Names That Are Variations

Form of Lucia currently popular in Slovenia and Croatia.

This vintage name is still used today among the Amish.

Softens up the 20th century classic Martin.

With the fast-rising Jonah having cracked the Top 200 and the more surname-esque Jonas not far behind, parents who love this Biblical classic may want a more unique alternative. Yonas is the variation used in Ethiopia, carrying the same sweet and gentle meaning "dove", along with the associations with the Old Testament prophet who was famously swallowed by a whale.

Flailing attempt to switch up popular Tristan.

This chic Ethiopian variation of Andrew has a stylish, international flair.

Olde World Latin.

This classic Italian Samuel variation is just as compelling as the original, especially if you have Italian heritage.

Carleigh, a fancier way of spelling Carly, reflects the trend toward trying to make an ordinary name more special by fiddling with the spelling. Yes, Leigh is a feminine way to spell Lee, so Carleigh is theoretically an acceptable way to spell Carly, but it doesn't really work that way. People will wonder: is it Car-lay? Car-lee-uh? And your child will forever have to spell her name. Stick with Carly....or better, Carla or Carlin, or better yet, Charlotte or Caroline.

Cameron is an ultra-popular boys' name, in the US Top 100 since 1987. As a result, it has generated numerous spelling variations, including Kameron, Camron, Kamron, Kamren, and Camren. The Kamren spelling has been on and off the US Top 1000—always near the bottom—since 2000.

A Roos by any other name smells as sweet.

Orlanda is an intriguing feminization of Orlando, almost unknown in this country.

A top name in Eastern European countries including Croatia and Bosnia, where it is a transcription of Jacob.

As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.

Many unique baby namesare in fact respellings of much more popular baby names, and rarely improve on the original.

Greek variation of Candace used in the Bible.

Now that Jacob has been the top boys' name for several years, this may come to the fore, the way Michaela did after Michael's long reign at Number One. For now, it's one of the more unusual girl names starting with J.

Lowdy is a variation of Loveday, a name given to babies in medieval England who were born on days when adversaries would come together to resolve their conflicts amicably. Loveday continued to be used in Cornwall long after it died out in the rest of England and is considered a traditional Cornish name despite its Anglo-Saxon roots.

The Finnish form of Peter was most common in its culture of origin in the 1950s and '60s.