Names That Are Variations

The J spelling -- both are pronounced as if they started with H -- is more common, but the X has more flair.

Faunia is more often rendered as Fauna, who was a Roman goddess of fertility, women and healing. Faunia was the downtrodden yet loving heroine of Philip Roth's Human Stain. Faunia and Fauna have more gravitas than the doe-like Fawn.

One way to set up a superiority complex in your child is to call your child Czar as American actor Rockmond Dunbar did in 2016.

Ulyssia is an ultra-rare feminization of the stately presidential name Ulysses. It has only made the American charts one time — in 2003 when it was given to five baby girls.

The ie ending injects this late 20th century favorite with a bit of late 19th century charm. But not quite enough to make it a good 21st century choice.

Cornell, without the Ivy League prestige.

A lovely variation of classic Margaret, worn by two Olympic medal winners — Marharyta Makhneva and Marharyta Dorozhon.

Russian name most common in neighboring Estonia.

Thayer sounds like a modern update '90s success-story Taylor — although it's much rarer and will likely never reach Taylor's heights. It is also reminiscent of currently trendy Thea, which could also be used as a nickname.

A sea-themed name from a nation of sea-adventurers.

A rare but on-trend unisex name with roots in Bulgarian and Malay.

A favorite in Brazil, with the z adding extra zest.

As classic as it comes in Italy — Filippo was once common during the Renaissance, and today remains in the Top 25.

As the ancient saint's name Cassian becomes more widely known and more popular, variations will proliferate. Kasian is one but creates pronunciation questions.

Some creative spellings work, and then some just don't. We think this one falls into the latter category.

Anno is an extreme rarity: a simple, familiar-sounding name with deep history that is completely unknown in the US and rare in its native Germany. Anno is the name of a saint also known as Hanno, a 10th century archbishop of Cologne also known as Hanno of Worms.

With more parents turning to biblical names like Ezekiel and Isaiah, this could prove a quasi-unique alternative in a similar -- if more Orthodox -- vein.

Forster, a variation of Foster or potentially even Forester, is associated with British novelist E.M. Forster, author of A Passage to India, Howard's End, and A Room with a View. But if you choose Forster, you'd always have to force that 'r'.

Adds some spunk and Latin rhythm to mundane Martin.