Underrated Gems

[luneth]

I realise my top choice is becoming more popular, and while I’m still sticking with it for the foreseeable future, I’m excited to discover new beauties for an extended list. So here we go.

What names do you consider breathtaking but somehow you rarely hear in real life? And if possible, also don’t get enough loves in nameberry? Tell me about some of your favorites (in this category) and why you love them.

No kreat!ve spelling or anything that’s too difficult to picture on real child/adult, please.

Thank you!

[Estrela]

Agatha or Agnes
Leona
Beatrix
Theresa or Therese
Cressida
Olympia
Sylvia or Sylvie
Belinda or Melinda
Gloria
Aura
Dahlia
Rita
Ondina
Sapphire
Magdalene
Amalia
Mirabel or Mirabelle or Mirabella or Maribel or Marielle
Dominica
Isadora
Paloma
Hilaria or Hilary
Wanda
Lucinda
Susanna or Susanne or Susan
Ines
Denise
Sabrina
Natalie or Natalia
Angelica
Clarisse or Clarissa
Gaia
Vera
Emerald
Seren or Serena
Dinora
Flora
Regina
Anastasia
Tamara
Fern
Ariadne
Wendy

[elffff]

So many! [name_f]My[/name_f] style leans towards simpler/classic/stylish/clunky names.

[name_f]Thomasin[/name_f] - Feels so earthy and stylish for a little girl. [name_f]Love[/name_f] nickname possibilities: Massi, [name_f]Maisie[/name_f]
[name_m]Auden[/name_m] - I never cared for this until I saw it used in real life. It’s a great, unique, understated name that suits all ages (and genders).
[name_f]Alethea[/name_f] - prefer this to [name_f]Althea[/name_f] as it feels more elegant.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - I like the way it rolls of the tongue, love the nickname possibilities: [name_f]Lulu[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]
[name_f]Martha[/name_f] - [name_f]Love[/name_f] the sound and simplicity, and the warmth it carries. feels both strong and chic.
[name_f]Temperance[/name_f] - I just like this one. It sounds spunky and free to me, like a story book character. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though the meaning is the exact opposite! Would love to see it on a wily little kid, nickname [name_m]Ren[/name_m] really modernizes it.
[name_f]Rossi[/name_f] - love this as an alternative to [name_f]Remi[/name_f], [name_f]Romy[/name_f], [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f], [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], [name_f]Birdie[/name_f]
[name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] - has been growing on me, nickname [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] makes it super approachable
[name_f]Audrey[/name_f] - fairly common, but will likely never be popular or trendy. It’s such a sweet spot name, fun but still grounded. I love when I encounter it in the wild.
[name_f]Maxine[/name_f] - has it’s place in the world, but I think deserves more love. I think it’s cool/spunky and sounds mostly modern to me even though it has very old fashioned roots.
[name_f]Naomi[/name_f] - another powerful name that suits a child of all ages. Perhaps the religious roots tamps down popularity, but I just love the sound of it. [name_f]Love[/name_f] the nn [name_f]Mimi[/name_f]
[name_f]Joan[/name_f] - this is such a historical name, I am actually surprised it hasn’t maintained popularity at least as a middle name. would love to meet a modern kid with this name. I also really love the nn [name_f]Joni[/name_f].
[name_f]Marcella[/name_f] - Feels like a modern princess name, but is still accessible and kid friendly.
[name_m]Ever[/name_m] - one of my faves, I don’t want it to get popular. But I could see it climbing in yupster circles in coming years.
[name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] - really should be more popular. I don’t love a lot of 90s names, but this one is timeless to me.

[Greyblue]

[name_f]Cherith[/name_f] → warm, precious feeling with a lovely meaning

[name_f]Tansy[/name_f] → floral and sweet, a lovely flower and a cool immortal meaning

[name_f]Keziah[/name_f] → there’s something magical and sharp about it, bright and warm, autumnal but could be christmassy too

[name_f]Mavis[/name_f] → I love the warmth of this, and the cheerful, musical, nature-y meaning

[name_f]Morven[/name_f] → distinctive sound and river-y, earthy vibes

[name_f]Clodagh[/name_f] → river vibes, distinctive but familiar sounds - a bit like [name_f]Chloe[/name_f], [name_f]Clover[/name_f], [name_f]Caoimhe[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Odette[/name_f], [name_f]Nadia[/name_f], [name_f]Cosette[/name_f], and [name_f]Ada[/name_f] blended into one

[aktunnicliff]

What a fun question!

Here’s some of mine

Rosalba - It means white rose. I love that unusual ba ending and it’s a version of [name_f]Rose[/name_f] that is still not overdone.

Pamela - It’s time for this name to have a new day in it’s full form. No Pams! It means honey and just flows off the tongue.

Bianca - This name just has it all. A cute nickname (Bee!), literary cred (Taming of the Shrew), and [name_f]Disney[/name_f] usage. Don’t tell me [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] in The Rescuers is not a [name_f]Disney[/name_f] princess.

Melita - This is my mom’s name and the only other [name_f]Melita[/name_f] I’ve met was named after her. It’s never been popular, but to me it’s beautiful.

Gwynne - Lots of people prefer longer variants like [name_f]Gwyneth[/name_f] or [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f], but I think it stands on its own and the e at the end gives it a graceful feminine touch.

Graciela - I just adore this name. [name_f]Grace[/name_f] but with a short a and a frilly ending.

[VEL]

[name_f]Chiara[/name_f] – sparky and romantic version of [name_f]Claire[/name_f] that I think deserves more love

[name_f]Everild[/name_f] – sounds like a medieval [name_f]Everly[/name_f], but no one seems to like it (in real life or on Nameberry) besides me!

[name_f]Petra[/name_f] – underused feminine version of the classic [name_m]Peter[/name_m] with a cool connection to the ancient city

Susanna(h), [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] – Biblical, established beauties quite popular on Nameberry, but I’ve only met one of each in real life! Always surprised neither are in the US Top 1000.

[RubyGemstone19]

[name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] - sounds so fresh, bright and spunky !
[name_f]Delancy[/name_f] - Wouldn’t use this name myself but I think it sounds so beautiful and classy.
[name_f]Winona[/name_f] - This is one of my favs right now, it’s such a rare gem & the nickname [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is adorable
[name_f]Leilani[/name_f] - one of the prettiest L names in my opinion! With the nicknames [name_f]Leila[/name_f] & [name_f]Lani[/name_f] <3
[name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] - Such a sweet girl name & reminds me of the colour pink
[name_f]Odessa[/name_f] - This name and [name_f]Odette[/name_f] are sooo underrated ! I instantly visualise a ballerina

Others are:
[name_f]Astrid[/name_f]
[name_f]Delta[/name_f]
[name_f]Leontine[/name_f]
[name_f]Marcella[/name_f]
[name_f]Honor[/name_f]
[name_f]Rosamund[/name_f]
[name_f]Esmeray[/name_f]
[name_f]Sabine[/name_f]

[Chococat]

[name_f]Saskia[/name_f]
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]
[name_f]Millicent[/name_f]
[name_f]Kerensa[/name_f]
[name_f]Pernille[/name_f]
[name_f]Jasmina[/name_f]
[name_f]Charity[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f]Constance[/name_f]
[name_f]Yvette[/name_f]
[name_f]Georgina[/name_f]
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]
[name_f]Coralie[/name_f]
[name_f]Miroslava[/name_f]
[name_f]Prisca[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]
[name_f]Jacinta[/name_f]
[name_f]Zelie[/name_f]
[name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Jessamy[/name_f]
[name_f]Kirrily[/name_f]
[name_f]Demelza[/name_f]
[name_f]Briony[/name_f]
[name_f]Quitterie[/name_f]
[name_f]Nadia[/name_f]
[name_f]Clemency[/name_f]
[name_f]Stefania[/name_f]
[name_f]Patience[/name_f]
[name_f]Roxana[/name_f]
[name_f]Tatiana[/name_f]

[luneth]

@Estrela thank you! I love a lot from your list, though some I’d consider pretty common -at least where I’m from. I knew multiple [name_f]Angelica[/name_f], [name_f]Anastasia[/name_f], [name_f]Sylvia[/name_f], and [name_f]Natalia[/name_f], although it makes sense since they’re just gorgeous! I adore [name_f]Leona[/name_f], [name_f]Sapphire[/name_f] (I knew one [name_f]Safira[/name_f], but zero Sapphire), [name_f]Ines[/name_f], [name_f]Seren[/name_f], [name_f]Serena[/name_f] and [name_f]Ariadne[/name_f] (!!).

@elffff I love [name_f]Alethea[/name_f] (also prefer this to Althea) and [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] so much. [name_f]Audrey[/name_f] might sound common, but really I only ever met one. [name_f]Naomi[/name_f], [name_f]Maxine[/name_f], [name_f]Rossi[/name_f], and [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] are also sweet, and while it’s not usually my taste, I surprisingly like [name_m]Auden[/name_m]!

@Greyblue oohh I love [name_f]Cherith[/name_f]! [name_f]Winter[/name_f] stream is a lovely meaning. [name_f]Keziah[/name_f] and [name_f]Clodagh[/name_f] are pretty too, though for the latter I’m not sure how usable far from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f].

@aktunnicliff I know, right? [name_f]Rosalba[/name_f] is interesting. Bianca… I always like this name and I recall suggesting it quite a lot in multiple threads, but it rarely gets considered. Too bad. Oh and I’m glad you mentioned [name_f]Graciela[/name_f]! It’s so underrated, I feel like [name_f]Grace[/name_f] variants get way too little attention.

@VEL [name_f]Chiara[/name_f] is beautiful, I think I like it even better than Claire/Clara. I never heard of [name_f]Everild[/name_f] before, but it sure sounds lovely. I know [name_f]Susan[/name_f] but I don’t think I’ve met any [name_f]Susannah[/name_f] - and only one [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] as well. I have a similar [name_f]Talitha[/name_f] somewhere on my long list.

@RubyGemstone19 [name_f]Zinnia[/name_f] is lovely. Seen it many times in nameberry but completely unheard of irl. [name_f]Winona[/name_f], [name_f]Leilani[/name_f], [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] and [name_f]Odessa[/name_f] are really pretty. [name_f]Leilani[/name_f] is surely one of the prettiest L names out there.

Funny [name_f]Marcella[/name_f] are mentioned at least twice. It’s my mother in law’s name. She’s the only one I know, though.

Keep the ideas flowing, Berries.

[luneth]

Thank you! I love [name_f]Clemency[/name_f], [name_f]Zelie[/name_f], [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] and [name_f]Tatiana[/name_f]!

[juniebea]

I find these lovely gems pretty underrated/underused in person

[name_f]Opal[/name_f]
[name_f]Quintessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Lavender[/name_f]
[name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_f]Isadora[/name_f]
[name_f]Eris[/name_f]
[name_f]Susanna[/name_f]
[name_f]Georgiana[/name_f]
[name_f]Olympia[/name_f]
[name_f]Darcy[/name_f]
[name_f]Helena[/name_f]
Stacy/Stacey
[name_f]Faline[/name_f]
[name_f]Clarice[/name_f]
[name_f]Hera[/name_f]
[name_f]Eugenie[/name_f]
[name_f]Veronica[/name_f]
[name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Circe[/name_f]
[name_f]Minnie[/name_f]
[name_f]Elaine[/name_f]

[EloiseT]

My precious gems (some get a lot of love on here but not so much “out there”). They typically have something a little unsettling about them - lovely and smart despite themselves.

Inès
Kyrie
Wynry
Anwen
Ursula
Esther
Claudie
Farrah
Heather
Airlie
Romilly
Ingrid
Phryne
Tindra
Aneira
Valerie
Fifer
Brigid
Pomeline
Morwenna
Francine
Constance
And fave, Faline

[tori101]

So I know everyone has gone for rarer gems as it’s Nameberry and everyone has such amazing taste but my gems are little less cool yet so worthy of a shoutout in my opinion.

[name_f]Francesca[/name_f] ~ she’s so beautiful, elegant and has this sunny European coastal town feel. She has the fun [name_f]Frankie[/name_f] nickname along with sweeter [name_f]Franny[/name_f] for a more nostalgic flair. In the UK she ranks outside the top 100 funnily enough [name_f]Francesca[/name_f] ranks at 110 whereas [name_f]Frankie[/name_f] is 111 for girls (65 for boys) still I have never encountered a [name_f]Francesca[/name_f]. [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] & [name_f]Seren[/name_f] are more popular in my circle than [name_f]Francesca[/name_f].

[name_f]Carmen[/name_f] ~ honestly [name_f]Carmen[/name_f] is so soulful, warm and melodic. She reminds me of summer, bluest of seas along with downtown jazz bars. For me [name_f]Carmen[/name_f] is nighttime in [name_f]Havana[/name_f]. The meaning garden is lovely and I like how streamlined she is as well. She ranks at #755 in the UK naming charts so she would be a rare but very recognisable choice. I did have [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] on my list but I changed her to [name_f]Carmen[/name_f] as even though [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f] is beautiful my love for her has faded and [name_f]Carmen[/name_f] has really stepped up.

[name_f]Clemency[/name_f] ~ okay so everyone loves [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] but I feel that [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] just gets left behind. In the UK [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] ranks at #175 whereas [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] is unranked and is so pretty. She’s sweet, delicate with a lyrical sound. Apparently there is associations with death row but this has never entered my thought process and I really like the name.

[name_f]Charity[/name_f] ~ virtue names are really hotting up especially with the newer virtue options like [name_m]Saint[/name_m], [name_f]True[/name_f], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] etc and then you have your classics like [name_f]Faith[/name_f] and [name_f]Hope[/name_f] which have always been around. [name_f]Liberty[/name_f] + [name_f]Trinity[/name_f] are gaining attention but I feel [name_f]Charity[/name_f] gets left behind and she’s gorgeous. [name_f]Charity[/name_f] is so elegant, calming, reminds me of pink lace along with the greatest showman a musical I loved. She’s also unranked in the UK.

[name_f]Allegra[/name_f] ~ a beautiful name that feels strong, impactful, very classic and sophisticated. I love that [name_f]Allegra[/name_f] means happy providing that subtle virtue name feel. She’s a rare choice within the UK ranking at 720 within the popularity charts.

[name_f]Marisol[/name_f] ~ absolutely gorgeous name! She’s just springtime energy meets the ballet core aesthetic. [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] has a joyful sound and has imagery surrounding warmer climates, seashells, pastel pinks and waves crashing against the sand. I love that [name_f]Marisol[/name_f] has links to Mother [name_f]Mary[/name_f] along with the sea and sun. [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f]. Again unranked in the UK.

[name_f]Angelica[/name_f] ~ okay so I could go on and on but I have to stop at some point. I have loved answering this question. Anyways my final underrated gem is [name_f]Angelica[/name_f]. Similarly to the names above she is never spoken about really on Nameberry despite being love for the similar [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] + [name_f]Annalise[/name_f] and within the UK ranks outside the top 1000. Still despite not being raved about she is so beautiful. She’s elegant, visually appealing, has pretty holy associations through her meaning holy messenger and feels sparkly. I think [name_f]Angelica[/name_f] would make a sweet [name_f]Christmas[/name_f] baby name. I love [name_f]Angie[/name_f] as a nickname so retro. Also [name_f]Angelica[/name_f] is so ballet core which is the new ‘it’ aesthetic

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you like these!

[luneth]

@juniebea I secretly like [name_f]Eris[/name_f] more than [name_f]Iris[/name_f], lol, but she’s a gp due to the goddess of strife and discord. Really though I’d be cool to meet one. I like a lot from your list. [name_f]Helena[/name_f] is already on mine and I agree she’s underrated. It’s perfectly familiar and even classic but just rarely meet irl. A bit surprised to see [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] though. It’s absolutely pretty, but I always think it’s used a lot.

@EloiseT I love [name_f]Inès[/name_f], [name_m]Kyrie[/name_m] (never heard of it before, it sounds cute), [name_f]Claudie[/name_f], [name_f]Brighid[/name_f], and [name_f]Valerie[/name_f]. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband vetoed [name_f]Valentina[/name_f] and I sort of replaced it with [name_f]Valerie[/name_f] in my mind, but just never actually worked on the combo before. [name_f]Glad[/name_f] you mention this one.

@tori101 it’s interesting how [name_m]Maddox[/name_m] and [name_f]Seren[/name_f] are more popular than [name_f]Francesca[/name_f] in your circle! I met a few but with different spelling (and also Fransiskus for boys, that’s the local variant where I grew up).
I always have a soft spot for Clemency… read a book with [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] as a minor character many years ago and fell in love with this name right away. It’s my favorite virtue name. I understand the association your mentioned, but luckily I also don’t really think about it. I always love [name_f]Angelica[/name_f], but [name_f]Evangeline[/name_f] is the current top choice. It’s one of the only two names my husband agreed on really. I’m glad you enjoyed this question!

I really enjoy reading all the replies so far, so many lovely gems

[may.rose]

[name_f]Tara[/name_f]
[name_f]Irina[/name_f]
[name_f]Selah[/name_f]
[name_f]Fia[/name_f] or [name_f]Fiala[/name_f]
[name_f]Ronia[/name_f]
Ruthea
[name_f]Yara[/name_f]
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_f]Juna[/name_f] or [name_f]Junia[/name_f]
[name_f]Elia[/name_f]

[Mrs.Humbleby]

[name_f]Susannah[/name_f] and [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f] are so gorgeous. I also don’t understand why they aren’t used more often.

[EloiseT]

I met a (late 20s/early 30s) [name_f]Valerie[/name_f] a few years ago and she was just so breezy and charismatic! It’s such a frenchie cool name.

[luneth]

That’s cool! [name_f]Breezy[/name_f] and charismatic are exactly how I’d see this name too! I know exactly zero [name_f]Valerie[/name_f], lol. [name_f]My[/name_f] main associations are [name_f]Amanda[/name_f] Seyfried in [name_m]Red[/name_m] riding hood movie and the song [name_f]Valerie[/name_f].

[isabellesmama22]

[name_f]My[/name_f] daughter is [name_f]Giselle[/name_f]! To honor her sister [name_f]Isabelle[/name_f]

It is such an underrated name anytime I ever say her name is [name_f]Giselle[/name_f] I get so many compliments on it. I think it’s the prettiest name

[isabellesmama22]

I also think that [name_f]Ismerie[/name_f] is beautiful and it’s so rare

[name_f]Marsali[/name_f] stunning and fun to say