The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz
created by comedienne Lily Tomlin. Erna, Ernaline, Ernesia, Ernestina, Ernestyna. International: Ernesta (Spanish and Italian), Ernesztina (Hungarian).
EROICA. Latin, ’heroic’. The name of Beethoven’s third symphony, and too close to the word erotica. Eroiqua, Eroique, Heroica.
ESMERALDA. Spanish, ’emerald’. Emerald equivalent long popular with Hispanic parents, given increased visibility via the Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Em, Emelda, Emerald, Emerant, Emeraude, Emmie, Esma, Esmarada, Esmaralda, Esmarelda, Esmaria, Esmé, Esmeralda, Esmeraldina, Esmeranda, Esmerelda, Esmerilda, Esmie, Esmiralda, Esmiralde, Esmirelda, Ezmirilda, Ismaerelda, Ismaralda. International: Ismeralda (Spanish).
ESPERANZA. Spanish, ’hope, expectation’. Another Spanish classic finding its way onto the popularity list in the US. Esparanza, Espe, Esperance, Esperans, Esperansa, Esperanta, Esperantia, Esperanz, Esperenza.
ESSENCE. Word name. Heavily perfumed word name that peaked a few years ago. Essa, Essenc, Essencee, Essences, Essenes, Essense, Essynce.
ESTEFANIA. Spanish variation of STEPHANIE. Attractively exotic Stephanie alternative. Estafania, Estefana, Estefane, Estefani, Estefanie, Estefany, Estephani, Estephania, Estephanie, Estephany.
ESTELLA. See ESTELLE.
ESTELLE. French, ’star’. Estelle is a muumuu-wearing canasta player of a certain age; Estella, introduced in Great Expectations, has more energy and charm, while Estrella is the most stylish of the trio. Essa, Essey, Essie, Essy, Esta, Estee, Estée, Estel, Estela, Estele, Esteley, Estelina, Estelita, Estell, Estella, Estellina, Estellita, Esthella, Esti, Estrella, Estrellita, Stelle.
ESTHER. Persian, ’star’. One of the major female figures in the Old Testament, quiet, studious Esther was popular a hundred years ago, but is rarely used today; it could appeal to parents – Ewan McGregor is one – seeking an underused biblical name with a history and serious image. Essa, Essey, Essie, Essy, Esta, Estee, Esti, Esthur, Ettey, Etti, Ettie, Etty, Hesther, Hettie, Hetty, Hittie. International: Eistir (Irish), Estée (French), Ester (Scandinavian), Ester, Estzer, Eszter, Eszti (Slavic).
ESTRELLA. (es-STRAY-a) Spanish, ’star’. Rising star among Hispanic families, would make a good cross-cultural choice. Estrela, Estrelinda, Estrell, Estrelle, Estrellita.
ETANA. Hebrew, ’strength of purpose’. Girlish for Ethan: attractive and unusual.
ÉTAOIN. (AY-deen) Irish, ’jealousy’. This name of a mythical beauty transformed into a scarlet fly by a jealous wife is popular in its native land; elsewhere, while pleasant to the ear, it’s bewildering on paper.
ETHEL. English, ’noble maiden’. Sounds as dated today as the old Anglo-Saxon names that hatched it—Ethelreda and Elthelburga—though it was the Ashley of a hundred years ago. Ethelda, Ethelin, Ethelinda, Etheline, Ethelle, Ethelyn, Ethelynn, Ethelynne, Ethill, Ethille, Ethlin, Ethlyn, Ethlynn, Ethyl, Ethyll.
ETHEREAL. Word name. Otherworldly.
ÉTOILE. (ay-TWAHL) French, ’star’. Novel French twist on Starr or Stella.
ETTA. English and Scottish, feminine diminutive suffix. Once a short form of Henrietta, it has long been used on its own, and we wonder if it could follow the progression of Emma to Ella to…Etta? Etka, Etke, Etti, Ettie, Etty, Itke, Itta.
EUDORA. Greek, ’generous gift’. The name of five minor goddesses of Greek mythology and a major goddess (in the person of Eudora Welty) of modern literature, Eudora is pleasant and euphoneous. Dora, Dorey, Doric, Eudore.
EUGENIA, EUGENIE. Feminine variations of EUGENE. The elegant Eugenie enjoyed a major dusting off when Fergie and Prince Andrew chose it for their daughter, restoring some its tarnished royal sheen. Eugenee, Eugenina, Eugina, Geena, Gena, Gene, Genia, Genie, Janie, Jeena, Jenna, Jennie. International: Eugénie, Génie (French), Evgenia, Yevgenia, Zenechka, Zenya (Russian).
EULALIA. Greek, ’sweet-speaking’. Melodious name with a lilt. Eula, Eulala, Eulalee, Eulalya, Eulaylie, Eulia, Lallie, Lally, Ulalia. International: Eulalie (French), Eulaylia, Olalla (Spanish).
EUNICE. Greek, ’victorious’. New Testament name that sounds terminally gawky. Euna, Eunices, Eunike, Eunique, Eunise, Euniss, Eunisse, Unice, Uniss.
EUPHEMIA. (yu-FEM-ee-a) Greek, ’well spoken’. Ancient martyr’s name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible. Effam, Effie, Effy, Ephan, Ephie, Eppie, Eppy, Euphan, Euphemie, Euphenia, Euphie, Fanny, Mia, Phemie. International: Eadaoine (Irish), Euphème (French), Eufemia (Italian and Spanish).
EURYDICE. (yu-RID-ih-see) Greek mythology name. Poisoned by a snake and condemned to the underworld, where her husband, musician Orpheus, tried and failed to bring her back: this is a name too tragic for real life. Euridice, Euridiss, Euridyce, Eurydyce.
Cool Biblical Names
Deborah
Delilah
Dinah
Eve
Jemima
Keturah
Keziah
Leah
Lydia
Sela
Susannah
Tabitha
Tamar
EUSTACIA. Greek, ’fruitful’. Ancestor of Stacy, both now have disappeared in limbo. Eustacie, Eustasia, Stacey, Stacia, Stacie, Stacy.
EVA. Variation of EVE. Simple, classic name, with a recent appearance in the Top 100, but be warned: There are suddenly a lot of little Evas (and