Names That Are Variations
- Giacomo
Origin:
Italian variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Giacomo is a primo member of the Giovanni-Gino-Giancarlo-Giacomo gruppo of Italian names that are beginning to be adopted by American parents. Singer/creative baby namer Sting chose it for his son.
- Maddison
Origin:
Spelling variation of MadisonMeaning:
"son of Maud"Description:
While the traditionally spelled Madison has been among the most popular names in the 21st century, this version isn't exactly unpopular. Nevertheless, the second d is superfluous.
- Iago
Origin:
Welsh and Galician variation of James and JacobDescription:
Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's Othello, was so treacherously evil that his name has hardly ever been heard offstage. Try the much-more-benign Inigo.
- Brea
Origin:
Spelling variation of Bria or short form of BreanaDescription:
Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe because the spelling makes the pronunciation less clear. Is it bree-a or bray (answer: bree-a).
- Valeska
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"strong"Description:
This diminutive of Valeria has a strong and striking sound to match its meaning. It has also been used in Brazil in recent decades.
- Georgette
Origin:
French, feminine variation of GeorgeDescription:
Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.
- Saylor
Origin:
Surname-name or spelling variation of SailorDescription:
Used much more often for girls -- about 1000 girls were named Saylor or Sailor last year, versus about 100 boys -- Saylor is a medieval German surname that means ropemaker, which is also related to the occupational name Sailor.
- Ensley
Origin:
English surname, variation of AinsleyMeaning:
"one's own meadow"Description:
A unisex surname now seeing some use for girls, as it fits right in with such trendy crossover girls' names as Everly. Ellery and Emery, and others with the popular ly/leigh/lea ending
- Valdemar
Origin:
Nordic variation of VladimirDescription:
Ten years ago we would have advised people to steer clear of this name (and maybe choose the similar sounding Walter instead); but with the rise of other Nordic and Eastern European names like Viggo and Casimir, maybe its time to re-thing Valdemar. It's a big name, but with enough penache, it could be pulled off. Valdemar was introduced to Scandinavia in the 12th Century by a Danish king named for his Ukrainian grandfather, and is currently in the Danish Top 20.
- Espn
Origin:
American variation of Espen, ScandinavianMeaning:
"god bear"Description:
Espn made its debut on the American baby name charts in 2004 and has ranked for at least one sex ever since. It's a uniquely American take on the Scandinavian name Espen, influenced by the basic cable sports channel ESPN. So while you can interpret Espn's meaning as "god bear," a case could also be made for "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network."
- Thelonius
Origin:
Latinized variation of TilloMeaning:
"lord"Description:
One of the coolest of names, thanks to legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk, who inherited it from his father. It has been used very sparingly since the 1960s--just a sprinkling of baby boys receive the name each year. Monk's middle name Sphere is pretty unique too--a cousin of Cosmos and Cosmo. Some other jazz names to consider: Bix, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Mingus, Dexter and Calloway. :
- Sascha
Origin:
German variation of SashaMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.
- Kash
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cash, word and occupational nameMeaning:
"money; box maker"Description:
A modern spelling of an already modern sounding name, Kash is a spelling variant of the name Cash. Like Kairo, Karter, Karson, and Krew, that K initial gives it a very 21st century feel.
- Trista
Origin:
Feminine variation of TristanMeaning:
"noise or sorrowful"Description:
This female form of Tristan was featured on the reality-television show The Bachelorette, and has been rocketing up the charts as a new millennium Trisha.
- Wilde
Origin:
English surname, variation of Wild, English word nameMeaning:
"undomesticated, uncultivated"Description:
The final -e takes this from a daring word name to a literary honor name, for the inimitable Irish author, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, infamous for his wit and flamboyance.
- Sacha
Origin:
French variation of Sasha, diminutive of AlexanderMeaning:
"defending warrior"Description:
Sasha in all its forms -- which include Sacha and Sascha -- is rising in popularity for both boys and girls, especially with the Sasha spelling attached to one of the First Daughters.
- Vittoria
Origin:
Italian variation of VictoriaDescription:
An appealing Italianate alternative.
- Johan
Origin:
Scandinavian and Dutch variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
With Old European vibes, Johan is a variant of the classic John, similar to the Latin, Hebrew, and Germanic forms, Iohannes, Yohanan, and Johannes. Conjuring up the image of the classical composer Brahms or the astronomer Kepler, while still feeling timeless and distinctive, Johan has been in the US Top 600 for most of the 21st century, helped along by Heidi Klum and Seal using it for their son in 2006.
- Clemency
Origin:
English feminine variation of Clement, LatinMeaning:
"mild, merciful"Description:
One of the rarest of virtue names, Clemency could come back along with the more familiar Puritan virtue names such as Hope and Faith. It has a rhythmic three-syllable sound, and offers a more virtuous alternative to the more popular Clementine.
- Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.