Names That Are Variations

Philippine would be taken as an ethnic identification rather than a name in the U.S. Better try Philippa, though if you don't mind eternally correcting people, Philippine can make an interesting alternative. Pippa can be a short form of Philippine as well as Philippa.

Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here.

The form of Faruq most common in Turkey. Ömer Faruk is a popular double-barreled first name for Turkish boys.

Constantina is a pretty, feminissima, if lengthy, variation on the Constance theme. The fourth century Constantina, also known as Constantia and Constantiana, was the eldest daughter of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great and his second wife Fausta, daughter of Emperor Maximian. Constantina received the title of Augusta by her father, and is venerated as a saint; in English she is also known as Saint Constance.

Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.

The more popular Aiden becomes, the more spelling variations we see in the Top 1000. This version was as high as Number 271 in 2009, though we recommend choosing a different spelling if you're set on this uber-popular moniker.

This variation adds a second n to the more popular Finley, presumably to provide a more direct link to nickname Finn. Both spellings create a distinctly unisex name. However, while Finley is slightly more popular for girls, the Finnley spelling currently only ranks for boys.

A less-popular spelling of on-the-rise Cason.

András is the form of Andrew used in Hungary, where it is a Top 50 boy name.

The name recently given to their daughter by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr. is pronounced like Avery and may be seen as a kree8tiv spelling variation of that popular unisex name or a girlish short form of Avraham, the Biblical Hebrew form of Abraham.

A unisex Scandinavian name. Joa is more common for boys in Finland but equally split between sexes in Sweden and Denmark.

Unlike Pamela and Melanie, Mela feels fresh and unusual.

Form of Ivar most common in Estonia.

Part of a group of similar midcentury names rarely given to babies today.

Emmitt is a new spelling spin borne of the popularity of Emmett.

Lovro originated as a short form of Lovrenc — the Slovene variation of Laurence — but is now used more often in its own right.

Alda's brother name Aldo has been a mainstay of the U.S. popularity chart for decades now, and the related Alden is soaring up as well. This version has never really caught on. (Maybe it's the association with Alan Alda: great actor, unlikely namesake for a little girl.) However, there is possible hope now that Alba and Alma are on the rise. Aida and Arden are more familiar alternatives.

This Spanish month name has been quietly used for several years now in the US.