Names That Mean Pure

Attractive and equally intriguing alternative to Katya.

Technically a boy's name, but certainly one that would work in the Western culture for a girl, especially after the release of Black Panther, in which it was the name of Lupita Nyong'o's fiery character. Nakia lies outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys.

We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.

This international variation was publicized by Olympic skater Ekaterina Gordeeva.

A Latinized form of Kleanthes, this name is best associated with literary and poetry critic, Cleanth Brooks.

A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.

Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible.

Yochanan Ben Zakkai is a prominent figure in Jewish history.

Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.

Strong cross-cultural name that could be a feminine spin on the Zachary family.

Glenys, like Glynis, is a Welsh name that has never caught on outside Wales.

A possible Born Again name -- Amen -- in the same class as the still-popular Nevaeh (that's Heaven spelled backwards) and Trinity.

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.

One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties -- and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? -- now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.

Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.

Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short for Caitlin.

Turkish word name commonly seen in the doubled-barreled first name Ömer Halis.

Gentler and much less frequently heard than Tamar.

Katy, or more popularly Katie, stood fashionably on their own two feet for several years there, during the Katelyn boom. But now both Katy and Katie are fading in favor of grownup Kate or buttoned-up Katherine.

When British beauty Laura Hollin morphed into supermodel Agyness Deyn, she created a name few others would want to adopt.