User-created list
By MFBerry · Updated May 2023
Across 17 pages
of 17
Place-name, Sanskrit
"teacher, guide, ruler"
A Californian mountain name revered by healers and spiritualists, Shasta has a New Age, cowboy feel. The mountain takes its name from the Indigenous American tribe, the Shasta people - though this…
Diminutive of Thomas, Aramaic
"twin"
This Medieval diminutive of the classic Thomas has a slight playful air and a sweet feel to it, but also fits in with surname-style choices like Lincoln and Collins. Yet to feature in the US stats,…
Redmund is a masculine name with Germanic roots, derived from elements meaning 'advice' or 'counsel' and 'protection.' It's a variant of the more common Raymond or the older form Raimund. This name…
English, diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She…
Place-name
If you want to honor your grandfather Hal but can't work up much enthusiasm for his full name Harold, consider the more stylish (if a bit pretentious) capital of Nova Scotia.
Dagny is traditionally a feminine name with Norse origins, though listed here as masculine. The name combines 'dagr' meaning 'day' and 'ny' meaning 'new,' essentially translating to 'new day' or 'new…
Latin, Roman clan name
One of the few ancient Roman names that doesn't end in us, the rarely heard Tarquin has a decidedly creative, even dramatic flair, which could appeal to the parent looking for a strikingly original…
Maclayne is a distinctive masculine name with Scottish and Gaelic influences. It appears to be a modern compound formation, possibly combining elements of 'Mac' (meaning 'son of' in Gaelic) with…
Welsh diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name's only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann. But if you're looking to honor an ancestral Elizabeth with a distinctive rare choice, Bethan…
Italian variation of Elizabeth
Everything sounds better with an Italian accent. Elisabetta is the more common Italian form.
Greek
"the mother of all gods"
The Anatolian mother goddess Cybele had a place in Greek, Roman, Trojan, and Anatolian mythology. Today, she has special meaning as a symbol of gender nonconformity. In ancient Rome, Cybele's cult…
Welsh
"winding river"
With the fashion for all names Rom, this strong surname with ties to Old Master painter George has new possibilities. Obviously, it now has more political associations than artistic.
Sundi is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a modern variation of Sunday, making it a calendar-inspired name representing the day of rest and renewal. In some contexts, it…
Italian
"little flower"
Fiorello is one of the few floral names that works well for a boy. The colorful three-term World War II New York Mayor La Guardia made this one famous -- in fact he was nicknamed "the Little Flower".…
English, Zulu, Xhosa
"strong, manly; beloved"
Similar in sound but fresher than Brandy or Mandy, Tandy is an upbeat and playful choice that actually has international and ancient roots. As a Zulu and Xhosa name, it may be a variation on Thandie…
Jeffries is a surname-turned-given name of English origin, derived from the medieval personal name 'Geoffrey' combined with the patronymic suffix '-s' meaning 'son of Geoffrey.' Geoffrey itself has…
German
"bright, brilliant"
A li'l hell-raiser name in the Ryder-Rogue-Rebel vein.
Irish
"descendant of Flannghal"
Flann variation that's most familiar as the name of writer Flannery O'Connor. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile , meaning "descendant of Flannghal".
Japanese
"pretty child"
Dainty and doll-like.
Word name or medieval English form of Otto
If Story and Poet and Sonnet can be names that work as well for girls as for boys, why not Ode?
