Names for Privacy Lovers and Secret Keepers

Heidi became known — and popular — via the 1880 eponymous children's classic by Swiss writer Johanna Spyri and, despite decades of American Heidis of all sizes, shapes, and personalities, the name seems permanently tethered to that spunky little girl on the Alpine mountaintop in the book and Shirley Temple movie.

Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.

This hyper-rhythmic name has two evocative references. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home. It is also a genre of West Indian music, originating in Trinidad and Tobago and largely popularized in the States by Harry Belafonte.

In Egyptian mythology, Amon is a major god associated with creation and the air. He was later fused with the Sun god, Ra, and became Amun-Ra.

In Greek mythology, Lethe was the name of one of the five rivers in Hades, the underworld. Lethe was also the name of the Greek spirit of forgetfulness and oblivion, with whom the river was often identified.

A minor prophet who has his own Book, Zephaniah is another Old Testament gem waiting to be rediscovered now that Noah and Abraham are becoming too trendy.

Elam is the name of no fewer than eight Old Testament figures. The most notable was a grandson of Noah whose followers were dubbed the Elamites. Elam is commonly used in Amish communities today.

Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.

Mysterious.

Ammon is connected to two religions in the US and is used exclusively between the two of them. Prior to the 1960s, Ammon was considered a solely Amish name. In the Amish community, Ammon is bestowed in honor of Jacob Amman, whom the Amish sect is named after.

Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.

Better for a perfume.

Hilda with a stuffed nose.

Heidrun, which is occasionally used in modern Europe, was the name of a mythological goat who nibbled from the tree of life, transforming her milk into mead. You might think of Heidrun as a cross between Heidi and Gudrun, but there's a good reason this one's never caught on in the US: It's still stuck on that mythical Norse hillside.

Kalypso is a feminine name derived from Greek mythology, an alternative spelling of Calypso. In Homer's Odyssey, Calypso was a nymph who detained Odysseus on her island for seven years. The name comes from the Greek word 'kalypto,' meaning 'to conceal' or 'to hide,' reflecting the nymph's remote island home. This spelling variation with 'K' and 'y' gives the name a modern, distinctive appearance while maintaining its mythological roots. Beyond its literary associations, Kalypso also evokes the vibrant Calypso music of the Caribbean, adding cultural richness to the name. Though uncommon as a given name, Kalypso offers parents a choice that combines ancient storytelling tradition with exotic flair. The name conveys a sense of mystery, enchantment, and feminine power that appeals to those drawn to names with mythological significance.