User-created list
Unusual / Interesting names
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of 17
Sheherazade
Persian
"noble lineage"
The tale-spinning heroine of The Thousand and One Nights , Sheherazade is an extravagantly elaborate name for a little girl. Too extravagantly elaborate? It's lovely and beguiling, and with the rise…
Meissa
Arabic
"the shining one"
Star in Orion that might make a fine name, except people will always assume it's Melissa, with a typo.
Sabinella
Sabinella is a feminine name with Italian and Latin roots, functioning as a diminutive or elaborate form of Sabina. The original name Sabina derives from the Sabines, an ancient Italian tribe that…
Mischa
Russian, diminutive of Mikhail
This was a 100 percent boys' name till the willowy Mischa Barton of TV's "The OC" made it unisex, a la Sascha.
Zenovia
Russian form of Zenobia, Greek
"force of Zeus"
Zenovia makes Zenobia even more unusual. This mythology-adjacent name is worth a look.
Raisa
Russian; Yiddish; Arabic
"easygoing; rose; leader"
Known in America via the wife of Soviet head Mikhail Gorbachev; a possibility for parents of Eastern-European descent wanting to move beyond Natasha and Nadia or for parents from the Middle East…
Sioned
Sioned is a feminine Welsh name, the Welsh form of Janet, which ultimately derives from Jane/Joan (meaning 'God is gracious'). Pronounced roughly as 'SHON-ed' with a soft 'sh' sound, it has been used…
Delyth
Welsh
"pretty and blessed"
If you like soft, lispy Welsh names like Gwyneth, or want an alternative to Delilah, Adele, or Edith, consider this out-of-the-ordinary option.
Olwyn
Welsh
"white footprint"
Olwyn is a popular Welsh name that might be an alternative to the more familiar Bronwen or Rhonwen -- though in Wales the female form is usually spelled -wen and the male one -wyn.
Esylit
Esylt is a feminine name of Welsh origin, being a variant spelling of Essyllt or Esyllt, which is the Welsh form of Isolde (or Iseult). The name is prominently featured in Arthurian legend and Celtic…
Isolde
Welsh, German
"ice ruler"
Sleek, sharp, and soulful, Isolde is the German form of Iseult, the fabled lover of Tristan in the Arthurian romances. First appearing in the 12th-century, the name was fairly popular in the form of…
Alwyne
Alwyne is a feminine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements "alf" (elf) and "wine" (friend), thus meaning "elf friend" or "friend of elves." Initially a masculine name in medieval…
Ruthven
Ruthven is an unusual feminine name with Scottish origins, primarily known as a Scottish surname and place name. Historically, Ruthven was more commonly used as a masculine given name or family name…
Leith
Scottish, river name
Traditionally a male name, Leith now can make a highly unusual, strong but soft, and intriguing girls' possibility.
Tamerlaine
Turkic, Mongol
"iron"
Although Tamerlaine, especially with the addition of an i, feels more feminine than masculine these days and is occasionally used for girls, the original Tamerlane was a fierce Mongol warrior.
Dael
Dutch variation of Dale
Dael is cooler than Dale -- but why? Vowel switch gives an old nature name a hipper look.
Malin
Scandinavian diminutive of Magdalene
"high tower or woman of Magdela"
The sleek Malin is a contracted form of Magdalene or Madeleine, used in Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland. A popular choice back in the 2000s, it has declined in popularity in recent years, but it…
Aloisia
German
"famous fighter"
Inventive female form of Aloysius.
Winola
German
"charming friend"
Native-American feel via similarity to Winona.
Pascale
French from Hebrew
"Passover"
Sophisticated, stylish feminine form of Pascal especially appropriate for girls born around Easter or Passover.