Alternatives to Common Names

I got the idea for this blog from a question that Grace (Grace63) asked me on formspring the other day. The popularity of names doesn't really bother me. Some of my favorite names are very popular but that would not stop me from using them. I know, however, that a lot of people are put off using some names because of their popularity so here are my ideas for more unusual alternatives to common names.

Girls

Ava:
Ada - This name is very similar to Ava but a lot less common and has a nice old-fashioned feel to it.
Aveline - This name is more elaborate and feminine than Ava and you could use Ava as a nickname if you wanted.
Avelina - This name is super feminine and has both Ava and Lina as possible nicknames.
Avia - This one might be a bit too similar to Ava for some people but it is very sweet and pretty.

Eva:
Aoife - pronounced (EE-fah) this Irish nam is a softer sounding alternative to Eva.
Eve - Eve is an even shorter and simpler name than Eva, great if you like uncomplicated names.
Evelyn - This is a very grown-up and sophisticated sounding name.
Evelina - This name is ultra feminine and super pretty!

Emily/Emma:
Emme - From what I see on formspring, a lot of people like this name. Eventhough it ends in the 'ee' sound which can make names seem childish the spelling of this name makes it seem more grown-up.
Emmeline - The conection with Emmeline Pankhurst makes me think of this as a very strong and willful name!
Emilia - A beautiful Shakespearean name, the only problem is it will get mixed up with Amelia a lot.
Emmalina - One of the more elaborate Em- names, this name is very princessy sounding!

Anna:
Anya - This is a simple yet exotic alternative to Anna.
Annika - This is a pretty Scandanavian alternative to Anna.
Annabelle - This is a sophisticated and old-fashioned sounding name which could use Anna or Belle as a nickname.
Annabeth - This is even cuter and spunkier than Annabelle.

Lily:
Lillian - A more grown-up version of Lily that can still use Lily as a nickname.
Liliana - This name is extremely feminine and exotic sounding.
Líle - This is pretty Irish name is prounced LEE-lah and means lily.
Lilou - This French name meaning 'lilies' is even cuter than the English Lily.

Elizabeth:
Lizbeth - This name sounds like a contracted version of Elizabeth it is pretty and unexpected.
Elizabelle - This ancient name would be great if you like both Elizabeth and Isabelle.
Elspeth - This Scottish form of Elizabeth comes with the sweet nickname Elsie.
Elisa - This Italian diminuative of Elizabeth is short, sweet and very cute.

Ella:
Eleanora - This name sounds old-fashioned, sophisticated and princessy.
Della - This is a short form of names like Adela and Adelaide and it makes an unexpected alternative to Ella.
Elsa - This short and sweet name is easy to spell and pronounce and is much less popular than the similar sounding Ella.
Elena - I love this name pronounced el-AY-nah but if tou pronounced it like Elena from formspring (ELL-en-ah) it would make an even better alternative to Ella.

I had less inspiration for the boys names than for the girls but here is what I came up with:

Boys

Aiden:
Eamon - pronounced AY-min this nam is of Irish orgin like Aiden.
Adrian - This name sounds similar to Aiden but is different enough not to get confused with it.

James:
Seamus - This is the Scottish form of James and it lends an funky celtic vibe to the name.
Jay - This cool, modern sounding name is a short form of James.
Jameson - This name means 'son of James' and would be a graet choice if you want to name your son after his father who is called James.

William:
Gwilym - Pronounced GWIL-im this is the Welsh form of William.
Illiam - This is the Manx form of William, it's cool but will probably get confused with William all the time.
Willem - This name is very cool sounding but has the same problem with it as Illiam.
Uilleam - pronounced OO-lim this name would be less confusing than Illiam or Willem but the spelling might be a problem.