Love Names

Tegwen is nowhere near as pretty as its meaning. Other -wen names -- Anwen, Bronwen, Rhonwen -- have more appeal.

Thandi can be used independently or as a nickname for one of the Thand- starting names such as Thandeka or Thandiwe.

Multisyllabic New Testament relic dimly recalled from the Thornton Wilder novel Theophilus North.

Tine is an undisputably masculine name in Slovenia, but with the same sound as Tina, wouldn't translate as well in English-speaking countries.

This Persian name with an Old Testament pedigree has a warm Sasha-like feel. The Biblical Vashti was a queen who refused her husband's orders to appear naked in front of his party guests and so was deposed in favor of Esther. For her independent spirit, Vashti has become something of a feminist icon.

This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down a bit. It's popular in Mexico and with US Americans of Latino or Hispanic heritage, hitting on two big girl name trends in those communities: Ya- beginnings and -i endings.