Names That Mean Form

Mike with a standout spelling. The musician Meic Stevens is considered to be Wales' answer to Bob Dylan.

With a sound that brings to mind at once "whim," "vim," and "win," this is one Dutch boys' name with serious potential for use in the English-speaking world.

A pared-down spelling of Odette that's currently popular with parents in Hungary. Elsewhere, it may feel like something is missing.

Derived from Emygdius, a 3rd century saint's name of unknown meaning.

An alternative spelling of Austin that is occasionally given to boys in the US.

A humorous rhyme, named for English humourist and novelist Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875–1956), who invented the form.

A Top 20 name in Iceland with a lupine meaning.

A Welsh biblical name that currently doesn't chart in its homeland. If you like the sound, you might also consider spelling it (the unrelated name) Powell.

Emmelina, which can rhyme with "keener" or "liner", is a frillier and much less common version of Emmeline. While Emmeline was in the US Top 1000 girl names in 2022, Emmelina was given to fewer than 5 girls, so it didn't even make it into the extended baby name charts.

German contracted form of Valentin.

Alternative spelling of Welsh Carys or Greek Charis, found on British boxer Karriss Artingstall.

Actress Leelee Sobieski's real name is Liliane, after her French grandmother -- a better choice for any baby-namer.

Hadriana may not have been used for a couple of millennia, but with the new fashion for ancient names, it just might be ready for a comeback.

If you like such uplifting New Age word names as Peace and Justice, the evocative and pretty Imagine should definitely be on your short list.

Like currently-stylish Finnian, but as a native Welsh speaker would spell it.

A fun respelling of Luca. New Zealand canoeist Luuka Jones was named after Audrey Hepburn's son, Luca Dotti. Her mother changed the spelling to make it feel more feminine.

Olivia ranks in the Top 10 -- and sometimes even Number 1 -- in many countries now, so variations such as this Spanish form may get some attention.

The Teo of Holland.