Names That Mean Little

The name of the first dog in space is the quintessential Russian dog name, equivalent to Fido or Rover. Fittingly, it derives from the verb layat', meaning "to bark".

While the lin ending is more commonly found in girls' names, Carlin is an authentic Irish male choice and was used just about evenly for both sexes in the US last year.

A musette is both a dance and an antique instrument, but the name is most associated with the classic opera La Bohème.

A sweet and sparky modern Swedish name, derived from the word for "little" plus the suffix vi, which may mean "devoted, dedicated". An intriguing alternative to the popular Lily family of names.

Capella, the eleventh brightest star in the sky, carries much mythological and astrological significance. In Roman mythology, Capella represented the goat that suckled Jupiter, whose horn became the Cornucopia or horn of plenty. In Hindu mythology, Capella is called the heart of Brahma, while English legend calls it the shepherd's star. Australian Aboriginal myth calls it the kangaroo, while in Persian mythology it's a metaphor for both great distance and the color light red. Astrologically, Capella symbolizes wealth and military honor. As if that wasn't enough, CapPella (two p's) also has a musical reference to a cappella singing.

Traditionally a short form for Italian names such as Fiorella and Fiorenza, Fio could easily be put directly on the birth certificate today.

One familiar name never used for real people, for obvious reasons. Read more about Cinderella and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

South African adventurer Riaan Manser introduced this name to the American and European world. After bicycling the entire coast of Africa and rowing with his girlfriend from Morocco to New York, he wrote books about his travels and made his name famous. Riaan was also the baby name choice of Bollywood stars Genelia D'Souza and Riteish Deshmukh. It debuted on the US popularity list at Number 926 in 2015, when it was the fastest-rising name of the year. Nonetheless, be prepared to correct people on the spelling.

Colman is best known as the name of the mustard, but is also the name of several Irish saints. The Colman spelling is less widely used than Coleman, which is just outside the Top 1000.

Used primarily for girls in Ireland, but sounds unisex to us.

Likable choice for history-minded parents who might want to honor Irish patriot Charles Parnell.

Offbeat Anglicized form of the intractable Gaelic Rathnait.

An X-ending surname less common than the Jolie-Pitt-inspired Maddox. Grandparents might still associate it with the old TV crime show. 

Stronger and more contemporary twist on Carla or Carly, Carlin was used just about equally for girls and boys in the US last year.

Once-popular boys' name works better now for girls, as a kind of Dara/Karen blend.

Fiametta is the pseudonym Italian Renaissance writer Bocaccio gave to his muse in his writing; her real name was most likely Maria d'Aquino. It was also the title of a ballet in the 19th century. This is one of the unusual but not inaccessible Italian names for girls; you can make it even more user-friendly with the cute nicknames Fia or Etta.

Ayden in all its variations is becoming more unisex. Still, there were only 47 girl Aydens born last year vs. 3600+ baby boys with the Ayden spelling alone.

The french word vignette literally means "little vine," but in English it is a literary and art term. In literature, a vignette refers to a brief but vivid description, and in art, an illustration or photo that fades into the background, sans border.

This more user-friendly Anglicized form of Beacan, could profit from its kinship with the popular Beckett--with which it could share the nickname Beck. Becan is an Irish saint's name, attached to the founder of a sixth century monastery.

Reinette was the childhood nickname of Madame La Pompadour, perhaps a cute short form for Regina or Reina but hardly worthy of the full name on the birth certificate today.