Names That Are Variations

The rarely heard feminine version of the saint's name Cassian, this name is elegant and somewhat frilly, but holds the possibility of more straightforward nicknames like Cass, Cassie or Ana. With the rise of the whole group of names for both genders starting with the Cass sound, Cassiana has the potential to become one of the more visible girl names starting with C.

The modern French take on Luna.

This extra-N variation matches up with the current preferred spellings of Oaklynn, Raelynn, and Adalynn, however it has always been outranked by popular Brooklyn. Though both spellings have trended downwards since their peak in 2011, Brooklyn maintains its place in the US Top 100, while Brooklynn lags behind in the #300s.

Russian names, like Russian supermodels, are hot these days, at least they are when politics alow it. This is a strong way to make Nicholas new. More authentically spelled Nikolai.

A cross between Ian and a group of atomic particles.

Attractive international Stephanie alternative. Estefania ranks in the Top 100 in Puerto Rico.

Karoline is the form of the classic Caroline commonly used in Germany and throughout Scandinavia, where it is popular. It's an acceptable if not tradition spelling variation, given to nearly 100 baby girls in the US last year, versus more than 3000 named Caroline.

Gelila is a beautiful Ethiopian name that may have two different origins — some sources cite the name as a variation of the Biblical place Galilee, meaning rolling hills. Others view the name as a variation of Biblical Delilah. Whichever way, Gelila is a gorgeous name that would work well in the English-speaking world. The name Gelila is also worn by Ethiopian model Gelila Bekele, former longtime girlfriend of actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry with whom she shares a son.

A lovely and typical name on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia that no one in the English-speaking world will know how to pronounce. Maia sounds (virtually) the same and is far more familiar outside Finland and Latvia.

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.

An interesting single-syllable name pronounced brahsh.

A lively take on Stephen.

It's hard to believe, via a 21st-century sensibility, that Fannie was ever a Top 50 name. But Fannie was even more popular than Fanny in its late 19th-century heyday, and stuck around much longer, staying on the Top 1000 until the 1960s while Fanny fell off in 1940. Today, however, Fannie sounds antiquated at best, and rude at worst.

Sarika is a pretty Sanskrit nature name, referring to a type of myna bird. Spelled Sárika, it's the Hungarian version of Sarah.

Kamilla is the usual spelling of Camilla throughout Scandinavia and in Finland, Iceland, and Greenland. Kamma is an appealing short form.

A classic reimagined. Noemia is a very feminine elaboration of Naomi, also spelled Noémia in Portugal and Noêmia in Brazil.

Agostino is the Italian form of this increasingly popular ancient name.

The late actress Sada Thompson introduced this obscure but usable form.

Nicandro might be of interest as a blend of two Anglo favorites -- Nicholas and Andrew.