Underused and Undiscovered Gems

  1. Maro
    • Origin:

      Latin, Hebrew, or Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "from Mars; bitter; or, myself"
    • Description:

      Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life. The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario. Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
  2. Mekhi
    • Origin:

      Derivation and meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Fans of versatile, rising African- American actor Mekhi Phifer have begun to adopt his unusual first name for their sons.
  3. Morwenna
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "maiden"
    • Description:

      Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard in the British series Doc Martin and Poldark. Morwenna Banks is a British actress.
  4. Naiara
    • Origin:

      Basque place name
    • Description:

      Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
  5. Nasima
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "breeze, fresh air"
    • Description:

      Associated with a spring festival, this name is used by both Muslims and Christians.
  6. Niani
    • Origin:

      Ancient capital of the kingdom of Mali
    • Description:

      Alluring place-name that could find its place here.
  7. Odissan
    • Origin:

      African
    • Meaning:

      "thirteenth born son"
    • Description:

      If you choose this name, it's not likely to be for the meaning.
  8. Oriel
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "golden"
    • Description:

      Pretty Victorian-feeling cousin of Ariel; also, more prosaically, a kind of bay window.
  9. Orvin
    • Description:

      Orvin is a masculine name with Germanic roots, likely derived from either Old English elements meaning "friend of spears" or Scandinavian origins related to names like Orvar. It may also be connected to the Old English name Ælfwine or similar compounds. Orvin has a vintage quality reminiscent of names popular in the early 20th century. Though never widely common, it experienced modest usage in Northern European countries and among communities with Scandinavian or Germanic heritage. The name carries connotations of quiet strength and old-world dignity. With its distinctive sound and uncommon status, Orvin appeals to parents seeking a masculine name with historical depth that remains recognizable without being frequently encountered, balancing uniqueness with accessibility.
  10. Perequin
    • Description:

      Perequin is an uncommon masculine name that may have origins in medieval Spanish or French naming traditions. It possibly developed as a diminutive or variant form of names like Pere (the Catalan form of Peter) or Peregrine (from the Latin "peregrinus" meaning "traveler" or "pilgrim"). The suffix "-quin" suggests a diminutive form, similar to the pattern seen in names like Pasquin or Joaquin. Perequin has a melodic, somewhat exotic quality while maintaining a structure that feels vaguely familiar to Western ears. Though extremely rare in contemporary usage, the name offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name with potential historical roots but little current usage.

  11. Petronella
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "rock, stone"
    • Description:

      Petronella, and its shorter sister Petra, are both feminizations of Peter. While Petronella is a name with deep history, it's extremely rare. It was given to no baby girls on record in the US last year.
  12. Quill
    • Origin:

      Irish, diminutive of Quillan or Quiller; also English word name
    • Description:

      Quill is a unique possibility for the child of writers -- even if they do use computers rather than pens; could also serve as a rhyming tribute to an ancestor named Gil, Phil, or Bill (or Jill).
  13. Ravenna
    • Origin:

      Italian place-name
    • Description:

      Ravenna is a lovely, untouristed Italian place-name just waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its fantastic Byzantine mosaics, it's a city that has a rich historic and artistic heritage.
  14. Rhodri
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "wheel, circle"
    • Description:

      Rhodri, the name of an important ninth century Welsh king known as Rhodri the Great, a renowned warrior who was the ancestor of many of the later dynasties of Wales, was revived in modern Wales. Has a nice Rory-like feel.
  15. Roark
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "illustrious and mighty"
    • Description:

      This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the oldest in the world, originating in the tenth century, following the death of a young prince named Ruarc. It has literary cred via Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.
  16. Satyana
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      Acting couple Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof chose this Sanskrit word meaning, literally, "truth vehicle" for their daughter. It has a melodic sound and strong meaning. Think of it as rhyming with the Russian Tatiana.
  17. Scirocco
    • Origin:

      Italian, from Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "warm wind"
    • Description:

      A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.
  18. Sen
    • Origin:

      Japanese mythology name
    • Description:

      Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf.
  19. Shira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "singing, song; poetry, excellent, white"
    • Description:

      A popular Israeli choice that could work across different languages, Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning "song." Some parents may be reminded of the animated heroine She-Ra, Princess of Power, from both the 1980s original and the 2018 reboot, however, they are not related.
  20. Sholto
    • Origin:

      Scottish from the Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "sower"
    • Description:

      Rugged but gentle, Sholto is a traditional Scottish first name, especially within the Douglas clan, with Sholto Douglas being its mythical ancestor. It is an Anglicized form of Sìoltach, meaning "sower".