The Best of A & C

An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.

Amity--what nicer gift to give your little girl than a name that signifies friendship and harmony? This virtue name is also more rhythmic and feminine than the single-syllable Hope, Faith, and Grace.

From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.

Midcentury Irish-American favorite, never used in Ireland itself, being the generic word for "girl"; rarely given today.

A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.

Clove is a spice name that is a tad more piquant than Saffron or Cinnamon. It might get more attention now as a member of The Hunger Games family of names.

A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.

This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.

It's a beautiful burnished metal -- but also slang for policeman.

Clarity is one of the lightest of the newly rediscovered virtue names, with a bit of three-syllable sparkle, old-fashioned charm and a clear vision for the future. Clarity is a very desirable quality in this confusing world and it also, unlike some other newly coined word names, has real meaning and history as a name.

With its rich aural relation to names like Aubrey and Audrey, this color name could be the next Amber, or Scarlett.

Rich purplish red color choice that may gain favor along with Claire, though the wine connection can't be ignored.

Cesare is the Italian form of Caesar, a name with ancient Roman origins. The name derives from Latin, possibly meaning "hairy" or, more likely, from the verb "caedere" meaning "to cut," referring to birth by caesarean section. Julius Caesar is the most famous historical bearer, whose name became synonymous with leadership and imperial power, eventually becoming a title for Roman emperors. Cesare has been used in Italy for centuries, with notable bearers including Renaissance figure Cesare Borgia and artist Cesare Maccari. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it maintains steady usage in Italy. The name carries connotations of strength, authority, and classical sophistication, pronounced cheh-ZAH-ray in Italian, giving it a melodious, romantic quality.

Confessional memoirist Augusten Burroughs is the first literary notable to bear one of this family of names since the confessional saint.

A traditional French male name that could, with American pronunciation, become an admirable word name.

This traditionally male surname name could find new life for girls thanks to its similarity to the popular Abby and Abigail.