Names That Mean Form

While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.

A name that has been used in Wales for nearly a thousand years — a famous bearer was the medieval scholar Gerallt Gymro, or Gerald of Wales — but not the most intuitive spelling for non-Welsh speakers. By coincidence, ger allt in Welsh also means "near a hill".

Zephyrinus is the form of the name of the Greek god of the west wind best known as the name of a Jewish pope and saint.

Costas is a much better nickname than Connie for the somewhat-forbidding Constantine. Kostas is the Greek form.

Novel way to honor Grandpa Henry.

This saintly choice is an example of the Catalan trend for short, streamlined names.

A pretty halfway house between the modern name Ffion, which has been popular in Wales in recent decades, and the unrelated name Fiona.

The yoo sound at the beginning of a name has not typically been attractive to the modern ear. Probably the most appealing form of this ancient name has been the feminized Eugenie, thanks to the British princess.

Ossie is best-known as the name of actor Ossie Davis, whose full name did not start with Os: It was Raiford. But Ossie makes a cute contemporary short form for any name beginning with Os.

As Oliver's fan base spreads throughout the English-speaking and Euro-centered worlds, other forms of the popular name are sure to gain attention.

If you were disappointed that Eithne is pronounced "Enya", you're in luck! The Welsh version really does sound as it looks.

Derived from Marie, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

A refreshing variation on the Biblical classic Matthew, this Hawaiian form blends the stylish -o ending with the cool Kai sound. First appearing in the US stats in 1999, it has been climbing steadily upwards ever since.

Aniko has the feel and rhythm of a Japanese name but in fact it's an Eastern European spin on Anna.

This spelling of the Arabic name Yahya (equivalent to John) is popular in Balkan nations such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have large Muslim populations.

This undiscovered (by English speakers) Basque name would make a very attractive alternative to Madeleine. The Spanish canoeist Maialen Chourraut competed in the 2021 Olympic Games.

The Biblical Abijah might be temporarily lost to time, but this antiquated short form could move with it into the modern era.

Lenia is part Lena and part Leni, a full name that started life as a short form of most any name ending or beginning with a Len sound. While Lena was used for more than 1000 baby girls in the US last year and Leni was used for nearly 100, Lenia was given to fewer than five. But Lenia is one of the most popular baby girl names in Switzerland.

For an American girl, the double "I" might be a problem as a child, but an attention-getting talking point as an adult.