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Why do bad names happen to good people?
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The names
Londyn
Spelling variation of London, place name
Londyn is now a more popular name than the original London for girls. Some parents feel that varying the spelling nudges the name away from over-identification with the British capitol. Substituting…
Agatha
Greek
"good woman"
Agatha until recently summoned up visions of martyred saints, mauve silk dresses, and high lace collars, but now that some dauntless excavators have begun to resurrect it, we're sure more will follow…
Agnes
Greek
"pure, virginal"
Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos , meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as…
Alfreda
English
"elf power,"
With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
Allegra
Italian
"joyous"
In music, the term allegro means "quickly, lively tempo," which makes this quintessential Bohemian ballet dancer's name all the more appealing. Allegra is one of the most distinctive yet accessible…
Archangella
Archangella is a rare feminine name derived from the word 'archangel,' referring to the highest-ranking angels in several religious traditions. The name combines the Greek elements 'arch' (chief) and…
Aristotle
Greek
"superior; the best purpose"
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris,…
Chester
Latin
"fortress, walled town,"
Chester is a comfortable, little-used teddy-bear of a name that suddenly sounds both quirky and cuddly. Chester was a Top 100 name in the US from the 1880s to 1929, gradually fading till it finally…
Domhnall
Gaelic form of Donald
Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Domhnall Gleeson put this Irish and Scottish name on the international map. Sometimes Anglicized as Donal, its pronunciation is close to Donald without the final d.
Favorite
Word name
Maybe if you're planning to have only one child -- and iffy even then.
Fredericka
Fredericka is the feminine form of Frederick, a classic Germanic name meaning 'peaceful ruler,' derived from the elements 'frid' (peace) and 'ric' (ruler, power). This elegant feminine variation adds…
Frostine
French
"freezing"
Frostine, best known in the U.S. as the name of the Candyland queen, is newly fashionable in France and is certainly a choice that any little girl the world over would love. Fanciful, if…
Fulvia
Latin
"yellow, tawny, gleaming"
Derived from the Latin fulvus this name has been poetically associated with shades of gold, bronze, and yellow, along with the color of a lion's fur and an eagle's feathers. It was borne by the wife…
Fyodor
Russian variation of Theodore
"God's gift"
This variation of Theodore is familiar here mostly via the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky. It was also the name of three early tsars of Russia.
Guillaumette
Guillaumette is a feminine French name derived from Guillaume, the French form of William, which has Germanic origins meaning "resolute protection" or "will helmet." This name represents the feminine…
Gwenore
Variation of Guinevere
"white shadow, white wave"
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Horatia
Latin feminine variation of Horatio
Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
Jamesina
Feminine variation of James
"supplanter"
More grown up than Jamie, but never given to more than 13 baby girls in the US per year (and that back in 1968). Modern parents prefer Jamie, Jameson or even James itself, as Blake and Ryan Reynolds…
Jimbo
Jimbo is a masculine name that originated as a familiar, affectionate nickname for James. With English-American origins, it combines the shortened form 'Jim' with the suffix 'bo,' which was a popular…
Lettice
English variation of Letitia
"joy, gladness"
Lettice is still occasionally heard in upper-class British families, but we fear it would cause too much salad-green teasing to be considered in the U.S. Calling your little Lettice Lettie could help…