Obscure Gems

Guinevere was the name of the beautiful but ill-fated queen of Camelot, for so many years eclipsed by its modern Cornish form Jennifer. Today, Guinevere could be a cool possibility for adventurous parents intrigued by this richly evocative and romantic choice.

Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world as a first name by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly John became Admiral of the Fleet in England.

Another feminine form of the old saint's name Mael. Spelled Maëlys, it is a very popular name in France today.

Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar to English speakers. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers.

Though most parents would shy away from Ebenezer, short form Eben is affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it. This also makes a fresh new spin on the very popular Ethan or Evan.

This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.

This simple yet evocative French word name was chosen for her daughter by model Niki Taylor. While Ciel may be pronounced in French with two syllables, many will pronounce it as "seal" and there may be confusion with Celia and sister Ceil.

Sidonie is an appealing and chic French favorite that is starting to attract some American fans as a fresher alternative to Sydney. Also spelled Sidony, Sidonie was the birth name of the French novelist Colette.

Olwyn is a popular Welsh name that might be an alternative to the more familiar Bronwen or Rhonwen -- though in Wales the female form is usually spelled -wen and the male one -wyn.

Cute and eminently wearable surname name for girls.

Mazarine is a deep blue color also used as a first name in honor of Cardinal Mazarin, a leader of France in the 17th century. As a first name, Mazarine is as charming as it is unusual.

Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.

Billionaire Sumner Redstone, the nonagenarian owner of CBS and Viacom, practically has a monopoly on his first name — for now. But Hunter, Asher, and Ryder have ushered in a major vogue "-er" names, so it may only be a matter of time before parents discover this one.

Tillman is a strong masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the occupational surname meaning 'farmer' or literally 'one who works the land' (from Middle High German 'til' meaning field and 'man' meaning person). This name reflects agricultural heritage and a connection to the earth, embodying values of hard work and perseverance. Historically common in Germanic countries and later among American settlers, Tillman carries a rustic charm and steady reliability in its sound. While never reaching top popularity charts, it has maintained consistent usage, particularly in the American South. Parents might choose Tillman for its solid, traditional feel and subtle nod to farming ancestry, appreciating its distinctive quality without being too unusual.

Entered the vernacular with the rising star of Shia LeBeouf. The meaning and origin of the name are disputed, though the actor has been quoted as saying he's embarrassed by its meaning in French: another four-letter word starting with s.

Rarely heard New Testament name -- he was a friend of Saint Paul -- that might conceivably stand up to modern usage.

Though it has some distinguished political and tennis world associations, most modern parents would go for the more contemporary sounding Holden. Tilden Park is a beautiful hillside wilderness in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ancel is a distinguished masculine name with French origins, derived from 'Anselm', which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'god' (ans) and 'helmet' or 'protection' (helm). The name carries connotations of divine protection and noble character. Historically, Ancel has maintained modest usage in France and among French-speaking populations. It gained some recognition through notable bearers like Ancel Keys, the American physiologist who studied the Mediterranean diet. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Ancel has persisted as a distinctive alternative to more common names, appealing to parents seeking a name with French elegance and historical depth without being overly familiar.

If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.