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My Guilty Pleasure Names

  1. Alois

    • Origin:

      Variation of Aloysius, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.
  2. Ashlynn

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dream"

    • Description:

      This Anglicized spelling of Irish Aislinn or Aisling has enjoyed some popularity in the US as an updated Ashley.
  3. Shae

    • Origin:

      Variation of Shay, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "the stately, dauntless one"

    • Description:

      The third-most-popular spelling of this name, after Shea and Shay, is notable mostly for its connection to Game of Thrones. Shae is a "camp follower" -- AKA prostitute -- who becomes the loyal mistress to Tyrion Lannister while he is serving as Hand of the King.
  4. Yael

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "ibex"

    • Description:

      Yael is an Old Testament name often heard in Israel that could work well here: just remember that it's pronounced with two syllables...it is also spelled Ya'el. In the Bible she was a Kenite woman in the time of Deborah who killed the enemy general, Sisera.
  5. Anissa

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "friendly"

    • Description:

      A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.
  6. Ara

    • Origin:

      Armenian

    • Meaning:

      "king"

    • Description:

      Ara is a unique boys' name that one of the most melodious in the Armenian name pool, familiarized by Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian. In Armenian mythology, Ara was a king so handsome that a rival queen went to war in order to make him her own. The name Ara is also known in the Arabic and Hebrew cultures.
  7. Cerelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "relating to springtime"

    • Description:

      Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.
  8. Nuria

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "place between the valleys; light"

    • Description:

      Deriving from the Catalan title for the Virgin Mary, Nostra Senyora de Núria , meaning "Our Lady of Nuria", this distinctive name is a popular choice in Spain and Portugal.
  9. Oneida

    • Origin:

      Native American

    • Meaning:

      "long awaited"

    • Description:

      One of the few familiar Native_American choices, but now associated with several trade names.
  10. Rafaella

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Raphaela, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"

    • Description:

      Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela.
  11. Snowdrop

    • Description:

      Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience as snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom at winter's end. Though uncommon as a given name, Snowdrop belongs to the category of modern flower and nature names that have gained popularity in recent decades. The name carries a whimsical, ethereal quality that appeals to parents drawn to nature-themed names. Snowdrop combines the purity associations of snow with the gentle beauty of a small flower, creating a name that's both distinctive and meaningful.
  12. Quintus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "fifth"

    • Description:

      A literary name figuring in the story of Ben Hur and the novels of Anthony Trollope that has the feel of Roman antiquity that is beginning to appeal to many parents. Quintus was one of only about twenty male first names in ancient Rome, and was often (though not exclusively) used for fifth sons.
  13. Kisa

    • Origin:

      "cat"

    • Meaning:

      "cat"
  14. Alysanne

    • Description:

      Alysanne is a feminine name with medieval roots that combines elements of Alice and Anne, both classical names with royal associations. With its ethereal, lyrical quality, Alysanne gained contemporary recognition through George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, where it belonged to a beloved queen. The name carries an elegant, fantasy-inspired feel while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Alysanne likely derives from Germanic origins, with components meaning "noble" and "grace." Though rare in everyday use, it appeals to parents seeking a name with a romantic, literary quality that stands apart from more common alternatives. Its melodic sound and noble associations give it a timeless appeal despite its relative obscurity in mainstream naming trends.

  15. Ireland

    • Origin:

      Place name

    • Description:

      Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.
  16. Pola

    • Origin:

      Short form of Amapola, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "poppy"

    • Description:

      Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.
  17. Pelagia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "the sea"

    • Description:

      The name of several early saints, including one, Pelagia the Penitent, a beautiful and licentious dancing girl who repented, then, disguised as a man, spent the rest of her life living alone in a cave on the Mount of Olives. Because of her early vocation, she is the patron saint of actresses.
  18. Nairi

    • Origin:

      Armenian place name

    • Description:

      This was the old name for ancient Armenia, land of canyons.
  19. Myrcella

    • Origin:

      Variant of Marcella

    • Description:

      One of the many faux-Medieval names invented by George R.R. Martin for his A Song of Ice and Fire series of books, the source of HBO's Game of Thrones. Princess Myrcella Baratheon is the daughter of Cersei Lannister and (secretly) her brother Jaime. Their younger brother Tyrion sends her to Dorne to be married to the Dornish prince Trystane Martell to seal an alliance between the two houses.
  20. Fryderyk

    • Origin:

      Polish, from German

    • Meaning:

      "peaceful ruler"

    • Description:

      The Polish form of Frederick.