User-created list
Unusual and On-Trend
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Emmerich
German
"home strength"
This old school German name, more familiar these days as a surname, is a relative of the place name America.
Noelani
Hawaiian
"heavenly mist"
Unusual yet accessible Hawaiian choice. The Noel beginning makes it a possible name for baby girls born at Christmas .
Katrina
German variation of Katherine
"pure"
The hurricane blew this one out of the realm of possibility.
Dominique
French, feminine variation of Dominic, Latin
"belonging to a lord"
Had a surge of popularity in the Dynasty days, now has subsided in the wake of fresher French choices like Destry and Delphine, though it retains its sense of sophistication. It's one of the most…
Adira
Hebrew
"strong"
Adira is one of those names that feels familiar without being overused. Simple but with subtle flair, Adira crosses different languages easily and could provide an alternative option tor the likes of…
Macon
French place-name
What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative. Macon has played major roles in two novels, Anne Tyler's…
Bryony
Greek
"to sprout, to swell"
Bryony is an unusually strong plant name --the bryony is a wild climbing vine with green flowers --that caught on in the U.K. before sprouting here. The name of the young character in the Ian McEwan…
Darcy
English, French, Irish
"from Arcy; dark one"
The ultimate Jane Austen hero name, Darcy makes a handsome, surname style choice. Predominantly used for girls in England and Wales, across the pond in Australia, it is a stylish Top 100 name for…
Vevina
Scottish
"sweet lady"
This unusual name found in Scottish poetry would make a distinctive Gaelic pick.
Cynthia
Greek
"moon goddess; woman from Kynthos"
Sleek and serious, yet bright and energetic at the same time, Cynthia appears in classic mythology as an epithet for Artemis or Diana. While it is now a more neglected choice, it was once hugely…
Jago
Cornish variation of Jacob or James
"supplanter"
A dashing alternative to the popular James and Jacob, Jago is the jaunty Cornish form of the Biblical names. Occasionally (or historically) appearing as Jagoe, Jego, and Jaego, it may have been…
Shira
Hebrew, Japanese
"singing, song; poetry, excellent, white"
A popular Israeli choice that could work across different languages, Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning "song." Some parents may be reminded of the animated heroine She-Ra, Princess of Power ,…
Neva
Spanish
"white snow"
Has a pure, clean aura, but is also evocative.
Devora
Hebrew
"bee"
Both a biblical and an Israeli place-name, this can be used as an offbeat substitute for Deborah.
Isham
English
"from the Iron One's estate"
A noble surname from northern England that has occasionally been used as a first name.
Jubal
Latin
"ram's horn"
This unusual name might be a possibility for musical families: Jubal was credited in Genesis with the invention of the lyre, flute, harp, and organ. It also has a jubilant feel through its sound and…
Atlee
Atlee is a feminine name of English origin, derived from an Old English surname meaning 'at the clearing' or 'at the meadow.' It was traditionally used as a place name and surname before…
Adlai
Hebrew
"God is just"
Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth…
Eleazar
Hebrew
"God helps"
Eleazar is a distinguished Biblical name--in which it appears several times-- ripe for the picking following the stardom of Eli, Elijah, and other similar names. Eleazar is also a Twilight name,…
Doyle
Irish
"black stranger"
An Irish surname possibility for those who like Daley, Royal, Dougal, and Dolan, though it may sound too much like doily to catch on for modern boys. Nevertheless, it was fairly well used in the 20th…