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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

Nicola

Meaning: people of victory

Origin:Greek
1591
Greta

Meaning: pearl

Origin:German, diminutive of Margarethe
288
Amalia

Meaning: work

Origin:German
169
Kit

Meaning: bearer of Christ

Origin:English, diminutive of Christopher
92
Cecily

Meaning: blind

Origin:Feminine variation of Cecil
238
Hendrix

Meaning: estate ruler

Origin:Dutch and German, from first name Hendrik
379
Nico

Meaning: people of victory

Origin:Italian diminutive of Nicholas, Greek
85
Marco

Meaning: warlike

Origin:Italian and Spanish form of Mark
281
Amias

Meaning: loved

Origin:Latin
111
Alec

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Diminutive of Alexander, Greek
232
Lysander

Meaning: liberator

Origin:Greek
76
Bram

Meaning: father of multitudes

Origin:Dutch variation of Abraham
482
Maxim

Meaning: greatest

Origin:French variation of Maximus
1028
Anton The name Anton is of Latin origin. Anton com...
Origin:German, Russian, and Scandinavian variation of Anthony
658
Edmund

Meaning: fortunate protector

Origin:English
280
Maxfield

Meaning: Mac's field

Origin:English
3465
Marcello

Meaning: young warrior

Origin:Italian and Spanish
980
Vincenzo

Meaning: conquering

Origin:Italian variation of Vincent
1198
Paolo

Meaning: small

Origin:Italian, variation of Paul
1266
Abilene

Meaning: grass

Origin:English from Hebrew
2515