Subtly Witchy Names

Lyra is a name with ancient and celestial roots that's finding new popularity thanks to its starring role in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, seen in the movie The Golden Compass. Simple yet unique, Lyra hits the sweet spot between too popular and too unusual.

Anatolian city visited by Paul in the Bible, though risks sounding a tad antiseptic.

Medora is a Greek name much less common here than, say, Melanie or Melissa. It has some literary references, including as the beautiful and passionate heroine of Lord Byron's poem The Corsair, and in Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence, there is a character named Marchioness Melora Manson.

Derived from a Hebrew phrase: ode "I will thank, praise" combined with yah "Yahweh". A famous bearer is Israeli-American actress Odeya Rush.

Orlin is a masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Bulgaria where it derives from the word "orel" meaning "eagle." This connection gives the name associations with freedom, vision, and nobility. In some linguistic contexts, Orlin can also be related to words for "light" or "dawn." While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name has seen modest usage throughout Eastern Europe. Orlin has a sophisticated yet accessible sound with its crisp two-syllable structure. The name strikes a balance between uniqueness and pronunciation ease, making it distinctive without being difficult to say or spell. For parents seeking a name with natural symbolism and international character that remains relatively undiscovered in Western contexts, Orlin offers an appealing option with positive connotations.

Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".

This sleek, warm-hued spelling spin on Rowan was chosen by Sharon Stone for one of her three sons back in the 2000s and it has since risen in popularity in the US. While it remains a long way behind its sometimes sound-alike Rowan, it was still given to more than 100 babies in a recent year.

This charming mini name began life as a nickname for Rodrigo but has since taken on a life of its own, ranking as an independent name in Portugal, it’s country of origin. If you’re looking to honor a Rodrigo, Roger, or Roderick in your life, Rui is an appealing international option. Ruy is a spelling variation that is more commonly seen in Spain.

While Rumi has received attention in the contemporary US as the name of Beyonce and Jay-Z's young daughter, it's most famously the name of a (male)13th century Muslim mystic and poet. The most famous Rumi poem,"The Diver's Clothes Lying Empty", has inspired many modern literary works, including a novel with a similar title by Vendela Vida.

Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.

In Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, Samsara is the concept of rebirth and the cyclicality of life: in other words, a pretty fundamental principle. It has occasionally been used as a name, and its similarity to other English names like Sara and Samantha — as well as its spiritual meaning — make it an appealing choice.

Selene may be the mythological Greek original, but Latin variation Selena is used more often in the US these days. Selene is the Greek goddess of the moon, sister of Helios the sun god. Selene is also sometimes called Cynthia and Phoebe. The name may be related to the word selas, which means light, and is one of the loveliest of the Greek goddess names.

A Lithuanian short form of various Vaid- names often used on its own, or a spelling variant of Vada.

Vela is one of those rare names that is at once simple, straightforward, authentic, and unusual, at least in the Western World. Besides being an Indian girls' name, Vela is a Southern sky constellation whose name is Latin for sail – originally part of the Argo Navis constellation.

The name of a Christian saint and a city in Ohio, Xenia is one of the more accessible and intriguing x names. It is the name of one of the Bond Girls--played by Famke Janssen in the film "GoldenEye."

A name with a double animal connection via two distinct origins, one Native American and the other Hebrew and Biblical. Yona is rare in the US but not unknown: It was given to a dozen baby girls in 2021.

An appealing name almost unknown in our culture but with roots in several others; worldlier than cousins Celia and Delia.

Zev is a short, simple, animal name that may relate to the Old Testament Ze'ev -- except he was a villainous character.