The Names on This Site I Like

Actually the Spanish name for Bethlehem, which means "house of bread," this name is high on Spain's popularity list and is rising in the US as well. Though this is one of the Spanish names for girls that has not for the most part crossed over to the English-speaking population, that could change thanks to its similarity to the popular Belle or Bella.

Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.

Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."

Jamal is an Arabic boys’ name meaning "beauty." Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years.

Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose.

Parents seeking a distinctive New Testament name might consider this one. Adopted by some Puritans in the seventeenth century, Persis was used in the William Dean Howells novel The Rise of Silas Lapham for the wife of the protagonist.

Emerald is the intriguing color and jewel name of the deep green stone treasured as far back as ancient Egypt — it's supposed to open one's heart to wisdom and to love and be good for strengthening relationships — which could make for an interesting, unusual name, particularly with the popularity of so many Em-starting names.

This obscure Native-American name owes its very life to country singer Shania Twain, who dropped her original name, Eileen, for it.

Mordechai and Mordecai are equally valid — both are used as transcriptions from the Hebrew bible, and one did not originate before the other. But although popular culture tends to prefer the (slightly simpler) Mordecai, Mordechai has always been the more common version for babies born in the US.

Novella is a feminine name with Latin and Italian roots, derived from 'novus' meaning 'new' or 'young.' Beyond its literal meaning, Novella carries literary associations as it refers to a short prose narrative in Italian literature – longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. This connection gives the name intellectual and artistic connotations. While not among the most common names, Novella has maintained a steady presence in Italian communities and has seen occasional usage internationally. The name carries a romantic, melodic quality typical of Italian feminine names, with its soft consonants and vowel ending. Novella offers a beautiful option for parents seeking a name with literary flair and a touch of European elegance.

Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.

A name with the kind of pan-cultural feel that's in vogue now... and forever, it is both a Swahili name meaning "coral", ultimately from the Arabic marjan, and a Hindi name, meaning "purification".

Among the first wave of word names used in the hippie era, it actually is a legitimate girl's name with a lot of luster.

This common Scandinavian name, also spelled Osmund, is only occasionally heard in this country.

One of those casual down-home names last popular in the 1960s.

This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give the name an upward thrust.

A variation of Nila, a name spread through African by the substantial Indian population there. Also a variant of Neala and Neila.

Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.

Kimiko is a feminine Japanese name composed of elements that can have various meanings depending on the kanji characters used. Common interpretations include 'noble child' (貴美子), 'empress child' (后美子), or combinations using 'ki' (希 - hope, 喜 - joy), 'mi' (美 - beauty, 実 - truth), and 'ko' (子 - child). This traditional name gained some recognition outside Japan through cultural exchange and immigration. Kimiko balances being authentically Japanese while remaining relatively easy for non-Japanese speakers to pronounce. The name carries associations with elegance and cultural heritage. While never among the most common names in Western countries, Kimiko has maintained steady usage, particularly in multicultural communities and among families with Japanese connections.

Glimmer is shimmery but a little too showy, as is Glitter, a character on a TV sitcom-- while Glimmer appears in The Hunger Games.