The unusual and the odd
- Ivo
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"yew wood, archer"Description:
Ivo is an unusual, catchy name with the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'. Hardly heard in the U.S., it is used a bit more frequently in England, as is the related Ivor, a favorite of such novelists as Evelyn Waugh and P.G. Wodehouse. Ivo is currently most popular in the Netherlands.
- Jadine
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Unusual and unfashionable name found in Toni Morrison's novel Tar Baby.
- Kacia
Origin:
Greek, diminutive of AcaciaDescription:
Intriguing and unusual.
- Kamaria
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"moonlight"Description:
Lush and unusual.
- Ludovic
Origin:
English and Scottish variation of LudwigMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
Euro-cool. Heard more in Scotland than in England or the US, Ludovic Lesly is a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Quentin Durward and Sir Ludovic Kennedy was a noted Scottish broadcaster and writer. Cute nickname: Ludo.
- Massai
Origin:
African tribe; also ItalianMeaning:
"owner of land and farms"Description:
Unusual name chosen for her son by actress Nia Long, who combined it with the even more unusual literary middle name, Zhivago.
- Meliora
Origin:
Latin, CornishMeaning:
"better; honey"Description:
Unusual and lush Roman name adopted, improbably, by the Puritans.
- Nasim
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"breeze, fresh air"Description:
Traditional Arabic choice, used for both boys and girls.
- Nevis
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Highly unusual name of a small, tranquil island in the Caribbean; chosen for her daughter by singer Nelly Furtado.
- Niva
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"talk, expression"Description:
Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice.
- Othello
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he has the sound of God"Description:
Shakespeare's moor has exclusive ownership of this name.
- Ozias
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"salvation"Description:
Everyone says they want an unusual name — well, if you truly do, this is one with Biblical cred that fits the bill, with the added attraction of the user-friendly nickname of Oz or Ozzie. Ozias is the name of several minor figures in the Bible. Osias is another spelling.
- Patrin
Origin:
RomaniMeaning:
"leaf trail"Description:
Patrin is a truly unusual yet easily comprehended choice.
- Piala
Origin:
Celtic, meaning unknownDescription:
This name of a saint martyred in Cornwall makes an unusual choice with traditional roots.
- Quadeisha
Origin:
American, a combination of Qadira and AishaDescription:
Familiar-sounding hybrid name, made more unusual by virtue of the Q.
- Radella
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"elfin advisor"Description:
Extremely unusual ella-ending choice.
- Ramira
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"judicious"Description:
Pretty and unusual, worth consideration.
- Raphael
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
- Renon
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"place and surname"Description:
Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy.
- Saar
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"storm"Description:
With its appealing double-a configuration, this is the name of an Israeli kibbutz on the Galilee beach. For girls, Saar is a popular modern name in the Netherlands, a shortened form of Sarah.