Easter Names

Breton is the term for the people and language of Brittany, a region of northern France with a distinct culture. Breton also might be thought of as a trendy modern invention, taking the midcentury surfer boy Bret or Brett and adding the current favorite boy's name ending -on and turning it into a name all its own. Bretton is a variation.

Shoushan is a romantic member of the Susan/Susannah/Shoshana family — rhythmic and melodic.

This Italian word with a positive meaning makes a pretty, unusual girl's name

One of the few masculine names derived from a feminine name, in this case, Bjork.

Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.

There's no shortage of quirky ways to get to hip nickname Oz -- Ozias, Osborne, Ozymandias -- but this one may appeal to parents looking for a full name with some religious significance. It was originally a name for Palm Sunday, which came from the Latin word for "hosanna."

Eostre is the Anglo-Saxon goddess of Spring and dawn. In ancient times, the pagans had festivals and feasts celebrating Eostre, but this practice was eventually overtaken by the Christian Easter holiday. The connection between the traditions is evident today in cultures that speak English and Germanic languages, as the name Easter is derived from Eostre. Most other languages derive the name of the holiday from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning "Passover."

Kimimela joins Mariposa as one of the long and lovely girl names meaning "butterfly".

An epithet of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi — the personification of fertility, prosperity, and wealth.

Derived from Harutyun.

Occasionally used in the Latino community, another Easter-related name.

Common in Armenia, but virtually unheard of in the United States.

An elaboration of the month name, which is rare (though not unheard of) even in Wales.

Reminiscent of mid-century Pamela and contemporary Palmer, Palmina is a diminutive of Palma, an Italian, Spanish, and Croatian name meaning "palm", used more specifically to refer to Palm Sunday. Occasionally given to girls born the Sunday before Easter, Palmina is currently a rare choice, perhaps because it may be confused with Palomino, a word used to describe horses with golden coats and white manes.