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| Inspiration :: Arco |
Surnames as first names are one of
the biggest naming fashions at the moment. Think Mason and Sloane or Tierney. Some
we forget that they were ever surnames like Donovan. But even with this trend,
there are many undiscovered surnames that would fit in fine with the many
children named Oliver and Joshua. Spanish and Italian surnames make great
girly-girl names and there are many English and Scottish surnames which would
create a fine name for a son. Another bonus to surname names is that they are
not gender specific – which works very well for those who are conscious about
stereotypical genders of names.
Below are some surnames beginning
with A that are already in usage as first names but are still quite unusual:
Below are some surname beginning
with A that are very rare for first names:
Abry
Origin: French
Meaning: Shelter
Gender: Unisex
Unisex sounding with a hint of
natural ruggedness. Doesn’t sound like a nickname but has the benefit of being
short and simple. Could be used as an unusual alternative to Abby or as a
diminutive of Abry.
Aliaga
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Person who lives in a place
overgrown with gorse.
Gender: Feminine
Feels like a merge of Agnes and
Alana. Ali is familiar enough so that the exotic –aga ending doesn’t feel too
weird.
Allegri
Origin: Italian
Meaning: Quick/lively
Gender: Unisex
Allegro still feels stuck on sheet
music. Allegra is starting to become popular for girls. Allegri has a
historical yet fresh sounding, cheery feel.
Almeida
Origin: Portuguese
Meaning: Place Name
Gender: Feminine
A name that will fit in with popular
girls’ names at the moment like Amelia but feels more distinctive. Alma or Mei
could be good nicknames.
Alvey
Origin: English
Meaning: Form of Alfwy
Gender: Unisex
Alvey does feel more like a nickname
than a full name but some may argue that the extra ‘e’ makes it more
substantial. It could be a good diminutive for Alfred.
Amiranda
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: Woundrous/lovely
Gender: Feminine
This name seems to have so much
strength but is also terrically feminine. She feels like a more unusual
alternative to Matilda and of course Miranda. She also has the popular Am–
prefix seen in name-nerd favourites Amabel and Amaryllis.
Antilla
Origin: Finnish
Meaning: Place Name
Gender: Feminine
A hint of Scandi fashion and the
familiar three syllable, -a ending girls’ name style. The t adds strength and
the An– prefix opens the door to many nickname options such as Annie.
Arco
Origin: Italian and Spanish
Meaning: Bowmaker
Gender: Masculine but could also be
a brave choice for girls.
A mix of the trendy -o ending with
an occupational name, a word name and a nod to the world of music. This name
ticks so many boxes.
Ardes
Origin: Scottish
Meaning : Place Name
Gender: Masculine but could also be
a brave choice for girls.
This name feels like it would never
stand out (but they would never be Ardes L or Ardes E in class because of its
rarity)
Arrietta
Origin: Basque
Meaning: Place Name
Gender: Feminine
If Arrietty is too ‘Borrower’ for
you. A perkier alternative to Harriet I think.
