Most famously, the name of a 1920s alley cat.

Over-the-top glitzy. Sparkle debuted in 1976 and peaked in 1979 when it was given to 124 baby girls. Since then, it has only been given to a small handful of girls most years in the US. Pretty Amaryllis, Swedish Tindra, and Greek Maira all have sparkly meanings, while Sparky feels closer to Sparkle but more in line with the likes of Ziggy, Goldie, and Stevie.

A soft and lovely Hebrew name with an equally lovely meaning. Variations include Ahavah, Ahaba, Ahabah, Ahuva and Ahuvah.

Theopolis is a masculine name of Greek origin meaning 'city of God,' combining 'theos' (God) and 'polis' (city). This dignified, classical name carries profound religious and philosophical connotations, evoking images of ancient Greek civilization and early Christianity. Throughout history, Theopolis has appeared occasionally as both a personal name and as a title or descriptor for holy cities. While never widely common, the name maintains a certain scholarly, distinguished presence. In contemporary usage, Theopolis remains rare, appealing primarily to parents drawn to names with strong etymological meanings, classical roots, or religious significance. Its impressive sound and impressive meaning give it a timeless, majestic quality.

British-sounding literary surname choice.

This intriguing name of an ancient Etruscan queen renowned for her prophetic powers was long associated with the prima ballerina Tanaquil LeClerq.

A strong, meaningful name, associated with a famous Cherokee linguistic scholar; also suggests the magnificent California sequoia redwood trees.

Cashmere is soft, luxurious — and way out of the ordinary. One of the unique names found in The Hunger Games series.

This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of Cork and in Irish folklore, Finbarr was king of the fairies.

Romantic Italian choice.

Actor Mahershala Ali single-handedly put this Biblical name on the map. If you think it's difficult to pronounce and spell, consider that it's short for Maher-shalal-hash-baz, the longest name in the Bible which Ali actually used in its entirety as his stage name until 2010.

Zealous and noble, an unusual and strong choice -- and if the original is too much of a mouthful, you can always call him Zen.

Petronilla is an ancient saint's name that relates to the Roman family name Petronius, thought to mean yokel or woodpecker, though some connect it with Petra or Peter, meaning stone. With the resurgence of so many ancient Roman names, the elaborate and pretty Petronilla or its French form Petronille seem more usable these days than they have in centuries.

An interesting figure from Greek mythology -- an Amazon queen who fought for Troy in the Trojan War -- but no figure could be interesting enough to make that five-syllable mouthful usable today. Stick with Penelope or, if that's too popular for your taste, try Thessaly.

Many old-school girl names are feminine forms of male names. This one gets an exotic twist from being the female version not of Basil but the form used very commonly in Greece, Vasilios. This uncommon name would make an interesting and rare V-starting choice.

Attractive English surname that sounds right at home with the other androgynous surname names that are currently on-trend.

Greenlee Smythe is a character on the soap opera All My Children

Bearnas is a feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, though it remains quite obscure even within Ireland. It may be related to the Irish word 'bearna' meaning 'gap' or 'mountain pass,' suggesting connections to Ireland's landscape. Some sources suggest it could be a variant of Bernice or Berenice, which derives from Greek elements meaning 'bringing victory.' As an unusual name, Bearnas carries a distinctly Celtic flavor and evokes Ireland's rich cultural heritage. The pronunciation typically emphasizes the first syllable: BEAR-nas. The name's rarity gives it a mysterious quality, making it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with Irish roots that remains virtually unknown. Despite its obscurity, the name has a natural melodic flow characteristic of many traditional Irish names.

The name of one of the Furies in Greek mythology, a goddess who avenged crimes of murder. She is described as wearing a dripping blood-red robe, with a serpent coiled around her waist.

Tornado first meant thunderstorm and only later came to mean whirlwind, the common modern meaning. More recently, Tornado is the first name of a tennis-playing teen whose sister is called the equally attention-getting Hurricane. Both names work for either gender, if you think you can withstand the storm jokes.

A new entry in the fashionable occupational name category -- and a jolly job it must be -- with the added attraction of relating to the great early 20th century American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler, of "Whistler's Mother" fame.