The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz

or ELIAS. This is another boy’s name that has been lured into the girls’ camp. Variously spelled Eliot, Elliot and Elliott, its star is definitely on the rise for girls, as it wanes for boys. Bonus is cute and feminine nickname, Ellie. Eliot, Eliott, Elliott, Ellyot, Ellyott, Elyot, Elyott.

      

ELLIS. Welsh, ’benevolent’. Surname name that was used as first in the Wallace/Morris period, but it sounds new now for girls. Elice, Ellice.

      

ELLISON. English, ’son of Ellis’. Updates Allison – which everyone will misunderstand it as. Elisan, Elisen, Elison, Elisyn, Ellisan, Ellisen, Ellisin, Ellisyn, Ellyson, Ellysyn.

      ELM. Nature name. This is for tree huggers.

      ELMA. Diminutive of names like WILHELMINA. Elma’s rocking on the porch, with Thelma and Velma (and Wilhelmina, too). Ellma.

      ELMIRA. English, ’noblewoman’; also New York State place name. Has hardly been heard of since Mark Twain was buried there in 1910. Allmera, Almyra, Elmeera, Elmera, Elmeria, Elmyra, Mera, Meera, Mira, Mirah, Myra, Myrah. International: Almeria, Almira (Spanish).

      

ELODIE. French, from Greek, ’marsh flower’. Overlooked medieval saint’s name that could be a more sophisticated tribute to an Aunt Melody. Recommended to parents with exotic tastes and a short and simple last name. Elodea, Elodee, Elodia, Elody, Helodea, Helodia, Helodie. International: Elodia (Spanish).

      ELOISE. French variation of LOUISE. Brought to England by the Normans, Eloise is still in common use. Aloysia, Elois, Eloisa, Eloisia, Elouisa, Elouise, Heloise. International: Eloisa, Elsita, Ilsa (Spanish).

      ELOQUENT. Word name. If you want to give your child the gift of…gab.

      ELSA. Diminutive of ELIZABETH. Operatic and leonine name not enjoying the resurgence of Ella and her sisters. Ellsa, Ellse, Ellsie, Ellsy, Else, Elsi, Elsia, Elsie, Elsje, Elssa, Elsy, Elza, Lisa. International: Elsje, Ilsa (Dutch), Else (Scandinavian).

      ELSIE. Diminutive of ELIZABETH via its Scottish variation, ELSPETH. Popular name at the end of the nineteenth century; it’s faded during the twentieth century – however it could conceivably rise again on the heels of Ella and Ellie. Ellsey, Ellsi, Ellsie, Elsea, Elsee, Elsey, Elsi.

      ELSPETH, ELSBETH. Scottish variation of ELIZABETH. This Scottish contraction of Elizabeth does have a certain childlike charm. Elsbeth, Elsbet, Elsepet, Elspet, Elspie.

      ELUNED. (el-LOOND) Welsh, ’idol, image’. Exotic and mysterious, like the heroine of a medieval Welsh fairy tale, but another of those Celtic names that would not be easy for a girl living elsewhere to carry. Elined, Eiluned, Lanet, Lanette, Linet, Linette, Luned, Lunette, Lynnette.

      ELVA. Irish, ’leader of the elves’. Anglicised version of Ailbhe, growing more popular in Ireland. Ailbhe, Elfie, Elvia, Elvie.

      ELVINA. English, ’noble friend’ or ’elf friend’. Sounds elven in every sense of the word. Alveena, Alvina, Alvine, Alvinia, Ehrena, Elveena, Elvenea, Elvenia, Elvine, Elvinea, Elvinia, Elvinna, Vina, Vinni, Vinnie, Vinny.

      ELVIRA. Spanish, ’white, fair’. Elvira was the long-suffering wife of Don Juan, and unfortunately this negative image still clings to it. Ellvira, Elva, Elveera, Elvina, Elvyra, Vira. International: Elvéra, Elvire (French), Elvera (Italian), Albira, Alvira (Spanish), Alviria (German), Elwira (Polish).

      ELYSE. Variation of ELISE or ELYSIA. Yet another variation on a familiar theme.

      ELYSIA. Latin, from ’Elysium’. This version stands out from the pack, as it relates to Elysian Fields, the mythological home of dead heroes. Aleesyia, Eleese, Eliese, Elise, Elishia, Elisia, Ellicia, Ellysa, Ellyse, Ellyssa, Elyce, Elycia, Elys, Elyse, Elysee, Elyssa, Elysse, Ileesia, Ilise, Ilysa, Ilyse, Ilysha, Ilysia.

      ELZA. Hebrew, ’God is my joy’; Russian from German, ’noble’. Intriguing twist on several familiar names, though many people will mistake this for Elsa, Eliza and so on.

      EMANI. Arabic variation of IMAN. While this spelling is unusual, the I-beginning version is quite popular. Eman, Emane, Emaneé, Emanie, Emann.

      EMBER. French variation of AMBER. Unlike Amber, still has a bit of a glow left – though confusions between the two will inevitably arise. Emberlee, Emberly.

      EMBETH. Combination of EMMA and BETH. South African—raised actress Embeth Davidtz added this unique name to the mix.

      EMELINE. German, ’industrious’. An old name, with a history separate from Emily and Emma and a different kind of vintage feel, that’s a possible alternative to top-of-the-pops names. Em, Emaleen, Emalene, Emaline, Emalyn, Embline, Emblyn, Emelen, Emelyn, Emiline, Emlyn, Emmalee, Emmalene, Emmaline, Emmalyn, Emmalynne, Emmeline, Emmiline, Emmy, Emylin, Emylynn.

      EMENY. English, uncertain origin. Emily substitute, though it sounds like a child’s mispronunciation of ’enemy’. Emonie, Imanie, Ismene.

      ÉMER. (EE-mer) Irish mythology name. The wife of legendary Irish hero Cú Chulainn, blessed with the gifts of beauty, sweet speech, wisdom, needlework and chastity—a mixed bag. Ema, Eamhair, Eimear, Eimer. International: Éimhear (Scottish Gaelic).

      EMERALD. Gem name; Persian, ’green’. Colour and jewel name of the deep green stone treasured as far back as ancient Egypt, could make for an interesting, unusual name. International: Emeraude (French), Emelda, Emeralda, Emeraldina, Esmeralda (Spanish).

      

EMERSON. German, ’son of the chief’. The combination of Emily and Emma’s popularity have put this choice in the limelight. Desperate Housewives’ star Teri Hatcher’s daughter is named Emerson.

      

EMERY. German, ’industrious’. The popularity of Emily and Emma could boost the unisex Emery. Emeri, Emerie.

      EMILIA. Feminine variation of EMIL. This lovely feminine form of the Roman clan name Aemilius is rising as an Emily/Amelia alternative.

      EMILY. Latin, ’industrious’; Teutonic, ’energetic’. Reaching Number 1 in recent years, this popular name appeals on many levels: it’s feminine, classic, simple, pretty, and strong. But, at this point, waaaaaaay overused. Aemiley, Aemilie, Amalea, Ameldy, Amelia, Ameline, Amelita, Amella, Em, Ema, Emaili, Emaily, Emalee, Emaleigh, Emali, Emalie, Emalina, Emaly, Emelea, Emelina, Emeline, Emellie, Emelly, Emely, Emelyn, Emelyne, Emera, Emi, Emie, Emilee, Emileigh, Emiley,