Names That Are Variations

Margalo could make an intriguing spin on Margaret, with Margo as a nickname. The name appears in E. B. White's Stuart Little — as a bird. Margalo Gilmore (born Margaret) was a well-known British-born Broadway actress.

If you want people to pronounce Andrea with an Ah sound beginning, this spelling would guide the way.

In all its iterations, this name is on the rise. Ariana and Arianna are both highly popular choices in the US, and as with other popular appellations, creative spellings are inevitable. The trendy y in place of the i might be tempting, but anyone bearing this spelling will constantly be correcting people who assume one of the two dominant versions.

Nickelle is an unusual feminine form of Nicholas, a name with many variations both male and female around the world. Nickelle is a twist on the more common Nicole with the feminine -elle ending, as in Michelle. The addition of the k helps clarify pronunciation. Unlike the 5 cent coin, the emphasis is on the second syllable.

Chirpy form of Leonard that's common in its native Slovenia.

One of the Hawaiian names being discovered by stylish parents, especially Californians.

Muslim name very popular in North Africa.

A strong choice for a Muslim child with Russian ancestry. The name is primarily heard in the Caucasus.

This fresh variation of the classic Noel is beginning to rise along with the popular Noelle. Given to just around 50 babies in 2022 compared to only 14 in 2021, this rise reflect American parents' current love of names ending in -i.

Fanchon is a sweet and affectionate Gallic choice.

Lilyana is variant of "Lillian" or "Liliana", which are elaborations of the flower name "Lily".

A rarer variant of Viridiana. Saint Veridiana is the patron saint of snakes.

Shaquille O'Neal came almost as close as he could to a Junior when he selected this name for his son.

Fedora is occasionally heard among the British Mayfair and Belgravia set, but we're afraid that in this country there would be too strong an association with the man's felt hat.

Given a new shot of style by singer Lauryn Hill, this spelling of the name has fallen quite a bit in popularity since its peak of 167 in 1996.

One of several surnames beginning with New that nevertheless sound anything but.

Another, more feminine, female form of Jacob sometimes heard in Scotland.