley Smith (born Martha), has long been the voice of Bart on The Simpsons .
Galen
Greek
"healer, calm"
The final n makes this choice infinitely more modern than Gail.
Burl
English
"knotty wood; butler"
This name has a nicely fragrant woodsy feel, bringing it into the nature-tree name category. Its only well-known bearer, folk singer and Oscar-winning actor Burl Ives, had the full birth certificate…
Nouvel
French
"new"
Shot to fame as the middle name of Brangelina's daughter Shiloh Nouvel, after French architect Jean Nouvel.
Connelly
Irish
"love, friendship"
Connelly is an open, inviting, and rarely used Irish surname that can make a perfect alternative to the overused Connor or Colin for a boy.