Names That Are Variations
- Defne
Origin:
Turkish variation of DaphneMeaning:
"bay tree, laurel tree"Description:
Defne is one of the most popular names for baby girls in Turkey, ranking at the top of the list along with Zeynep and Elif. This is one girls' name that makes an easy transition to English-speaking countries or that could work for a family with roots in both cultures.
- Javin
Origin:
Hebrew or HinduMeaning:
"Greece or swift, fast"Description:
Javin might be considered a spelling variation of Javan, an Old Testament name. Javan was a son of Noah who is the legendary father of the Greek people. Javin is also a Hindu or Indian name meaning fast or switft. Many might pronounce Javan, Javin, and Javon as ja-VAHN and Javin as a cousin of Kevin, but it's really up to you.
- Enea
Origin:
Italian variation of Aeneas, GreekMeaning:
"the praised one"Description:
Enea is derived from Aeneas, the name of a Roman mythological hero with strong ties to the city of Rome. It's no surprise then, that Italians have embraced Enea, a more modern variation of his name.
- Sera
Origin:
Hebrew, variation of SarahMeaning:
"princess"Description:
Sera is a truly international variation heard in Hebrew-speaking, Spanish and Italian cultures. Sera can also spelled Serah. Sera might also be a short form of Seraphina.
- Carmela
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of CarmelMeaning:
"garden"Description:
It will be a long time before Carmela shakes the image of TV's Sopranos wife.
- Dewey
Origin:
Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of DafyddMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.
- Vittorio
Origin:
Italian variation of VictorMeaning:
"conqueror"Description:
Was there ever a name that rolled more appealingly off the tongue? Vittorio calls to mind the glory days of Italian cinema, featuring names like Vittorio de Sica and Vittorio Gassman.
- Carlotta
Origin:
Italian variation of Charlotte, French diminutive of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Carlotta has a large measure of finger-snapping charm and substance — despite being a not too pleasant character in The Little Mermaid. Carlotta is also the diva/prima donna in The Phantom of the Opera, and there was an Empress Carlotta of Mexico.
- Federico
Origin:
Italian and Spanish variation of FrederickDescription:
If Frederick feels too heavy, the Spanish and Italian has more energy. It's a long-term Top 20 name in Italy, and has neat nicknames like Fredo in Italian and Fede in Spanish. Famous bearers include the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and the Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. Further back in history, it was the name of a fifth-century Visigoth leader, the brother of Theodoric II.
- Tacita
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of TacitusMeaning:
"silence"Description:
This Roman mythology name for the goddess of silence has the ancient Roman feel now coming into fashion, as boys begin to have names like Atticus and Aurelius.
- Dina
Origin:
Hebrew variation of Dinah or AdinahMeaning:
"judged or delicate"Description:
Dina is a 20th century version of either Dinah or Adinah, two Old Testament names not related to each other. Dinah was the beautiful daughter of Jacob and Leah, while Adinah or Adina was a male soldier, though the name is also used for girls in modern Israel.
- Elsbeth
Origin:
German variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Although they could be easily confused, Elsbeth is a fairly unusual contracted German version of Elizabeth, while cousin Elspeth hails from Scotland. With its 'beth' ending, Elsbeth feels closer to the mother name.
- Gil
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"happiness"Description:
Pronounced zheel, it's a dashing conquistador; as gill, it's the nice and slightly boring guy down the street.
- Remo
Origin:
Italian variation of Remus, meaning unknownDescription:
Virtually unknown in the U.S., yet with its jaunty o ending and similarity to the stylish (yet unrelated) Remy, Remo may find some new followers.
- Mikaela
Origin:
Swedish and Finnish variation of Michaela, HebrewMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Variation of Michaela often used in Scandinavian countries. Mikaela is a Top 20 name in Puerto Rico.
- Othello
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he has the sound of God"Description:
Shakespeare's moor has exclusive ownership of this name.
- Lucca
Origin:
Spelling variation of Luca; Italian place nameDescription:
Lucca first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012 and has been trending upwards.
- Sion
Origin:
Welsh variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This Welsh form of John is pronounced Shaun. But most Americans certainly wouldn't know that.
- Brigitte
Origin:
French variation of BrighidMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"Description:
Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
- Charley
Origin:
Spelling variation of Charlie, FrenchMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie are nearly even, there are six times as many girls named Charley than boys.