Names That Are Variations

A very Christmas-y Christmas baby name, that may avoid the Santa image by instead adopting the alternative spelling Klaus.

Rocking out on the porch with buddies Hubert, Norbert, and Osbert.

Estonian cognate of Yuri, the Russian form of George.

Surname name Grayson has become quite popular in recent years, bringing with it Gray, Grey, Greyson, and, yes, Graysen.

A simple and appealing multi-cultural form of John.

This international variation deserves its own listing for a winning combination of distinctiveness and simplicity.

Birgit is pronounced with a hard 'g' and is one of the many international versions of the Irish Bridget. Birgit Nilsson was a celebrated Swedish operatic soprano.

Le Pew. We don't think so, although it's a megacommon nickname name in Latino countries.

Brings to mind phrases like "I vanda new bike" or "I vanda go home".

Spanish spelling of the Hebrew classic that might prove confusing to non-Spanish speakers.

This variation of Jayla had one of the highest increases in popularity between 2012 and 2013.

The way Wilhelm is pronounced anyway, so a pointless spelling variation.

Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.

Central European form of Timothy, falling in popularity in Slovenia.

Airini is the Maori transliteration of the name Eirene, whcih comes from the Greek goddess of peace. A notable bearer of this name is nineteenth century Maori rights activist Airini Donnelly.

Common in its native habitat, and worth consideration by parents in search of an authentic Irish name, though a pronunciation challenge.

Often used in England, but here likely to be confused with the feminine Nicole. Nicol Williamson was a Scottish-born actor once described by playwright John Osborne as "the greatest actor since Marlon Brando".

Attractive if phonetically confusing; also pronounced exactly the same as the Renault car.

This unusual form of Alexandra might be seen and pronounced as a combination of Alex and Anne.

The enduring form of Nicholas in countries that speak predominantly Germanic languages.