Names That Are Variations
- Ludvig
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Ludwig, GermanMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
Unlikely to catch on in the Anglophone world, where parent name Ludwig still conjures up images of Beethoven. But Ludvig actually ranks among the top boy names in Norway and Sweden, while German form Ludwig ranks among the Top 100 boy names in Germany and Ludovico is cool in Italty.
- Zana
Origin:
Polish, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Latvian, AlbanianMeaning:
"God is Gracious; lily; voice, fairy"Description:
An international possibility, heard from England and Israel to Poland, Latvia, and Albania. It is a name with a vast range of possible meanings and origins, including: a Polish variation of Jane, meaning "God is Gracious"; a Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian short form of Susanna, meaning "lily"; a Persian name meaning "woman"; a Mongolian name meaning "bullfinch"; and a Shona name from Zimbabwe meaning "a hundred".
- Amorie
Origin:
Spelling variation of AmoryMeaning:
"industrious"Description:
While Amorie might be strictly a feminizing way to spell the unisex Amory, it also relates to the word Amore and the name Amoris, which mean love,
- Madelynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Madelyn, EnglishMeaning:
"woman from Magdala or high tower"Description:
Madelynn is the fourth most popular variation of this durably popular name, with Madelyn ranking first in the Top 100, Madeline dropping to the Number 2 spot, the French Madeleine taking third place, and Madelynn coming in fourth but still ranking in the Top 500.
- Zuzanna
Origin:
Slavic variation of SusannahMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Remember Zuzu, the adorable little girl you watch every Christmas in "It's a Wonderful Life"? Here's a direct path to that nickname, a lot more zesty than the more familiar Susannah.
- Kasen
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Kasen is one of several linked names, all spelled differently and pronounced the same. Kayson is the most popular spelling of the name, but they include Cason, Casen, Cayson and so on.
- Haiden
Origin:
Spelling variation of HaydenDescription:
This play on Hayden is likely influenced by the popularity of the Aiden names. It has appeared in the US Top 1000 for eight of the past twelve years.
- Ivey
Origin:
Surname name, variation of IvyMeaning:
"son of Ive; person from Ivoy; ivy plant"Description:
Ivey can be considered an alternate spelling of the botanical name Ivy, but it also has separate origins as a surname. For the Anglo-Saxon Ivey line, Ivey means "son of Ive," while for the English-Norman Iveys, it means "person from Ivoy," a commune in the Cher department of France.
- Albrecht
Origin:
German variation of AlbertMeaning:
"noble; bright"Description:
These days Albrecht is mostly seen as a surname, although it was historically a well-used first name in Germany. The surname was derived from the given name.
- Maxima
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of MaximusDescription:
Max names were one of the hottest trends for boys in the mid-2010s, and are still very popular. The girl versions haven't seen so much love, unfortunately. (Or fortunately, if you love them and want them to stay rare!) Maxima got some attention in 2015 when Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan used it for their daughter, but few parents have copied them.
- Shari
Origin:
Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of SarahMeaning:
"princess"Description:
This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
- Jacinth
Origin:
Gemstone name, variation of Hyacinth, EnglishMeaning:
"blue larkspur; precious stone"Description:
Jacinth is a gemstone of the Zircon variety. The name is related to the floral Hyacinth.
- Hendrik
Origin:
Dutch and Scandinavian variation of HenryDescription:
A bit stiff and formal for American use.
- Ilka
Origin:
Hungarian, diminutive of Ilona; variation of HelenMeaning:
"bright, shining one"Description:
To some, may have the same warm feeling of Russian nicknames like Sasha and Misha.
- Kody
Origin:
Spelling variation of CodyDescription:
Both Kody and Cody — shining stars of the 90s — are in decline, although more people are choosing Cody than Kody.
- Ysai
Origin:
Spanish variation of Isaiah, HebrewMeaning:
"salvation of the Lord"Description:
Ysai is a less-known variation of the popular Isaiah.
- Fabiola
Origin:
French, Italian, and German variation of FabiaDescription:
Fabiola was the romantically elaborate name of a saint who organized the first hospice.
- Jeanine
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Together with the more common (in France) Jeannine spelling, this feminine form of Jean was most popular in the 1930s in its home country, and in the 1960s in the US. It's fallen off the Top 1000 list since, but perhaps cute retro nickname Jeannie could tempt some vintage-loving parents back.
- Keon
Origin:
Modern invented name, variation of KianDescription:
Keon, a mashup of Kevin and Leon, has been in the Top 900 for a decade and a half, following in the wake of female cousin Kiana.
- Seana
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"god is gracious"Description:
More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.