250+ Names like Arlo and Esme: Vowel-Consonant-Consonant-Vowel

  1. Anja
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Anna
    • Meaning:

      "grace"
    • Description:

      Anja is one of the most internatioanl of several versions of Ann/Anna now being imported, also including Anya and Annika.
  2. Emre
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      This Turkish name meaning "friend" should be very useable outside Turkey, given that it is pronounced just as it is spelled. Famous men named Emre include Emre Can, a chess grandmaster, and Emre Sahin, the director.
  3. Elmo
    • Origin:

      Italian from German
    • Meaning:

      "protector"
    • Description:

      Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.)
  4. Orli
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Cute, nickname-y, and international, à la Romy or Demi. Spelling it Orly turns it into a busy French airport.
  5. Irma
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of several names, meaning "universal, complete"
    • Meaning:

      "universal, complete"
    • Description:

      A Top 200 choice in the US from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, Irma has nevertheless fallen out of favor with modern parents, and doesn't look set for the sort of comeback that some of her vintage sisters have enjoyed in recent years. The devastating hurricane which hit the Caribbean Islands and the south-east coast of the US in 2017 has no doubt dealt its chances of revival a further blow.
  6. Arno
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "eagle"
    • Description:

      Subtract the last two letters of Arnold, and you're left with a much more modern-sounding name. Arno is also the name of the main river in Florence, upon which sits the famed Ponte Vecchio. The Italian river name means "flowing water".
  7. Andy
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrew, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right. About twice as many baby boys are named Andy, just Andy -- though about eight times as many parents go with the full Andrew.
  8. Ilse
    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Ilsa
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
  9. Inga
    • Origin:

      Norse
    • Meaning:

      "guarded by Ing"
    • Description:

      Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice.
  10. Enda
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "like a bird"
    • Description:

      An unusual Irish name which belongs to several historic Irish kings and heroes. Easy to spell and pronounce, this bouncy nature name has potential beyond Ireland's shores.
  11. Inka
    • Ezri
      • Origin:

        Variation of Ezra, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "help"
      • Description:

        Ezri is one of the cool new unisex names starting with E, except as a Biblical name, it's not so new. Used for both genders in Israel, in the US it's currently running five to one in favor of girls, surprisingly. Its deviation from the better known and more traditional Ezra makes it feel like one of the more truly gender neutral names.
    • Este
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Esther, Persian
      • Meaning:

        "star"
      • Description:

        Este -- think Esme with a t -- comes to us via one of the rocking sisters in the musical group Haim. For long best known as the Esther diminutive used by cosmetics queen Estee Lauder, Este is a slimmed-down version that feels chicer for our star-struck times. While mother name Esther has Persian origins and impressive Biblical roots, it's a name used in a wide range of cultures.
    • Elka
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian, pet form of Adalheidis
      • Meaning:

        "noble one"
      • Description:

        Much more manageable than the full form of the name. Possible international alternative to Ella.
    • Abra
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Abraham, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "father of multitudes"
      • Description:

        Abra is soft, sensitive feminine form of Abraham that was the name of a soft, sensitive character in the John Steinbeck book and movie, "East of Eden." In the bible, Abra was a favorite of King Solomon and it was a popular name in seventeenth century England. Abra is also a West African name used for girls born on Tuesday. The magical 'abracadabra' is thought to have originated in the Aramaic language.
    • Ashe
      • Origin:

        English surname; diminutive of Ashley, Ashton, etc
      • Description:

        Although usually spelled without the final 'e', this version commemorates tennis immortal Arthur Ashe. Seth Meyers' son Ashe was given his wife's maiden name.
    • Arne
      • Origin:

        Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Arnold
      • Meaning:

        "ruler; strong as an eagle"
      • Description:

        Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.
    • Alva
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "his highness"
      • Description:

        Edison's middle name is a fabulous option for parents looking for something with history and a soft sound. This could be the name you're looking for if you like Tesla's scientific pedigree but think that it has become too corporate with the advent of Elon Musk's company.
    • Ursa
      • Origin:

        Short form of Ursula, Latin
      • Meaning:

        "little female bear"
      • Description:

        Ursa might be a good choice if you're looking for a bear name for your daughter but want to avoid the She Witch curse placed on Ursula by Disney's The Little Mermaid. Too bad, because Ursula is a classic and lovely name, but Ursa has less baggage.
    • Orna
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "little pale green one"
      • Description:

        This Irish saint's name sounds like a lopped-off Lorna.