Elias, Silas, Titus, Tobias, Cyrus, Leonidas, Matthias....

It's pretty easy to come up with multiple phonetic trends for girls, but I've been trying to even things up and discover some for boys. Surnames, obviously: -ers, -sons, and -dens, but surely there's an alternative trend or two, right?
Well, I think I found one--"eye_as". The names listed in the title: all Top 1000, and all rising! It makes sense--"eye"-sounding names are trending all over the place for both genders, and the softer vintage-y -s ending makes some interesting and handsome combinations.
Can we find more? Of course! :D

• Achaios (ah-kye-AHS, [ancient] Greek)--Latin form is Achaeus (ah-KYE-us). 
• Aelius (EYE-lee-us, Latin)--poss. from Greek Helios, "sun"
• Alkaios (AHL-kye-os, [ancient] Greek)--"strength". Latin form is Alcaeus (al-KYE-us). 
• Amias (ah-MYE-as, English)--poss. from Latin "friend"
• Aineias (eye-NAY-as, [ancient] Greek)--"praise". Latin spelling is Aeneas. 
• Aias (EYE-as, [ancient] Greek)--original form of Ajax, prob. "eagle" or "earth"
• Alphaios (AHL-fye-os, [Biblical] Greek)--from Hebrew, poss. "change, renew". Latin form is Alphaeus (al-FYE-us). 
• Ananias (an-an-EYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--from Hebrew, "Yahweh is gracious"
• Argyros (ar-GYE-ros, [anglicized] Greek)--"silver"
• Aristaios (ah-ris-TYE-os, [ancient] Greek)--"most excellent". Latin spelling is Aristaeus. [Greek god of rustic occupations: beekeeping, shepherding, cheesemaking, etc]
• Astraios (AS-trye-os, [ancient] Greek)--"of the stars". Latin form is Astraeus (as-TRYE-us). [Greek Titan of the stars and astronomy]
• Azarias (az-ah-RYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--from Hebrew, "Yahweh has helped"
• Caiaphas (KYE-ah-phas, [Hellenized] Aramaic)--poss. "valley, depression"
• Caelius (KYE-lee-us, Latin)--masculine of Caelia/Celia, "heavenly"
• Esaias (eh-SYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--form of Hebrew Isaiah, "Yahweh is salvation". Other forms include Isaias (ee-SYE-as, Spanish) and Isaías (ee-ZYE-as, Portuguese). 
• Euryalus (yoo-RYE-ah-lus, [anglicized] Greek)--prob. "wide sea" or "wide roaming"
• Eutychus (yoo-TYE-kus, [anglicized] Greek)--"good luck"
• Ezekias (ez-eh-KYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--form of Hebrew Hezekiah, "Yahweh strengthens"
• Gaius (GYE-us, Latin)--origin unknown. Other forms include Caius (KYE-us) and Gaianus (GYE-an-us).  
• Hephaistos (HEF-eye-stos, [ancient] Greek)--Latin form is Hephaestus (hef-EYE-stus). [Greek god of fire, smiths, and craftsmen]
• Iairos (YIGH-ros, [Biblical] Greek)--from Hebrew, "he enlightens". Latin spelling is Iairus. 
• Josias (joh-SYE-as, [Biblical] Latin)--form of Hebrew Josiah, "Yahweh supports"
• Kairos (kye-RAHS, [ancient] Greek)--"opportunity". Latin form is Caerus (KYE-rus). [Greek god of opportunity and luck; means "weather" in modern Greek]
• Laelius (LYE-lee-us, Latin)
• Linus (LYE-nus, [anglicized] Greek)--"flax"
• Lycus (LYE-kus, [anglicized] Greek)--"wolf"
• Ozias (oh-ZYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--from Hebrew, "my strength is Yahweh"
• Phaidros (FYE-dros, [ancient] Greek)--masculine of Phaedra, "bright". Latin spelling is Phaedrus. 
• Phyleus (FYE-lee-us, [anglicized] Greek)--prob. "clan"
• Quirinus (kwer-EYE-nus, Latin)--prob. "spear"
• Tiberius (tye-BEER-ee-us, English)--from Latin "from the Tiber River"
• Timaios (TIM-eye-os, [ancient] Greek)--"honored". Latin form is Timaeus (tim-EYE-us). 
• Tiras (TYE-ras, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Traianus (TRYE-an-us, Latin)--original form of Trajan, origin unknown
• Tydeus (TYE-dee-us, [anglicized] Greek)
• Urias (yoo-RYE-as, [Biblical] Latin)--from Hebrew, "Yahweh is my light"
• Zacharias (zak-ah-RYE-as, [Biblical] Greek)--form of Zachary, "Yahweh remembers"

(I can't seem to get away from the ancient boys' names, can I? Somehow I didn't expect that that's pretty much all this list would consist of......)

Girls's Names

Recently I did a breakdown on which letters were "feminine" vs. "masculine", and there were a couple surprises. Specifically, I expected -s names to sway overwhelmingly male, thanks to all the Latin & Greek us/os names, and the impact Latin has had on naming in general. But in fact, -s names only lean masculine by a 6:1 ratio ("only" being relative--it was #15 on my "most masculine endings" analysis, the others being -ch, k, b, o, p, c, f, sh, d, m, x, v, j, & g).
It turns out that while the boys do have -as, es, os, and us names, girls get -ss and ys, and split about even with boys on the -is.

A good number of -is/ys names for girls turn out to be Welsh and ancient Greek, and far be it from me to turn down an opportunity for those!

• Aleidis (ah-LYE-dis, Germanic)--older form of Adelaide/Alice. Other forms include Adelais (AH-del-ah-is, Germanic), Alis (AL-is, Welsh), Alys (AL-is, English, Welsh), and Azalais (ah-zah-LAH-ees, Occitan).
• Alkestis (AHL-kays-tis, [ancient] Greek)--"courageous". Latinized form is Alcestis (al-SES-tis). 
• Amaryllis (am-ah-RIL-lis, English)--from ancient Greek, "sparkling". Spanish and Portuguese form is Amarilis (ah-mah-REE-lees). 
• Anaïs (ah-nah-EES, Occitan, Catalan, French)--form of Anna
• Anaitis (ah-nah-EE-tis, an-EYE-tis, AH-nye-tis, [ancient] Greek)--form of Anahita
• Annis (AN-nis, [medieval] English)--form of Agnes
• Ardis (AR-dis, English, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "eagle goddess"
• Artemis (AR-teh-mis, [ancient] Greek)--origin unknown, poss. "bear", "thrower", "great", or "safe".
• Astris (AS-tris, [ancient] Greek)--"starry"
• Athenais (ath-AY-nah-ees, ah-thay-ah-EES, [ancient] Greek)--"of Athena". French form is Athénaïs/Aténaïs (ah-tay-nah-EES). 
• Avis (AY-vis, English)--prob. from Latin "bird"; or from Germanic Aveza, poss. "desired", or Hadewidis (HAH-deh-vee-dis), "wide battle"
• Belkis (BEL-kees, Spanish)--from Bilqis (BIL-kees), the traditional Arabic name for the legendary Queen of Sheba, origin unknown. Turkish form is Belkıs (BEL-kis). 
• Betrys (BET-ris, Welsh)--form of Beatrice. 
• Briseis (bris-AY-is, bree-say-EES, [ancient] Greek)
• Britomartis (brit-oh-MAR-tis, bree-TOH-mar-tees, [ancient] Greek)--"blessed maiden"
• Bryndis (BRIN-dis, Scandinavian)--from Germanic, "armored goddess"
• Carys (KAH-ris, Welsh)--"love". Another form is Cerys (KEHR-is). 
• Charis (KEHR-is, KAHR-is, [ancient] Greek)--"grace". Modern Greek form is Haris (KHAH-rees). 
• Chloris (KLOR-is, KLOR-ees, [ancient] Greek)--"green bud"
• Chryseis (kree-SAY-is,  [ancient] Greek)--"golden"
• Clematis (klem-AT-is, KLEM-ah-tis, English)
• Damaris (DAM-ah-ris, dah-MEHR-is, English; DAH-mah-rees, Greek)--from ancient Greek, poss. "wife" or "girl"
• Danais (dah-nah-EES, DAN-ah-ees, [ancient] Greek)
• Daphnis (DAHF-nees, DAF-nis, [ancient] Greek)--form of Daphne [unisex]
• Doris (DOHR-is, English, German, Italian, Scandinavian)--from ancient Greek, poss. "spear", "gift", or "forest"
• Dysis (DYE-sis, [ancient] Greek)--"sunset"
• Eirlys (AYR-lis, IRE-lis, Welsh)--"snowdrop" [the flower]
• Elewys (EL-eh-wis, [medieval] English)--form of Eloise
• Endeis (en-DAY-is, en-day-EES, [ancient] Greek)--"at home, native" 
• Gerdis (YEHR-dis, Swedish)--from Germanic, "spear goddess"
• Glenys (GLEN-is, Welsh)--"pure"
• Glynis (GLIN-is, Welsh)--prob. "pure" or "valley"
• Hawys (HOW-is, Welsh)--from Germanic, "wide battle"
• Hesperis (HES-per-is, [ancient] Greek)--"evening"
• Hjördis (YOR-dis, Swedish, Finnish)--from Old Norse, "sword goddess". Also spelled Hjørdis (Danish, Norwegian) or Jördis (German).
• Iraís (ee-rah-EES, Spanish)--prob. from ancient Greek Herais (HEHR-ah-ees), "of Hera"
• Iris (EYE-ris, English; EE-ris, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Scandinavian, Italian, Slovenian, Turkish)--from Greek, "rainbow". Other forms include Íris (EE-rees, Portuguese) and Eirys (AY-ris, EYE-ris, Welsh). 
• Iseldis (ee-SEL-dis, [medieval] English)--form of Isolde
• Isis (EYE-sis, English, EE-zeez, Italian, EE-sees, Spanish)--from Hellenized Egyptian, prob. "throne". Portuguese form is Ísis (EE-zis). 
• Karis (KEHR-is, English)--anglicized form of Carys/Cerys or Charis.
• Laís (lah-EES, Portuguese)--from ancient Greek Lais (LAH-ees), prob. "left-handed", "thrush" [bird], or "of the people"
• Lamis (lam-EES, Arabic)
• Lindis (LIN-dis, Scandinavian)--from Germanic, "gentle"
• Lois (LOH-is, English, Dutch)--from Biblical Greek, poss. "better" [masculine in other languages]
• Maëlys (mah-eh-LEES, French)--from Breton, "chief"
• Maïlys (mye-LEES, French)--form of Maëlys or Maylis.
• Maris (MEHR-is, MAHR-is, English)--from Latin, "of the sea"
• Marlis (MAHR-lis, German)--combination of Maria & Liese. Another combination is Majlis/Mailis (MYE-lis, Scandinavian).
• Marlys (MAHR-lis, English, MAHR-lees, Spanish)--poss. a form of Marlene. 
• Maylis (may-LEES, French)--from the French town, poss from Germanic, "strength", or from Occitan mair, "mother", + French lys, "lily".  
• Melis (meh-LEES, Turkish)--form of Melissa
• Memphis (MEM-fis, [Hellenized] Egyptian)--prob. "enduring beauty" [unisex in modern English]
• Myrtis (MUR-tis, English, [ancient] Greek)--"myrtle"
• Nais (nah-EES, French, NAH-ees, [ancient] Greek)--"water nymph"
• Nephthys (NEF-this, [Hellenized] Egyptian)--prob. "lady of the temple/sky"
• Nerys (NEHR-is, Welsh)--"lordly"
• Odalis (oh-DAH-lees, Spanish)--form of Odette/Ottilie. Also spelled Odalys. 
• Orseis (or-SAY-is, or-say-EES, [ancient] Greek)--prob. "stirred up, excited"
• Persis (PUR-sis, [Biblical] Greek)
• Phyllis (FIL-lis, English)--from ancient Greek, "leafy"
• Ptolemais (tol-EM-ah-ees, ptol-em-ah-EES, [ancient] Greek)--prob. "warlike"
• Rhanis (RAH-nees, RAN-is, [ancient] Greek)--"rain drop"
• Roslindis (roz-LIN-dis, Germanic)--older form of Rosalind. 
• Tanis (TAH-nis, Cree)--"daughter". Another form is Danis (DAH-nis). 
• Tethys (TEE-this, TETH-is, [ancient] Greek)
• Thaïs (THAH-is, [ancient] Greek; tah-ees, French)--from ancient Greek, poss. "bandage". Other forms include Thaís (tah-EES, Portuguese, Spanish) and Taís (tah-EES, Portuguese, Spanish).
• Themis (THEM-is, THEE-mis, [ancient] Greek)--"divine law". 
• Valdis (VAHL-dis, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, prob. "foreign goddess" or "goddess of the slain" [masculine in other languages]
• Viridis (VEER-id-is, [medieval] Italian)--from Latin "verdant, lively"
• Zenais (ZAY-nah-ees, zay-nah-EES, [ancient] Greek)--"of Zeus"

Biblically Unisex

It can't be, right? Unisex names are a modern thing!
Well, no; not really. While using male/"unisex" names on girls is a pretty trendy thing in the US right now, there have always been unisex names.
I do think that many [rarer] Biblical names should be up for grabs for both genders anyway--after all, who's to say they weren't used on girls in Biblical times? Most aren't etymologically gendered, and there are at least 10x more men named in the Bible than women....but I digress.
If you'd rather stick to unisex names there's precedent for, that's pretty understandable. ;)

• Abihail "my father is might"
• Abijah, Abiah "my father is Yahweh"
• Ahlai "wishful"
• Anah "answer"
• Athaliah, Athlai "Yahweh binds"
• Ephah "darkness"
• Gomer "completion"
• Hodiah "majesty of Yahweh"
• Hushim "hastening"
• Maacah, Maachah "depression [of the ground]"
• Mehetabel "God makes glad"
• Micaiah, Michaiah "who is like Yahweh?"
• Noadiah "meeting with Yahweh"
• Noah "movement" (fem), "rest" (masc)
  [usually spelled Noa when used on girls in the US today, but in the English Bible, both are Noah. The masculine name would really be more faithfully transliterated as Noach]
• Oholibamah "tent in the high place"
• Puah "glitter" (fem), "strike to pieces" (masc)
• Shelomith "peaceable"
• Shua "wealth" (fem), "cry for help" (masc)
• Timna "restraint"

I also found another interesting set of names--Biblically used for both people and locations. When they have caught on in modern times, Biblical place names tend toward feminine (e.g. Bethany, Beulah, Moriah, Belén, Shiloh), but interestingly, most of these are masculine names.
Of course, many may be artifacts of transliteration, or places named for people. ;)
(I came across most of these by accident; it's probably nowhere near a complete list!)

• Alemeth, Alameth "covering"
• Anathoth "answers"
• Ariel "lion of God"
  [masculine on people, but the symbolic name for Jerusalem, which is personified as feminine]
• Azel "noble"
• Bilhah "timid" [feminine]
• Dedan--unknown meaning
• Eden "delight" [yes, a masculine name in the Bible!]
• Eder "flock"
• Ephrath, Ephrathah "fruitful" [feminine]
• Eshcol "cluster [like of grapes]"
• Gilead "memorial cairn"
• Haran "scorched"
• Havilah poss. "circular" or "sand"
• Hebron "association"
• Hezron "court"
• Jabesh "dry"
• Japhia "shining"
• Naamah "pleasantness" [feminine]
• Naarah, Naarath "maiden" [feminine]
• Ophir--unknown meaning
• Ophrah "fawn"
• Penuel "face of God"
• Rehob "wide space" [not to be confused with feminine name Rahab]
• Rekem "many-colored"
• Rimmon, Remmon "pomegranate"
• Sheba--meaning unknown
• Tekoa, Teqoa poss "sudden sound" or "pitch tent"
• Teman "south"
• Tirzah "delightful" [feminine]

-Iah Can't Think of a Clever Title.

(and I'm fairly certain that did not count)

The -iahs are an interesting bunch. They're mostly Biblical boys' names relating to Yahweh (I could almost call this post 'Names "of God" part 2'), originally pronounced "____-yah-hoo", which somehow became "_____-eye-ah" in English. The few -aiah names, which would have been roughly "eye-ah" in Hebrew, are mostly traditionally said "ay-ah" here.
Anglicization is weird.

Anyway, while most are Biblically masculine [exceptions are noted], a few have started to gain use for girls in modern times.

• Abiah (ah-BYE-ah)--"my father is Yahweh".
• Adaiah (ah-DAY-ah, ah-DYE-ah)--"Yahweh has adorned"
• Ahaziah (ah-haz-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh grasps"
• Ahiah (ah-HYE-ah)--"brother of Yahweh".
• Aiah (AY-ah, EYE-ah)--"hawk"
• Amariah (am-ah-RYE-ah)--"Yahweh has said"
• Amasiah (am-ah-SYE-ah)--"Yahweh bears the load"
• Amaziah (am-ah-ZYE-ah)--"strength of Yahweh"
• Anaiah (an-AY-ah, an-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh answered"
• Ananiah (an-an-EYE-ah)--"covered by Yahweh"
• Aphiah (af-EYE-ah)--poss. "breeze"
• Asaiah (as-AY-ah, as-EYE-ah)--"made by Yahweh"
• Athaiah (ath-AY-ah, ath-EYE-ah)--"helped by Yahweh"
• Athaliah (ath-ah-LYE-ah)--"Yahweh binds" [Biblically unisex]
• Azaliah (as-ah-LYE-ah)--"kept near Yahweh"
• Azaniah (az-an-EYE-ah)--"heard by Yahweh"
• Azariah (az-ah-RYE-ah)--"helped by Yahweh"
• Azaziah (az-ah-ZYE-ah)--"might of Yahweh"
• Baaseiah (bay-ah-SEE-ah)--"made by Yahweh"
• Bariah (bah-RYE-ah)--"fleeing"
• Bedeiah (bed-EE-ah)--"servant of Yahweh"
• Benaiah (ben-AY-ah, ben-EYE-ah)--"built by Yahweh"
• Berachiah (behr-ah-KYE-ah)--"blessing of Yahweh"
• Beraiah (behr-AY-ah, behr-EYE-ah)--"built by Yahweh"
• Beriah (behr-EYE-ah)--"from adversity"
• Besodeiah (bes-oh-DEE-ah)--"counsel of Yahweh"
• Bithiah (bith-EYE-ah)--"daughter of Yahweh" [Biblically feminine, as you can probably guess]
• Chenaniah (ken-an-EYE-ah)--"planted by Yahweh". Also transliterated as Kenaniah.
• Coniah (con-EYE-ah)--"established by Yahweh"
• Delaiah (del-AY-ah, del-EYE-ah)--"lifted up by Yahweh". Also transliterated as Dalaiah.
• Eliah (el-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh is God" [more commonly transliterated as Elijah]
• Gedaliah (ged-ah-LYE-ah)--"greatness of Yahweh"
• Gemariah (gem-ah-RYE-ah)--"accomplishment of Yahweh"
• Giah (GYE-ah)--"fountain" [Biblical place name]
• Habaiah (hab-AY-ah, hab-EYE-ah)--"hidden by Yahweh"
• Hananiah (han-an-EYE-ah)--"favored by Yahweh"
• Harhaiah (har-HAY-ah, har-HYE-ah)--"anger of Yahweh"
• Hasadiah (has-ah-DYE-ah)--"kindness of Yahweh"
• Hashabiah (hash-ah-BYE-ah)--"planning of Yahweh"
• Hazaiah (haz-AY-ah, haz-EYE-ah)--"seen by Yahweh"
• Hezekiah (hez-eh-KYE-ah)--"strength of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Hizkiah.
• Hilkiah (hil-KYE-ah)--"inheritance of Yahweh"
• Hodaviah (hoh-dah-VYE-ah)--"majesty of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Hodaiah.
• Hodiah (hoh-DYE-ah)--"majesty of Yahweh" [Biblically unisex]
• Hoshaiah (hoh-SHAY-ah, hoh-SHYE-ah)--"saved by Yahweh"
• Ibneiah (ib-NEE-ah)--"built up by Yahweh"
• Igdaliah (ig-dah-LYE-ah)--"greatness of Yahweh"
• Iphedeiah (if-ed-EE-ah)--"redeemed by Yahweh"
• Isaiah (eye-ZAY-ah, eye-ZYE-ah)--"salvation of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Jesaiah or Jeshaiah.
• Ishiah (ish-EYE-ah)--"lent by Yahweh". Also transliterated as Isshiah and Jesiah.
• Ishmaiah (ish-MAY-ah, ish-MYE-ah)--"Yahweh hears"
• Ismachiah (is-mah-KYE-ah)--"sustained by Yahweh"
• Izrahiah (iz-rah-HYE-ah)--"Yahweh will shine". Also transliterated as Jezrahiah.
• Jaazaniah (jay-az-an-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh hears". Also transliterated as Jezaniah.
• Jaaziah (jay-ah-ZYE-ah)--"fierceness of Yahweh"
• Jahaziah (jay-hah-ZYE-ah)--"Yahweh sees"
• Jaresiah (jehr-eh-SYE-ah)--poss. "nourished by Yahweh" or "rest of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Jaareshiah.
• Jecoliah (jek-oh-LYE-ah)--"Yahweh is able". Also transliterated as Jechiliah. [Biblically feminine]
• Jeconiah (jek-oh-NYE-ah)--"established by Yahweh"
• Jedaiah (jed-AY-ah, jed-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh knows"
• Jedidiah (jed-id-EYE-ah)--"beloved of Yahweh"
• Jehdeiah (jeh-DEE-ah)--"may Yahweh give joy"
• Jehiah (jeh-HYE-ah)--"Yahweh lives"
• Jekamiah (jek-ah-MYE-ah)--"Yahweh will rise"
• Jeremiah (jehr-eh-MYE-ah)--"Yahweh lifts up"
• Jeriah (jehr-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh instructs"
• Jeziah (jez-EYE-ah)--"sprinkling of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Izziah.
• Joshaviah (josh-ah-VYE-ah)--"set by Jehovah"
• Josiah (joh-SYE-ah)--"founded by Yahweh"
• Josibiah (joh-sib-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh abides"
• Josiphiah (joh-sif-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh adds"
• Kolaiah (koh-LAY-ah, koh-LYE-ah)--"fame of Yahweh"
• Maadiah (may-ah-DYE-ah)--"adornment of Yahweh"
• Mahseiah (mah-SEE-ah)--"refuge of Yahweh" or "work of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Maaseiah.
• Malchiah (mal-KYE-ah)--"Yahweh is king". Also transliterated as Melchiah.
• Mariah (mah-RYE-ah)--form of Mary/Maria [modern; feminine]
• Mattaniah (mat-tan-EYE-ah)--"gift of Yahweh"
• Mattithiah (mat-tith-EYE-ah)--"gift of Yahweh"
• Melatiah (mel-ah-TYE-ah)--"delivered by Yahweh"
• Meraiah (mehr-AY-ah, mehr-EYE-ah)--"rebellion" or "bitterness"
• Micaiah (mye-KAY-ah, mik-EYE-ah)--"who is like Yahweh". Also transliterated as Michaiah. [Biblically unisex]
• Mikneiah (mik-NEE-ah)--"possession of Yahweh"
• Moriah (mor-EYE-ah)--poss. "seen by Yahweh" or "bitterness of Yahweh" [Biblical place name, modernly used as a feminine name]
• Neariah (nee-ah-RYE-ah)--"servant of Yahweh" or "child of Yahweh"
• Nedebiah (ned-eh-BYE-ah)--"moved by Yahweh"
• Nehemiah (nee-heh-MYE-ah)--"Yahweh comforts"
• Neriah (nehr-EYE-ah)--"light of Yahweh". Also transliterated as Neraiah.
• Nethaniah (neth-an-EYE-ah)--"gift of Yahweh"
• Neziah (nez-EYE-ah)--"eminent"
• Noadiah (noh-ad-EYE-ah)--"meeting with Yahweh" [Biblically unisex]
• Obadiah (oh-bah-DYE-ah)--"servant of Yahweh"
• Pelaiah (pel-AY-ah, pel-EYE-ah)--"marvel of Yahweh"
• Pelaliah (pel-ah-LYE-ah)--"Yahweh intercedes"
• Pelatiah (pel-ah-TYE-ah)--"Yahweh delivers"
• Pethahiah (peth-ah-HYE-ah)--"Yahweh sets free"
• Raamiah (ray-ah-MYE-ah)--"thunder of Yahweh"
• Ramiah (rah-MYE-ah)--"exaltation of Yahweh"
• Reaiah (ree-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh has seen"
• Reelaiah (ree-eh-LAY-ah)--"Yahweh makes tremble"
• Rehabiah (ree-hah-BYE-ah)--"Yahweh enlarges"
• Remaliah (rem-ah-LYE-ah)--poss. "Yahweh adorns"
• Rephaiah (ref-AY-ah)--"Yahweh heals"
• Sariah (sah-RYE-ah)--prob. a form of Sarah, Seraiah, or Suraya [modern; feminine]
• Semachiah (sem-ah-KYE-ah)--"Yahweh sustains"
• Seraiah (sehr-AY-ah, sehr-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh prevails"
• Sheariah (shee-ah-RYE-ah)--prob. "Yahweh reckons" or "gate of Yahweh"
• Shebaniah (sheb-ah-EYE-ah)--"prosperity of Yahweh"
• Shecaniah (shek-an-EYE-ah)--"Yahweh dwells". Also transliterated as Shechaniah.
• Shehariah (sheh-hah-RYE-ah)--"Yahweh seeks"
• Shelemiah (shel-eh-MYE-ah)--"friend of Yahweh"
• Shemaiah (sheh-MAY-ah, sheh-MYE-ah)--"Yahweh listens"
• Shemariah (shem-ah-RYE-ah)--"guarded by Yahweh"
• Shephatiah (shef-ah-TYE-ah)--"Yahweh judges"
• Sherebiah (shehr-eh-BYE-ah)--"heat of Yahweh"
• Tebaliah (teb-ah-LYE-ah)--"Yahweh has plunged"
• Tobiah (toh-BYE-ah)--"goodness of Yahweh" [modern English form is Tobias]
• Uriah (yoo-RYE-ah)--"flame of Yahweh"
• Uzziah (uz-ZYE-ah)--"might of Yahweh"
• Vaniah (van-EYE-ah)--unknown, poss. "cast by Yahweh", "praise of Yahweh", or "Yahweh answers"
• Zachariah (zak-ah-RYE-ah)--"Yahweh remembers". Also transliterated as Zechariah.
• Zebadiah (zeb-ah-DYE-ah)--"Yahweh bestows"
• Zedekiah (zed-eh-KYE-ah)--"Yahweh is righteous"
• Zephaniah (zef-an-EYE-ah)--"hidden away by Yahweh"
• Zerahiah (zehr-ah-HYE-ah)--"Yahweh rises"
• Zeruiah (zehr-oo-EYE-ah)--poss. "balsam" or "balm of Yahweh" [Biblically feminine]
• Zibiah (zib-EYE-ah)--"gazelle" [Biblically feminine]

I admit, I didn't think this list would be soooooooooooooo looooooooooooooong. And it's not even complete! Believe it or not, this was trimmed to the ones easiest in English. o.O

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Ben

Ben! How have I forgotten good, dependable Ben for so long? Benjamin is the usual choice, of course, and just as in style as ever. Bentley & Bennett are modern up-and-comers, and while I wouldn't be surprised to see Benedict get a bit more usage, it's still likely to be a bit too Arnold, Cumberbatch, and/or breakfast-y for many.
So what else.....?

• Balendin (bah-len-deen, Basque)--form of Valentine
• Bastian (BAST-yen, English)
• Benaiah (ben-EYE-ah, ben-AY-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"God has built"
• Benedetto (beh-neh-DET-toh, Italian)--form of Benedict. Other forms include Benas (Lithuanian), Benedek (Hungarian), Benedito (Portuguese), Benito (Spanish, Italian), & Benoit (French)
• Bengeir (BEN-gire, Old Norse)
• Benhail (ben-HAY-il, ben-HYE-il, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"son of might"
• Benigno (beh-NEEG-no, Spanish, Portuguese; beh-NEEN-yoh, Italian)--from Latin, "kind"
• Beñat (ben-yaht, Basque)--form of Bernard
• Benno (BEN-noh, German)--from Germanic, "bear"
• Bentein (BEN-tine, Norwegian)
• Ebenezer (eh-ben-EE-zer, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Esben (ES-ben, Danish, Norwegian)--from Old Norse, "god-bear"
• Iben (EE-ben, Norwegian)--short form of Ibenhard/Ebenhard
• Kolben (KOL-ben, [archaic] Swedish)--another form is Kulben (archaic Danish) [coincides with the German word for 'piston']
• Preben (PRAY-ben, Danish)--from Slavic, "first battle"
• Reuben (ROO-ben, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Torben (TOR-ben, Danish)

Names "of God"

Whoa, don't worry! Not going there!
Rather, I've recently realized just how many "-iel" names there are. The vast majority are masculine and derived from Hebrew, where they mean "of God", and I'm going to concentrate on those.
Traditionally, -iel names have been feminized to -iela/iella in English and many other languages, so I thought it'd be fun to list them as well, even those that have never really been used widely (if at all).

(This is mostly for interest's sake, but if you see a name you like for an actual human, pet, plant, car, etc; you may want to double-check the connotations & origins--while many reside in multiple traditions [Eastern, Catholic, Protestant, & Jewish] or all of them, some are specific to one or another, or may have very different stories)

• Abdiel/Abdiela--"servant of God"
• Abiel/Abiela--"God is my father". Also written as Aviel/Aviela.
• Adiel/Adiela--"ornament of God"
• Admiel/Admiela--"man of God"
• Adriel/Adriela--"flock of God" or "help of God"
• Ambriel/Ambriela--poss. "energy of God"
• Ammiel/Ammiela--"people of God"
• Aniel/Aniela--"grace of God" or "God's answer". Also written as Haniel/Haniela.
• Ariel/Ariela--"lion of God"
• Ashriel/Ashriela--poss. "blessing of God". Also written as Asriel/Asriela.
• Asiel/Asiela--"made by God"
• Azriel/Azriela--"help of God"
• Camiel/Camiela--"he sees God"
• Cassiel/Cassiela--"speed of God". Possible variant is Castiel/Castiela.
• Daniel/Daniela--"God is my judge"
• Eliel/Eliela--"my God is God"
• Ezekiel/Ezekiela--"God strengthens"
• Gabriel/Gabriela--"God is my strength". Also written as Gavriel/Gavriela. 
• Gaddiel/Gaddiela--"God is my happiness"
• Gameliel/Gameliela--"reward of God"
• Hiel/Hiela--"God lives" or "brother of God"
• Ithiel/Ithiela--"God is with me". Also written as Itiel/Itiela.
• Jaasiel/Jaasiela--"made by God". Also written as Jasiel/Jasiela.
  [For this and all J-names listed, spelling/pronouncing with a Y is also valid; e.g.: Yaasiel/Yaasiela.]
• Jaaziel/Jaaziela--"emboldened by God"
• Jahaziel/Jahaziela--"God sees". Also written as Jahziel/Jahziela.
• Jahdiel/Jahdiela--"unity with God"
• Jathniel/Jathniela--poss. "hired by God", "endurance of God", or "gift of God"
• Jehiel/Jehiela--"God lives" or "carried away by God"
• Jekuthiel/Jekuthiela--poss. "hope of God", "preservation of God", or "obedient to God"
• Jeremiel/Jeremiela--"God uplifts" or poss. "God's mercy"
• Jeriel/Jeriela--"taught by God"
• Jesimiel/Jesimiela--"placed by God"
• Jeziel/Jeziela--"sprinkling of God"
• Jophiel/Jophiela--"beauty of God". Possible variant is Zophiel/Zophiela.
• Kadmiel/Kadmiela--"everlasting God"
• Katriel/Katriela--"crown of God"
• Magdiel/Magdiela--"excellence of God"
• Malchiel/Malchiela--"God is my king"
• Nathaniel/Nathaniela--"given by God"
• Nuriel/Nuriela--poss. "fire of God"
• Othniel/Othniela--"force of God"
• Pagiel/Pagiela--"occurrence of God"
• Paltiel/Paltiela--"deliverance of God"
• Raziel/Raziela--"secret of God"
• Remiel/Remiela--poss. "mercy of God" or "thunder of God"
• Shealtiel/Shealtiela--"I have asked God". Also written as Salathiel/Salathiela.
• Shelumiel/Shelumiela--"peace of God"
• Uriel/Uriela--"God is my flame"
• Uzziel/Uzziela--"God is my strength". Also written as Oziel/Oziela.
• Zabdiel/Zabdiela--"my gift is God".
• Zadkiel/Zadkiela--"righteousness of God"
• Zaphkiel/Zaphkiela--"knowledge of God"
• Zerachiel/Zerachiela--"God's command"
• Zuriel/Zuriela--"God is my rock". Also written as Tsuriel/Tsuriela.

This is nowhere near an exhaustive list, by the way. Theophory is a fascinating subject, and I've only scratched the surface here. :)

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Sam

I was surprised to find that Samuel & Samantha are currently ranked #25 & 29 in the US (for boys & girls, respectively, of course). Admittedly, they peaked 20-30 years ago, and have been dropping since, but still--30 years is decent staying power for a girls' name! Most don't stick around that long.
Of course, all this means that you probably know a Sam or two of either gender (or both), so finding new ways to get to spunky, solid Sam is understandable.
(note: I did start to delve into boy-Sam possibilities on a previous post, so if you feel a bit of déjà vu, you're not crazy)

Boys:

• Bassam (bah-SAHM, Arabic)--"smiling"
• Isamu (ee-sah-moo, Japanese)--"courage"
• Salman (SAL-mahn, Arabic)--"safe"
• Samad (sam-AHD, Arabic)--"eternal"
• Samang (sahm-ANG, Khmer)--"lucky"
• Samay (sam-EYE, Khmer)--"daydream"
• Sambor (SAM-bor, Polish)
• Samir (sah-MEER, Arabic, Hindi)
• Samson (SAM-son, English)--from Hebrew "sun". Another form is Sampson.
• Samuli (SAH-moo-lee, Finnish)--form of Samuel
• Stamatis (stah-MAH-tis, Greek)--another form is Stamatios.

Girls:

• Belisama (bel-ee-SAH-mah, Gaulish mythology)--poss. "brightest one"
• Gethsemane (geth-SEM-ah-nee, [Biblical] Greek)
• Ibtisam (ib-tee-SAM, Arabic)--"smile"
• Psamathe (SAM-ah-thee, [Ancient] Greek)--"sand goddess". Another form is Psamathea. 
• Salima (sah-LEE-mah, Arabic)--"safe"
• Samar (SAM-ar, Arabic)
• Samara (sah-MAHR-ah, sam-EHR-ah, English)
• Samaria (sah-MAHR-ee-rah, sah-MEHR-ee-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Samika (SAM-ik-ah, Hindi)
• Samina (sah-MEEN-ah, Arabic)--"healthy"
• Samira (sah-MEER-ah, Arabic)
• Samiya (sah-MEE-yah, Arabic)--"sublime, supreme". Also transliterated as Samia.
• Samuela (sam-WEL-ah, Italian)--feminine of Samuel
• Samuline (sah-moo-LEE-neh, Norwegian)--feminine of Samuel
• Stamatia (stah-MAH-tee-ah, Greek)

Unisex:

• Masami (mah-sah-mee, Japanese)

Vowel-Names for Boys

It occurred to me the other day that I do a lot of 'names by construction' posts for girls, but not really many for boys. So then I had to think of what I could do--besides the overplayed -aidens, and surname-y -sons & -tons, boys' names don't really have a lot of distinct patterns.
However, while vowel-y names for girls are in abundance, there aren't a lot for boys....

• Abijah (ah-BYE-jah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Adamo (ah-DAH-moh, Italian)--form of Adam. Other forms include Adão (ah-DOW, Portuguese) and Akamu (ah-kah-moo, Hawaiian)
• Adino (ah-dee-noh, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Adlai (AD-lay, AD-lye, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Aimo (EYE-moh, Finnish)--"good, real"
• Aldo (AHL-doh, English, Italian, Swedish)
• Alejo (ah-LEH-hoh, Spanish)--form of Alexis. Other forms include Aleksey (Russian), Aleksi (Finnish), & Alessio (Italian)
• Arlo (AR-loh, English)
• Asa (AY-sah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Elio (EL-yoh, Italian)--from Greek, "sun"
• Eliseo (eh-lee-ZEH-oh, Italian; eh-lee-SEH-oh, Spanish)
• Eloy (eh-LOY, Spanish)--from Latin, "chosen". French form is Éloi (AYL-wah). 
• Ezio (ETS-yoh, Italian)--from Latin, "eagle"
• Iago (ee-AH-goh, English, Portuguese; YAH-goh, Welsh)--form of Jacob. Spanish form is Yago. 
• Ibai (ee-bye, Basque)--"river"
• Ingo (EEN-goh, German)
• Ithai (ith-EYE, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"with me". Also transliterated as Ittai or Itai.
• Ivailo (ee-VYE-loh, Bulgarian)--prob. "wolf". Also transliterated as Ivaylo.
• Obadiah (oh-bah-DYE-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Obi (OH-bee, Igbo)--"heart"
• Omri (AHM-ree, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Orsino (or-SEE-noh, Italian)--from Latin "bear". Another form is Orso.  
• Otto (AH-toh, English, Danish, German, OH-toh, Swedish)--from Germanic, "wealth". Other forms include Ottone (Italian) & Udo (German). 
• Yermolai (YEHR-moh-lye, Russian)--also transliterated as Ermolai.

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Oz

I really need to come up with a better title for these posts--I'm rapidly running out of "usual" nicknames! Anyway, I see Oz bounced around a bit online, and I do see the appeal: short, snazzy, that zippy Z. The problem is associations--Oz alone is reminiscent of "Land of Oz" (along with a few other pop culture references), and Ozzy...is all Osbourne.
There's Oscar of course, and Oswald, and even Austin if your accent allows, but what else?

• Osbert (OZ-bert, English)
• Osgood (OZ-good, English)
• Osman (OHS-man, Turkish)
• Osmar (OS-mahr, Portuguese)--from Germanic "fame of God"
• Osmond (OZ-mond, English)--also spelled Osmund
• Osric (OZ-rik, English)
• Ossian (OS-see-an, Scandinavian, German)--form of Irish Oisin
• Osulf (OZ-ulf, Old English)
• Osvit (OS-veet, Serbian)--"dawn")
• Oswin (OZ-win, English)
• Ozan (OH-zahn, Turkish)--"bard"
• Ozazias (oz-AHZ-ee-as, [Biblical] Greek)
• Ozias (OZ-ee-as, [Biblical] Greek; oh-ZEE-as, Greek)
• Oziel (oz-ee-EL, [Biblical] Greek)
• Ozren (OZ-ren, Croatian, Serbian)

Same Name?!?--Sarah

Sweet, classical Sarah. Thanks to the Biblical matriarch (and probably her meaning as well--"princess"), she's been common for generations. Her spike in the 80s means she's usually stereotyped as an "our generation" name, like Jessica or Heather, but surprisingly, she's still in the top 50.
Fairly simple in sound, Sarah/Sara is used throughout the world with very little alteration. Her diversity lies mainly in diminutives, many of which are now in use as given names.

Original Hebrew form: Sarah [שָׂרָה] (sah-RAH)

Other forms:

• Kala (KAH-lah, Hawaiian)
• Sadie (SAY-dee, English)
• Saija (SYE-ah, Finnish)
• Sally (SAL-lee, English)
• Sari (SAH-ree, Finnish, Hungarian)
• Sarit (sah-REET, Hebrew)
• Sassa (SAHS-sah, Scandinavian) [also a form of Alexandra or Astrid]
• Suri (SOO-ree, Yiddish)
• Tzeitel (tZYE-tel, Yiddish)

More Than Noah, Daniel, Joshua, Matthew, & Elizabeth: Biblical Names II.

So on my last Biblical post, I focused on more obscure Biblical names (and it was fun!). Admittedly, they may be a little too "out there" for some people, so this time, here're Biblical names that have a decent history of use in English, but haven't ever been really popular.

Boys:

• Abner (AB-ner)
• Amos (AY-mos)
• Asa (AY-sah)--"doctor"
• Barnabas (BAR-nah-bus)
• Bartholomew (bar-THOL-o-myoo)
• Cyrus (SYE-rus)
• Darius (DAIR-ee-us)--"possessing good"
• Enoch (EE-nock)--"dedicated"
• Ephraim (EE-fray-im or EF-rahm)--"fruitful"
• Felix (FEE-liks or FEH-liks)--"lucky"
• Gideon (GID-ee-on)
• Hiram (HYE-ram)
• Hosea (ho-ZAY-ah)--"salvation"
• Ira (EYE-rah)--"watchful"
• Jethro (JETH-roh)--"abundance"
• Jubal (JOO-bal)
• Moses (MOH-zes)
• Reuben (ROO-ben)
• Rufus (ROO-fus)
• Simeon (SIM-ee-on)--"listener"
• Thaddeus (THAD-ee-us)
• Titus (TYE-tus)
• Tobias (toh-BYE-as)--"God is good"

Girls:

• Abilene (AB-ih-leen or ah-bih-LEE-nee)
• Carmel (KAR-mel)--"garden"
• Damaris (DAM-ah-ris or dam-AIR-is)
• Dinah (DYE-nah)
• Esther (ES-ter)--"star"
• Hephzibah (HEP-zi-bah)--"my delight is in her". Also spelled Hepzibah.
• Junia (JOON-ee-ah)
• Lois (LOH-is)
• Magdalene (MAG-dah-leen or mahg-dah-LEN-eh)
• Mara (MAR-ah)
• Miriam (MEER-ee-am)
• Noah (NOH-ah)--"motion". Sometimes spelled Noa. [not to be confused with the popular boys' name Noah, which sounds the same in English, but is of a different Hebrew source]
• Priscilla (pris-SIL-lah)
• Rhoda (ROH-dah)--"rose"
• Selah (SEE-lah or SEH-lah)
• Susanna (soo-ZAN-nah)--"lily" ["rose" in modern Hebrew]. Original Hebrew form is Shoshannah.
• Tamar (tah-MAHR or TAY-mar)--"palm tree". Variants include Tamara.

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Bella

Fueled by Isabella's insane jump to the top, just-plain-Bella followed a few years after. The fact that it coincides with the Italian word for "pretty" certainly didn't hurt.
For now, Bella may be Twilight-tainted, but that will fade.

• Amabel (AH-mah-bel, English)--from Latin, "lovable"
• Arabella (air-ah-BEL-lah, English, Scottish)--prob. an invented name inspired by Annabella.
• Belinda (bel-IN-dah, English)
• Bellamy (BEL-ah-mee, English)--from French, "beautiful friend"
• Bellatrix (BEL-lah-triks, Latin)--"warrior"
• Bellona (bel-LOH-nah, Latin)--Roman goddess of war
• Belphoebe (bel-FEE-bee, English)--"beautiful and bright"
• Christabel (KRIS-tah-bel, English)--Also spelled Christabelle & Christobel.
• Claribel (KLAIR-ih-bel, English)
• Dulcibella (dul-si-BEL-lah, English)--from Latin, "sweet and beautiful"
• Elizabella (ee-liz-ah-BEL-lah, English)--form of Elizabeth/Isabella.
• Mehetabel (meh-HET-ah-bel, Hebrew)--"God makes happy"
• Mirabella (MEER-ah-bel-lah, Italian)--"wonderful"
• Orabela (oh-rah-BEL-lah, Esperanto)--"golden beautiful"
• Rosabella (ROH-sah-bel-lah, Italian)--"beautiful rose"

Same Name?!--John

What can you say about John? Thanks to a pair of admirable Bible characters, it's one of the most popular boys' names of all time, extremely common in all three major branches of Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, & Protestant). It didn't lose its hold in America until the 80s, and even then, it's still in the top 25. It's also one of the few traditional names with a comparable range of both male and female versions.
For some, John is a solid classic, for others, it's bland and tired.
And despite the similarity in English, it's actually unrelated to Jonathan.

Original Hebrew form: Yochanan [יוֹחָנָן] (yoh-kha-nahn)
Greek transliteration: Yoannes (yoh-AHN-nehs)
Latin form: Iohannes (yoh-AN-nes)

Modern versions:

• Evan (EV-an)--Welsh. Anglicized from Iefan. Other forms include Ifan (EE-van), Ieuan (YAY-an), Ioan (YOH-an), Iwan (EE-wan), and Sion (SHON [via Jehan]).
• Ganix (JAHN-eesh)--Basque
• Giovanni (joh-VAHN-nee)--Italian
• Hank (HANK)--Medieval English (via Hann)
• Hann (HAHN)--Medieval English (via Johannes). Diminutive is Hankin.
• Hans (HAHNS)--Dutch, German, Scandinavian (via Johannes)
• Honza (HON-zah)--Czech (via Hans)
• Ian (EE-an)--Scottish. Older form is Iain.
• Ion (YON)--Romanian
• Ivan (ee-VAHN or EYE-van)--Slavic
• Jack (JAK)--English (via Jankin) 
• Jan (YAHN, JAN)--Czech, Dutch, German, Medieval English. English diminutive is Jankin.
• Janez (YAHN-ez)--Slovene
• Jehan (zheh-han)--Medieval French
• Jens (YENS)--Dutch
• João (ZHOO-ow)--Portuguese
• Johan (YOH-han)--German, Scandinavian
• Johannes (yo-HAN-nes)--Late Latin
• Jovan (YOH-van)--Macedonian, Serbian
• Juan (HWAHN)--Spanish
• Keoni (keh-oh-nee)--Hawaiian
• Sean (SHAHN)--Irish. Sometimes anglicized to Shane.
• Xoan (SHOH-awn)--Galician
• Yann (YAHN)--Breton. Diminutive is Yannick.

Feminine forms:

• Gianna (JAHN-nah)--Italian
• Ioanna (yoh-AHN-nah)--Greek
• Ionela (yoh-NEL-lah)--Romanian
• Ivana (ee-VAH-nah)--Slavic
• Jana (YAH-nah)--Dutch, German
• Jane (JAYN)--English (via Jehanne). Diminutives are Janet, Janice, and Jenny.
• Janneke (YAH-neh-keh)--Dutch
• Jean (JEEN)--English, Scottish (via Jehanne). Scottish diminutive is Jessie.
• Jeanne (ZHAHN)--French (via Jehanne). Diminutives are Jeannine and Jeannette.
• Jehanne (zheh-hahn)--Medieval French
• Joan (JONE)--English (via Johanne)
• Joana (zhoo-AH-nah)--Portuguese
• Joanna (joh-AN-nah)--English
• Johanne (zhoh-ahn)--Medieval French
• Jovana (yoh-VAH-nah)--Macedonion, Serbian
• Seona (SHOH-nah)--Scottish (via Joan)
• Sheena (SHEE-nah)--Scottish (via Jeanne)
• Sian (SHAHN)--Welsh
• Siobhan (shi-VAWN)--Irish (via Jehanne). Anglicized to Shevon or Chevonne.
• Zana (ZHAH-nah)--Slovene

Perennially Unpopular (Boys)

Popularity is a funny thing. Sometimes a name is bolstered by its history, sometimes by resemblance to another name, sometimes by some indescribable "coolness" factor. But for some reason, other names just never catch on in large numbers. Maybe they lack notable namesakes, have an unfashionable vibe, or are ahead of their time. No matter what reason they've stayed uncommon, here are names that have been around for decades, or even centuries, but perpetually sit just outside, or barely make a blip in, the Top 1000 charts.

• Alaric (AL-ah-rik, English)
  
• Ansel (AN-sel, English)
• Arlo (AR-loh, English)
• Baxter (BAKS-ter, English)
• Clive (CLIVE, English)
• Conley (CON-lee, Irish)--anglicization of Conleth
• Edric (ED-rik, English)
• Ephraim (EE-free-im or EF-ram, Hebrew)
• Evander (ee-VAN-der, Latin)
• Ignatius (ig-NAY-shus, Latin)
• Jamin (JAY-min, Hebrew)
• Jethro (JETH-roh, Hebrew)
• Jory (JOHR-ee, Cornish--form of George
• Leander (lee-AN-der, Greek)
• Leopold (LEE-oh-pold, German)
• Magnus (MAG-nus, Latin)--"great"
• Merrick (MEHR-rik, English)
• Merritt (MEHR-rik, English)
• Montgomery (mont-GUM-er-ee, English)--simply Monty has fared much better
• Mordecai (mor-de-KYE, Hebrew)
• Nevin (NEH-vin, English)--probably an anglicization of the Gaelic Naomhan ("little saint")
• Niles (NILES, English)
• Phinehas/Phineas (FIN-ee-as, Hebrew)
• Raynard (RAY-nard, English)
• Shea (SHAY, Irish)
• Simeon (SIM-ee-on, Hebrew)--form of Simon
• Talmadge/Talmage (TAL-madj, English)
• Tobin (TOH-bin, English)--form of Tobias
• Urban (UR-ban, Danish & English)

Hurricane Baby Names

A recent post on another board got me wondering just how many little surprises are going to be due about 40 weeks after Hurricane Irene. So, in honor of those future little ones, names inspired by one big storm:

Boy:

• Anan (AY-nan, Hebrew)--"cloud"
• Corentin (koh-REN-tin, Breton)--"hurricane"
• Esmond (ES-mond, English)--"grace and protection". Older form is Eastmund.
• Guntur (GOON-toor, Indonesian)--"thunder"
• Ireneus (eye-REN-eh-us, Greek)--The male form of Irene,  ironically, meaning "peaceful".
• Mazin (MAZ-in, Arabic)--"rain clouds"
• Meriwether (MEHR-ee-we-ther, English)--"happy weather"
• Noah (NOH-ah, Hebrew)
• Perun (PEHR-uhn, Slavic)--"thunder"
• Raijin (rye-jin, Japanese)--the Japanese thunder god. Also transliterated as Raiden.
• Salman (SAL-man, Arabic)--"safe"
• Shemer (SHEH-mer,  Hebrew)--"preserved"
• Tollak (TOL-lak, Norwegian)--"Thor's play" [Thor was the Norse god of, among other things, thunder.]
• Zephyr (ZEF-er, Greek)--the Greek god of the west wind

Girls:

• Arina (ah-REE-nah, Russian)--form of Irene
• Arke (AR-kay, Greek)--Greek rainbow and messenger goddess; twin sister to Iris.
• Anila (ah-nee-lah, Indian [Hindi])--"wind"
• Audra (AW-drah, Lithuanian)--"storm"
• Enfys (EN-vis, Welsh)--"rainbow"
• Era (EHR-ah, Albanian)--"wind"
• Esen (EH-sen, Turkish)--"the wind"
• Gabija (gah-bee-YAH, Lithuanian)--"to cover". The Lithuanian goddess of the home.
• Gale (GAYL, English)--"strong wind". Also a short form of the unrelated Abigail.
• Haven (HAY-ven, English)--"safe place"
• Iria (EE-ree-ah, Portuguese)--form of Irene.
• Iris (EYE-ris, Greek)--Greek rainbow and messenger goddess.
• Keshet (KESH-et, Hebrew)--"rainbow"
• Maya (mah-yah, Hebrew)--"water"
• Mealla (mee-AHL-la, Irish)--"lightning"
• Nephele (NEF-el-ee, Greek)--"cloudy"
• Nerissa (nehr-IS-sah, English)--from Greek, "sea sprite"
• Salma (SAL-mah, Arabic)--"safe"
• Tempest (TEM-pest, English)--"storm"
• Thora (THOHR-ah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Thor.

More than Jacob, Ethan, Michael, Abigail, & Noah: Biblical Names

It's funny how some names catch on and some don't. Christianity has been around for a couple millennia (even longer if you count the Israelites of the Old Testament), yet only a few names of the thousands in the Bible maintain popularity. I'm sure that the faith and/or valor of certain figures is what's kept their names popular (I can't explain Jacob or Jonah, however), but for parents seeking a name to honor their faith, there are more than just the usuals!

Boys:

• Abidan (AB-id-dan or ah-BYE-dan)--"My father is judge"
• Abiel (AY-bee-el)--"God is my father"
• Adlai (AD-lay or AD-lye)--"God is just"
• Allon (AHL-lon)--"oak tree"
• Azarel (AZ-ah-rel)--"God has helped"
• Boaz (BOH-az)--"swiftness, strength"
• Cephas (SEE-fas)--"rock". Most versions of the Bible translate it into its Greek equivalent--Peter.
• Eliud (ee-LYE-ud)--"God is grandeur"
• Eran (eh-RAHN)--"vigilant"
• Haggai (HAG-gye)--"festive"
• Ithiel (EE-thee-el)--"God is with me"
• Jabin (JAY-bin)--"perceptive"
• Jair (JAYR)--"he shines". Greek form is Jairus.
• Joram (JOHR-am)--"exalted by God"
• Omri (OHM-ree)--"my sheaf"
• Tekoa (tek-OH-ah)--"stockade"
• Zimri (ZIM-rye)--"my music"
• Zuriel (ZOOR-ee-el)--"God is my rock"

Girls:

• Abiah (ah-BYE-ah)--"My father is God"
  
• Adina (ah-DEE-nah)--"slender". A male in the OT, but a female name in modern Hebrew.
• Atarah (ah-tah-RAH)--"crown"
• Ephrath (EF-rath)--"fruitful"
• Iscah (IS-kah)--"anointed". Likely the inspiration for Shakespeare's invented name Jessica.
• Jael (jah-EL or JAY-el)--"mountain goat"
• Keturah (ket-OO-rah)--"incense"
• Keziah (kez-EYE-ah)--"cinnamon tree"
• Micaiah (my-KAY-ah)--"who is like God". Unisex in the Bible; modern masculine form is Micah.
• Michal (mee-KAHL)--"brook"
• Naamah (NAY-ah-mah or nah-ah-MAH)--"pleasant"
• Talitha (tal-EE-thah)--"little girl"
• Zibiah (zib-EYE-ah)--"gazelle"
• Zillah (ZIL-lah)--"shade"

Unisex:

• Abijah (ah-BYE-jah)--"My father is God"
• Nogah/Noga (NOH-gah)--"brightness"

True Unisex Names

Giving girls names that are traditionally boys' is nothing new, no matter how much modern parents wail about it (or wholeheartedly embrace it). I won't get into the sociological theories and quibbles about gender-bending names, but the truth is, once boy names "go girl", they rarely are suitable for boys after a generation or so. There are, however, some names that are truly unisex--they have been used both for boys and girls for several generations, or even several centuries in some cases. These are usually the result of two different names, from different sources, sounding the same in English, or a non-gender-specific name remaining extremely uncommon.

• Arden (AR-den, English)--a surname with various geographic origins
• Briar (BRY-ar, English)--from the thorny plant
• Caelan (KAY-lan, Irish)--anglicized from the masculine Caolan ("slender boy") or the feminine Caoilfhionn ("slender and pretty")
• Callisto (cahl-LEES-toh, Italian & Greek)--the masculine Italian and feminine Greek forms of Callistus ("most beautiful")
• Carey/Cary (KEHR-ee, English)--from the surname Carey with many origins, or short for Caroline
• Casey (KAY-see, English)--from the Irish surname O'Cathasaigh ("vigilant")
• Christian (KRIST-yan, English)--originally unisex, it's only recently become overwhelmingly used for boys.
• Francis (FRAN-sis, English & French)--"Frenchman"
• Garnet (GAR-net, English)--from the occupational surname, or from the gemstone
• Germaine/Jermaine (jur-MAIN, English & French)--the two most common versions of the Latin Germanus ("brother" or "seed")
• Hanan (hah-nahn, Hebrew & Arabic)--a masculine Hebrew name ("gracious", sometimes considered the male form of Hannah/Anna), or a feminine Arabic name ("mercy")
• Jules (JOOLZ, English)--from the masculine Julian or the feminine Julia
• Kiran (keer-an, Indian [Hindi])--"sunbeam"
• Lee (LEE, English)--from the English surname ("field")
• Lior (lee-OR, Hebrew)--"my light"
• Liron (leer-ON, Hebrew)--"my song"
• Mika (MEE-kah, Finnish & Japanese)--a Finnish form of Michael, or a feminine Japanese name ("beautiful perfume" or "beautiful addition")
• Merit (MEHR-it, English & Swedish)--from the surname Merritt, or from the English word, or a Swedish form of Margaret
• Merle (MURL, English)--from the surname Merrill or the feminine name Muriel, or from the archaic English word merle, "blackbird"
• Morgan (MOHR-gan, English & Welsh)--from the masculine Morcant or the feminine Morgen
• Noah (no-ah, English & Hebrew)--from the masculine Noach ("comfort") or the feminine No'ah ("motion")
• Rio (REE-oh, English, Spanish, & Japanese)--from the Spanish word for river, or a Japanese feminine name ("cherry blossom village")
• Robin (ROB-in, English)--short for Robert, or from the songbird
• Rowan (ROH-an, English & Irish)--from the Irish surname O'Ruadhan, or from the tree
• Shea (SHAY, Irish)--anglicized from Seaghdha ("admirable")
• Tai (TYE, Chinese)--"great"
• Wyn/Wynne (WIN, English & Welsh)--from the English surname ("friend") or from the Welsh masculine name Gwyn ("blessed")
• Yarden (YAHR-den, Hebrew)--anglicized as Jordan
• Yuri (YOO-ree, Japanese & Russian)--feminine Japanese name ("lily") or a Russian form of George

More Subtle than Princess, Diamond, or Heaven

Your name reflects who you are, or what your parents wanted for you. Word names are funny things--some are seen as quirky, but acceptable. Others are scoffed at by a good portion of society. So, you want to name your daughter Queen, but want to make sure she won't legally change her name the nanosecond she turns 18? Here're some less overt choices:

• Adi (ah-DEE, Hebrew)--"jewel"
• Alina (ah-LEE-nah, Arabic)--"noble"
• Alya (AHL-ya, Arabic)--"heaven" or "sky"
• Anthea (an-THAY-ah, Greek)--"flower"
• Anwen (AHN-wen, Welsh)--"very beautiful"
• Astrid (AST-rid, Scandinavian)--"beautiful goddess"
• Bevin (BEY-vin, Irish)--"fair lady"
• Bijou (bee-zhoo, French)--"jewel"
• Calantha (cahl-AN-tha, Greek)--"beautiful flower"
• Despina (DEHS-pee-na, Greek)--"lady"
• Diantha (dye-AN-tha, Greek)--"heavenly flower"
• Dulcibella (dul-see-BELL-a, Latin)--"sweet and pretty"
• Donna (DAH-nah, Italian)--"lady"
• Eirian (eye-REE-an, Welsh)--"bright"
• Freya (FRAY-ah, Norse)--"lady", Norse goddess of love and beauty
• Gytha (GEETH-a, English)--"beautiful goddess"
• Inanna (in-AH-nah, Sumerian)--"lady of the sky", Sumerian goddess of love, earth, war, and fertility
• Ixchel (ee-SHEL, Mayan)--"rainbow lady", Mayan goddess of the moon, earth, and medicine
• Keeva (KEE-va, Irish)--"beautiful", traditionally spelled Caoimhe
• Líadan (LEE-ah-dahn, Irish)--"grey lady" 
• Mabel (MAY-bel, English)--"lovable"
• Malika (mah-lee-kah, Arabic)--"queen"
• Mio (mee-oh, Japanese)--"beautiful cherry blossom"
• Mona (MOH-na, Irish)--"little noble one"
• Naomi (nah-oh-mee, Japanese)--"honest and beautiful"
• Nerys (NEHR-iss, Welsh)--"lady"
• Neve (NEEV, Irish)--"bright", traditionally spelled Niamh
• Orla (OR-la, Irish)--"golden princess"
• Ourania (ou-RAN-ee-ah, Greek)--"heavenly", Greek muse of astronomy
• Peninnah (pen-IN-nah, Biblical Hebrew)--"precious stone"
• Rani (rah-nee, Indian [Hindi])--"queen"
• Regina (re-GEE-na, Latin)--"queen"
• Reina/Reyna (REY-na, Spanish)--"queen"
• Rhiannon (ree-AN-on, Welsh)--"great queen", Welsh goddess of the moon and fertility
• Ríona (ree-OH-nah, Irish)--"queen"
• Sarah (SAIR-a, Biblical Hebrew)--"princess"
• Talulla (tah-LOO-lah, Irish)--"princess of abundance"
• Theia (THAY-ah, Greek)--"goddess"
• Yakira (yah-KEER-ah, Hebrew)--"precious"
• Ziva (ZEE-va, Hebrew)--"radiant"

Actually, It's Traditionally Spelled with a K.

K is a fairly uncommon letter in the English language. Because it's uncommon, it draws the eye and is becoming more and more popular in names. So, if you like the letter 'K', but cringe at the thought of trend-ifying a traditional 'C' name, here's some names that are "supposed to be" spelled with a 'K'.

Boys:

• Kai (KYE, Scandinavian, German, Hawaiian, English) --short for a few longer names in several European languages; a full name in Hawaiian: "sea"
• Kaito (kah-ee-to, Japanese)
• Kaleo (kah-lay-oh, Hawaiian)
• Kallias (kah-LEE-ahs, [ancient] Greek)--"beauty"
• Kalyan (KAL-yan, Hindi)
• Karsten (KAHR-sten, German)--Low German form of Christian
• Kaspar (KAHS-par, German)--form of Jasper
• Kavi (kah-vee, Hindi)--"wise man"
• Kayin (kah-yin, [Biblical] Hebrew)--usually transliterated as Cain in English
• Kekoa (keh-KOH-ah, Hawaiian)--"brave one"
• Kerman (kehr-man, Basque)--form of Germaine: "friend"
• Kleon (KLEH-on, Greek)--"glory"
• Arkady (ahr-KAH-dee, Russian)
• Elek (EL-ek, Hungarian)
• Mirek (MEE-rek, Polish)
• Noak (NOH-ahk, Swedish)
• Reko (REH-koh, Finnish)--form of Gregory
• Rurik (RUR-ick, Russian)

Girls:

• Kadri (KAD-ree, Estonian)--form of Katherine
• Kahina (KAH-hee-nah, Berber)--from Arabic, "diviner"
• Kaja (KYE-ah, Scandinavia, Polish)--feminine of Kai. Also spelled Kaia or Kaija.
• Kaisa (KYE-sah, Finnish)--another form of Katherine
• Kala (KAH-lah, Hindi)--"art form"
• Kalea (kah-LEY-ah, Hawaiian)--"happiness"
• Kalina (kah-LEE-nah, Bulgarian)
• Kalliope (kal-ee-OH-pey OR kah-LYE-oh-pee, Greek)--"beautiful voice"
• Kallisto (kal-LIS-toh, Greek)--"most beautiful"
• Kalyani (kahl-YAH-nee, Hindi)--feminine of Kalyan
• Kamaria (kah-mah-REE-ah, Swahili)--from Arabic, "moonlight"
• Karola (kah-ROH-lah, German)
• Kasia (KAH-shah, Polish)--yet another form of Katherine
• Katida (kah-TEE-dah, Esperanto)--"kittenish"
• Kavita (kah-veet-ah, Hindi)--"poem"
• Kelda (KEL-dah, English)--"spring" (of water)
• Kerensa (kehr-EN-sah, Cornish)--"love"
• Kleio (KLEY-oh, Greek)--the Muse of historical poetry
• Keturah (ket-OO-rah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"incense"
• Ksenia (KSEN-yah, Polish)
• Akemi (ah-kem-ee, Japanese)--"bright and beautiful"
• Anouk (ah-NOOK, Dutch, French)--form of Anna/Hannah
• Mika (mee-kah, Japanese)

Unisex:

• Kamalani (kah-mah-LAH-nee, Hawaiian)--"heavenly child"
• Kiran (KEER-an, Hindi)--"ray of light"