User-created list
The unusual and the odd
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Renon
Italian place-name
Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place-name in Italy. Renon is a city in South Tyrol. Its German name is Ritten, possibly associated with either the German word for a knight…
Patrin
Romani
"leaf trail"
Patrin is a truly unusual yet easily comprehended choice. In Romani culture, Patrin refers to the signs and markers that were left behind for other travellers to follow. Piles of leaves and grass…
Emani
Variation of Iman, Arabic
"faith"
Emani is more popular than the original Iman, for girls at least. About 200 baby girls were named Emani in the US last year, while 80 girls were named Iman. Iman is quite gender-neutral, with 60 baby…
Iberia
Place name
Iberia, the name of the Spanish-Portuguese peninsula, makes an attractive, unusual first name.
Jadine
Modern invented name
Unusual and unfashionable name found in Toni Morrison's novel Tar Baby .
Niva
Hebrew
"talk, expression"
Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice.
Quadeisha
American, a combination of Qadira and Aisha
Familiar-sounding hybrid name, made more unusual by virtue of the Q.
Saar
Hebrew
"storm"
With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.
Zesiro
Luganda
"older of twins"
Unusual and attractive name, might be worth considering if you're expecting twins.
Suvi
Finnish
"summer"
Light, zippy, and sunny, Suvi has a sparky yet sweet feel. Notably borne by Finnish supermodel Suvi Koponen, it is taken from the Finnish word for Summer, making it and interesting alternative to…
Arlenis
Modern invented name
Arlenis Sosa, the hot young supermodel from the Dominican Republic, is popularizing this lovely and unusual choice, related to Arlen or Arlene.
Cyra
Persian or Greek
"sun or throne, or lord"
Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own.…
Hania
Hebrew, Polish
"encampment; grace"
This very unusual name, also related to Hannah, was chosen for his daughter by Vin Diesel.
Nevis
Place-name
Highly unusual name of a small, tranquil island in the Caribbean; chosen for her daughter by singer Nelly Furtado.
Cleone
Greek
"glorious"
An unusual Greek mythological name belonging to a fresh-water nymph, also known as Cleona, Kleone, and Kleona.
Piala
Celtic, meaning unknown
This name of a saint martyred in Cornwall makes an unusual choice with traditional roots.
Zosia
Variant of Sophia, Greek
"wisdom"
This unusual and alluring choice was used by David Mamet for his daughter, who is now grown and an actress on the hit show Girls .
Varda
Hebrew
"rose, pink"
Commonly heard in Israel, but here it could be an unusual way to honor Grandma Rose.
Eero
Finnish variation of Eric
"eternal ruler"
Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
Alaric
German
"all-powerful ruler"
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West…