User-created list
By KBiz · Updated May 2023
Across 79 pages
of 79
Spanish variation from Greek
"man of victory"
Nicandro might be of interest as a blend of two Anglo favorites -- Nicholas and Andrew.
Hebrew
"not exalted"
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab in the Hebrew Book of Kings, has long had a bad girl reputation. But in the modern secular world, this is somewhat mitigated by the feminist perspective of her as a…
Kalen is a versatile feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It can be a variation of Kalin (Slavic, meaning "pure") or derived from the Greek name Kalene, meaning "beautiful." Some also…
Scandinavian
"stream, river"
Name with genuine roots that nevertheless feels synthetic.
Latin, botanical name
An unusual name related to the willow family.
German, Scandinavian diminutive of Charlotte
"free man"
Lotte is a short form of Charlotte and a name used in its own right in Scandinavia as well as Dutch- and German-speaking countries. It’s unlikely to catch on in the US, where even Lottie hasn’t…
"gift of God"
This female form of Nathan can be pronounced with three syllables or four, and could make an interesting alternative to Natalia.
Greek or Hebrew
"new moon; pleasantness"
An obscure yet on-trend name with two wonderful meanings associated with it. Neoma is one of the freshest celestial girl names with moon-related meanings, rarer than Luna or Phoebe but with the same…
Greek
"from the sea"
An offbeat possible replacement for the overused Melissa and Marisa, Nerissa was used by Shakespeare for Portia's witty confidante in The Merchant of Venice . Queen Elizabeth has a cousin named…
"his highness"
Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think…
Irish
"little and fiery"
Aidan is an ancient Irish saint's name with a fire meaning that's mega popular for boys, most often spelled as Aiden. The name is occasionally used for girls, sometimes as Aidyn or Ayden, as well.…
German
"industrious"
Amory is best known for the hero of Fitzgerald's 1920 This Side of Paradise , Princeton student Amory Blaine. Amory is in some danger of being borrowed by the girls, a la Avery. Alternate spellings…
"sea-green jewel"
Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
Diminutive of Elizabeth
Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
Variation of Gwendolen, Welsh
"white ring"
The Gwendoline form may introduce pronunciation confusion -- does that last syllable rhyme with wine or win or when? We vote Gwendolen as not only the most proper but the clearest spelling, followed…
Ionna is a feminine name with Greek origins, likely a variant of Ioanna, which is the Greek form of Joanna or Joan. These names derive from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaning 'God is gracious.' With its…
Jace is a modern feminine name that has gained popularity primarily as a masculine name but has crossed gender boundaries in recent years. Originally a shortened form of Jason (meaning 'healer' in…
Word name
"spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"
Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore…
Spelling variation of Christian, Greek from Latin
"follower of Christ"
Only about 1 percent of babies named Christian are girls, but that was nearly 50 baby girls in the US last year so the name is not unknown. The Kristian variation makes it more reminiscent of Kristen…
"new victory"
Signe could make an offbeat, more unusual alternative to Sydney or Sigrid. In Norse mythology, Signe was the twin sister of Sigmund. Can also be spelled Signy.
