Emerson is a dignified, somewhat serious name associated with transcendental thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson. Much more popular now for girls since Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher used it for her daughter, it is definitely still a viable boys name.

Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.

A lovely (and uncommon) longer form for Nora, one of the most fashionable international nickname names around. Lenora fell off the US charts in the 70s, but just re-entered in 2022 as parents' love for short forms Leni and Nora is growing.

Mettie is a vintage feminine name that emerged primarily as a diminutive of names like Mehitabel, Marietta, or Margaret. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in rural American communities, Mettie has the charming, nostalgic quality shared by many revival names. The name has Germanic roots relating to 'strength' or 'might' through its connection to Margaret. Mettie falls into the category of 'grandmother names' that cycle back into fashion after skipping generations. Though still quite rare today, it appeals to parents seeking authentic vintage names with historical precedent rather than modern inventions. The name's soft consonants and friendly ending give it a gentle, approachable quality while its rarity makes it distinctive among the more common vintage revivals.

A grassy place with trees is a nice image to attach to a name.

A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.

Letitia is a delicate, once prim and proper sounding name whose staid image has been unbuttoned by numerous phonetic spellings. The original, often used in Spanish-speaking families, would still make an attractive, delicate choice. After a solid century on the Top 1000 list, Letitia fell off in the early 1980s and has not yet returned.

Elbridge is an uncommon last name used as first. It sounds rather forbidding, but Bridge would be a cute, modern nickname.

Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.

Fidelia stems from the Latin word Fides, meaning faith. It has the some root as the English word fidelity. Fidelia gained popularity in the mid-19th Century after Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" gave this name cultural and virtuous significance.

Lucina, deriving from Latin lucus "grove" and also associated with lux "light", is an epithet given in Roman mythology to the goddess Juno (and sometimes also Diana) in her role as goddess of childbirth. A stately and unusual route to Lucy, more delicate than Lucinda.

Albion is an ancient, poetic, and literary name for Great Britain. As a name, Albion is a variation of Albus -- and Dumbledore fans might find it a congenial update. Attractive short forms include Al and Albie.

Leota is an antique name rarely used any more -- it was given to just 8 baby girls in the US in 2021. Some sources says Leota is a Native American name meaning blue flower.

Feels akin to Brooks and Rivers, two other boys' names that double as plural nouns. It's been used as a first name for centuries, including by a two time governor of Virginia.

Thursa is an uncommon feminine name with Norse origins, possibly derived from Thor, the god of thunder in Norse mythology. The name may also have connections to Thurse, referring to giants in Germanic mythology. Alternatively, it could be a variation of Teresa or a feminine form of Thurston. With its strong consonant sounds and mythological connections, Thursa conveys strength and ancient heritage. The name remained relatively obscure throughout history, occasionally appearing in Scandinavian regions. For parents seeking a rare name with Norse influences and a distinctive sound, Thursa offers a unique option that carries echoes of ancient mythology while maintaining a feminine quality through its ending vowel.

Hilda with a stuffed nose.

Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.

Wilbert is one of the new old grandpa names marching -- shuffling? -- back into style, taking the place of names like Gus and Max which now sound totally baby-friendly. Wilbert and cousin Wilbur could take a little longer.

A soft and interesting Hebrew name long popular in France, where it has ranked in the Top 400 since 1986 (as Salomé). Ex-ER star Alex Kingston named her daughter Salome Violetta.