Names That Are Variations

Common form of Anastasia in many European countries.

A sparky diminutive of Erszébet, the Hungarian form of Elizabeth.

Anacita is a variation of the ancient feminization Aniceta that's largely unknown in the English-speaking world. But with the rise of so many A names, the pretty Anacita may have her day in the sun.

Form of Juliana used in countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, and Macedonia.

This charming Breton name runs the risk of being poorly pronounced outside of France. If you're looking for an alternative take on Jack, the standard French version Jacques or the Cornish version Jacca are safer bets.

Irja is the Finnish translation of Irya, the Russian short form of Irina. Arja is a more modern variation.

Slovak cognate of Mattea.

Bethenny is the spelling introduced to the world by and closely associated with Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel. While the name has a bit of charm, we recommend sticking with the original Bethany spelling.

The common translation of Dorothea in Central Europe.

Sounds the same, but looks much more confusing.

Many Puerto Rican girl names with an extra H are variations of Basque names, such as Nahiara, a form of Naiara, and Ainhara, which comes from Ainara. There is a popular Spanish Instagram influencer named Ainhara.

Phillida is a "Masterpiece Theatre" appellation, proper to an almost comical degree yet might make an original way to honor an ancestral Phyliis. Actress Phyllida Law is the mother of Emma and Sophie Thompson.

Where does Gwen end and Jennifer begin? Gwenifer may feel like a mashup of the two names but it is a genuine Cornish name for girls that makes clear the relationship between Gwen and Jennifer, themselves both variations on Guinevere.

The related name Teemu is the most common of the Teemu/Tiemu/Tiemus/Demus group in the Nordic countries.

With the ultra-popularity of Madison—currently ranked Number 15 for girls—it's inevitable that spelling deviations will make their way into the charts as well. Madyson joins this group of alternates, headlined by Maddison and Madisyn, all of which rank somewhere in the Top 1000. While the "creative" trend of adding the letter y doesn't look to be going away any time soon, it often creates confusion more than anything else.

A quirky international translation of Benedict.

Doss is Doris's cute, spunky, younger cousin. If Doris is wearing tan stockings and curling her hair, Doss is wearing skinny jeans and using a flat iron.

Periodically used in Slovenia — the Sergey form is more common in Estonia and Russia.