Names That Are Variations

This phonetic version of the Welsh Cerys might be easier for Americans, certainly, to understand, but it does lose some poetry in translation.

A softer take on Joaquin or a quirkier version of Joachim, depending on how you look at it.

Fine in France, but here it means vegetables sliced into thin strips.

This name taken from one of the legendary founders of Rome suddenly feels more possible for a baby in the English-speaking world, with the rise of many Rome-related names, from Roman to Romy to Romilly and Romaine.

A top choice in Italy.

Kardashian style transforms many traditional C names to Ks, and this is a kase in point.

An ancient Roman name that has never made it into the modern world.

A variation made famous by Australian Aboriginal tennis champ Evonne Goolagong.

Rhythmic form of popular name, chosen by actor Stanley Tucci for his son.

Often used in England, but here likely to be confused with the feminine Nicole. Nicol Williamson was a Scottish-born actor once described by playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando".

Maliah is a spelling variation of former First Daughter's name Malia and has seen some use since it first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 2009.

As an Arabic name, the normal transcription is Na'ima, with an apostrophe. It was a Top 200 name in France in the 1970s and '80s, and ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2005 to 2008.

There are 15 times as many baby boys named Brett than Bret, but this sleeker version is used and has some merits, namely, being sleeker.

Graziella, an Italian form of Grace, is another Latin version that adds spice. Consider Graziella as a distinctive alternative to either Grace or Gabriella.

Makes Jane anything but plain.

Actress Milla Jovovich chose this uncommon but usable Welsh boy name for her daughter in 2020.

Variation of the very trendy Addison, perhaps lending itself more obviously to the nickname Addy.

In the US, Emmanuel has held steady around the Top 200 for a quarter century now, but this variation has dropped off the Top 1000 for three of the past seven years. It was Number 974 in 2016.

Albertine and Alberta are old-fashioned feminizations ala Geraldine and Roberta. This is the kind of name that sounds very dowdy until a hip celebrity chooses it, at which point we don't know how we missed its coolness all this time.

A rarely used play on Amber, making it more feminine and both more modern and old-fashioned at the same time.