Names That Are Variations

The en ending is so fashionable these days, a lot of people prefer it even when the alternative as with Brandon has more heft.

Rae is one of the coolest middle name choices: why not leave it at that?

Mary has hundreds of variations around the world, and this German form, pronounced Ma-RYE-keh, is virtually unknown in English-speaking lands. A possible alternative to Mariah?

A German surname you do not want to use as a first.

Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm.

A variation of Alexandra with Slavic flair.

The modern Icelandic form of Guðmundr, an Old Norse name derived from gud, which meant both "good" and "god," and mund>, "protection." Guðmundur is currently a Top 10 boy name in Iceland.

With Lazarus heating up, this slimmer Eastern European form will likely see an uptick in use.

Writer Bill Bryson may have played some role in popularizing this surname-name, which might be considered a latter-day Brian (or Bryan). We prefer Bryson.

The relationship to "ill" makes this and similar names less pleasing than the versions that start with A or E.

The form of Elias used in Iceland, where it currently ranks in the Top 50.

Birna is unlikely to be a hit in the US, but it's a current favorite in Iceland. Birna is also used in Finland and Scandinavia.

Also a town in Italy, this name could find use as a feminine tribute to an Alphonso in the family.

A true classic, Tomáš has been a Top 10 name in the Czech Republic since 1968.

This variation of Cosmo is most commonly used in Slavic regions.

Attractive twist on Middle Eastern favorite -- with further twists being Zamari, Jamari, and Jamarion.

So many people love Jack but worry about its popularity. If you count yourself amongst these people, this rare but intuitive Cornish version of the name might be a choice worth consideration.