Unusual Baby Names

An interesting cousin of Natalie (the 'h' is silent) found in the Louisiana Cajun community, Athalie is the name of a tragedy by classic French playwright Racine.

This simple, solid Welsh name enjoyed moderate popularity in England and Wales in the '80s and '90s, after the success of choirboy Aled Jones.

Associated with iconic British designer and retailer Terence Conran, who had an international impact on household design. Makes a nice variation on Conrad.

Also a synonym for the Hebrew month of Iyar, which usuually falls in May, would work and play well with others like Zev and Lev.

Ashley substitute with a slightly more unisex feel; it was picked for her daughter by TV host Nancy O'Dell.

An Anglicized form of the Irish name, Naomhán, Nevan might feel like an updated Neville or Evan. With a charming meaning, it feels familiar but underused.

A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is pronounced.

This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.

The Welsh name Enfys is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used as a feminine name. It is rare even in the United Kingdom, used on only a handful of children each year.

A common animal name in Finland, it could work as an alternative to Otto or Otis.

Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.

A diminutive form of the Finnish Katariina, used by Tove Jannson in her book The True Deciever.

Owain is much more unusual than its brother name Owen, and feels a little more rugged, a little more adventurous and ancient.

A currently popular name in Finland with an appealing -o ending and lovely meaning. It could work in anglophone countries too (though, a caution, in the UK it is a bin company).

With so many A-beginning names finding their way into style, Agacia is one unusual choice that could get more attention. It's part Agatha, part Acacia, and quite intriguing.

Margalo could make an intriguing spin on Margaret, with Margo as a nickname. The name appears in E. B. White's Stuart Little — as a bird. Margalo Gilmore (born Margaret) was a well-known British-born Broadway actress.

Gently appealing, a floral choice in Japanese.

Saimi is a sharp but sweet variation of Saima, which is in turn derived from Saimaa, the name of the largest lake in Finland. The meaning of the name is unknown, with linguists suggesting it might come from a now lost ancient language, or perhaps from the word sápmi , meaning "of the Sami people", and Indigenous people living in Norway, Finland and Sweden. Saimi currently ranks in the Finnish Top 50.

Distinctive Talmadge could be an Anglo-Saxon name and English surname that was originally given to a person who carried a knapsack or pack, for example, a traveller or a pedlar. It comes from the Old French word, "talemache".