Easter Names

Has a nice fresh, early morning meaning, but not the most mellifluous of sounds. Also spelled Arpineh.

British last name that, though rather gentle, feels like a sharper, sleeker Shelby. Todd Selby, known primarily by his last name, is a hip photographer of interiors.

Many Americans will misunderstand it as Maya, but Maayan (also stylized as Ma'ayan) is a popular Israeli name used for both sexes.

A Greek name more familiar in English speaking countries in its feminine form, Anastasia, this masculine version bears further consideration. The traditional nickname is Sakis, as used by notable bearer, Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas, a Greek film and television artist and former pole vaulter.

Lilit in the Top 20 girls names is Armenia. Outside of Armenia, Lilit might be confused with Lilith, but is worth considering as a name in its own right.

Strongly associated with the city of Tel Aviv. For girls, may be lengthened to Aviva; for boys, might be better abbreviated to Avi.

While teasing about names is not as bad as it once was, the possibilities presented by this name would be difficult for any pubescent boy to resist.

This spelling seems to be taking off as a result of media appearances as characters in first "Gilmore Girls" and then as Sookie Stackhouse, the Anna Paquin character in "True Blood," based on "The Southern Vampire Mysteries" series of books by Charlaine Harris.

Anastasia is a lovely yet very long name, and Stasia is a fresher, classier short form than Stacy.

In the Noongar language of Western Australia, Bindi means butterfly. Bindi is usually seen as a girls' name, as seen in Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin.

Elegant and worldly.

Berkeley, with an extra E, is the more familiar variation of this name, associated with the California school. But it's the streamlined Berkley that has proven itself to be more popular as a baby name, at least in the US.

Diminutive for all the Slavic names that start with Jar-. If for family or cultural reasons you're seeking such a name, then this is a reasonable short form.

Suzette has a kind of clunky retro charm – so kitsch it's almost cool again.

Sanni derives from Sanna, a variation of Susanna used in Scandinavia.

A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.

Stiff and formal surname. Try Roone instead.

Even if you'd like your daughter to attend the venerable women's college, don't saddle her with this pretentious British surname.

Commonly associated with Chinese supermodel Liu Wen.

A Near Eastern favorite, with an agreeable, evocative sound.