User-created list
By mermuse · Updated January 2023
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Greek; Aboriginial
"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"
This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea…
Welsh diminutive of Aneurin
"honor"
This can make an unusual yet simple middle name choice, especially for anyone with family ties to Wales.
English
"happy, joyous"
Fane, used as a nickname in the Middle Ages for someone with a cheerful disposition, is one of the more offbeat members of the Zane-Kane family.
Maori
"reflections on the water"
New Zealand writer Ngaio (born Edith Ngaio) Marsh is the best-known bearer of this Maori nature name, properly pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-oh. It is the name of a tree indigenous to New…
French
"heroine, bright maiden"
The name of medieval French saint, similar to Sally Field's name, Bertrille, on the old The Flying Nun sitcom, leading some to expect the word "Sister" in front of it.
Welsh
"maiden"
Popular in Wales, but likely to be mispronounced as Ryan here.
Hebrew
"a flower bud"
Has a pleasantly fizzy, effervescent feeling.
Latin
"to excite, to stir the mind"
A pretty, feminissima name, more distinctive than Cynthia. George Bernard Shaw used it for a character in his play The Apple Cart, about which it is said 'Orinthia is a name full of magic for me.'
Greek
"sea-strength"
Appealing sound and meaning, but there is that discount-store association.
"strong bear cub"
Variously spelled as Swithun or Swithin, this distinctive sounding name is belonged to St. Swithun, an Anglo-Saxon bishop known as the patron saint of Winchester and of the weather — making him the…
"splendor, abundance"
A lively, zippy name that is surprisingly rare in the US. It was the name of two men mentioned in the Bible, but is feminine in modern times.
"thistly plant"
Poetic though thorny, Cynara is one of those names that has a genuine root but that many will assume is invented. Depending on your viewpoint, that might be the best or worst of all worlds.
"flaxen haired"
Although the accent in Linnet is on the first syllable, it could be confused with the dated Lynette.
Aramaic
"fig tree"
Idra is one of the less obvious botanical names. In ancient times, a fig tree was a symbol of learning, peace, and prosperity.
Irish
"cleric"
This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.
"of the palace"
This title of honor given to Charlemagne's twelve best knights would be prized as a name by most sword-loving little boys.
"Aster"
Pronounced as-TAIR-ah, this is one of many frequently heard Israeli flower names. Other floral choices popular in Israel include Dafna, which means laurel; Dailia; Irit, which means daffodil; and…
"knight's attendant"
Old-fashioned, conjuring up an ardent suitor in a bow tie and straw boater.
Turkish
"daisy"
A virtually unknown choice in the U.S and rare in its native Turkey too, Papatya is nevertheless attractive and usable for the baby namer who truly wants something different, but with a familiar and…
Ixidor is a distinctive masculine name with a mysterious quality, likely of modern invented origin rather than traditional usage. The name may draw inspiration from fantasy literature, gaming, or…
