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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

Everly

Meaning: wild boar in woodland clearing

Origin:English
313
Jolie

Meaning: pretty

Origin:French
818
Livia

Meaning: blue, envious

Origin:Diminutive of Olivia or Latin
275
Beatrix

Meaning: she who brings happiness; blessed

Origin:Latin
112
Emmeline

Meaning: work

Origin:Old French form of archaic German Amal
140
Isobel

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Scottish variation of Isabel
549
Eluned

Meaning: idol, image

Origin:Welsh
1339
Willa

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:Feminine variation of William
57
Lucia

Meaning: light

Origin:Italian, feminine variation of Lucius, Latin
104
Viviana

Meaning: life

Origin:Latin
712
Sylvie

Meaning: from the forest

Origin:French variation of Latin Sylvia
98
Francesca

Meaning: from France or free man

Origin:Italian variation of Frances
271
Helena

Meaning: torch; shining light

Origin:Latinate form of Helen, Greek
115
Anja

Meaning: grace

Origin:Russian variation of Anna
732
Cassiopeia

Meaning: cassia juice

Origin:Greek mythology name
290
Emiliana

Meaning: rival

Origin:Italian variation of Emily
1034
Theodosia

Meaning: giving to God

Origin:Greek
1131
Elizabella The name Elizabella is of American origin an...
Origin:Combination of Eliza and Bella
3185
Zara

Meaning: blooming flower; God remembers

Origin:Hebrew and Arabic
141
Marguerite

Meaning: pearl; daisy

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