Interesting Names List

Snow is increasing in usage mostly as a girls' name, but hero Jon Snow of Game of Thrones just might nudge it into the boys' column. Currently, there are 12 times as many girls named Snow as boys, but its usage is much higher in middle place.

Both Soho and Noho--no-no.

Soraya is a Persian name made famous in the Western world by the one-time empress of Iran, who settled in Europe, primarily in France. Soraya is derived from Thurayya, the Arabic name of the Pleiades, a group of stars in the constellation Taurus.

Two similarly delicate names, Tamako and Tamaki, can be found in the Japanese community.

Tenzan is a variation of Tenzin, a name with special significance for Buddhists, being the first name of the Dalai Lama.

Lively modern Hebrew name with a positive meaning.

Mystical and intriguing, this vintage name has an unexpectedly modern feel. Conjuring up imagery of glowing evening light, Twyla could appeal as as alternative to Lila, as a nature-inspired option, or for the grown-up fans of the Stephanie Meyer's vampire series, Twilight.

Twyla — also spelled Twila — has a number of possible origins. On one hand, it could be simply inspired by the word "twilight", connecting it to the time of evening when the sun is below the horizon. Alternatively, it could come from the word "twill", a type of textile weave that creates a sturdy fabric, or, it could be inspired by the French Étoile (said EH-TWAL), meaning "star".

Associated with choreographer Twyla Tharp, a waitress in the television series Schitt's Creek, and a Monster High character Twyla Boogeyman, Twyla was also used by Toni Morrison in her short story, Recitatif, which was reissued in 2022.

Medieval name that still hasn't crossed the ocean, known here primarily via actress/teacher Uta Hagen.

Chef Wolfgang Puck has helped soften this thunderous Germanic name; music-lovers will appreciate its association with Mozart, though the composer's middle name Amadeus is more appealing.

Wren, a lilting songbird name, could be the next Robin. Wren entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2012 and is among the new wave of popular English names for girls.

Xanthia gets this classic Greek name closer to the modern Cynthia, sometimes used as its Anglo equivalent.

Sounds like the name of a new synthetic fabric.

There are many in Japan, but for most Americans there's only one Yoko.

An appealing Japanese name with a nickname feel.

Not many Afghan names make it into the American culture, but this one stands a slim chance.

Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.