Names That Mean Form

Currently considered a grandma name in Catalonia, but fresh and unusual (though easily confused with Karma) elsewhere.

This Croation take on Russian stalwart Vladimir has a softer sound that may appeal to many.

Shalailah is a soft name made most familiar by journalist Shalailah Medhora. Given the popularity of Layla and all her variants, Shalailah has potential for parents looking for something off the beaten track.

Panya is a Russian diminutive that sounds a tad feminine to the Western sensibility.

A Catalan classic that runs the risk of looking like a typo for those not in the know.

An ancient Roman name that hasn't found favor in the modern world.

A rare Catalan name that may be too cuddly for English speakers.

A rarely seen member of the Beatrice clan, with its own distinctive charm.

Some names rise in tandem in their male and female forms, but Sebastia is very rare while the male Sebastian is quite popular. But it certainly might be an attractive choice.

The second-most-common variation of John in Iceland, behind Jón. Jóhann has had more steady rankings over the years.

This could be a cool addition to the ranks of O-ending boy names.

This is a Spanish pet form of the name Aban, which in Persian mythology was the name of the muse of liberal arts and mechanics.

Jowanet is the feminine form of Jowan (the Cornish form of John), making this name equivalent to Joan, Jane, Janet, Joanna, and the rest of that name family.

Gill and Jill are both medieval short forms of Gillian or Jillian, a feminine form of Julian. The problem with the G spelling is that some people will pronounce it with a hard G, like Gil, the short form of Gilbert. It's easy to see why the J spelling is more popular.

Kalenah, another form of Kalena, may have a variety of possible derivations, though we see it as one of the many descendants of Katherine.

A distinctive name derived from the Latin Ovid, made famous by the singer-songwriter Ovidi Montllor.

No, it's not a typo: it's William as a Welsh speaker would spell it. Gwilym is the more traditional Welsh version, though.