The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz
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Amalia
Amelia
Amelie
Ellery
Emery
Emilia
Emiliana
Emlyn
Emmeline
Emmi
Emmy
Mallory
Millie
Emilie, Emilienne, Emilis, Emilla, Emillea, Emillee, Emilley, Emillie, Emilly, Emillyn, Emillynn, Emlin, Emlyn, Emlynn, Emlynne, Emma, Emmalee, Emmalene, Emmalie, Emmalina, Emmaline, Emmaly, Emmalyn, Emmalynn, Emmalynne, Emmelee, Emmelie, Emmeline, Emmely, Emmey, Emmi, Emmie, Emmilee, Emmilie, Emmy, Emmye, Emyle, Emylee, Melia, Mila, Milia. International: Aimiliona, Eimile (Irish), Aimil (Scottish), Amalie, Émilie (French), Emilia, Emiliana (Italian), Amalia, Ema, Emelia, Emilia, Emilita (Spanish), Amilie, Amma, Emelie, Emmi (German), Amalia, Emelia, Emilka (Eastern European), Alalija (Russian), Aimilios (Greek), Emele, Emalia (Hawaiian).
↑EMMA. German, ’healer of the universe’. This is a long-time favourite that has consistently been in the Top 30 list in recent years, thanks to a legion of Emma heroines, from Bovary to Jane Austen’s protagonist to The Avengers’ Mrs Peel. So parents who have turned from Emily to Emma seeking something more distinctive will have to keep looking. Em, Ema, Emelina, Emeline, Emelyne, Emmah, Emmaline, Emmalyn, Emmalynn, Emmalynne, Emme, Emmeleia, Emmeline, Emmelyn, Emmelyne, Emmet, Emmett, Emmette, Emmi, Emmie, Emmy, Emmye.
EMMALEE. Combination of EMMA and LEE. Parents trying to personalise Emily have hit on this a combo of Emma and Lee, but it still sounds just like the popular Emily. Emalea, Emalee, Emi, Emie, Emilee, Emily, Emmalea, Emmalei, Emmaleigh, Emmaley, Emmali, Emmalia, Emmalie, Emmaliese, Emmalyse, Emmi, Emmie, Emmye, Emy, Emylee.
EMMALYNN. Combination of EMMA and LYNN. Not the classiest variation. Emelyn, Emelyne, Emelynne, Emilyn, Emilynn, Emilynne, Emlyn, Emlynn, Emlynne, Emmalin, Emmalinn, Emmalyn, Emmalynne.
EMMANUELLE. French, feminine variation of EMANUEL. The female version of Emanuel could become more prominent, but for some it still carries a steamy image dating back to an erotic French film. Emanual, Emanuel, Emanuela, Emanuella, Emanuelle, Emmanuel, Emmanuella, Emonualle, Manuella, Manuelle. International: Emmanuela, Manuela (Spanish).
EMMY. Diminutive of EMILY. Long a nickname for all the Em-names, as well as an annual award in the US, Emmy is now being given on its own, as are soundalikes Emme and Emmi. Emme, Emmee, Emmi, Emmie.
EMMYLOU. Combination of EMMY and LOU. There’s only one: Emmylou Harris, the US country singer who gives dignity to an old-style combo name. Emlou, Emmalou, Emmelou, Emmilou, Emylou.
ENA. Diminutive of several names. Names that started off as diminutives – Ena, Ita, Etta – seem too insubstantial for a modern female. Eena, Enna, Ina.
ENGRACIA. Spanish from Latin, ’endowed with God’s grace’. Exotic and charming alternative to the overused Grace. Agraciana, Agracianna.
ENID. Welsh, ’life, spirit’. Celtic goddess and Arthurian name that sounds terminally old-ladyish. Eanid, Ened, Enedd, Enidd, Enyd, Enydd.
ENJOLI. Modern invented name. This perfume name, undoubtedly a takeoff on the French word for pretty, has somehow wafted into the girls’ lexicon. It’s a bit too commercial for our tastes. Enjolie.
ENORA. Breton, ’honour’. Unusual Honor or Nora alternative, but we prefer the originals.
ENRICA. Italian, feminine form of ENRICO. Novel way to honour Grandpa Henry. Enricketta, Enrieta, Enrietta, Enrika, Enriqua, Enriqueta, Enriquetta, Enriquette, Rica, Rika. International: Enriqua (Spanish).
ENTERPRISE. Word name. The virtue? Or the Starship?
ENYA. Irish, ’fire’. New Agey name that’s an Anglicisation of Eithne, brought to attention here by the popular Irish singer. Aenya, Ennya.
ÉPIPHANIE. French word name, ’realisation’. You could just spell it epiphany, but that’s so much more pedestrian. It’s also a holiday name, à la Christmas and Easter: the Epiphany marked the visitation of the Three Wise Men to Baby Jesus. Epiphany.
ERGA. Hebrew, ’yearning, craving’. Urgh.
ERICA. Norse ’eternal ruler’. Cool name…over thirty years ago, but its use is still widespread in some countries. Aerica, Aericka, Africa, Airicka, Airika, Enrica, Enrika, Eraca, Ereka, Ericca, Ericha, Ericka, Erickah, Erika, Erikaa, Erikah, Erikka, Errica, Erricka, Errika, Eryca, Erycka, Eryka, Erykah, Erykka, Eyrica, Eyrika, Rickee, Ricki, Rickie, Ricky, Rikki, Rikky.
ERIN. Irish, ’from the island to the west’. First-wave Irish name and place name—the poetical name for Ireland—now supplanted by newer alternatives. Aeran, Aerenne, Aerin, Airin, Earin, Earrin, Eire, Eirin, Eirinn, Eiryn, Eiryne, Eirynn, Eran, Eren, Erena, Erene, Ereni, Eri, Erian, Erina, Erine, Erinetta, Erinn, Erinna, Erinne, Errin, Eryn, Eryne, Erynn, Erynne.
ERMA. Variation of IRMA. Once, believe it or not, this name seemed more stylish than Irma. Ermelinda, Ermina, Erminia, Erminie, Hermia, Hermine, Herminie, Hermione, Irma, Irminia, Irminie.
ERMINE. French, ’weasel’; English variation of HERMINE. Fur names? We don’t think so. Erma, Ermin, Ermina, Erminda, Erminia, Erminie, Erminne.
ERNA. Irish, ’to know’. That er sound—as in Myrna, Myrtle and Bernice—sounds terminally dated. Ernaline, Ernalynn, Irna.
ERNESTINE.