Vowel-Double Consonant-Vowel Names

Names with the del element, such as Adeline, Adelaide, Adele, and Della, are currently en vogue, but old-fashioned Odella didn't get the memo.

Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.

A feminine form of Oliver and a diminutive of Olive, Olivette could make an interesting choice for those who love Colette and Violette, but also Olivia. It was used in the 19th century French opera Les noces d'Olivette and ranked in the Top 500 in France in the early half of the 20th century.

Onni is the Number 1 boy's name in Finland yet largely unknown in the English-speaking world. Its uplifting meaning makes it a plausible possibility if you want to honor your Nordic heritage.

Spelling variation of Philip. Exactly as many baby boys were named with the single 'l' spelling in 2017.

Could join such up-and-comers as Miller and Gardener.

Sienna has been a Top 100 choice in England & Wales since 2005, the year after Sienna Miller's acting breakthrough in the hit movies Alfie and Layer Cake. In the US, it also got a big boost in the early noughties, before dropping slightly then rebounding to reach an all-time high in 2022.

Stella is a name with star quality and sparkle, that manages to sound both ethereal and earthy. Celestial but not otherworldly, it lands somewhere between the popular Ella and bold Seraphina.

Sybilla and its near-identical twin Sibylla are dainty and demure names with a powerful namesake that also happen to be extremely rare -- no baby girls were given either name in the US last year.

Ursella is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'ursa' meaning 'bear.' It's a variant of Ursula, which gained recognition through Saint Ursula, a legendary British princess. Ursella carries connotations of strength and fortitude, qualities associated with bears in various cultures. While less common than Ursula, Ursella offers a slightly more distinctive spelling with the same powerful heritage. The name saw modest usage in medieval Europe but remains relatively uncommon in modern times, making it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with historical depth and natural symbolism while maintaining uniqueness.

Vienna is one of the more popular of the European place-names, with a particularly pleasant sound, evoking elegant images of the Blue Danube, of castles and cafes, sweets and sausages and Strauss waltzes—and Sigmund Freud. It could be a possible substitute for the popular Sienna, although Vienna has been climbing the charts herself. Vienna was one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023.

Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first syllable and three syllables -- vee-oh-let -- as well as the Spanish Violeta — both of which were among the fastest-rising girl names of 2023.

Wallis is a masculine name of Germanic origin functioning as both a given name and surname. Derived from the Old Germanic elements 'wald' meaning 'rule' or 'power' and possibly connected to Wales or 'foreigner' in Old English, it carries connotations of leadership. The name gained notable recognition through Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée for whom King Edward VIII abdicated the British throne. As a first name, Wallis has remained uncommon but distinctive, appealing to parents seeking a sophisticated name with historical resonance. The name projects a refined, somewhat aristocratic quality while maintaining a strong masculine image. Its rarity makes it an individual choice that avoids trendiness while still being recognizable.

Willa has become increasingly fashionable, with its combination of Willa (born Wilella) Cather-like pioneer strength and the graceful beauty of the willow tree.

A common surname that was popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th century, Willis dropped off the US Top 1000 back in the early 90s, just as alternative William diminutive, Liam, began to skyrocket.

An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.

This pet form of such names as Winifred and Edwina and Gwendolyn has loads of vintage charm, a la Millie and Maisie, with a decidedly winning vibe. And it just got celebrity cred as the baby daughter of Jimmy Fallon.

Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.