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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

Monroe

Meaning: mouth of the Roe river

Origin:Scottish
795
Mabel

Meaning: lovable

Origin:Diminutive of Amabel, Latin
40
Magnolia

Meaning: Magnol's flower

Origin:Flower name, from French surname
199
Maisie

Meaning: pearl or bitter

Origin:Scottish diminutive of Margaret or Mary
32
Marigold

Meaning: golden flower

Origin:Flower name, from English
173
Mirabella

Meaning: wonderful

Origin:Italian variation of Mirabelle
1812
Melisande

Meaning: strong in work

Origin:French form of Millicent, German
1656
Maude

Meaning: battle-mighty

Origin:English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
362
Mae

Meaning: bitter or pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
30
Minerva

Meaning: of the mind, intellect

Origin:Latin
257
Mitzi

Meaning: bitter

Origin:German, diminutive of Maria
1023
Midge

Meaning: pearl

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret
1295
Margot

Meaning: pearl

Origin:French, diminutive of Margaret
46
Madeleine

Meaning: woman from Magdala or high tower

Origin:French variation of Magdalen
196
Maxine

Meaning: greatest

Origin:Latin
466
Melody

Meaning: song

Origin:Greek
476
Maya

Meaning: water

Origin:Greek; Central American Indian empire name; Latinate variation of May; Spanish, diminutive of Amalia; variation of Maia; Hebrew
82
Marguerite

Meaning: pearl; daisy

Origin:French variation of Margaret; also a flower name
757
Millicent

Meaning: strong in work

Origin:German
515
Mildred

Meaning: gentle strength

Origin:English
778