Energetic and sparky but warm and gentle in sound, Nello is an Italian short form of Antonello, Brunello, or similar.

Arden, the name of the magical forest in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is a stylish A name with a strong, straightforward image. Another reason to love Arden: its similarity to "ardent." Arden is solidly unisex, with the current gender distribution running about 49 percent girls and 51 percent boys.

Pauline had its moment of glory a century ago, when movie audiences were thrilling to the silent serial The Perils of Pauline, released in 1914. A Top 50 name in the US between 1908 and 1930, it fell off the charts in the 1990s — but with the interest in Marjorie, Josephine, Polly, and Jacqueline, could Pauline be ready for revival?

This lovely orange-scented Spanish place-name would make an inventive namesake for an Aunt Valerie.

Ernest is one of those sober, so-far-out-they're-beginning-to-be-reconsidered Great Uncle names. Ernest recently received a big style boost when Britain's Princess Eugenie chose it for her second son.

Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude is another spelling, associated with actress Maude Apatow.

Rarely heard, and when it is, usually attached to a witch. Historically, though, Wanda was a legendary eighth century queen of Poland, and in literature it is the central character of Ouida's eponymous novel Wanda. A musical namesake is the great Polish harpsichordist Wanda Landowska.

Retro short form of Marina, now dated to the era of the Hitchcock movie that made it famous. In the UK, it's one of the hottest vintage names of the moment, perhaps inspired by British singer Lily Allen, who gave it to her second daughter in 2013. It's also a character name on the hit TV show Girls.

There was a time when French names like Annette, Paulette – and Nanette – were chic, but now, we'd have to say "No, no, Nanette".

Annora is a noble name, a distinctive twist on its most essential form: Honor. Other variations to explore include Honora and Nora.

Unknown but eminently usable choice, especially for Jewish parents, with lovely meaning.

Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.

Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the update Barnaby, but could gain some attention as boys' names ending in 's' are enjoying a comeback.

Barnaby, a genial and energetic name with an Irish-sounding three-syllable lilt, is an ancient appellation that manages to be both unusual and highly attractive and deserves to be used more than it is. A sweet-spot name that's a real winner.

Calista Flockhart spotlighted this lovely Greek name that has a long future in the English-speaking world. Kallista is another spelling; Calixta and Calixto are related.

Clorinda is a romantic name invented by a sixteenth-century poet, but has a synthetic sound today.

Coralene is a delicate feminine name that draws inspiration from the natural beauty of coral reefs. It combines 'coral' – the vibrant marine organism forming colorful underwater structures – with the feminine suffix '-ene,' creating a graceful elaboration that sounds both vintage and fresh. The name evokes images of the ocean, suggesting qualities of resilience and natural beauty. While not widely used, Coralene has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, particularly in Southern regions of the United States. It shares sounds with more common names like Coraline, Caroline, and Coralie, but maintains its own distinctive character. For parents seeking a rare nature-inspired name with a subtle vintage charm, Coralene offers a melodic option with connections to the sea.

Coralina is a feminine name derived from 'coral,' the vibrant marine organism that forms colorful reefs in tropical waters. With Latin roots, the name evokes images of the ocean, suggesting beauty and natural wonder. Coralina can be considered a more elaborate variation of Coral or Coraline, with its romantic -ina suffix adding a touch of elegance. The name carries associations with the pink-orange hue of precious coral, symbolizing protection and vitality in various cultures. While not among the most common names, Coralina appeals to parents drawn to nature-inspired names with a melodic quality and subtle connection to the sea.

A word that's been used, very infrequently, as a name for hundreds of years. Interesting sound and meaning.