Godschildren

  1. Bromley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "broom meadow"
    • Description:

      Bromley is an English surname-name that's more possible as a first name now than ever before. The -ley suffix has been adopted for many names, and surnames such as Bromley are fashionable.
  2. Cadmus
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "one who excels"
    • Description:

      Cadmus is the name of the serpent-slaying hero of Greek mythology who also founded the city of Thebes and is credited with inventing the alphabet. Its ancient feel might appeal to modern parents — especially since Cadmus Peverell is a human Harry Potter character, one of the three original owners of the Deathly Hallows.
  3. Calder
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "rocky water"
    • Description:

      Artistic associations with the sculptor who invented the mobile make this one of the more creative surname choices.
  4. Corin
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "spear"
    • Description:

      Corin was used by Shakespeare in As You Like It, an unusual name that could make a more distinctive alternative to Corey or Colin. It is a name used in the illustrious Redgrave family of actors.
  5. Eimear
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "swift"
    • Description:

      Sometimes spelled Emer and pronounced "EE-mer," the legendary wife of Cuchulainn possessed the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and needlework. A fresh alternative to Emma, but the two have the potential to be frequently confused.
  6. Embry
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "flat-topped hill"
    • Description:

      Embry became viable as a first name when it was used for the (male) werewolf character Embry Call in the Twilight series. But its Em- beginning and -y ending give it a feminine sound, so we call it perfectly appropriate for a girl. Embry or Embury is an established English surname.
  7. Emer
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "swift"
    • Description:

      Popular name in Ireland -- it's pronounced ee-mer -- from the legendary wife of Cuchulainn who was supposed to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and of course, needlework. Is found in the poetry of Yeats.
  8. Fedor
    • Description:

      Fedor is a strong masculine name with Slavic origins, particularly prominent in Russian culture as a variation of Feodor or Theodore. Derived from Greek elements meaning 'gift of God' (from 'theos' meaning 'god' and 'doron' meaning 'gift'), this name carries profound spiritual significance across numerous cultures. Fedor gained international recognition through notable bearers like Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky and MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko. While remaining distinctly Slavic, the name's relatively straightforward pronunciation makes it accessible internationally. Fedor offers parents a name with substantial historical and cultural depth, combined with a strong, masculine sound. Its cross-cultural history and meaningful etymology make it appealing for families with Slavic heritage or those simply drawn to names with rich traditions and powerful, distinct character.
  9. Hanako
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "flower child"
    • Description:

      Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who sometimes answers if you call her name.
  10. Ilaria
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Hilary
    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"
    • Description:

      Hilary may feel too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.
  11. Ismay
    • Origin:

      Possible variation of Esme
    • Meaning:

      "esteemed, beloved"
    • Description:

      The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
  12. Kaia
    • Origin:

      Latin, Scandinavian, or Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "to rejoice or sea"
    • Description:

      The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
  13. Melissande
    • Description:

      Melissande is an elegant elaboration of Melissa, derived from the Greek word for 'bee' or 'honey bee.' This French-influenced variant adds a sophisticated, fairy-tale quality to the more common Melissa. The '-ande' ending gives it a medieval or fantasy-literature feel, reminiscent of names from Arthurian legends or historical romances. While relatively rare, Melissande has appeared occasionally throughout history, particularly in European aristocratic families. It offers parents a way to honor a relative named Melissa while choosing something more distinctive. Melissande projects grace, femininity, and a touch of the extraordinary, making it appealing for those seeking an uncommon name with classical roots and romantic associations.

  14. Melker
    • Origin:

      Modern Swedish variation of Melchior
    • Meaning:

      "city of the king; king of light"
    • Description:

      Melker, a modern phonetic spelling of ancient Three Wise Men name Melchior, is in the Swedish Top 100 though not used in the US, where it would be heard as "milker." Nickname Mel is not exactly a fashionable choice at the moment either.
  15. Nesta
    • Origin:

      Welsh variation of Agnes
    • Description:

      This is the most popular Welsh form of Agnes. Variants include Annest and Nest. There was an eleventh century Nest who was known as 'Helen of Wales' for her beauty and the problems it caused.
  16. Rhodri
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "wheel, circle"
    • Description:

      Rhodri, the name of an important ninth century Welsh king known as Rhodri the Great, a renowned warrior who was the ancestor of many of the later dynasties of Wales, was revived in modern Wales. Has a nice Rory-like feel.
  17. Rupert
    • Origin:

      German variation of Robert
    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"
    • Description:

      Rupert is a charming-yet-manly name long more popular in Britain (where it's attached to a beloved cartoon bear) than in the U.S. Yet we can see Rupert as a more stylish, modern way to honor an ancestral Robert.
  18. Sabin
    • Origin:

      Romanian, Bulgarian, Basque, from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from the Sabines"
    • Description:

      Listed in the Quran as one of the "People of the Book," this male equivalent of Sabina is undiscovered and ripe for the adventurous baby namer. There was also an 8th-century Bulgarian Khan with the name, and it’s still occasionally used in Bulgaria today. Albert Bruce Sabin is the Polish-American scientist credited for the oral polio vaccine
  19. Savarin
    • Description:

      Savarin is a sophisticated masculine name that likely derives from the famous French dessert 'Savarin cake,' named after Brillat-Savarin, an 18th-century French gastronome and writer. The name carries connotations of refinement, culinary heritage, and French cultural sophistication. Its sound combines the popular 'Sav-' beginning (as in Savion or Savannah) with a distinguished ending that gives it elegance. Relatively rare as a first name, Savarin offers parents a distinctive choice with cultural depth and historical connections. The name has a cosmopolitan quality that travels well across languages while maintaining its French character. For families with appreciation for French culture or culinary arts, Savarin provides a subtle reference with a pleasing phonetic flow.
  20. Takara
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "treasure, jewel"
    • Description:

      A lovely Japanese alternative to Tamara.