Names That Are Variations

Gertha hasn't been seen since 1971, and it's unlikely to make a comeback.

This car name is made even worse by the trendy -ee suffix. If you've got your heart set on this name, consider going with the original spelling.

Z names have been popular in recent years, and here's an obscure option for achieving the initial, though Zelina may be a little more successful in the US with its feminine -a ending.

Birna is unlikely to be a hit in the US, but it's a current favorite in Iceland. Birna is also used in Finland and Scandinavia.

In Poland, a Top 100 name on the rise.

Intriguing Russian possibility, even though proper pronunciation would not be obvious. Ilya might be a more manageable option.

Currently the most common variation of Peter in Iceland for baby boys — the other being Pétur.

Richenza is a medieval European name borne by a number of Polish and Swedish royals throughout history. The variation Richeza was used with similar frequency. Rixa was a common short form. Richenza is derived from the same Germanic root as Richard and could be used to honor one in your life.

Gilding the lily.

Natale is the handsome gender-neutral Italian spin on Natalia or Natalie or Noel, traditionally given to babies born on Christmas Day. English speakers might stumble over the pronunciation -- Natalie? Natal? -- but they'll catch on. Babbo Natale is the Italian name for Santa Claus. Natalino is the adorable short form.

Immi is a Finnish name, seen as a variation of both Imma — the Low German version of Emma — and the Finnish name Impi.

Surname Brantley comes from the Swiss German Brandle. As Brantley has raced up the popularity charts, some parents have opted for this spelling as something just a little bit different. In this iteration, it has been in the US Top 1000 since 2013.

The preferred Estonian spelling of Yekaterina, the Russian variation of Katherine.

This Theodore sound-alike derives from the name Diodorus, associated with the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus.