User-created list
Unusual and On-Trend
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Tenley
English
"burnt clearing"
This name is currently best known on The Bachelorette 's Tenley Molzahn. In the 1950s, it was attached to the Olympic figure skating champion Tenley Albright, and Jessica Biel played a Tenley in the…
Abe
Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew
"father of multitudes"
Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can…
Shana
Diminutive of Shoshana or Shannon, variation of Shaina
Part of a group of similar midcentury names rarely given to babies today.
Ajani
Nigerian, Yoruban
"the victor"
An easily assimilated African name, a novel twist on Johnny.
Clarice
Medieval form of Clarita, a derivative of Clara
"bright, clear"
If you’re a fan of the annual animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you’ll recognize the name of Rudolph’s beautiful doe sweetheart, pronounced cla-REES—uncomfortably close to the Silence of the…
Letitia
Latin
"joy, gladness"
Letitia is a delicate, once prim and proper sounding name whose staid image has been unbuttoned by numerous phonetic spellings. The original, often used in Spanish-speaking families, would still make…
Abiah
Hebrew
"God is my father"
Abiah is a gentle, rarely used Old Testament name belonging to Samuel's second son. This makes a good choice for the parent who wants a traditional biblical name that is not overly familiar.
Oisin
Irish
"little deer"
Oisin is one of the most popular Irish baby names in its native land, though largely unknown in the US. The original Oisin was the mythological son of Finn McCool and Sadb, the goddess who was…
Nicolette
French, diminutive of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
"people of victory"
Frilly and feminine, Nicolette is the name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette , but really got its publicity from the heyday of Desperate Housewives and…
Jenkin
Flemish
"little John"
Possible (and offbeat) middle name twist when honoring a familial John.
Larkin
Irish
"rough, fierce"
While Larkin takes this name from bird to surname, there are actually more female Larkins these days than male, and it's a name that works as well for either gender. It has the literary connection to…
Evalena
Evalena is a feminine name that combines elements of Eva and Lena, both classic names with their own rich histories. Eva derives from Hebrew, meaning 'life' or 'living one,' while Lena has multiple…
Miri
Miri is a charming feminine name with diverse cultural roots. In Hebrew, it means 'bitter' or 'rebellion,' though it's often associated with Miriam. In Swahili, Miri suggests 'mystery,' while in…
Danton
French variation of Dante
Has the two-syllable sound so popular for boys, though adding an apostrophe -- and turning it into D'Anton -- changes the name entirely.
Lucasta
English
"pure light"
Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta .…
Keen
English, Irish
"bold, brave; battle"
Actor Mark Ruffalo honed this surname down to its basics when he chose it for his son. A more usable expansion might be the Irish surname Keenan/Keenen.
Imara
Kiswahili
"firm"
This could make a hauntingly evocative name for an American child, striking the perfect balance of the unusual and the familiar. Imara's meaning adds further appeal placing it among the special class…
Carden
English occupational name
"wool carder"
Highly unusual but stylish-sounding occupational name, with a pleasant association with gardens.
Abrial
French
"open, secure, protected"
This unique baby name is stronger, more distinctive than April or Avril.
Terran
Terran is a masculine name derived from the Latin word 'terra,' meaning 'earth' or 'land.' This contemporary name carries cosmic and science fiction associations, as 'Terran' is often used in sci-fi…