User-created list
By mermuse · Updated January 2023
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Short form of Lafayette, French, English word name
"faith; predestined, destiny, chance"
Briefly in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Fate likely emerged as a short form for the old French name, Lafayette. In the contemporary landscape however, it may well be perceived as a word…
Czech
"green"
A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.
German
"ancient thunder god"
Futuristic, in a 1930s kind of way.
Hybrid name
There's Mary Elizabeth, there's Mary Beth, there's Marybeth, and then there's Maybeth, a smoosh of two vintage short forms of Mary and Elizabeth that has a country twang and not much modern appeal.
Irish
"descendant of Arthur"
In Cool Names, we cite this as an "Artist Name," for twentieth-century abstract painter Grace Hartigan, though for you it may just be an upbeat Irish surname.
Place name
A posh area of London, as well as being a section of Brooklyn, Kensington would make an overly formal, butlerish boy's name. There are several preferable paths to the nickname Ken, including KENYON,…
Welsh
"flower"
A rare Welsh form of Flora and Fleur, ultimately taken from the Latin flos , this floral choice is given to a handful of girls most years in Wales. To date, its peak was in 2018, when 15 babies…
Hebrew
"the Lord's secret"
Most graceful of the Raz names, relates to Graziella.
Literary name
This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.
Irish, Gaelic
"descendant of a stranger from across the seas; descendant of a pirate"
An Anglicized form of the Irish surname, Ó hAllmhuráin meaning "descendant of Allmhurán", Halloran could be your solution if you love the nickname Hal, but not Harold or Henry. Ultimately from…
"honor"
Rarely heard in the US, Aneurin is best remembered in the UK as the Welsh politician, Aneurin "Nye" Bevan, who was instrumental in setting up the National Health Service when he was Minister for…
"sea white, sea fair"
The popular Irish name Muireann comes from a mythical mermaid who was tranformed into a woman by a saint. Pronunciation is like the surname of the actress Helen Mirren, but with the spin of a w sound…
Finnish, Estonian
"hope"
This name was on the U.S. Top 1000 in the early 20th century, when recent immigrants frequently chose native names that have since died out for American babies. But if you're of Finnish or Estonian…
French designer name
This name of a famous Parisian fashion designer known for her sophisticated 1920s and 30s style could translate into a pretty American baby name.
Latinized feminine form of Ancient Greek
"unconquerable"
A delicate name with strong roots, Aniceta is most often used in contemporary Spain. Saint Anicetus was an ancient pope and martyr.
Basque
"fern field"
For the parent who genuinely wants something different, this nature choice is popular in Spain. Downside: connection to words irate and irritation.
Manx, Irish
"little blackbird"
Typically spelled as Lonán in Ireland, Lonan is its Manx form, though it could also be considered the anglicized form too. The name comes from the Irish lon meaning "blackbird", paired with a…
Scottish
"sweet lady"
This unusual name found in Scottish poetry would make a distinctive Gaelic pick.
"slender, fair"
The delicate and haunting Welsh Rhonwen is still a rarity in the U.S., where her English version Rowena is better known, but would be a lovely choice for any parent in search of a name that was both…
"holy fire"
Tanwen is a far more singular and colorful alternative to Bronwen.
