One-of-a-Kind Alternatives to Nameberry Favorites

….and a challenge!

Over on the blog this week, we’ll be exploring one-of-a-kind names – those ultra-rare choices that no one is choosing for their babies. We’ll have plenty of unusual nature names and a wealth of international gems, along with some truly unique alternatives to some of last year’s fastest rising baby names.

But while you wait for the full list to be revealed, we’ve got you some bonus one-of-a-kind names to consider. Chosen as rare counterparts to the names currently trending on Nameberry, none of these names appeared in the latest name stats.

Before we get to the names, it is worth bearing in mind that this is based on the US name data for 2023. Only names given to five or more babies appear on the stats, meaning up to four children could have been given these names in recent years. Equally, some of these choices may be more familiar outside of the US, so it is worth checking the stats where you are.

Now, without further ado, the one-of-kind counterparts to some Nameberry favorites:

Felix

Fife: pronounced with a strong EYE sound, this is both a Scottish place name and a musical word option with the bright feel of Felix.

Fairfax: a literary, last-name-style-name meaning “blond”, it has similar letters to Felix.

Henry

Indrek (EEN-drehk): an Estonian form of Henry that’s currently not in use in the US.

Hareton (HAIR-tun) : a literary creation from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights which has similar sounds to Henry (H-n) and some of the same nicknames options (Harry, Hank).

Arlo

Otso: a Finnish name meaning “bear” with the cool -o ending of Arlo, this could also work as an alternative to other favorites such as Otto and Arthur.

Sholto: a literary Scottish name with a hint of mythology around it, Sholto means “sower”.

Finn

Foss: an Icelandic nature name meaning “waterfall”, with the same one-syllable appeal as Finn.

Farin: a multicultural choice, with meanings including “traveller”, “joy”, and “little man”, it could get you to the nickname Fin.

Oliver

Tolvar: a Danish name meaning “thunder wolf”, which keeps those ol and v sounds of popular Oliver.

Olympio: from the home of the Greek gods at Mount Olympus, this gives you nickname Ollie.

Lily

Lilliandil (lil-ee-AHN-deel): with the potential to have nicknames Lily and Lilia, Lilliandil comes from the fictional world of Narnia and means “sea of lilies”.

Astilbe (uh-STILL-bee): an undiscovered floral choice a, Astilbe could also work as an alternative to other favorites like Astrid, Xanthe, and Phoebe.

Maeve

Sive: traditionally spelled Sadhbh and rhyming with five, this name is popular in its traditional form in Ireland. Sive is the as yet undiscovered anglicized form meaning “sweet, goodness”.

Svea (SVAY-uh, SVEH-uh): a Swedish name and an emblem of the country, Svea, meaning “spear”, has similar sounds to not only Maeve, but also to Ava.

Hazel

Mozelle: a French feminine form of the Biblical Moses, Mozelle means “drawn from water” and keeps that cool z sound of Hazel.

Tessel: a rare Dutch diminutive of Theresa or Telse, this keeps the -el ending of Hazel and could also work as an alternative to Tessa.

Imogen

Innogen (INN-uh-jen): a Celtic name meaning “daughter, maiden”, the story goes that Shakespeare had intended to use Innogen but it was misread or misprinted as Imogen. This form is hardly ever used.

Derowen: a Cornish name meaning “oak tree”, it follows a similar cadence to Imogen.

Elodie

Eilonwy (eye-LON-wee): a Welsh name meaning “river melody”, it captures the same melodic feel of Elodie.

Effrosyni (ehf-ro-SEE-nee): a modern Greek form of the name Euphrosyne, meaning “cheerfulness and merriment”.

Charlie:

Farley: an English name meaning “fern clearing” that works as a sound-a-like.

Clady (CLAY-dee, CLAH-dee): both an Irish river name and a short from of Claudia or Claude, this name has a modern feel.

Kit

Keats: a poetic surname meaning “kite” that could fit in with Kit, Brooks, and Kate.

Floy: an old diminutive of Florence or Florian, this has the same spirited yet vintage feel as Kit.

Quinn

McLane: an as yet undiscovered surname-name with the same gentle yet tough energy of Quinn, McLane means “son of the servant of St. John”.

Quimby: meaning “queen’s settlement”, this is a rarely used sound-a-like.

Remy

Fleury: a French name meaning “flower”, Fleury was historically used for boys, but, like Remy, it now considered more unisex leaning.

Requiem: an undiscovered word name with a musical feel, this could still get your to nickname “Remy”.

Sage

Glade: an undiscovered nature option with familiar sounds, meaning “open space in the forest”. (Just consider if the air freshener brand exists where you are.)

Sabel (SAY-bul; suh-BELL): like Sage, this name has multiple meanings: it’s a short form of Isabel, a variation of Sable, and a Latin name meaning “sand”.

And now for a challenge! Comment below and tell us what super-rare alternatives you would suggest for any of these Nameberry favorites:

Ezra, Silas, Jude, Soren, Ava, Daphne, Ophelia, and Eloise.

We can’t wait to hear your ideas!