Names That Are Variations

Kiley is one of the more reasonable of the Kylie variations, which also include Kilea, Kilee, Kileigh, Kili, Kilie, Kylee, Kyley, Kyli, ad infinitum. Despite its similarity to the popular Riley, the high ranking Kylie will ensure that this choice comes with spelling confusion. For our part, we'd rather people stuck with the original Kylie, especially seeing as that is a Noongar Aboriginal word.

Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.

A name commonly heard on New York's Lower East Side at the turn of the last century.

Strong, solid surname name. For many this name will be inextricably linked with former Vice President Dick Cheney - a hinderance or a virtue, depending on your political leanings.

Variation of Valentina with the same pared-down appeal as Maren.

Actress Milla Jovovich chose this uncommon but usable Welsh boy name for her daughter in 2020.

Though it sounds like Karen, this spelling makes the name more distinctive.

While this spelling makes sense phonetically, it will inevitably cause confusion when nine out of ten people assume the traditional Zachary spelling.

Faigy is notable as New York State's quirkiest favorite name, widely-used in the Hasidic community.

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

Unlike Pamela and Melanie, Mela feels fresh and unusual.

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.

Has an incomplete feeling....

As common in Greece as John is here.

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.

Federica is the Latin version of Frederica, one of those formerly stuffy female names -- think Josephine and Eleanor -- that feels fresh and elegant again. And Federica has more energy without that first r.

Short form of the Russian Varvara, a feistier version of Barbara.

One of many takes on the Keira/Kyra concept, this one was chosen by ice-skating champ Kristi Yamaguchi.