Emma and her partner are expecting and are looking for suggestions for names. They do not know the sex, but have settled on the middle names Anthony and Marie to honour family members.
Emma writes:
"We don't like anything common and would like them to be the only child in their class with that name. We like a very strong boys name, Celtic/ Irish or biblical. For girls we like softer names, traditional with maybe a Spanish twist - not too old!"
Their list is currently:
Noah
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I've met several people who like Biblical and/or Celtic boys yet prefer flowing Latin choices for girls. Both options seem to hit right to the heart of the qualities we want to embody for our boys and girls -- sturdy boys' names (masculine but not butch) and elegant, feminine girls' names. That is precisely the reason such lovely names -- Amelia, Olivia, Ava, Isla, Isabella, Mia, Sophia, Ella and Jacob, Thomas, Oscar, James, Joshua, Noah, Samuel -- all currently rank in the top 20. And there's the rub. You've found a formula for names which is almost universally liked and makes for a winning package. The problem you have found is, so have many other people.
The good news is that, although Olivia, Isla, Noah and Oscar are staples among their fields, you don't have to look to far to find usable names -- some even very familiar -- that are shockingly underused, despite having all the same ingredients to the popular favourites.
Suggestions:
Asher-- With its lovely meaning of "happy" and slick nickname Ash, Asher is a highly accessible biblical name that is remarkably underused, ranking only #394. Even less common is similar Biblical Asa -- possibly with the nickname Ace -- ranking only #647 but made familiar to some by actor Asa Butterfield.
Jonah -- Just like Noah, Jonah is the name of a revered Old Testament prophet with the strong 'o-a' sound. Unlike Noah however, Jonah only just makes the top 200 (#171) making it a relatively undiscovered gem. Latin variant Jonas gives a stronger sound but is even less common at #461.
Conall -- With it's meaning of "strong wolf," Conall is a striking yet easily pronounceable Gaelic name from Irish legend. It is a brother name of popular Connor and Callum, yet it doesn't even rank in the top 1000! Neither does Cormac, an equally accessible Irish heritage choice.
Amos -- A biblical prophet, sharing the same rhythm and strong vowel sounds as Caleb and Noah, but only ranking at #910.
Flynn -- A dashing and rugged Irish surname-turned-firstname. Since its Disney boost in 2011 it has moved into the top 200, but has plateaued since, sitting comfortably down at #153.
Malachi -- A solid biblical choice meaning "my messanger/my angel" and the name of another prophet. Despite its striking and rather hip sound, it only ranks #239. Malachy (pronounced MAL-a-kee, rather than MAL-a-kie) is an anglicised form of the Old Irish name Máel Máedóc, borne by a saint.
Levi -- As thoughts of the jeans fades into the 90s, Levi is once again reborn as a spirited and stylish biblical choice, ranking at #166.
Silas -- Another biblical choice with strong vowel sounds and a lively rhythm. It sits very much undiscovered at #931.
Abram -- The short, and original, form of biblical Abraham with less weight and gravitas and much more smoother style. Despite its easy-to-spell-easy-to-pronounce advantage, it is extremely rare at only #3822 with no more than 5 births in any given year.
Riordan -- The anglicised form of the Irish name Rórdán which rarely ranks at all in England and Wales, yet lends itself well to the nicknames Rio or Ro.
Keegan -- Another rugged Irish surname-turned-firstname. For years associated with football, Keegan now has a suave youthful slant with actor Keegan Allen, ranking down at #348. For a smoother vibe, how about even rarer Keenan (or Cianan for a more authentic Irish spelling), whick ranks at #1706.
Saul -- A famous biblical king with a slick name which puts a modern twist on perennial favourite Paul, ranking #565.
Wild card: Joah -- Just one letter away from Noah, with the same stylish appeal is rare biblical choice Joah which peaked at #2403 with only 8 births in 2013.
Adela-- Elegant, fresh and lyrical, Adela has a European flair, is easy to spell and pronounce yet almost always ranks below the top 1000. It shares all the common elements of Isabella, Annabel and Ella but stands out of the crowd.
Elora -- A contraction of Eleanora, Elora is a lovely lyrical choice which only ranks #1098. In a similar vein is Hebrew Eliora (#2062) and Liora (#2062), all of which share the meaning "light."
Alba -- A current Spanish favourite is Alba, which is not only the ancient name for Scotland and a Latin name meaning "bright, white," but also the Spanish word for 'dawn'. With the same sleek style as Isla, Alba currently it ranks #378.
Lilia -- Lovely Lily is very popular, and stylish Lila is not far behind, yet Latinised Lilia still remains uncommon at #342.
For an even rarer choice, how about melodic Italian name Lelia down at #3536.
Vela -- If you really want a truly unique name, Latin Vela -- occasionally used by Edwardians -- has not ranked at all in England and Wales since 1996. It is also a constellation which makes up the Argo Navis. Vaila, the name of a Scottish island (much like Isla), provides an alternate spelling, as does Velia, an ancient Greek city.
Alessia -- The Italian equivalent to Alexia has a softer and willowy style, ranking at #484, but sharing the same rhythm as Olivia. Even rarer is their version of Alexa, Alessa which is only #2176.
Zaya -- A pretty Persian name which feels perfectly modern. Despite rhyming with popular Freya and being easily accessible, it is extremely rare, having only ranked in 2012 and 2013 with 5 births apiece (#4050).
Soraya -- Like Zaya, Soraya is another Persian gem, given also to the Pleides -- the group of seven stars in the constellation Taurus.It currently ranks #608.
Estella -- A pretty Latin form of Estelle meaning "star" which only ranks at #1774. From a slimmer form, stick with the original Latin Stella.
Eliana -- An elegant and sophisticated Spanish and Italian name with the fashionable 'el' and 'ana' sounds, ranking #276. Similar sounding Aliena is a name created by Shakespeare for his play As You Like It. It is extremely rare ranking #4739.
Tess -- This dulcet dainty feels chic, modern and traditional at the same time, yet it only ranks at #676. Longer form Tessa is a more lavish option that is equally underused.
Eloisa -- An Italian-twist on Eloise, Eloisa is sumptuous and stylish -- and ranks way down at #1956.
Cassia -- Not only is Cassia a feminine form of Cassius, it's also a flowing plant which creates a spice similar to cinnamon. The Hebrew form is Kezia, a pretty and modern-sounding biblical name. Both are also very uncommon; outside of the top 1000.
Thalia -- An ancient Greek name meaning "to blossom," and borne by goddesses. There is also the very similar Hebrew name Talya/Talia meaning "dew of God". Thalia ranks #639, Talia is #255 and Talya is #1639.
Wild card: Mireya / Mireia -- Mireia (or Mireya) is a popular Spanish name derived from the Latin mirar "admirable." I put this as a wild card because, while it is very beautiful, I'm aware Mireya Marie is very alliterative. I depends where you stand on this. Personally I quite like bouncy alliteration -- but it's not for everyone.
Hopefully there is something helpful here, Emma. I'm sure the readers here will think of several other fabulous choices. Please keep us updated!
