Fave names

Brisa

Spanish

"breeze"

Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.

Ciel

French

"sky"

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…

Ilah

Ilah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it means "God" or "deity," derived from "Allah" without the definite article. In Hebrew, it's related to Eila, meaning "oak tree,"…

Imogen

Celtic

"maiden"

Imogen has long been fashionable in England and is gaining favor in the US among stylish parents. Pronounced the British way — the initial i is short as in Kim, as is the final E as in Ken — Imogen…

Iria

Portuguese variation of Eirene

"peace"

Iria is a diminutive version of Eirene / Irene and is therefore associated with the Greek goddess of peace.

Isis

Egyptian

"throne"

Isis has gone from magical, feminist name on the rise to the forbidden list because of the extremist terror group called ISIS, an acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Unsurprisingly, Isis was…

Islay

Scottish place-name

Islay is the name of a Hebridian island famous for its whisky. Don't be fooled by the "y" at the end - this name is pronounced exactly like the more well-known Isla.

Olimpia

Olimpia is a feminine name of Greek origin, connected to Mount Olympus, the mythological home of the Greek gods. The name carries connotations of divinity, elevation, and celestial beauty. While the…

Taja

Arabic

"to mention, to name"

Soft, sultry resonance.

Tamzin

Variation of Tamsin, Cornish, English

"twin"

A feminine form of Thomas that originated in Cornwall, this spelling might appeal to those who dislike the substring of sin at the end of the more familiar Tamsin, or to those who enjoy the spikiness…