Working List of Favorites

Ada is one of the classic baby names for girls that is suddenly super stylish again. A favorite at the end of the nineteenth century, Ada is an alternative to the over-popular Ava. Ada is also part of the trend toward simple, old-fashioned names beginning with a vowel, like Ivy and Ella.

Agathe is a hugely popular name in contemporary France, even if it's English-speaking counterparts have not yet warmed to the usual English version, Agatha. The French pronunciation is sure to trip up non-French speakers.

Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more closely with France. Anatole Kuragin is a dashing, roguish prince in Tolstoy's War and Peace.

Andre is one of the international forms of Andrew that has been familiar in the English-speaking world for decades without any need to be overly Anglicized - though round the world, it is more likely to be written as André.

Angelica is by far the choicest form of the angelic names -- more delicate than Angelina, more feminine than Angel, more modern than Angela. But though Angelica is so lacy and poetic, it lags behind the bolder Angelina (probably for obvious reasons).

Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.

Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too.

Dramatic and worldly, Cosimo was chosen by singer Beck and his wife, Marissa Ribisi, for their son. Now that Cosima has emerged as a starbaby favorite, twin brother Cosimo could join her.

Though Dara was an (extremely wise) male figure in the Bible, this name feels mostly feminine to modern Americans. The Irish Gaelic version, Darragh, is well-used in contemporary times for boys.

Eve, the oldest name in the Book, is now coming back into style, having the virtues of simplicity and purity, yet with more strength and resonance than other single-syllable names like Ann. British actor Clive Owen chose Eve for his daughter, as did Jessica Capshaw.

The dynamic personality and paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo have inspired growing numbers of parents to resurrect this form of the name. It does much better in certain European countries, especially in Denmark and Norway. The Frieda and Freida spellings were more popular in the US until the middle of the 20th century.

Friederike is a feminine German name derived from the Germanic elements "fridu" meaning "peace" and "ric" meaning "ruler" or "power." It's essentially the female form of Friedrich (Frederick in English). The name has deep historical roots in German-speaking countries, where it has been used since medieval times. Friederike Gossweiler, a Swiss mathematician, and Friederike Mayröcker, an Austrian poet, are notable bearers of the name. While common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Friederike remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name carries an elegant, classical European quality with a strong cultural heritage, appealing to parents looking for a distinctive name with substantial historical significance.

Georg is a masculine name representing the Germanic and Scandinavian form of George, ultimately derived from the Greek name Georgios (Γεώργιος), meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker" from the elements "ge" (earth) and "ergon" (work). This variant has been particularly popular in German-speaking countries, the Nordic nations, and parts of Eastern Europe for centuries. Notable bearers include composer Georg Friedrich Händel, mathematician Georg Cantor, and physicist Georg Ohm. Unlike the English George, Georg is typically pronounced with a hard 'g' sound at the end (gay-org). While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, the name maintains steady popularity in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavian countries, where it is appreciated for its classic, dignified character and cultural heritage.

Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.

Serene Irene, the name of the Greek goddess of peace and one of the most familiar Greek goddess names, was hugely popular in ancient Rome and again in the United States a hundred years ago.

Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.

Janusz is a Polish masculine name derived from the Latin name Johannes, which comes from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' It represents the Polish equivalent of John or Johannes. Janusz has been used in Poland since the Middle Ages and remains a fairly common traditional name there, particularly among men born in the mid-20th century. The name carries cultural significance in Polish heritage and maintains connections to Eastern European naming traditions. In contemporary Poland, the name has developed certain social associations through internet memes, sometimes stereotypically representing middle-aged Polish men. Outside Poland, Janusz remains distinctive and instantly signals Polish heritage while being relatively easy for non-Polish speakers to pronounce.

Jérôme is the French form of Jerome, ultimately derived from the Greek name Hieronymos, meaning 'sacred name.' This masculine name carries considerable historical weight through Saint Jerome, the 4th-century scholar who translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate). The French spelling, with its distinctive accent marks, adds a touch of sophistication and continental flair to the name. Jérôme has maintained consistent popularity in French-speaking regions, particularly in France, Quebec, and parts of Switzerland, though it's less common in English-speaking countries. The name evokes associations with intellectualism, scholarship, and cultural refinement. Jérôme offers parents a name with substantial historical depth and European elegance, particularly appealing to those with French connections or appreciation for French culture and pronunciation.