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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

Mariel

Meaning: drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved

Origin:Dutch diminutive of Mary
1347
Dorit

Meaning: of this generation

Origin:Hebrew
3183
Zandra

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Variation of Sandra and Alexandra
3702
Phyllida

Meaning: green bough

Origin:Greek variation of Phyllis
3736
Kalman

Meaning: gracious, good reputation

Origin:Latin, short for Kalonymous
3953
Ruta

Meaning: compassionate friend

Origin:Polish, Latvian
4375
Tereza

Meaning: to harvest

Origin:Portuguese, Czech, and Romanian variation of Theresa
4380
Yulia

Meaning: youth

Origin:Russian, variation of Yuliya, cognate of Julia
4776
Devorah

Meaning: bee

Origin:Hebrew
6199