The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz

The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not

variation of French, ’warhorse’. It was the hero’s last name in the classic film Destry Rides Again, but in today’s anything-goes naming climate, nobody blinked when the Steven Spielbergs picked it for their daughter. A real winner. Destrey, Destri, Destrie.

DEVA. Hindi, ’divine, shining one’. If you don’t want your daughter to be a Diva, try this Hindu moon goddess name instead. Deeva, Devi.

DEVI. Sanskrit, ’divine’. This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. Devaki, Devee.

DEVIN. Irish, ’poet’. Used far more for boys with this spelling, but still has a nice impish Irish feel for a girl. Davin, Devan, Deven, Devena, Devini, Devinn, Devinne, Devyn, Devynne.

DEVON. English place name. This spelling makes it a pretty and popular British place name, evoking dramatic seascapes and moors. Davon, Deaven, Devan, Devann, Devaughn, Deven, Devin, Devinne, Devona, Devonne, Devvon, Devyn.

DEVORA, DEVORAH. Variation of DEBORAH. Both a biblical and an Israeli place name, this can be used as an offbeat substitute for Deborah. Deva, Devra, Devrah, Devoria, Dvora, Dvorit.

DEVYN. Spelling variation of DEVIN. A more feminine version of Devin.

DEXTER. Latin, ’right- handed, skillful’. Perfect example of a name that’s nerdy for a boy, but turns ultracool for a girl; Diane Keaton named her daughter Dexter Dean. Dex, Dexee, Dexey, Dexie, Dextra, Dexy.

DHARA. Hindi, ’the earth’. An exotic take on Dara.

DHARMA. Buddhist and Hindu basic principle of cosmic existence. Rarely used in real life; the name of the hippyish character on the sitcom Dharma & Greg and part of the title of a Kerouac novel. Dharana.

DIA. Spanish, ’day’. One fine day.

DIAHANN. Alternate spelling of DIANE. See DIANE.

DIAMANTA. Greek, ’unconquerable’. Softens the

Names Kids Love Having

Angelica

Ariel

Belle

Britney

Daisy

Diamond

Jade

Jasmine

Miranda

Princess

Rosie

Silver

Skye

Starr

Willow

Zoe

hardness of the stone. Diamante, Diamantina.

DIAMOND. Gem name. Sparkled all through the 1990s, now its shine is slightly diminished. Diamin, Diamon, Diamonda, Diamonde, Diamonte, Diamund, Diamunde, Diamyn, Dyamond.

DIANA. Latin, ’divine’. The tragic British princess inspired many fashions, but strangely, not one for her classic and lovely moon-goddess name, which is infrequently used today. Daiana, Daianna, Dayana, Dayanna, Deana, Deanna, Dede, Dee, DeeDee, Di, Dia, Dianah, Dianca, Diandra, Diane, Diania, Dyana, Dyanna.

DIANDRA. Greek, ’twice a man’. One of many variations on Diana, but lacking its classic class. Deandra, Deandre, Diandrea, Dyandra.

DIANE. French variation of DIANA. Like Joanne and Christine, middle-aged Diane has been overshadowed by the a- ending version of her name. Deanne, Dede, Dee, DeeDee, Di, Diahann, Dian, Dianne, Dione, Dionne, Dyan, Dyane, Dyann, Dyanne.

DIANTHA. Greek, ’divine flower’. Mythological flower of Zeus, melodious and more unusual Diana cousin. Dianthe, Dianthia.

DIARRA. African, ’gift’. Could lead to teasing re association with certain digestive problem. Diara, Diera, Dierra, Dyara, Dyarra, Dyera.

DIAZ. Spanish from Latin, ’days’. If Cameron’s first name could start a girl’s name craze, why not her second?

DIDI. Pet name for Di-starting names. Not as lively or independent as Gigi, Kiki or Coco. Dee, DeeDee.

DIDO. Greek, meaning obscure. Heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid; could have some awkward associations down the line.

DIGNA. Latin, ’worthy’. Seems to cry out for another syllable.

DIJA. (DEE-jah) Diminutive of KHADIJA. Uncommon and cool.

DILLIAN. Latin, ’image of worship’. Real name that sounds like a made-up combination of Dillon and Lillian. Diliana, Dilla, Dillianna, Dillanne, Dilly.

DILLON. Irish, ’loyal’. Turns trendy boy’s name into trendy surname name. Dilen, Dillan, Dillen, Dillin, Dillyn, Dillynn, Dillynne, Dilynn, Dilynne.

DILLY. Diminutive of DILYS, DILWEN and DAFFODIL. Silly.

DILYS. (DILL-is) Welsh, ’genuine, steadfast, true’. Common in Wales, but would really stand out here.

DIMANCHE. (dee-MAHNZH) French, ’Sunday’. Pleasant-sounding word that could morph into a unique Sunday-picnic-type name.

DINA. English, feminine variation of DINO. OK, as long as it’s not pronounced diner.

DINAH. Hebrew, ’God will judge’. As the song says, ’Dinah, is there anyone finer?’ Charming, underused Old Testament name, long shunned for old slave-name stereotype, but has a rich literary and musical résumé and would make a vivid name for a contemporary girl. Deena, Dina, Dinna, Dyna, Dynah. International: Dine (Yiddish).

DIONE. (dy-OH-nee) Greek, ’divine queen’. In Greek mythology the mother of Aphrodite by Zeus, and also one of Saturn’s moons; this is an astral name quite distinct from the better known Dionne. Dion, Dionne.

DIONNE.

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