Names That Are Variations

This alternative spelling of the classic Italian name Giovanna is used in small numbers, but with the sharp rise of diminutives Gia and Gianna, it feels right in line.

Commonly Anglicized as Phoebe, Phibah and variations such as Phibbi, Phebe, and Phibba, were used among enslaved people for daughters born on a Friday.

Cubbenah was used by enslaved people in America as a translation of the traditional Akan day name Kwabena. Beneba, a variation of Abena, was the equivalent for girls.

The Finnish cognate of Thea, from Dorothea.

Comic actress Garofalo pronounces her name ja-NEEN, which makes this one of the more confusing versions.

Almost completely unknown in this country: an intriguing possibility.

The Turkish transcription of Zuleika, a zippy girl name that deserves much more attention in the US.

Updates the old religious day name.

Sincere is more common than you think as a given name, and so is variation Syncere, which sits right outside the Top 1000 for boys. For girls, both spellings are much more rare.

Not even if your husband is named Ron.