Acacius is a Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Akakios and can be interpreted to relate to the same root as the name Acacia, for the thorn bush, or Akakios which means "not evil."  With the modern taste for ancient names that end in "us," this obscure but attractive choice may have a chance of new life.  Acacius is the name of three early saints.

Acacius

This Hindi name for the fifth element, related to the male Akash which means "open sky," was used by Anne Rice in her Vampire Chronicles.

Akasha

Aloisia

Despina is best known as the clever and wily maidservant character in Mozart's opera Così fan tutte. It is a name of Greek origin, derived from Despoina, who in Greek mythology was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon. 

 In its native Greece, Despina is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable – DESS-pi-na -– but in Italy, Portugal, and other countries where the name is often found, it's usually pronounced dess-PEE-nah.

Despina

Nine little goddesses got this lovely name in the US in 2021, making it a usable yet unusual entry in the popular mythological category. Devika is a diminutive of Devi, the head goddess of Hindu mythology. English speakers might make Devi the short form.

Devika

Eilon, a fraternal twin of the name Elon, was the Biblical grandson of Jacob. A rare name, Elon is getting some recent notice thanks to Tesla maker Elon Musk.

Eilon

Though she has long stood on her own, Elke has many longer cross-cultural connections, to the Dutch/German/Scandinavian Adelheid and Alice and the English Adelaide, as a feminine version of Elkanah and as a Yiddish form of Eleanor.
 The name became best known in the U.S. via the Berlin-born Elke Sommer,a popular actress and pin-up girl in the 1960s.

Elke

Evander is a name that could build on the popularity of shorter form Evan, and could work and play well with schoolmates like Zander and Xander.
 Evander was prominent in Greek and Roman mythology: in classical lore Evander was a wise Arcadian hero who founded the city in Italy that preceded Rome, appearing in Virgil's Aeneid.
 Evander also derives from a Norse name meaning bow warrior.
 In modern times, the name has been associated with boxing champ Evander Holyfield.
 Evander could make a more distinctive aternative to Alexander.

Evander

Great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots, also spelled Fyfe.

Fife

Many will associate this name with Galen of Pergamon, the second-century physician considered to be the founding father of medicine. A more recent reference is Star Wars character Galen Erso. The name still projects a gentle, scholarly image, while sharing sounds with more popular names like Aiden and Nathan. Bonus: it's also an anagram of Angel.

Galen

This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer, choreographer and director on the Broadway stage, in films and on TV.


Gower

This name with a beautiful meaning can be used for girls as well as boys.

Hikaru

Immilla is a soft and mellifluous sounding name which is exponentially more attractive than the original. The name offers several lovely nickname options, such as Immy, Millie, and Mila. Immilla of Turin, a medieval countess, was a notable bearer of this rare name.

Immilla

The Issoria is a genus of butterflies found in Africa, one of which is known as the African Queen. This name would make a wonderful choice for those looking for a name which subtly honors Africa.

Issoria

The Basque name, meaning shadow, has the virtue of having both an interesting meaning and an obvious pronunciation.

Itzal

Similar to Ivana but less personality-driven. 

Ivara

Unique possibility for a girl born between September and November. 

Jora

This Hawaiian name gracefully celebrates the force of nature, paying tribute to the ocean. If you're looking for unique <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/641/names-that-mean-ocean">names that mean ocean</a>, this should be on your short list.

Kaimana

Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta. Lucasta is a distinctive, rarely used choice and a logical extension of the Luke/Luc/Luca names.

Lucasta

Machiko

Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life. The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario. Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
 
And why couldn't Maro be more widely used today? As a masculine spin on stylish Mara, it certainly could.

Maro

Fans of versatile, rising African- American actor Mekhi Phifer have begun to adopt his unusual first name for their sons. 

Mekhi

Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard in the British series Doc Martin and Poldark. Morwenna Banks is a British actress.

Morwenna

Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.

Naiara

Associated with a spring festival, this name is used by both Muslims and Christians. 

Nasima

Alluring place-name that could find its place here. 

Niani

If you choose this name, it's not likely to be for the meaning. 

Odissan

Pretty Victorian-feeling cousin of Ariel; also, more prosaically, a kind of bay window. 

Oriel

Orvin

Perequin

Petronella, and its shorter sister Petra, are both feminizations of Peter. While Petronella is a name with deep history, it's extremely rare. It was given to no baby girls on record in the US last year.

Petronella

Quill is a unique possibility for the child of writers -- even if they do use computers rather than pens; could also serve as a rhyming tribute to an ancestor named Gil, Phil, or Bill (or Jill). 

Quill

Ravenna is a lovely, untouristed Italian place-name just waiting to be discovered. Renowned for its fantastic Byzantine mosaics, it's a city that has a rich historic and artistic heritage.
 Part of the early Roman Republic, Ravenna was where Julius Caesar gathered his forces before crossing the Rubicon. It was the site of Dante's funeral and burial, Ravenna having been mentioned in his Inferno. Other poets with a connection: Lord Byron, who lived there, and Oscar Wilde who wrote a poem called Ravenna, as did Herman Hesse.

Ravenna

Rhodri, the name of an important ninth century Welsh king known as Rhodri the Great, a renowned warrior who was the ancestor of many of the later dynasties of Wales, was revived in modern Wales.  Has a nice Rory-like feel.

Rhodri

This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the oldest in the world, originating in the tenth century, following the death of a young prince named Ruarc. It has literary cred via Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

Roark

Acting couple Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof chose this Sanskrit word meaning, literally, "truth vehicle" for their daughter.  It has a melodic sound and strong meaning.  Think of it as rhyming with the Russian Tatiana.

Satyana

A cool and breezy nature name with a stylish sound, used by Volkswagen for one of its cars.

Scirocco

Simple, Zen-like name of a mythological forest elf. 

Popular Israeli choice, ripe for adoption here. Parents who great up in the 1980s may remember animated heroine Shira, Princess of Power.

Shira

Sholto is a traditional Scottish first name, especially within the Douglas clan. It's an Anglicized form of Sìoltach, meaning "sower".

Sholto

The name of several ancient kings and princes of Ireland, Tadhg became so common at one point that it was used to represent a kind of Irish Gaelic everyman, or man in the street, as Paddy and Mick would later. Tadhg has seen a major resurgence in recent years and is also now ranked in England. 

It is sometimes used as the Irish equivalent of Timothy and is also anglicized as Teague and Thaddeus. Tadleigh and Thad are pet forms. Pronunciation is like tide ending with a g.

Tadhg

Well used in Japan, appreciated for its powerful meaning. 

Takeo

This name was on the U.S. Top 1000 in the early 20th century, when recent immigrants frequently chose native names that have since died out for American babies.  But if you're of Finnish ancestry, you may want to consider reviving this one with a positive meaning.

Toivo

Thaïs

This diminutive of Valeria has a strong and striking sound to match its meaning. It has also been used in Brazil in recent decades.

Valeska

Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry yarrow into battle.

Yarrow

This name of a daughter of Zeus has an intriguing air of antiquity. 

Zenaida

saoirse123's list "Underused and Undiscovered Gems" of 47 great name ideas: Acacius - Zenaida!

Underused and Undiscovered Gems

These are some neatnnames I have discovered which have loads of potential, and barely anyone is using them