F-abulous Names

Considering how many F-names seem to be trending (Finn and variants, Flynn, Ford, Fisher, Fletcher, Felicity, Fiona, Freya), I'm surprised there aren't any except Faith in the SSA Top 100--and it's down at #91! After that, it's Finn for boys at #204 and Finley for girls at #209.
F-names were all the rage at the turn of the century (Frank, Florence, Frances/Francis, Fred, Ferdinand, Floyd, Faye, etc), and I think it's time for a comeback. ;)

(this turned into a much longer list than I had expected. How is it that there are so many F-names world-wide, but so few in use in the US?)

Boys:

• Faolán (FWEE-lawn, FWAY-lawn, Irish)--prob. "little wolf"
• Faiz (FAH-eez, Arabic)--"victorious"
• Fanuel (FAHN-oo-el, Scandinavian)--from Hebrew, "face of God"
• Faramund (FAHR-ah-mund, Germanic)--"journey protection". Old Swedish form is Farmund.
• Faris (FEHR-is, Arabic; FAH-rees, Bosnian)--from Arabic, "knight"
• Farman (FAHR-man, Scandinavian)--"traveller". Also spelled Farmann. 
• Faustin (foh-STAHN, French; FOW ['ow' like "now"] -steen, Russian)--from Latin, "lucky". Other forms include Faustyn (FOW-stin, Polish) and Faustino (fow-STEEN-oh, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish). 
• Fen (FEN, Frisian)--nickname for Germanic frid names, "peace" [coincides with an English word for a type of wetland]
• Ferapont (fyehr-ah-PAHNT, Russian)--from ancient Greek, "servant, caregiver"
• Ferris (FEHR-ris, English [surname], Irish [surname])--from French, "ironworker", or a form of Fergus
• Fife (FIFE, Scottish)--from the Scottish region, origin unknown. Also spelled Fyfe.
• Finlo (FIN-loh, Manx)--"fair Lugh" [Irish god]
• Finnegas (FIN-eh-gas, Irish [mythology])--poss. "Finn the Seer". Also written as Finegas or Finneces.
• Finnvid (FIN-vid, [somewhat archaic] Swedish)--"Finn-tree" or "magician-tree"). Other forms include Finnevid (also somewhat archaic Swedish), Finnved (archaic Norwegian), and Finwith (old Danish, old Swedish)
• Fishel (FISH-el, Yiddish)--"little fish" [also sometimes used as a nickname for Ephraim]
• Fivos (FEE-vos, Greek)--modern masculine form of Phoebe, "light"
• Flemming (FLEM-ming, Scandinavian [esp. Danish!])--"from Flanders" [probably ultimately from Old Frisian "of the flowing water"]. Also spelled Fleming. 
• Flint (FLINT, English [surname])
• Fordel (FOR-del, Norwegian)--from Germanic, "advantage"
• Fosco (FOHS-koh, Italian)--prob. from Latin, "dark"
• Fraser (FRAY-zher, FRAY-zer, Scottish, English)--also spelled Frazier
• Fredmund (FRED-moond, Norwegian)--"peace protection"
• Frey (FRAY, Danish, Swedish)--masculine of Freya "lord". Also spelled Frej.
• Fulton (FUL-ton, English [surname])

Girls:

• Fabia (FAH-bee-ah, Latin, Italian)--other forms include Fabiana (fah-bee-AH-nah, Latin, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Fabienne (fah-bee-EN, French), and Fabiola (fah-bee-OH-lah, Spanish, Italian).
• Fadime (fah-dee-MAY, Turkish)--form of Fatima
• Faina (fah-EE-nah, Russian)--poss. from ancient Greek Phaenna, "shining"
• Faiza (FYE-zah, Arabic)--"victorious"
• Fanchon (FAN-shawn, French)--nickname for Françoise/Frances
• Fanélie (fah-nay-LEE, French)--form of Françoise/Frances or Stéphanie
• Fara (FAH-rah, Italian, Scandinavian)--nickname for Germanic fara names, "journey"
• Fausta (FOW ['ow' like "now"] -stah, Latin, Italian)--from Latin, "lucky". Other forms include Faustine (foh-STEEN, French), Faustina (fow-STEEN-ah, Latin, Italian), and Faustyna (fow-STIN-ah, Polish). 
• Favonia (fah-VOH-nee-ah, Latin)--"favored"
• Fedea (fed-eh-ah, Basque)--"faith"
• Femke (FEM-keh, Dutch, Frisian)--nickname for Germanic frid names, "peace". [coincides with the Frisian word for "girl"]
• Fenareti (fen-ah-REH-tee, Greek)--"shining virtue". Also transliterated as Fainareti. 
• Fenna (FEN-nah, Dutch, Frisian)--another nickname for Germanic frid names, "peace". Also spelled Fenne. 
• Feray (feh-RYE, Turkish)--poss, "radiance of the moon"
• Ffion (FEE-on, Welsh)--"foxglove"
• Fia (FEE-ah, Scandinavian)--short form of Sofia
• Fiadh (FEE-ah, Irish)--"wild" or "deer"
• Fiadhnait (FYAH-nat, Irish)--"fawn"
• Fiamma (fee-AHM-mah, Italian)--"flame"
• Fiammetta (fee-ahm-MET-tah, Italian)--"little flame"
• Fiorenza (fee-oh-REN-tsah, Italian)--form of Florence. Other forms include Florentia (floh-REN-tee-ah, Latin; floh-REN-shah, English) and Florencia (floh-REN-see-ah, Spanish). 
• Fira (feer-AH, Russian)--nickname for Esfir/Esther
• Flavia (FLAH-vee-ah, Latin, Spanish, Italian)--from Latin, "golden, yellow". Other forms include Flavie (flah-VEE, French), Flavienne (flah-vee-EN, French), and Flaviana (flah-vee-AH-nah, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).
• Freydis (FRAY-dis, Norwegian)--"lady goddess". Another form is Frøydis (FROOY [somewhere between English "ay" and "oy"] -dis). 

Unisex:

• Farah (FAH-rah, Arabic)--"joy". Also spelled Farrah. 
• Firdaus (FEER-dohs, Arabic; fur-DOHS, Persian)--"paradise". Also transliterated as Firdos. [definitely unisex, although more common for boys, in Arabic; might be exclusively masculine in Persian]

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"

-Ric Rollin'

Haha, now that song's in your head!

I love a good -ric name. And unlike many constructions, this one is pretty much exclusively male (well, I did turn up modern unisex word-name Lyric, Irish girls' name Aifric, and Thai girls' name Bundarik, but that's it!).
Eric was a 70s/80s staple, Frederick's been on the downswing for the last century, Patrick is my age (or my parents'), and Maverick is quickly scaling the US charts.
While relatively uncommon today, -rich/ric names used to be fairly widespread in Europe, thanks to good ol' Proto-Germanic, where '-rich' meant "ruler" or "power".

• Adalrich (AHD-al-rik, Germanic)--"noble ruler"
• Alaric (AL-ah-rik, English)--from Germanic "ruler of all"
• Alberich (AHL-beh-rikh, German)--original form of Aubrey
• Aldric (ahl-DREEK, French)--from Germanic "old power". Other forms include Aldéric (ahl-day-REEK) and Audric (oh-DREEK).
• Amalric (AHM-al-rik, ah-MAHL-rik, Germanic, ah-mahl-REEK, French)--from Germanic "work power". One of the possible sources for Emmerich/Emery.
• Ardaric (AR-dah-rik, Germanic)--poss. "brave power"
• Athanaric (ah-THAN-ar-ik, Germanic)
• Baderich (BAH-der-ik. Germanic)--"battle ruler"
• Baldric (BAHL-drik, English)--from Germanic "bold power"
• Berich (BEHR-ik, Germanic)--"bear ruler"
• Brunric (BROON-rik, Germanic)--"armor ruler" or poss. "brown ruler"
• Bystrík (BIS-treek, Slovak)--poss. "quick-witted"
• Cedric (SED-rik, English)
• Cenric (KEN-rik, Old English)--"bold power". One of the sources of surname Kendrick. 
• Cyneric (KIN-eh-rik, Old English)--"royal power". Another possible source for Kendrick.
• Eboric (EB-or-ik, Germanic)--"boar power"
• Edric (ED-rik, Old English)--"wealth ruler"
• Elric (EL-rik, English)--either from Old English Alfric (AL-frik) "elf power" or Athelric (ATH-el-rik) "noble power"
• Embrik (EM-brik, Norwegian)
• Erchamrich (EHR-kam-rik, Germanic)--"chief ruler"
• Ermenrich (EHR-men-rik, Germanic)--"great ruler" Another possible source for Emmerich/Emery.
• Emmerich (EM-er-ikh, German)--other forms include Émeric (ay-meh-REEK, French) and Aymeric (eh-muh-REEK, French).
• Garrick (GEHR-ik, English)--from Occitan "oak tree", or possibly Germanic "spear power"
• Genseric (GEN-ser-ik, Germanic)--poss. "spear power". Variants include Gaiseric (GYE-ser-ik), and Geiserich (GYE-ser-ikh, German)
• Godric (GAHD-rik, English)
• Guerric (gehr-REEK, French)
• Gumerich (GOO-mehr-ik, Germanic)--"ruler of man"
• Gunderic (GOON-deh-rik, Germanic)--"war ruler"
• Heinrich (HINE-rikh, German)--original form of Henry "home ruler". Other forms include Henrik (HEN-rik, German, Scandinavian) and Hendrik (HEN-drik, Dutch). Another possible source for Kendrick, as well as a possible source of Emmerich/Emery.
• Hilderich (HIL-der-ik, Germanic)--"battle ruler"
• Imrich (IM-rik, Czech, Slovak)--form of Emmerich/Emery
• Isanric (EE-san-rik, Germanic)--poss. "iron ruler". Also written as Isenric.
• Jarich (YAH-rikh, Frisian)--poss. from Germanic "spear"
• Landrich (LAHN-drik, Germanic)--"land ruler"
• Leofric (lee-OF-rik. Old English)--"beloved ruler"
• Lorik (LOHR-ik, Albanian)--poss. "quail"
• Merrick (MEHR-rik, English)--from Welsh Meurig (a form of Maurice) or Germanic "famous ruler".
• Odrich (AHD-rik, Germanic)--"ruler of riches". Variants include Audéric (oh-day-REEK, French).
• Osric (OZ-rik, Old English)--"god power"
• Pierrick (PYEHR-eek, French)--form of Pierre/Peter
• Roderick (RAHD-er-ik, English)--from Germanic, "famous ruler". Other forms include Rörik (ROH-rik, Swedish), Rorik (ROH-rik, Old Danish), and Rurik (ROO-rik, Russian).
• Romaric (RAHM-ah-rik, Germanic; roh-mah-REEK, French)--poss. "famous power"
• Serik (SEHR-ik, Kazakh)--"support"
• Shurik (SHOOR-ik, Russian)--diminutive of Alexander
• Sigerich (SEE-geh-rik, Germanic)--"victory ruler"
• Siserich (SEE-ser-ik, Germanic)--"song ruler"
• Tarık (TAHR-ik, Turkish)
• Theodoric (thee-AHD-oh-rik, Germanic)--"ruler of the people". Variants include Dietrich (DEET-rikh, German), Diederich (DEE-der-ikh, German), Dederick (DED-er-ik, English), and Dedrick (DED-rik, English).
• Ulrich (OOL-rik, German, ool-REESH, French)--variants include Olric (OHL-rik) and Odalric (OH-dahl-rik). 
• Volkrich (VOHL-krik, Germanic)--"people's ruler"
• Waldrich (VAHL-drik, Germanic)--"ruler of power". Other forms include Waldric (WAHL-drik, English) and Gaudéric (goh-day-REEK, French), and Galdric (gahl-DREEK, French).
• Wilrich (VEEL-rik, Germanic)--"willful ruler"
• Winrich (VEEN-rikh, German)--from Germanic, "friend ruler"
• Wirich (VEER-ikh, German)--from Germanic, "war ruler"
• Witteric (VEET-er-ik, Germanic)--poss. "forest ruler"
• Wulfric (WOOL-frik, Old English)--"wolf power". Another form is Ulfric (OOL-frik).
• Yorick (YOHR-ik, English, Dutch)--form of George. Other spellings include Jorick (YOH-rik, Dutch) and Jorik (YOH-rik, Dutch)

And don't let the -richs scare you off! ;) There's plenty of precedent to Anglicize those German/Germanic names by changing the '-rich' to '-ric/rick' or '-ry'.
So for instance, Winrich would logically be Winric/Winrick (WIN-rik), or Winry (WIN-ree) in Modern English.
(Full Metal Alchemist fans rejoice! :p )

Big A, little a

What begins with A?
Lots of smallish girls' names, and they also end that way:

• Abha (ahb-hah, Hindi)--"light, luster"
• Achsa (AHK-sah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Ada (AY-dah, English; AH-dah, German, Polish, Scandinavian, Turkish) [multiple derivations]
• Adla (AHD-lah, Swedish)--form of Adela/Adelaide
• Adva (ahd-vah, Hebrew)--"little wave"
• Aella (EYE-lah, [ancient] Greek)--"whirlwind"
• Agda (AG-dah, Swedish)--form of Agatha
• Aida (ah-EE-dah, English, Italian)--from Arabic, "returning"
• Aika (ah-ee-kah, Japanese)
• Ailsa (AYL-sah, Scottish)
• Aina (EYE-nah, Finnish, Spanish; ah-ee-nah, Japanese) [separate derivations]
• Aira (EYE-rah, Finnish)
• Aisha (ah-EE-shah, Arabic)--"life, alive". Other forms include Asha (Swahili).
• Alba (AHL-bah, Italian, Latin, Spanish)
• Alda (AHL-dah, Italian, Portuguese)
• Alka (AHL-kah, Croatian)
• Alma (AL-mah, English; AHL-mah, Italian, Scandinavian, Spanish)
• Alta (AL-tah, English)
• Alva (AHL-vah, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "elf"
• Ambra (AHM-brah, Italian)--form of Amber
• Anca (AHN-kah, Romanian)
• Anna (AN-nah, English; AH-nah, everywhere else)--Also spelled Ana. Other forms include Ania, Anka, & Anya.
• Ansa (AHN-sah, Finnish)
• Arja (AHR-yah, Finnish)
• Arla (AHR-lah, Swedish)
• Arna (AHR-nah, Germanic, Scandinavian)--"eagle"
• Arwa (UR-wah, Arabic)
• Åsa (OH-sah, Norwegian, Swedish)
• Asha (AH-shah, Hindi)--"hope"
• Asta (AHS-stah, Scandinavian)--form of Astrid and other Ast-names. 
• Auda (OW-dah, Germanic)--form of Otto/Odette
• Audra (OH-drah, Lithuanian; AW-drah, English) [separate derivations]
• Aura (OW-rah, Finnish)
• Aušra (OH-shrah, Lithuanian)--"dawn"
• Ava (AY-vah, English; AH-vah, German, Persian, Scandinavian) [multiple derivations]
• Avra (AH-vrah, Greek)--"aura, breeze"
• Aya (ah-yah, Japanese, Scandinavian) [separate derivations]
• Ayça (eye-jah, Turkish)--"crescent moon"
• Ayla (AY-lah, English; eye-LAH, Turkish) [separate derivations]
• Azra (AZ-rah, Arabic, Bosnian, Turkish)

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)

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Sunny

Okay, yet again, not really a usual nickname, but a nickname-y full name. Happy and off-beat, it's not surprising that Sunny (as well as Sunshine) has been used as a girls' name occasionally, especially during the 70s. As cheery as it is, though, it suffers from two major problems--it's a nature-name, which tend to be love-or-hate; and it sounds like a diminutive.

• Allison (AL-ih-son, English)
• Aysun (eye-SOON, Turkish)--"beautiful as the moon"
• Josune (yoh-soo-neh, Basque)--feminine of Josu/Jesus
• Sidony (sih-DOH-nee, English)--French form is Sidonie (see-doh-NEE).
• Sonali (son-AH-lee, Hindi)--"golden"
• Sonata (soh-NAH-tah, English)
• Sonia (SOHN-yah, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish)--form of Sophia. Also spelled Sonja or Sonya.
• Sonnet (SAHN-net, English)--from Italian, "little poem"
• Sonora (soh-NOHR-ah, English)
• Sophronia (soh-FROHN-yah, [Ancient] Greek)--"sensible"
• Sunaya (soon-AH-yah, Hindi)--"just"
• Sunčana (SOON-chah-nah, Croatian)--"sunny". Another form is Sunčica (SOON-cheets-ah)
• Sunilda (soon-EEL-dah, Swedish)--form of Swanhilda.
• Sunita (soon-EE-tah, Hindi)--"polite"
• Sunitha (soon-EET-hah, Hindi)--"righteous"
• Sunniva (SOON-ee-vah, Scandinavian)
• Susanna (soo-ZAN-nah, English; soo-SAH-nah, Scandinavian, Italian)--from Hebrew, "lily, rose". Variants include Susan & Shoshana.

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Evie/Evvie

That's a double-V, not a W. ;)
Evie is one of the fasting-rising nicknames, from traditional picks like Evelyn, Eva, & Evangeline, modern choices like Everly, Evianna, & Ever, and even imports like Ivanna, Evelina, & Evelia. There's possibilities for every style.

• Eavan (EE-van, Irish)--"beautiful radiance". Anglicized from Aoibheann.
• Evadne (eh-VAHD-nee, [ancient] Greek)--"good and holy"
• Evalda (EH-vahl-dah, Scandinavian)
• Evalill (EH-vah-lil, Scandinavian)--combination of Hebrew Eve ("life") & Old Norse "little"
• Evangeliya (eh-vahn-geh-LEE-yah, Bulgarian)--"good messenger" [angel]
• Evanthe (eh-VAHN-thee, [ancient] Greek)--"good flower". Latin form is Evanthia.
• Evdokia (ev-doh-KEE-ah, Greek)--"good thought"
• Eveliese (eh-veh-LEE-zeh, German)--combination of Eva & Elisabeth
• Evena (EH-veh-nah, Scandinavian)--other forms are Evinda & Evina.
• Everild (EV-er-ild, English)
• Everina (eh-veh-REE-nah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Evert [Everett]. Another form is Everta.
• Evgenia (ev-GEN-yah, Greek)--feminine of Evgenios [Eugene]
• Évike (AY-vih-keh, Hungarian)--form of Eve
• Evita (eh-VEE-tah, Spanish)--another form of Eve
• Evren (ev-REHN, Turkish)--"the universe" [unisex]
• Ewara (EH-vah-rah, German)--"law and protection"
• Ifanwy (ee-VAN-wee, Welsh)
• Ivančica (ee-vahn-CHEE-tsah, Croatian)--"daisy"

Y Not?

Perhaps a bit of a cheat, as tons of names contain the letter Y. However, almost none have it as an initial letter...in English, anyway.
I was surprised at how many Y-names actually do appear in the Top 1000. Most are Spanish, Native American, or Arabic (or a mixture thereof!)--Yahir, Yandel, Yusuf/Yosef/Yousef, & Yadiel for boys, Yaretzi/Yaritza, Yareli, Yasmin/Yazmin, Yesenia, Yoselin, & Yamilet/Yamileth for girls, and Yael for both.
In the past, Yolanda, Yvette, Yvonne, & Yancy have charted, but no longer.

Boys:

• Yachin (yah-KHEEN, Hebrew)
• Yago (YAH-goh, Portuguese, Spanish)--form of Jacob/James
• Yakim (yah-KEEM, Russian)--form of Joachim/Joaquin
• Yalçin (yahl-CHIN, Turkish)
• Yaniv (yah-NEEV, Hebrew)--"he will prosper"
• Yannick (YAHN-neek, Breton, French)--form of John
• Yannis (YAHN-nis, Greek)--another form of John
• Yared (yah-RED, Hebrew)--original form of Jared
• Yaron (yah-ROHN, Hebrew)--"he sings"
• Yasen (YAH-sen, Bulgarian)--"ash tree" or "serene"
• Yavor (YAH-vohr, Bulgarian)--"maple tree"
• Yefim (yeh-FEEM, Russian)--from Greek, "speaks well"
• Yefrem (yeh-FREM, Russian)--form of Ephraim
• Yildirim (YIL-dih-rim, Turkish)--"lightning"
• Yishai (yee-SHYE, Hebrew)--original form of Jesse
• Ylur (IL-oor, Icelandic)--"warmth"
• Yoram (yoh-RAHM, Hebrew)
• Yorath (YOHR-ath, Welsh)--"worthy lord"
• Yori (yoh-ree, Japanese)--"trust"
• Yorick (YOHR-ik, English)--form of George
• Yrian (EER-ee-ahn, Scandinavian)--another [archaic] form of George
• Yulian (yoo-lee-AHN, Russian)--form of Julian
• Yuri (yoo-ree, Russian)--yet another form of George
• Yvo (EE-voh, Dutch, German)
• Ywain (ee-WAYN, French)--form of Owen

Girls:

• Yadira (yah-DEER-ah, Spanish)--from Arabic, "worthy"
• Yakira (yah-kee-rah, Hebrew)--"beloved, precious"
• Yamila (yah-MEE-lah, Spanish)--from Arabic, "beautiful"
• Yamuna (YAHM-uh-nah, Hindi)
• Yarona (yah-roh-nah, Hebrew)--feminine of Yaron
• Yara (YAH-rah, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Tupi, "water lady". Also spelled Iara.
• Yelena (yel-YEH-nah, Russian)--form of Helen
• Yemima (yeh-mee-mah, Hebrew)--"dove"
• Yên (ee-en, Vietnamese)--"peaceful"
• Yeşim (yeh-SHEEM, Turkish)--"jade"
• Yeva (YEH-vah, Russian)--form of Eve
• Yıldız (YIL-diz, Turkish)--"star"
• Yiskah (yees-KAH, Hebrew)--original form of Jessica
• Ylja (EEL-yah, Icelandic)--from Old Norse, "warm"
• Ylva (EEL-vah, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "she-wolf"
• Yngva (EENG-vah, Scandinavian)
• Yoana (yoh-AHN-nah, Bulgarian)--form of Joan/Jane/Jean
• Yonca (YOHN-jah, Turkish)--"clover"
• Yonit (yoh-NEET, Hebrew)--feminine of Jonah
• Yrja (EER-yah, Icelandic)--from Old Norse, "drizzling rain"
• Yseult (ee-zoolt, French)--form of Isolde
• Yuliana (yool-YAH-nah, Russian)--form of Juliana
• Yuliya (YOO-lee-ah, Bulgarian, Russian)--form of Julia
• Yumi (yoo-mee, Japanese)
• Yusra (YOOS-rah, Arabic)--"wealth"
• Yuzuki (yoo-zoo-kee, Japanese)

Unisex:

• Yağmur (yah-MOOR ['ah' is very long], Turkish)--"rain"
• Yarden (yar-DEN, Hebrew)--original form of Jordan
• Yasu (yah-soo, Japanese)--"peace, peaceful"
• Yuki (yoo-kee, Japanese)
• Yun (YOON, Chinese, Korean)
• Yuval (yoo-VAHL, Hebrew)--"stream"

A Few Gems

Woo! Time for another theoretical names post (I have a lot of fun with these).
Lots of gemstone- & other mineralogical-type names are/have been used in English. Ruby, Jasper, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Amber, Emery, & Coral are all pretty recognizable, and several more have been in rarer use as well--Amethyst, Garnet, Celestine, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Hyacinth, Beryl.
And so, here are a few more gems & minerals that could be used as names, IMO.

• Agate (AG-at, English; ah-GAHT, French)
• Ametrine (AM-eh-treen)
• Barytes (bah-RYE-teez) [archaic]
• Cadmia (KAD-mee-ah) [archaic]
• Chalcedony (kal-SED-oh-nee)
• Citrine (SIT-reen, SIT-rin)
• Covelline (KOH-vel-leen)
• Euclase (YOO-clays)
• Galena (gah-LEE-nah, gah-LEH-nah)
• Jacinth (JAY-sinth, jah-SINTH)
• Olivine (OL-ih-veen)
• Peridot (PEHR-ih-doh, PEHR-ih-dot)
• Tourmaline (TOHR-mah-leen, TOOR-mah-leen)

Gemstones in other languages (asterisks indicate established names):

• Ágata (AH-gah-tah, Spanish, Portuguese, Galician)--"agate". Italian is Agata (ah-GAH-tah) [also a form of Agatha].
• Ametista (ah-meh-TEES-tah, Italian)--"amethyst". Spanish is Amatista.
• Azurita (ah-soo-REE-tah, Spanish)--"azurite"
• Berillo (beh-REEL-loh, Italian)--"beryl"
• Biyu (bee-yoo, Mandarin [碧玉])--"jasper" [lit. "blue jade"]
• Lazurit (lah-ZOO-reet, Russian [лазурит])--"lapis lazuli". Japanese is Ruri (roo-ree) [ 琉璃--lit. "sulfur(?) glass"]
• Maragda (mah-RAHG-dah, Catalan)--"emerald". Spanish & Portuguese is Esmeralda* (fem).
• Mercan* (mehr-JAHN, Turkish, feminine)--"coral"
• Meripihka (MEHR-ih-pihh-kah, [the H is not silent] Finnish)--"amber"
• Nilam* (NEE-lam, Hindi, unisex)--"sapphire". Portuguese is Safira.
• Olivina (oh-lee-VEE-nah, Italian)--"olivine, peridot"
• Rubin (roo-BEEN, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German....)--"ruby". Italian is Rubino* (masculine).
• Yeşim* (yeh-SHEEM, Turkish, feminine)--"jade". Italian is Giada* (JAH-dah, feminine); Russian is Nefrit (NEH-freet) [нефрит].

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Grab Bag I (boys)

There are quite a few popular nicknames that are seriously lacking a variety of sources! Of course, I have to try anyway. This will definitely be the first of several of these 'grab bag' posts.
Thanks to Ashlie for several nickname suggestions. :)

"Dom" without Dominic:

• Adomas (ah-DOM-as, Lithuanian)--form of Adam
• Damasus (dah-MAH-soos, Latin)
• Damir (DAHM-eer, Slavic)--"giving peace"
• Dómald (DOH-mald, Icelandic)
• Domar (doh-MAHR, Swedish)
• Domen (DOM-en, Slovene)--form of Dominic
• Domitian (dom-EE-tee-an, dom-ISH-an, English)
• Edom (EE-dom, English)

"Huck/Hux" without Huxley (had to go really surname-y for this one!):

• Habakkuk (huh-BAK-uk, HAB-ah-kuk, English)--from Hebrew, "embrace"
• Huckett (HUK-ett, English)--surname form of Hugh
• Huckin/Hukin, Huckins/Hukins (HUK-in, HUK-ins)--another surname form of Hugh
• Hucknall  (HUK-nal, English)--surname, "Hucca [tribe] valley"
• Huxham (HUKS-am, English)--surname, "Hoc's home"

"Sam" without Samuel:

• Bassam (bah-SAM, Arabic)--"smiling"
• Samad (sam-AHD, Arabic)--"eternal"
• Samang (sahm-ANG, Khmer)--"lucky"
• Samay (sam-EYE, Khmer)--"daydream"
• Samir (sam-EER, Arabic)
• Sampo (SAHM-poh, Finnish)
• Samson (SAM-son, English)--from Hebrew, "sun"
• Samuli (SAH-moo-lee, Finnish)--form of Samuel

Elementary

I've done quite a few nature-name posts, but I realized I'd left out a lot of names! Captain Planet would be ashamed.

Earth:

• Avani (ah-vah-NEE)--Hindi, feminine
• Bhumi (bhoo-mee)--Hindi, feminine
• Daichi (dah-ee-chee)--Japanese, masculine; "great earth/land" [other meanings possible dep. on characters]
• Demeter (deh-MEE-ter, deh-MEH-tehr)--Ancient Greek, feminine; "earth mother" 
• Gaia (GAH-yah)--Greek, feminine
• Ila (EE-lah)--Hindi, feminine
• Kun (KOON)--Chinese, usually masculine
• Terra (TEHR-rah)--English [from Latin], feminine

Wind:

• Anemone (ah-NEM-ah-nee)--English [from Greek], feminine
• Anil (an-NEEL), masculine; Anila (ah-NEE-lah), feminine--Hindi
• Era (EH-rah)--Albanian, feminine
• Ghobad (ghoh-BAHD)--Persian, masculine
• Haizea (eye-seh-ah)--Basque, feminine
• Ilma (EEL-mah)--Finnish, feminine; "air"
• Meltem (mel-TEM)--Turkish, feminine; "breeze"
• Nasim (nah-SEEM)--Arabic, feminine; "breeze"
• Tuula (TOO-lah)--Finnish, feminine. Other forms include Tuuli, Tuulia, & Tuulikki (TOO-lik-kee).
• Vayu (VAH-yoo)--Hindi, masculine
• Zephyr (ZEF-er)--Greek, masculine; "west wind". French feminine form is Zéphyrine.

Fire:

• Agni (AHG-nee)--Hindi, masculine
• Aodhán (AY-ahn, AY-dahn), masculine; Aodnait (AY-nat), feminine--Irish, "little fire". Anglicized as Aidan & Enat, respectively.
• Azar (ah-ZAR)--Persian, feminine
• Cináed (KIN-ee, KIN-ay, KIN-ahd)--Scottish, masculine; "born of fire". Anglicized as Kenneth.
• Fiammetta (fee-ah-MEH-tah)--Italian, feminine; "little fire"
• Jehoash (jeh-HOH-ash)--English [from Hebrew], masculine; "fire of God". Another form is Joash (JOH-ash).
• Nina (NEE-nah)--Quechua, feminine
• Plamen (PLAH-men)--Slavic, masculine
• Shula (SHOO-lah)--Arabic, feminine
• Şule (shoo-LEH)--Turkish, feminine
• Ugnė (OOG-nee)--Lithuanian, feminine

Water:

• Aysu (eye-SOO)--Turkish, feminine; "moon & water"
• Damla (dahm-LAH)--Turkish, feminine; "water droplet"
• Douglas (DUG-las)--Scottish, masculine; "dark water"
• Kelda (KEL-dah)--English [from Old Norse], feminine, "spring, fountain"
• Maayan (mah-ah-yahn)--Hebrew, feminine; "spring, fountain"
• Mayim (mah-yeem)--Hebrew, feminine. Another form is Maya.
• Mortimer (MOR-tim-er)--English [from Old French], masculine; "still water"
• Neith (NEETH, NAYTH)--English [from ancient Egyptian], feminine
• Nerio (NEHR-yoh)--Italian [from Greek], masculine
• Shui (shoo-ee)--Chinese, usually masculine
• Su (SOO)--Turkish, feminine
• Tirto (TEER-toh)--Javanese, masculine; "holy water"

Ideals & Imagery

While doing my virtue-names post a while back, I came across many names with meanings that weren't quite virtues. While naming your daughter Beauty would probably be seen as presumptuous (not to mention a bit too Disney), there are plenty of names that mean 'beauty', as well as many other poetic inspirations.

Boys:

• Argi (ahr-gee, Basque)--"light"
• Argider (ahr-gee-dehr, Basque)--"beautiful light"
• Arman (ahr-MAHN, Kazakh)--"dream"
• Asher (ASH-er, English)--from Hebrew, "blessed"
• Ayman (AY-man, Arabic)--"blessed, lucky"
• Barak (bah-RAHK, Arabic)--"blessing"
• Benedict (BEN-eh-dikt, English)--from Latin, "blessed"
• Bhaskar (BHAHS-kar, Hindi)--"shining"
• Cemal (jem-AHL, Turkish)--"beauty"
• Daiki (dah-ee-kee, Japanese)--"great radiance" or "great & noble"
• Enver (en-VEHR, Turkish, Albanian)--"radiance"
• Eyal (eh-YAHL, Hebrew)--"strength"
• Jamal (jah-MAHL, Arabic)--"beauty"
• Kallias (KAHL-lee-as, Greek)--"beauty"
• Kibwe (KEE-bweh, Swahili)--"blessed"
• Krešimir (KRESH-ih-meer, Croatian)--"bringer of peace"
• Macario (mah-KAHR-yoh, Spanish)--from Greek, "blessed"
• Prakash (prah-KAHSH, Hindi)--"light"
• Roshan (roh-SHAN, Persian)--"light"
• Sisu (SEE-soo, Finnish)--"strength, willpower"
• Taiki (tah-ee-kee, Japanese)--"great radiance"

Girls:

• Abha (ahb-hah, Hindi)--"splendor"
• Aditi (ah-DEE-tee, Hindi)--"freedom"
• Aiman (eye-MAHN, Kazakh)--"beauty of the moon"
• Áine (AW-nyeh, Irish)--"radiance"
• Aisling (AHSH-leeng, Irish)--"dream"
• Aoibhe (EE-vah, Irish)--"beauty"
• Argiñe (ahr-gee-nyeh, Basque)--"light"
• Audrey (AW-dree, English)--"noble strength"
• Beata (beh-AH-tah, Latin)--"blessed"
• Bracha (BRAH-khah, Hebrew)--"blessing"
• Caoimhe (KWEE-vah, Irish)--"beauty". Anglicized to Keeva.
• Carwen (KAHR-wen, Welsh)--"pure love"
• Daina (DAY-nah, Lithuanian; DYE-nah, Latvian)--"song"
• Dipika (dee-PEE-kah, Hindi)--"light"
• Duana (DOO-an-ah, Irish)--"poem, song"
• Feray (feh-RYE, Turkish)--"radiance of the moon"
• Fotini (foh-tee-NEE, Greek)--"light"
• Gita (GEE-tah, Hindi)--"song"
• Hikari (hee-kah-ree, Japanese)--"light"
• Indira (IN-dih-rah, Hindi)--"beauty"
• Jyoti (jyot-EE, Hindi)--"light"
• Kanti (KAHN-tee, Hindi)--"beauty"
• Kavita (KAH-vee-tah, Hindi)--"poem, poetry"
• Keren (keh-rehn, Hebrew)--"ray of light"
• Lesedi (leh-seh-DEE, Tswana)--"light"
• Lucy (LOO-see, English)--from Latin, "light". Other forms include Lucia, Luce, Lucille, Lucette, Lux, Luz, and Luzia.
• Luule (LOO-leh, Estonian)--"poetry"
• Masego (mah-seh-hoh, Tswana)--"blessing"
• Megumi (meh-goo-mee, Japanese)--"blessing"
• Mele (meh-leh, Hawaiian)--"song"
• Nadra (NAH-drah, Arabic)--"radiance"
• Nima (NEE-mah, Arabic)--"blessing"
• Noya (no-yah, Hebrew)--"beauty"
• Nur (NOOR, Arabic)--"light". Other forms include Nuru (NOO-roo, Swahili).
• Säde (SAD-eh, Finnish)--"ray of light"
• Sana (SAH-nah, Arabic)--"brilliance"
• Saoirse (SEER-shah, Irish)--"freedom"
• Sanja (SAHN-yah, Croatian, Serbian)--"dream"
• Shira (shee-rah, Hebrew)--"poetry"
• Solveig (SOHL-vay, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "strength of the sun"
• Svajonė (svah-YOH-nyeh, Lithuanian)--"dream"
• Svatava (svah-tah-VAH, Czech)--"light" or "world". Another form is Svetlana (Russian, Slavic)
• Thi (TEE, Vietnamese)--"poem"
• Treasa (TRAH-sah, Irish)--"strength"

Unisex:

• Amets (ah-mehts, Basque)--"dream"
• Li (LEE, Chinese)--"reason" or "strength" [several other meanings possible depending on the characters]
• Liron (lee-rohn, Hebrew)--"my song"
• Noa (noh-ah, Hawaiian)--"freedom"
• Ori (oh-ree, Hebrew)--"my light"
• Shir (SHEER, Hebrew)--"song"

Modern But Not (boys)

I've dedicated quite a few posts to names that stand out. But what if you want a name that's modern, but not too weird or derivative--that is, blends in?
Modern American names tend to follow certain phonetic trends--the biggest trend for boys is the Aidens (I'll be bypassing this one; pretty much any iteration is probably already in use!). In general, modern boys' names tend to start with 'Br', J, K, T, Z; contain A, J, K, Q, X, Z; and end in 'en', 'on', or 'er'.

• Aeson (EE-son, Greek)
• Ariston (AH-ris-ton, Greek)--"the best"
• Andon (AHN-don, Bulgarian)--form of Anthony
• Anson (AN-son, English)
• Azhar (AZ-har, Arabic)--"shining"
• Berker (BEHR-kehr, Turkish)
• Bhaskar (BHAS-kahr, Hindi)--"shining"
• Brynjar (BRIN-yar, Scandinavian)--"armoured warrior"
• Brynmor (BRIN-mohr, Welsh)
• Cebrian (seb-ree-AHN, Spanish)
• Dathan (DAY-tahn, DAH-than, English)--from Hebrew, "fountain"
• Davorin (DAH-vor-in, Croatian)
• Dražen (DRAH-zen, Croatian)--"precious"
• Demir (deh-MEER, Turkish)--"iron"
• Eifion (AYV-yon, EYE-vyon, Welsh)
• Elystan (eh-LIS-tan, Welsh)
• Evren (ev-REHN, Turkish)--"the universe"
• Fintan (FIN-tan, Irish)--"white fire"
• Imran (im-RAHN, Arabic)
• Karsten (KAR-sten, German)--form of Christian
• Kayetan (KYE-eh-tahn, German)
• Kenyon (KEN-yon, English)
• Kynaston (KIN-ah-ston, English)
• Macsen (MAK-sen, Welsh)--form of Maximus
• Nayden (NYE-den, Bulgarian)
• Nevan (NEV-an, Irish)--anglicized from Naomhán, "little saint"
• Rayner (RAY-ner, English)
• Saxon ( SAKS-on, English)
• Torsten (TOR-sten, German, Scandinavian)
• Tychon (TYE-kon, Greek)
• Zaman (zah-MAN, Arabic)--"time, era"
• Zorion (soh-ree-ohn, Basque)--"happiness"

U-La-La!

Well, I've done I-names and O-names, so now it time for me to continue the trend of underused letters, this time with U.
Only 4 names starting with U appear in the US top 1000--Urijah, Uriel, Uriah, & Ulises.
Ursula charted in the past, and Unique more recently, but currently there are zero U-names in the girls' Top 1000!


Boys:

• Ualan (ooAH-lan, WAH-lan, Scottish)--form of Valentine
• Uberto (oo-BEHR-toh, Italian)--form of Hubert
• Ùisdean (OOSH-jun, Scottish)
• Ulderico (ool-deh-REE-koh, Italian)
• Ulfilas (ool-FEE-las, Gothic/Germanic)--"little wolf"
• Uljas (OOL-yahs, Finnish)--"noble, valiant"
• Ulric (OOL-rik, English)--from Germanic, "rich heritage"
• Ultan (UL-tan, Irish)
• Ulvi (ool-VEE, Turkish)--"exalted"
• Umar (OO-mar, Arabic)
• Ümit (EU-meet, Turkish)--"hope"
• Unathi (oo-NAH-tee, Xhosa)--"God is with us"
• Untamo (oon-TAH-moh, Finnish)
• Uolevi (OO-oh-leh-vee, Finnish)--form of Olaf/Oliver
• Urard (UR-ard, Irish)--"tall"
• Urban (OOR-bahn, German, Scandinavian, Slovene)--from Latin, "city dweller"
• Usko (OOS-koh, Finnish)--"faith"
• Usman (OOS-mahn, Arabic)
• Uspaig (OOS-pek, Scottish)--from Old Norse, "wild"
• Uxío (oo-SHEE-ah, Galician)--form of Eugene
• Uzziel (oo-zee-EL, UZ-ee-el, English)--from Hebrew, "God is my power"

Girls:

• Uaine (oo-AHN-yeh, WAHN-yeh, Irish)--"greenish"
• Udane (oo-dah-neh, Basque)--"summer"
• Uliana (ool-YAH-nah, Russian)--form of Juliana
• Ülkü (eul-KEU, Turkish)--"ideal"
• Ulrika (ool-REE-kah, Scandinavian, German)--feminine of Ulric
• Ulviye (ool-VEE-yeh, Turkish)--feminine of Ulvi
• Umeko (oo-meh-koh, Japanese)
• Una (OON-ah, Irish)
• Undine (oon-DEE-neh, UN-deen, English & German)--from Latin, "wave"
• Unelma (OON-el-mah, Finnish)--"dream"
• Ursa (UR-sah, OOR-sah, Latin)--"bear"
• Usha (OO-shah, Hindi)--"dawn"
• Usoa (oo-soh-ah, Basque)--"dove". Another form is Uxue (oo-shoo-eh). 
• Ustinya (oos-TEEN-yah, Russian)--form of Justine
• Uxía (oo-SHEE-ah, Galician)--form of Eugenia

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Bree

Bree-names are big right now. From the fairly-established Aubrey, Brianna, & Gabriella, to the modern Cambria, Brielle, & Bria, and even new inventions, like Aubrianna, Abriella, & Mabree, Bree is a nickname we're likely to keep seeing more and more of. But if you're not willing to use a top 100 name, or a recent innovation, what's left?

• Briallen (bree-AHL-len, Welsh)--"primrose"
• Bricia (BREE-see-ah, Spanish)--origin uncertain; prob. a  form of Bridget or of Bricius/Bryce
• Brighde (BREE-jeh, Scottish)--form of Bridget
• Brigida (BREE-zhee-dah, Portuguese; BREE-hee-dah, Spanish)--yet another form of Bridget
• Briseida (bree-SAY-dah, Spanish)-form of Briseis
• Brisen (BREE-sen, Welsh)
• Brîska (BREE-skah, Kurdish)--"glitter"
• Brizo (BREE-zoh, Greek)
• Bryndis (BRIN-dees, Norwegian)
• Fabrizia (fah-BREE-tzee-ah, Italian)
• Sabriye (SAH-bree-eh, Turkish)--"patient"

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Ed/Eddie

I admit, I love most of the Ed-names. There's just something about them. Edward is easily the most common,  but there are lots of ways to get to Eddie and the more archaic nicknames of Ned & Ted.

• Edelmiro (eh-del-MEER-oh, Spanish)--from Germanic, "noble and famous"
• Eder (eh-dehr, Basque)--"handsome"
• Edgar (ED-gar, English)--from Germanic, "blessed spear". Other forms include Edgard (French) and Edgardo (Spanish)
• Edis (EH-dees, Norwegian)--form of Giles/Aegidius. Older form is Edias. 
• Edison (ED-ih-son, English)
• Ediz (eh-DEEZ, Turkish)--"high"
• Edlef (ED-lef, Germanic)--"blessed wolf"
• Edmar (ED-mar, Scandinavian)--from Germanic, "wealthy and famous"
• Edmund (ED-mund, English)--from Germanic, "blessed protector". Other forms include Edmond (French), Edmao (Limburgish), Edmondo (Italian), & Edmundo (Portuguese & Spanish)
• Ednar (ED-nar, Norwegian)--masculine of Edna
• Edric (ED-rik, English)--from Germanic, "blessed ruler"
• Edsart (ED-sart, Frisian)--from Germanic, "brave sword"
• Edur (eh-door, Basque)--"snow"
• Edwin (ED-win, English)--from Germanic, "blessed friend"

O My...

(bonus points if you read the title in George Takei's voice)

Like I, O is a relatively rare first letter in American names. Olivia may the the #3 girls name in the U.S., but you have to go down the list quite a ways to find the next O-name--Olive, at #423! The boys have a few more options, with Owen and Oliver in the top 100, and Oscar and Omar in the top 200, but still, that's not much.
So if you want a name that stands out, forget J, K, & Z! Use an O name. :)

Boys:

• Obadiah (oh-bah-DYE-ah, Hebrew)--"servant of God"
• Oberon (OH-ber-on, English)--form of Aubrey
• Obrad (OH-brahd, Serbian)--"brings joy"
• Octavio (ohk-TAHV-yoh, Spanish; ahk-TAY-vee-oh, English)
• Omri (OHM-ree, Hebrew)
• Onisim (AHN-ee-seem, Russian)
• Oran (OH-ran, Irish)--Also spelled Orrin.
• Orbán (OHR-bahn, Hungarian)--form of Urban.
• Oren (oh-REN, Hebrew)
• Oroitz (oh-royts, Basque)--"memory"
• Orson (OHR-son, English--from French, "little bear"
• Orvar (OHR-vahr, Swedish)--from Norse, "arrow"
• Oswin (OZ-win, English)
• Otis (OH-tis, English)--from of Otto.
• Otto (AHT-toh, English; AW-toh, German)--"wealth"
• Ozan (oh-ZAHN, Turkish)--"bard"

Girls:

• Octavia (ohk-TAHV-yah, Spanish; ahk-TAY-vee-ah, English)--Italian form is Ottavia.
• Odilia (oh-DEE-lee-ah, Germanic)--feminine of Otto. Other forms include Ottilie (aw-TEE-lee-eh, German; or oh-tee-lee, French), Odalys (oh-DAH-leez, Spanish), Odelia (oh-DEH-lee-ah, English), and Odette (oh-DET, French, English).
• Ofelia (oh-FEH-lyah, Spanish, Italian)--form of Ophelia. French form is Ophélie (oh-fay-LEE).
• Oihana (oy-ah-nah, Basque)--"forest"
• Olalla (oh-LAH-yah, Spanish)--form of Eulalia
• Olwen (OHL-wen, Welsh)
• Onóra (on-OH-rah, Irish)--form of Honora
• Oona (OO-nah, Irish, Finnish)
• Opal (OH-pal, English)
• Orinthia (oh-RIN-thee-ah, English)
• Orla (OHR-lah, Irish)--"golden princess"
• Orsolya (OHR-shoh-yah, Hungarian)--form of Ursula
• Osanna (oh-ZAHN-nah, Italian)--from Biblical term hosanna. French form is Osanne.

Same Name?!--Mary

I admit, I've been putting this one off for a while--Mary is easily one of the most widespread & translated names of all time!
Often held up as the prime example of a "boring" name, it's still surprisingly common for new babes. Spin-offs Mariah, Maria, Maia, Mia, & Malia are more popular in the U.S., but there's still even more versions ready for use!

Original Hebrew form: Miryam [מִרְיָם] (meer-YAHM)
Latin transliteration: Maria (mah-REE-ah)

Modern forms:

• Maia (MY-ah)--Basque
• Maike (MY-keh)--Frisian
• Mair (MIRE)--Welsh
• Maire (MOI-rah)--Irish. Anglicized as Moira or Maura.
• Majken (MY-kyen)--Swedish
• Malia (mah-lee-ah)--Hawaiian
• Mareike (mah-RYE-keh)--German, Dutch
• Mariam (MAIR-ee-am)--Greek
• Marian (MAIR-ee-an)--English
• Mariel (MAIR-ee-el)--English
• Marietta (mahr-ee-ET-tah)--Italian
• Marika (MAH-ree-kah)--Estonian, Greek, Hungarian, Polish
• Marike (MAH-ree-keh)--Dutch
• Mariska (mah-REESH-kah)--Hungarian
• Maritta (mah-REET-tah)--Finnish
• Marjatta (mahr-YAHT-tah)--Finnish
• Maryla (mahr-IL-lah)--Polish
• Maryse (mah-REESE)--French
• Maureen (maw-REEN)--Irish. Anglicized from Maírín.
• Meike (MYE-keh)--German
• Meryem (MEHR-ee-em)--Turkish
• Mirele (MEE-reh-leh)--Yiddish
• Miren (MEER-en)--Basque
• Moirrey (MUR-ra or MOHR-reh)--Manx
• Molly (MOL-lee)--English

The 'I's Have It.

It occurred to me the other day that I is a most underused vowel. If you're watching the final round of Wheel of Fortune, no one ever picks I as their vowel. If you ask someone to start listing names that start with I, they'll probably go though Isaac, Ian, Isaiah, Isabel/Isabella, Irene, Iris, maybe even Imogen, Ivan, Ivy, or Isla. The popular list pretty much stops there, though. Admittedly, O & U are even rarer as name-starters, but from some reason, I feel I-names should be more common.

Boys:

• Iago (ee-AH-goh, Galician & Welsh)--from Hebrew James/Jacob
• Idan (ee-dahn, Hebrew)--"era"
• Idris (ID-ris, Welsh)
• Ignatius (ig-NAY-shus, English)--from Latin/Etruscan. Other forms include Ignacio (ig-NAH-cee-oh, Spanish), Iñaki (een-YAH-kee, Basque), and Ignace (IN-yahs, French)
• Iker (EE-ker, Basque)
• Ikram (ik-rahm, Arabic)--"honor"
• Imre (EEM-reh, Hungarian)--form of Emmerich
• Ingo (ING-oh, German)
• Ingram (ING-ram, English)
• Iokua (ee-oh-KOO-ah, Hawaiian)--form of Joshua
• Isamu (ih-sah-moo, Japanese)--"courage"
• Ishmael (ISH-may-el, English)--from Hebrew, "God will hear".
• Isidore (IZ-ih-dor or ees-ih-DOR, English & French)--from Greek. Also spelled Isadore, Isador, Isidor, or Izidor.
• Iskandar (is-KAN-dar, Arabic & Indonesian)--from Greek Alexander.
• Ivailo (ee-VYE-loh, Bulgarian)--"wolf". Also spelled Ivaylo.
• Ivor (EE-vor or EYE-vor, English)--from Norse, "bow warrior"

Girls:

• Ianthe (ee-AN-thee or eye-AN-thee, Greek)
• Idonea (id-OH-nee-ah, English)--from Norse Iðunn. Other versions include Idony (ID-oh-nee) and Idun (ee-DUN).
• Idoya (ee-DOY-ah, Spanish)--Also spelled Idoia.
• Idriya (ee-dree-ah, Hebrew)
• Ilana (ee-lah-nah, Hebrew)
• Ilaria (ee-LAR-ee-ah, Italian)--form of Hilary.
• Ilkay (il-KYE, Turkish)--"new moon"
• Ilona (EE-lon-ah or ee-LOH-nah, Hungarian)--from of Helen.
• Imelda (ee-MEL-dah, Spanish)--from German Irmhild.
• Indira (in-THEER-ah, Indian [Hindi])--"beauty"
• Iolana (ee-oh-LAH-nah, Hawaiian)--"to soar"
• Iro (EER-oh, Greek)--modern form of Hero.
• Ismene (IS-men or ees-MAY-nay)--Greek, "knowledge"
• Isolde (ee-ZOL-deh, German & English)--poss. from Celtic "fair to behold". Variants include Eseld, Esyllt, Iseult, Isotta, and Yseult.
• Izumi (iz-oo-mee, Japanese)--"fountain"

X Marks the Spot

Like J & K, Xs are relatively rare in English words, and so they're memorable & eye-catching. Unlike J & K, however, it's hard to find (or adapt) acceptable names containing X. One small problem is that X's pronunciation varies greatly from language to language. But, if you don't mind correcting people, there are quite a few fun X names out there.

Boys:

• Ajax (AY-jaks, Greek)
• Anxo (AN-shah, Galician)--form of Angel
• Axel (AKS-el, German, Scandinavian)--form of Absolom
• Dax (DAKS, English)--from Old English Dæcca, "day"
• Dexter (DEKS-ster, English)
• Felix (FEE-liks or FEHL-iks, Latin)--"lucky"
• Ganix (JAHN-eesh, Basque)--form of John
• Lennox (LEN-oks, Scottish)
• Mannix (MAN-niks, Irish)--Anglicized from either Mainchin or Mag Aonghuis
• Ximun (SHEE-mun, Basque)--form of Simon

Girls:

• Arantxa (ah-RANT-shah, Basque)
• Axelle (aks-EL-leh, French)--feminine of Axel
• Beatrix (BEE-ah-triks, or BEH-ah-triks, Latin)--"traveller"
• Eudoxia (yu-DOKS-ee-ah, Greek)--"good fame" 
• Itxaro (eet-SHAH-roh, Basque)--"hope"
• Ixchel (ee-SHEL, Mayan)--Mayan goddess of the earth, medicine, and the moon
• Meritxell (mur-eet-CHEL, Catalan)--"midday"
• Polyxena (pol-ih-KSEE-ah, Greek)--"much hospitality"
• Roxelana (roks-el-AH-nah, Turkish)
• Ruxandra (rewks-AN-drah, Romanian)--form of Roxana, "dawn"
• Uxia (oo-SHEE-ah, Basque)--form of Eugenia
• Xanthe (ZAN-theh or ZAN-thee, Greek)
• Xenia (KSEN-ya or ZEN-ee-ah, Greek)
• Xiomara (see-oh-MAHR-ah, Spanish)
• Xoana (shoh-AW-nah, Galician)--form of John

Either!:

• Alexis (ah-LEKS-ish, Greek)--"defender"
• Calix (CAHL-iks, Latin)
• Lux (LEWKS, Latin)--"light"
• Pax (PAKS, Latin)--"peace"
• Phoenix (FEE-niks, Greek)
• Xuan (sooun, Vietnamese)--"spring"
• Xue (shooeh, Chinese)--"snow" or "learning"
• Xun (shooen, Chinese)--"fast, sudden"