Names That Mean Famous

This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You can honor an ancestral Ronald just by dropping that middle 'n'.

The American child given this name of four kings of Denmark, not to mention one so similar to that of the Harry Potter archvillain Lord Voldemort, might have to pay a large emotional import tax.

The obscure yet not unappealing name of a legendary heroine of Rome. The ancient Clelia escaped an Etruscan invader by swimming across the Tiber River.

Associated with famed percussionist Mongo Santamaria, but it's too close to the word mongrel to ever have widespread success in this country.

Old and aristocratic European name that would be tough for an American kid to pull off.

Like Papa name Rudolf, Rolf never quite emigrated from the Bavarian Alps. You might want to move on to Rollo or Wolf.

You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.

As its parent name Roland comes back into style (yep, it’s happening), could there be an uptick in baby Rollies? Certainly as a pet form.

A rare and warmer version of Clotilde, in combination with the Greek name Cleo. The first recorded use of Cleotilde was in 1894. It peaked in 1924 when 16 baby girls were named Cleotilde.

It originated as a nickname for Lodewijk, but now Lowie is more popular as-is, even ranking in the Top 100 in Belgium.

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

English form of the Ancient Germanic name Chlodochar, modernized as Lothar. This was the name of a 9th-century Frankish king, the son of Louis I, who ruled the region called Lorraine. The name and word Lothario derives from the same source.

Adelma is likely a feminization of Adelmar, which means famous nobleman. The name was seen a bit during the nineteenth century, with a famous bearer being Adelma Vay, a medium and spiritualist, which may be enough to put this in the new class of spiritual names. Count Adelma among the unusual but intriguing German names for girls.

This name of a famous Booth Tarkington novel is alien in today's world.

Hodge is a medieval English nickname for Roger, which was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Roger isn't ready for a comeback yet, but we'd love to see the resurgence of Hodge, which never was a common choice in the US.

A beautiful Hawaiian boy's name that feels like the male equivalent to popular Kailani and co.

Named for Millard. Or the late great rock palace.

Masculine in an outmoded, unappealing way.

Rudy has been heard as a feminine name before — most notably on Rudy Huxtable, the young girl on The Cosby Show. This spelling makes it a bit girlier, although it's occasionally used for boys as well.

An elaboration of Marisa, a combination of Maria and Louisa. The meaning of Maria is uncertain, but 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).