The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz
Allysann, Allysanne, Allyson, Allysoun, Alysan, Alysann, Alysanne, Alysen, Alyson, Alysoun, Alysun.
ALIX. Diminutive of ALEXANDRA, spelling variation of ALEX. Just like Alex, except you have to spell it every time. Alex, Alexa, Alexis, Aliki, Aliks, Alixe, Alixia, Allix, Allyx, Alyx.
ALIZA. Hebrew, ‘joyful’. The z adds zip. Aleeza, Aleiza, Alieza, Aliezah, Alitza, Aliz, Alizah, Alise, Alisee.
ALIZABETH. Variation of ELIZABETH. Why make your child’s life more complicated than it has to be? Alyzabeth.
ALIZÉE. (al-ee-ZAY) French, ‘trade wind’. This exotic name of a hot young French singer is catching on. Alise, Aliseh.
ALLENA. See ALANA. Alana, Alanicc, Alanis, Alanna, Alena, Alene, Allana, Allene, Alleyne, Allynn, Allynne, Allynn, Alynne.
ALLURA. French, ‘to entice, attract’. Sounds like a princess – or an enticingly evil witch – in a fairy tale. Alloura, Alura.
ALMA. Latin, ‘soul’. This somewhat solemn name had a burst of popularity a century ago, then faded into the flowered wallpaper – heard mostly in the term alma mater. Always well used in Hispanic families, it could just make a comeback, à la Ella; appreciated for its simplicity and soul. Almah, Allma.
ALMOND. Word name. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Apple has opened the world of botanical names beyond flowers to trees, herbs, fruits, and – why not? – nuts. Almandina, Almandine, Almondine, Amande, Amandina.
ALOHA. Polynesian, ‘love’. This familiar Hawaiian greeting is, à la the Hebrew Shalom, occasionally used for babies.
ALOISIA. German, ‘famous fighter’. Inventive female form of Aloysius. Aloisa, Aloysia, Eloisia, Eloysia.
ALOUETTE. French, ‘lark’. Gallic twist in the stylish bird name genre. Allouette, Alouetta, Alowette.
ALPHA. Greek, first letter of the alphabet. Also the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fireverberations. Alfa, Aphia, Aphra.
ALTA. Latin, ‘elevated’. A meaning that might raise a child’s self-esteem. Allta, Altah, Altana, Altanna, Altea, Alto.
ALTHEA. Greek, ‘with healing power’. Poetic, almost ethereal name found in Greek myth and pastoral poetry, associated with Althea Gibson, the great black tennis player. Altha, Althaia, Altheda, Altheya, Althia, Althiaa, Altheda, Althelia, Althia, Eltha, Elthea, Eltheya, Elthia, Thea.
ALTON. See ALDEN.
ALURA. English, ‘god-like adviser’. Stems from a different root than Allura, but has the same feel. Alurea, Allura, Ellura.
ALVINA. English, ‘noble friend’ or ‘elf-friend’. No more stylish than the original Alvin. Alveanea, Alveen, Alveena, Alveene, Alveenia, Alvenea, Alvie, Alvinae, Alvincia, Alvine, Alvinea, Alvineca, Alvinesha, Alvinia, Alvinna, Alvita, Alvona, Alvyna, Alwin, Alwina, Alwyn, Alwyne, Elveena, Elvena, Elvene, Elvenia, Elvina, Elvine, Elvinia, Vina, Vinni, Vinnie, Vinny. International: Alwyne (Scottish).
ALYSSA. English variation of ALICIA. Hugely popular name in the US, related to the flower alyssum as well as to the classic Alice and variants. Ahlyssa, Alissa, Allisa, Allissa, Allyssa, Alyesa, Alyessa, Alyissa, Alysa, Alysah, Alysia, Elissa, Ilyssa, Lyssa, Lyssah.
AMABEL. French, ‘beautiful lover’. Older than Annabel and a lot more distinctive. Worth consideration, even though your child will have to explain that no, her name is not Annabel. Ama, Amabelle, Annabelle, Belle, Mab, Mabel.
AMADEA. (ah-mah-DAY-a) Latin, ‘God’s beloved’. Strong and musical feminine form of Amadeus, as in Mozart. Amada, Amadee, Amadi, Amadia, Amadita, Amadore, Amadora, Amata, Amedee.
AMALFI. Italian place name. Better as a picturesque town on the Italian Riviera than as a name. Amalfey, Malfie.
AMALIA. (ah-MAH-lee-a or ah-mah-LEE-a) German, ‘industrious’. Italian, German, and Dutch twist on Amelia, recently chosen for the Dutch royal baby. Ahmalia, Amalberta, Amaleah, Amalee, Amaleta, Amalfried, Amalgunde, Amali, Amalija, Amalina, Amalisa, Amaliya, Amaly, Amalya, Amalyn. International: Amalie (French), Amila, Amalita, Amelida, Amelina, Emala (Spanish), Amalea, Amelie, Amilia (German), Amalja, Amelja (Polish), Mali, Malika (Hungarian).
AMANDA. Latin, ‘much-loved’. After a long run as the prettiest name around, this romantic name is losing some of its glossy sheen, though it’s still lovely. Possible alternatives: the French Amandine or Shakespearean Miranda. Amada, Amanada, Amandah, Amandalee, Amandalyn, Amandi, Amandie, Amandine, Amandy, Amata, Manda, Mandaline, Mandee, Mandi, Mandie, Mandy. International: Amande, Amandine (French).
AMANI. Variation of IMANI. Growing in popularity due to similarity to Armani. Aamani, Ahmani, Aman, Amane, Amanee, Amaney, Amanie, Ammanu.
AMARA. Greek, ‘lovely forever’. Strong, attractive, stylish, with an appealing meaning. Amar, Amaira, Amairani, Amarah, Amargo, Amargoe, Amargot, Amari, Amaria, Amariah, Amarinda, Amaris, Amarra, Amarrinda, Mara, Marra.
AMARANTHA. Greek, ‘deathless’. Botanical name whose mythical equivalent was believed to be immortal. Amarande, Amaranta, Amarante. International: Amaranta (Spanish).
AMARYLLIS. Greek flower name. Showier name than Lily, but in the same botanical family. Amarilis, Amarillis, Amarylis.
AMAYA. Japanese, ‘night rain’. Growing use relates to the popular name