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Classic Baby Names with a Twist

Classic baby names with a twist are exactly what they sound like — alternatives to traditional, historically common names that are just a little bit funky. If Alexander is too predictable, try Alessandro or Lysander. If Sarah isn’t interesting enough, go for Sarai or Zadie.

Along with Alessandro and Sarai, other twists on classic baby names in the US Top 600 include Amalia, Francesca, Hendrix, Jameson, Matthias, Nico, Willa, and Zara. If you’re really looking to get creative, consider a highly rare twist on a classic, such as Benno, Eluned, Jessamine, or Maxfield.

If you love classic baby names but want something more original, or if you're looking to honor a relative but want to spin their traditional name a bit differently, a classic baby name with a twist could be the answer. Without getting into too-crazy spelling variations or too-easy international forms, here some twists on classic baby names.

Classic Baby Names with a Twist

Mercury

Meaning: messenger of the gods, quicksilver

Origin:Roman
3076
Murphy

Meaning: sea warrior

Origin:Irish
1582
Madrigal

Meaning: song for unaccompanied voices

Origin:Latin
1693
Misty

Meaning: mist

Origin:English
1092
Marlowe

Meaning: driftwood

Origin:Variation of Marlow, English
565
Montana

Meaning: mountainous

Origin:Spanish place-name
3229
Minnie

Meaning: of the mind, intellect

Origin:Diminutive of Minerva
355
Mimosa Mimosa is a girl's name and it is of Latin o...
Origin:Latin plant name
2436
Milou The French-originated name Milou is actually...
Origin:Combination of Marie and Lou or Louise
1667
Martha

Meaning: lady

Origin:Aramaic
433
Marcella

Meaning: warlike

Origin:Latin
663
Marley

Meaning: pleasant seaside meadow

Origin:English
647
Megumi

Meaning: blessing

Origin:Japanese
2748
Maple

Meaning: piece of cloth

Origin:English tree name from Latin
849
Myrtle The meaning of Myrtle ‘of the myrtle plant’ ...
Origin:Greek botanical name
886
Mamie Mamie is a name given primarily to girls. It...
Origin:Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
1595
Minty

Meaning: defender

Origin:Diminutive of Aminta and Araminta, Greek
2717
Maggie

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret
342
Marnie

Meaning: of the sea

Origin:English
406
Muriel

Meaning: of the bright sea

Origin:Irish
957