1. Home
  2. Topics

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

Carolina

Meaning: free man

Origin:Variation of Caroline; also place-name
1118
Linden

Meaning: tree of the genus Tilla

Origin:English tree name
2595
Davis

Meaning: beloved

Origin:Surname derived from David, Hebrew
940
Jessamine

Meaning: jasmine

Origin:English from Persian
1072
Perla This name is originated from Spanish. It is ...
Origin:Spanish variation of Pearl
2904
Federica

Meaning: peaceful ruler

Origin:Italian, feminine variation of Frederick
2622
Natalya

Meaning: natal day, Christmas

Origin:Russian from Latin
2872
Caterina The name Caterina is of Slavic origin. The m...
Origin:Italian variation of Katherine
1950
Ceil

Meaning: blind or heavenly

Origin:Short form of Cecilia or Celia
3355
Gracen Gracen is a popularly used name that has a s...
Origin:Elaboration of Grace, virtue name
8602
Zadie

Meaning: princess

Origin:English variation of Sadie
588
Laurence

Meaning: from Laurentum

Origin:Latin
6349
Marta

Meaning: lady

Origin:Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic
1703
Laurel

Meaning: laurel tree

Origin:Latin
606
Clarissa

Meaning: bright, clear

Origin:Elaboration of Clara
707
Christiana

Meaning: follower of Christ

Origin:Feminine variation of Christian
3714
Isabeau

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:French variation of Isabel
1257
Adriano

Meaning: man from Adria

Origin:Italian
2046
Matthias

Meaning: gift of God

Origin:Aramaic variation of Matthew
260
Josiah

Meaning: God supports, heals

Origin:Hebrew
210