New on the App StoreSwipe baby names with your partner — match on names you both love.

Get the iPhone appDownload on the App Store
Nameberry Logo

Alternate Spellings

When traditional spellings just aren't cool enough.
  1. Klara
    • Origin:

      German, Russian, Polish, Scandinavian variation of Clara
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      German, Slavic and Scandinavian form of Clara, which is a Top 100 girl name in multiple European countries, including Austria, Croatia, Iceland and Poland. While Clara is fashionable in the US, the Klara spelling retains an Old World air.
  2. Fae
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Faye, English
    • Meaning:

      "fairy"
    • Description:

      Now that Faye is back on the Top 1000 after a decades-long absence, its spelling variations are being revived as well. Fae was given to nearly as many baby girls last year as Fay and may be especially attractive as a middle name option.
  3. Hanna
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Hannah
    • Description:

      This simplified version is not nearly as popular as the original (it also destroys a perfectly good palindrome), and has been on the decline in recent years.
  4. Sunya
    • Description:

      Sunya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it derives from 'śūnya' meaning 'zero' or 'emptiness,' representing the profound concept of void in Eastern philosophy—not as nothingness but as infinite potential. In Thai, Sunya (สุญญา) relates to similar concepts of emptiness or the absolute. The name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries but carries deep philosophical significance. Sunya has a gentle, flowing pronunciation that appeals to parents seeking names with both meaningful etymology and pleasing sounds. Its cross-cultural nature makes it accessible while maintaining distinctiveness, appealing to families interested in names that reflect spiritual concepts or mathematical significance.
  5. Henri
    • Origin:

      French and Finnish variation of Henry, German
    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"
    • Description:

      The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
  6. Rylee
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Riley, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "courageous"
    • Description:

      This substitute spelling of Riley has been popular with parents for a decade. Rylee entered the charts in 1994, and is solidly within the Top 200 for the last 2 decades. Ryleigh is another spelling that has gained significant popularity.
  7. Odilia
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "fatherland; wealth, fortune"
    • Description:

      Though it has never charted in the United States, this frilly name has the elements some brave, modern namers might find attractive—namely, the initial O and the -ia suffix.
  8. Fenix
    • Origin:

      Variation of Phoenix, Spanish, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "dark red"
    • Description:

      Fenix is a spelling variation of the place name and mythological name Phoenix, possibly inspired by the Romani form, Fennix, or the Spanish Fénix. Derived from Greek and meaning "dark red", the phoenix is an immortal bird that, having lived for a number of centuries, would be consumed by fire and rise from its own ashes.
  9. Phinehas
    • Description:

      Phinehas is a masculine name of Hebrew origin from the Bible, where Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron and known for his zealous defense of God's covenant. The name may derive from the Egyptian term meaning 'the Nubian' or possibly from Hebrew elements meaning 'mouth of brass.' This distinctively biblical name carries strong religious connotations of devotion, righteousness, and moral courage. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, Phinehas has maintained consistent but rare presence among devout Christian and Jewish families seeking names with strong spiritual significance. The name experienced a slight increase in usage with the rise of unique biblical names in the early 2000s. Despite its ancient origins, Phinehas has a distinctive quality that sets it apart from more common biblical choices.

  10. Perceval
    • Description:

      Perceval is a masculine name with ancient Arthurian roots, originating from Welsh mythology and medieval romance literature. It comes from Old French "Perceval" or Welsh "Peredur," though its exact etymology remains debated - possibly meaning "pierce the valley" or "he who searches for the valley." Perceval was one of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table and a central figure in the quest for the Holy Grail. This rare name carries an air of chivalry, heroism, and mysticism, evoking images of medieval quests and noble pursuits. While uncommon in modern usage, it appeals to parents seeking a name with literary significance and historical depth, particularly those drawn to Arthurian legends or medieval history.
  11. Charley
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Charlie, French
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie are nearly even, there are six times as many girls named Charley than boys.
  12. Alise
    • Origin:

      Latvian or English variation of Alice
    • Description:

      About 60 girls were named Alise in the US last year, making it an uncommon but not truly rare name. While it's pretty and intriguing as a spin on the very popular Alice, it's pronounced more like Elise or -- in Latvian -- Elisa, and so may prove more confusing than it's worth. If you want to name your daughter Alice, name her Alice, and if you want to name her Elise, name her Elise. Choosing Alise in many ways gives you the worst of all worlds.
  13. Shayne
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Shane
    • Description:

      Why add the y.
  14. Shyanne
    • Origin:

      Variation of Cheyenne
    • Meaning:

      "people of a different language"
    • Description:

      Shy Anne? The original place-name spelling Cheyenne is preferable to this phonetic and slyly jokey spelling in every way.
  15. Journee
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Journey, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "travel or passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      With Journey becoming increasingly popular, it's no surprise that this alternative spelling is not far behind. However, you may be surprised to learn that in recent years, the Journee spelling has actually passed the original spelling in popularity — Journee is currently in the Top 200. This word name may be appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage.
  16. Graeme
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Graham
    • Meaning:

      "gravelly homestead"
    • Description:

      An interesting vowel combination lightens up Graham.
  17. Niele
    • Description:

      Niele is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from Lithuanian mythology, where Niele (or Nyola) was associated with the underworld. Alternatively, it could be related to Neil or Niall, Celtic names meaning 'champion' or 'cloud.' In some contexts, it appears as a rare variant of Daniel. Niele has a gentle, flowing quality while maintaining masculine characteristics. The name remains extremely uncommon in most countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its obscurity gives parents an opportunity to select a name with ancient mythological connections yet a contemporary sound. The brevity and melodic quality of Niele make it accessible despite its rarity, appealing to those seeking a name that's both unusual and straightforward to pronounce.

  18. Renae
    • Origin:

      Variation of Renee
    • Meaning:

      "reborn"
    • Description:

      This spelling makes a dated name slighly more modern.
  19. Kaydence
    • Origin:

      Variation of Cadence, word name
    • Description:

      We'd prefer to stick with the more-familiar Cadence and avoid the overly trendy Kay- prefix.
  20. Zoie
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Zoe; Greek
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      This spelling variation hasn't followed cousins Zoe and Zoey up the charts. Even though there are a number of feasible spellings, Zoie along with Zooey might cause some unwanted confusion.

The Nameberry App Is Live

Nameberry app screenshot
Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Download on the App Store
Nameberry app screenshot