Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would associate it with the Valley's main stem--Ventura Boulevard, and others might think of Ace or Jesse Ventura.

Ten years ago we would have advised people to steer clear of this name (and maybe choose the similar sounding Walter instead); but with the rise of other Nordic and Eastern European names like Viggo and Casimir, maybe its time to re-thing Valdemar. It's a big name, but with enough penache, it could be pulled off. Valdemar was introduced to Scandinavia in the 12th Century by a Danish king named for his Ukrainian grandfather, and is currently in the Danish Top 20.

Embroidered lace hankie of a name, used in a Thomas Hardy novel. That literary cred lends some gravitas.

This vivid reddish orange color name is an undiscovered possibility -- kind of a female equivalent of Cerulean for boys.

Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.

Unusual and beautiful blue green color and name possibility, a la Cerulean.

The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.

Place-name waiting to be discovered.

Name with aristrocratic overtones.

The name of prize-winning American architect Robert Venturi would make a somewhat awkward first.

Volcano name for an active, bubbly child -- but be careful -- volcanoes do erupt.

Though this one would be sure to inspire confusion, Ven- names can be an intriguing alternative to the Ben- group.

Substituting the V for the W sounds almost comedic to the American ear.

Much more upscale and modern for a girl than a boy.