Olympic Baby Names

Many popular Dutch short forms are drawn from the middle or end of their proper name: Sanne from Susanne, Bas from Sebastian. Jette could be from a name like Henriette or Mariette.

Freya or Freida makes a more wearable option for an American baby. Freydís Eiríksdóttir was a female Viking warrior from Norse mythology and the half-sister of Leif Erikson.

Old-school Italian names that shortens a wide range of longer names, making it feel much more popular than it is on its own.

Foreign variations of Mary are definitely the way to go; this one has a nice Dutch-girl feel. It also works as a cultural crossover name, e.g. between European languages and Japanese.

A French form of Benedict that makes a smooth and elegant choice, although the pronunciation may trip people up in an English speaking environment.

An unusual name heard in contemporary Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, it's the male version of the more familiar Inga. It's the name of a German god, and attached to German-born soap star Ingo Rademacher--the father of sons named Peanut and Pohaku Zen.

This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.

Modern Greek variant of Nephele.

Much stronger than Dale for a boy.

You can call your baby "babe," but don't name her that.

This version of the name of a Greek nymph, based on the ancient city of Larisa, is widely used in Russia thanks to a martyr saint venerated by the Eastern Church.

Phonetic spelling of Ariane worn by the Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who goes by the nickname Arnie.

For better or worse, this name is still firmly attached to the TV series Gilmore Girls. It's one of a number of Scottish and Irish surname names beginning with Gil, meaning "servant". In this case, it's "servant of Mary", making it a subtle male Marian name.

The connection to a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend gives this name a hint of nobility. Geraint Thomas was a Welsh cyclist who competed in the 2008 Olympics.

Variation of Sindri

An English surname originally given to the illegitimate sons of a monarch. Might be a nice middle name choice to honor an ancestral Roy.

Bright is a rare yet intriguing word name used for a female character in Ann Patchett's novel The Dutch House.

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.