A shimmery ancient Roman name that could still shine today. VARIATION: ARGENTA

A name that sounded unthinkably priggish until it became attached to Domestic Goddess British TV chef Nigella Lawson (named for her father), who gave it a big dollop of glamour.

A decade or two ago, we might have stopped with Blake, but today the surname Blakely or Blakeley sounds more modern as a first name.

This shimmering name belongs to an elf in Lord of the Rings. She was the daughter of Galadriel, the wife of Elrond, and the mother of Arwen.

Krishna, in Hindu tradition, was the human incarnation of the god Vishnu, a heroic figure representing love, protection, tenderness and joy. Meaning "dark, black, dark blue" in from Sanskrit, Krishna is a major Hindu deity whose birthday is celebrated every year.

Dougie is one of those names that spotlights the huge gulf that can exist between US and UK naming trends. In England and Wales, Dougie is a trendy nickname-name, ranking all the way up at Number 315. In the US, on the other hand, Dougie was used for a grand total of zero baby boys last year. Same thing for short form Doug. Only the father name Douglas ranks in the US Top 1000.

This name shares sounds with Keagan and Teagan, but has its own roots in Irish culture. It comes from the surname O'Duibhginn, meaning "descendent of the dark-haired one". Freestyle Motocross rider Brian Deegan may be partly responsible for this name's appearance in the US Top 1000 between 2008 and 2013. While it is now out of the charts, it remains a familiar choice, given to just shy of 100 boys in a recent year.

Fresh choice that could pick up where Dylan and Logan left off.

Now that the Irish Ciaran and Ciara -- aka Kieran and Kiera -- are becoming more popular beyond their native shores, the short and strong Ciar might find some favor. As of now, more than 160 baby girls were named Ciara in the US last year, with half that many boys named Ciaran, but so far no baby boys named Ciar, though 17 were called Keir.

Originally an epithet for someone with dark eyebrows, Kolbrún is now in the Icelandic Top 50. Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir is an Icelandic politician.

Among the first wave of word names used in the hippie era, it actually is a legitimate girl's name with a lot of luster.

One of those old-mannish names that sounds a lot fresher for a girl.

South America provides a continent of interesting, undiscovered names -- Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and the tango-rhythmed Argentina.

Obscure and quirky, but not without some appeal.

Traditionally given to the ninth-born son, which is a rarity nowadays.

An upbeat and accessible form of Maurice.

An unusual and appealing Scottish family name that would work as well for a girl as a boy.

A more distinctive alternative to Angelo.

Blakelee is a modern masculine name that combines the traditional surname 'Blake' (meaning 'dark' or 'black-haired' in Old English) with the popular '-lee' suffix. This fusion creates a contemporary sound while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Blakelee has the distinction of working as both a first name and surname, giving it versatility. Though traditionally used for boys, the name has potential as a unisex option in contemporary naming trends. The name has a crisp, modern ring while still feeling substantial. It remains uncommon, making it an option for parents seeking a distinctive name that still follows familiar phonetic patterns. The name's English origins give it accessibility in English-speaking countries while still standing out.