Names That Are Variations

The Icelandic form of Olaf — significantly less snowman-like.

Many Russian names are derived from Greek names. Ermolai, also spelled Yermolai, is a Russian translation of the Greek Hermolaos.

Again, the trendy -ee ending.

Disproportionately common among the American Amish.

An intriguing Russian name best known as that of a Fyodor Dostoyevsky character in his novel The Village of Stepanchikovo and its Inhabitants.

The Turkish transcription of Hussein.

Has a country and western twang.

Russian form of Martha, used in several novels by Feodor Dostoyevsky.

Marfa is perhaps best known as the name of artistic city Marfa, Texas. Rumor has it that the town was named after the Dostoyevsky character in The Brothers Karamazov, but it was actually named for a different literary character—Marfa Strogoff in MIchael Strogoff by Jules Verne.

The Slovene form of Andrew, currently falling in popularity in its home country.

The Czech and Slovak version of Carolina.

This name is well used in the Hispanic culture.

See GEORGE.

The sweet old-fashioned Adeline is one of the prime up-and-coming vintage baby names; Addilynn is a phonetic spelling.

Rarely used aristocratic name with ancient roots and less than appealing sound.

A relatively stylish choice in Slovenia, where it is the standard form of Ulrich. Unlikely to catch on in the US, where U is the least common initial.

The Romanian form of Medea, famously borne by actress Medeaa Marinescu.

While this spelling is running a close second on the popularity charts to the original Briana, it feels more invented -- probably because it is. Some parents may want to move further away from Brian, root name for all the feminine variations, and so prefer the e versions. But we like the older, more authentic Briana best. Another spelling way: Breanna.