Names That Are Variations

As with many popular names these days, Kendall has inspired several spelling variations, many of them popular in their own right. While Kyndall fell off the Top 1000 in 2015, supermodel and reality TV star Kendall Jenner is sure to keep this name in all its versions in the public eye for years to come.

The use of the Dutch name Nore may be inspired by Nora, of which it is a variation. As a male name, Nore is related to Nori, the founder of Norway in Norse mythology.

The q-ending of this common name adds a quirky element.

Gwyladyss is an Old Welsh variation of the New Welsh Gladys, pronounced like the more familiar form, but modern English speakers can be forgiven for not knowing that. Gladys would be a difficult enough name for a 21st century child; with this spelling, it would be impossible.

An attractive international variation of Marcus that could get you to the nickname Gus.

While Ilise is unusual, the E version is more attractive.

Made somewhat familiar by the election of Annastacia Palaczszuk as Premier of the State of Queensland in Australia.

Elijah is in the US Top 10 and is popular across New Zealand, The Netherlands, and The UK. Spelling variation Alijah however only appears in the US charts, where it has ranked in the Top 1000 since 2001. Given to 700 boys in a recent year, for every one baby Alijah, there are 16 Elijahs.

Cataleyah wins notice as one of the trendiest names of all time, rising quickly through the ranks inspired by the Zoe Saldana character in Colombiana and also the name of a genus of orchids.

This Swedish form of Sebastian would work nicely as a nickname.

All the Taron-related names have various uncertain and perhaps-unrelated origins. The Irish girls' name Tara is the most widely-used of the bunch, sitting at the bottom of the Top 1000 after ranking in the Top 100 from 1970 through 1990. In its heyday, Tara was occasionally used for boys too: about 20 boys vs. more than 5000 girls in 1970. Taryn, which you might think of as a Tara-Karyn hybrid, was given to nearly 200 girls last year, placing it right below the Top 1000. Homonym Taron is actually more usually a boys' name, thanks to two notable modern bearers: Welsh actor Taron Egerton and South African-born filmmaker Taron Lexton. It may be a variation of Taran, which may be a shortening of Taranis, the name of the Celtic thunder god. Taron and Taran were both given to about 30 boys last year but no girls. But any of these variations or spellings could be used for either sex.

Anahit is the Armenian form of Anahita, the Persian goddess of fertility, wisdom, and water.

This simple but alluring name — some might associate it with the Kama Sutra — was chosen by heavy metal rocker Sammy Hagar for his daughter.

Jaunty Jancey hails from the United Kingdom, where it appeared in England as a surname and in Scotland as a nickname for Janet. It's extremely uncommon in the US, given to fewer than five baby girls in the most recent year on record. You'll be hard-pressed to come across another Jancey in your life, so if unique names are a priority for you, this jolly and accessible choice belongs on your list.

Why not stick with the original.

Ildiko is a variation of the German Hilda — itself short for Brunhilda. In Hungary, the name is spelt Ildikó.