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AlexanderHamm's list of names
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Jennifer
Cornish variation of Guinevere, Welsh
"white shadow, white wave"
Jennifer is the Cornish variation of Guinevere, which ultimately derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. As such, it is connected to the queen of Arthurian legend, and sharees the same meaning of…
Billie
English, diminutive of Wilhelmina, Wilma
"resolute protection"
Billie is a tomboy nickname name, part of the growing trend for using boyish nicknames for girls and now destined for stardom along with its most famous contemporary bearer, music sensation Billie…
Gwen
Diminutive of Gwendolen or Gwendolyn, Welsh
"white circle"
While Gwen may have originated as a short form of Gwendolen and Gwendolyn, these days it frequently stands on its own. Rocker Gwen Stefani has given it a shot of cool, and parents are choosing it as…
Adele
French diminutive of Adelaide
"noble, nobility"
Credit the award-winning single-named British singer for taking the girls’ name Adele from a quiet semi-retirement back into currency. Adele reentered the US Top 1000 popular baby names in 2011 and…
Drake
English word name
"dragon; or, male duck"
A simple one-syllable name that has been on the popularity list since the mid-1980s, Drake is most associated today with the single-named rapper (born Aubrey). The name peaked at Number 197 in 2010…
Kelly
Irish
"war"
Once the quintessential bouncy teenager name, Kelly helped launch the trend of unisex Irish names . But it now takes a backseat to more substantial surname names like Kennedy.
Van
Dutch
"of"
Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt. More often heard as a surname prefix (e.g. Vincent van Gogh,…
Johann
German variation of Johan or John, Hebrew
"God is gracious"
The traditional German spelling of this name, used by Goethe, Bach and many other luminaries. Familiar in the US, but retains an Olde World feel, for better and worse.
Bach
German
"dweller near the brook"
Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.
Frideric
Handel
Anotonio
Vivaldi
Italian surname
"life"
Vivaldi is closely linked with the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi, best known for the Four Seasons . His surname is derived from vita , the Latin word for "life."
Haydn
German
"heathen"
Some music-minded parents might consider this especially as a middle name, to honor the great Austrian composer.
Wolfgang
German
"traveling wolf"
A name with plenty of grandeur, but a playful nickname, Wolfgang blends sophistication, wildness, and gothic imagery. While it may feel surprising in this century, it does have an allure for those…
Amadeus
Latin
"lover of God"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's middle name could make an interesting pick for music-loving parents, most easily in the middle place, ala Mozart. But today's more wide-ranging naming sensibility and love…
Mozart
German musical name
A daring middle name possibility for classical concertgoers. Alternatives are Wolfgang and Amadeus.
Ludwig
German
"famous warrior"
As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
Beethoven
Johannes
German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and Estonian variation of John
"God is gracious"
An Old World name that might have a chance to rise again with other ancient and worldly forms. Be sure to say yo-HAHN-es.