thewordshaker's list "Names I Would Probably Name My Children" of 20 great name ideas: Saffron - France!

Names I Would Probably Name My Children

Hella names that I probably will name my children

Spice names are increasingly appealing to the senses of prospective parents; this one, belonging to a precious spice derived from the crocus has a vaguely orange-scented-incense sixties feel. 
 English actress Saffron Burrows is an attractive current representative, and on the cult classic British TV series Absolutely Fabulous, Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon was the one sane member of her household. Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon has a grown daughter named Saffron.
 Saffron can also be considered a color name via its distinctive yellow hue.

Saffron

Cheerful but laidback, surname-style Delaney is derived from the Old Irish name Dubhshláine and has become a familiar choice for girls in recent decades. Nevertheless, it has also been used for boys since the early 1900s and was equally - though rarely - given to both, right up until the 1990s. 
 
Since then, it has been given to around 15 boys each year, with notable bearers including musician Delaney Bramlett, actor Delaney Williams, and singer Delaney Davidson. With last names as first names on trend and <a href="the-softer-side-of-boys-names">soft names for boys</a> climbing the charts, Delaney could work well - and feel fresher - on a boy.

Delaney

Although they could be easily confused, Elsbeth is a fairly unusual contracted German version of Elizabeth, while cousin Elspeth hails from Scotland. With its 'beth' ending, Elsbeth feels closer to the mother name.

Elsbeth

Kacper is the traditional Polish form of Caspar, pronounced with a snappy "ts" sound in the middle. 

Kacper

More traditionally spelled as Aurélien, this is the elegant French form of the golden Aurelius. Ultimately derived from aureus meaning "gold, gilded", this form is in the French Top 500, albeit near the latter end. Hugely popular in the 80s and 90s, ranking at #26 in 1986, it has now declined, with Aurèle slightly preferred.
 
Given to just 10 boys in the US in a recent year, it lags behind Aurelio and Aurelius — both of which feature in the Top 1000.
 
Footballer Aurélien Tchouaméni is a notable bearer.

Aurelien

For many, this is a Disneyfied name: Faline was the sweet doe Bambi fell in love with. The name is possibly based on Feline, a Latin name meaning "cat-like", however other sources suggest it comes from the French faon meaning "fawn", combined with the suffix -line. It is pronounced as FUH-LEEN in French and English or as fah-LEE-nuh in German, and was given to 7 girls in the US in 2024.

Faline

Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar outside of Ireland. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers. 

Interestingly, Saoirse Ronan's character in Brooklyn, based on the novel by Colm Toibin, was named Eilis, pronounced AY-lish in the movie (although usually EYE-lish or EYE-leesh with the fada).

While the Anglicized version of Eilish or Eilís is usually given as Elizabeth, it is sometimes translated to Alice, which is closer to the AY-lish pronunciation.

Eilish

Hestia is the name of the Greek goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. Though Hestia has been long dormant as a name, it's a possibility for the parent in search of a classic name with deep roots that's also unusual. It's one of the <a href-="https://nameberry.com/list/624/gorgeous-greek-goddess-names-for-babies">Greek goddess names</a>that's both familiar and distinctive.

Hestia

Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring a patina of royal sheen it hadn't had since the time of Napoleon III's glamorous empress--who spent much of her life in England. It was also borne by Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, after whom Prince Andrew's younger daughter was named.
 Eugenie is the title character of a Balzac novel, Eugenie Grandet and also the full name of Scarlet and Rhett's daughter, nicknamed Bonnie Blue because of the color of her eyes, in Gone With the Wind.
 The elegant Eugenie is pronounced differently in different countries. The princess says YOO-zjen-ee while the French pronunciation is more like oo-ZJAY-nee and the Germans say oy-GAIN-ee-ah.

Eugenie

Rhythmic name with both religious and geographical ties, commonly heard in Latin countries. 

Trinidad

Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough -- which just might make it the perfect blend of the two cultures. All forms of Germain derive from the Latin Germanus, referring to a person from Germany. 

Germaine

Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron, it means "sensible, self-restrained".
 
Some people might have first encountered the name in the old children's book series The Five Little Peppers, in which Sophronia, the youngest of the Peppers is nicknamed Phronsie.`It was also used by Dickens in two of his novels: The Old Curiosity Shop and Our Mutual Friend.
 </br.
Given to a very small handful of girls most years, it makes a familiar but alternative option.

Sophronia

Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
 Alcott would make an unusual and interesting surname name choice.

Alcott

Name that's virtually unknown here but has a lovely meaning and a simple sound and spelling.

Amata

Carys

This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite. 

Danique

Elsavetta is an elaborated feminine name that appears to be a variant of Elizabeth or possibly a fusion of Elsa and the Russian diminutive suffix '-vetta.' The name Elizabeth ultimately derives from Hebrew origins meaning 'God is my oath.' Elsavetta carries a distinctly Slavic or Eastern European flair, evoking images of imperial Russia and Old World elegance. Though extremely rare in English-speaking countries, it offers a unique alternative to the ubiquitous Elizabeth and its countless variants. The name has a melodic, flowing quality with its four syllables and soft consonants. Parents might choose Elsavetta for its exotic sound paired with its connection to the classic and royal Elizabeth.

Elsavetta

Appealingly gentle and romantic French classic--with a lot more charm than Steve. 

Étienne

One of the more prominent by-products of reality TV, via Disney. 

Fantasia

This geographic name has lots of Gallic elan. France Nuyen is a French-Vietnamese actress who starred in the Broadway hit The World of Suzie Wong.