Names That Mean Noble

This Latin name, also spelled Alida, has come into focus via the interesting character of Aleida Diaz on Orange is the New Black, the mother of Dayanara. In real life, Che Gueverra named a daughter Aleida.

Appealing, upbeat name used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries.

This softer version of Adolf is sadly still off-limits due to the connotations with Hitler.

A strong, masculine name hardly heard outside the Hebrew-speaking community.

Also related to the word for wolf, this name has a first syllable that's not appealing to the American ear. Better ic-ending choices: Dominic, Frederic, Eric.

Patrice is a more modern-sounding and polished unisex alternative to Patricia.

The male name Elwyn is used regularly in Wales, but its feminine form Elwen (also spelled Aelwen) slightly less so. Elsewhere, this name is little-known but very appealing, with straightforward spelling and a fantasy-like sound. A male Cornish and Breton saint also bears the name.

The original Allison was a Top 50 name from the 1980s through 2016, and Allyson is one of the many spelling variations parents used to put a more unique spin on the original.

Aileas is one of those Scottish names that is at once familiar and unusual, a spin on the internationally-popular Alice that is all but unknown outside of its native Scotland. It might overcomplicate things in the US, though, given that most Americans would pronounce it like the word alias and would find it difficult to get from those vowel combinations to ah-lus or eh-lus.

Pretty and feminine Muslim name popular in Egypt.

When used in English-speaking countries--it's heard occasionally in the UK--it's more often spelled ALARIC. Unusual, but usable.

It may surprise Americans to hear that Ulrik is a fashionable choice elsewhere in the world, as U is the least-used letter for given names in the US. In recent years, Ulrik has been one of the fastest-rising names in Norway.

St Elwen is venerated in Cornwall and Brittany, and lent his name to several regional place names. It is also found as a surname, especially in Norfolk, England.

Diminutive of Alvina, and a cute boyish retro nickname we can see making its way back onto a few birth certificates today.

An undiscovered Persian gem that's zippy, short and sweet. It is used in Iran and neighboring countries as a first name and a family name. The British actress Afshan Azad played Parvati Patil in the Harry Potter movies.

A name that's on the rise for boys but rarely used -- though possible -- for girls.

Common name in Japan primarily associated with Hitomi (Furuya), a mononymous Japanese singer.

Sounds elven in every sense of the word.

Feels like a hybrid. Better go for Edith or Evelyn.

Etel may freshen up the dated Ethel that many may consider still a bit too dusty for revival. Etel is used in Hungarian speaking countries, but is sleek and simple enough to work well in the States.