Gender: Masculine
Origin: Frisian
(KEH-noh)
The name is from a Medieval Frisian diminutive form of Konrad.
It was borne by two East Frisian princes, Keno I of Brock (1310-1376) and his grandson, Keno II of Brock (1380-1417).
Currently, Keno is the 310th most popular male name in Germany, (2011).
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Turkish
Meaning: “ruler.”
(Jem)
The name comes from an old Turkish source meaning “ruler.” It was borne by a 15th-century pretender to the Ottoman Empire, Prince Cem , also known in Western Europe as Jem, (1459-1495).
It currently the 331st most popular male name in Germany, (2011).
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Italian/Romansch/Spanish
(REE-koh)
The name comes from a Latinate diminutive form of either Enrico or Ricardo. It is now used as an independent given name in Italy, Spanish-speaking countries and in the Romansch-speaking regions of Switzerland.
Coincidentally, rico is also the Spanish word for “rich” and is used as a term of endearment for small children. It would roughly be the equivalent of “precious.”
Currently, Rico is the 314th most popular male name in Germany, (2011).
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Czech/Polish
Pol/Germ/Est: (YAH-nek)
The name is from the Polish and Czech diminutive form of Jan, which is a cognate for John. The name is strictly used as a diminutive form in Poland and the Czech Republic, but has become a common independent given name in German-speaking countries, (especially in East Germany) and in Estonia.
Currently, Janek is the 346th most popular male name in Germany, (2011).
Another German rendition is Jannek.
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: “cool breeze; the coolness”
(kay-AH-noo)
The name is composed of the Hawaiian words ke meaning (the) and anu (cool).
The name should be pronounced (kay-AH-noo) vs (KEE-ah-NOO). The name first caught the world’s attention through actor, Keanu Reeves (b. 1964).
Currently, Keanu is the 325th most popular male name in Germany, (2011).
Gender: Male
Origin: Italian
Meaning: “rest”
(ROCK-ko); (ROCK)
The name is derived from the Germanic hroc meaning rest.
It was borne by a 14th-century saint whose cult is still very popular in Italy. He was known for his care and selflessness toward the plague victims. He would nurse them when nobody else would.
Legend has it that he himself contracted the deadly disease. He chose to go out into the woods and die, however, thanks to a loyal dog that visited him and nursed him back to health each day, he was able to live and go on to help more victims. As a result, he is the patron saint against dog bites and of dogs.
The name is also borne by actor Rock Hudson, Rocky Balboa, Rocco DiSpirito, and singer Madonna has used this name for her own child.
Currently, Rocco is the 341st most popular male name in Germany, (2011) and the 389th most popular male name in the United States, (2010).
Other forms include:
The name could either be from the Italian form of Hedda, or from the name of a compilation of Medieval poetry written in 13th-century Iceland. Its usage in Northern Europe is most likely in reference to the latter.
The Poetic Edda and Prose Edda are a compilation of poetry and prose written in Medieval Icelandic, many of its stories are taken from much older sources going all the way back to the beginning of the Viking age.
The origin of the name is debated, it has been suggested to be from an Old Norse source meaning “great-grandmother” or that it is related to the Norse, óðr (poetry). A most likely etymology is that is it a Norse corruption of the Latin, credo (creed).
The eddas are considered Iceland’s oldest piece of literature.
Currently, Edda is the 326th most popular female name in Germany, (2011).
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Russian
Eng (SONE-yah); Germ (ZONE-yah)
The name is from a Russian diminutive form of Sophia. Among Russian-Jews, the name was often used as a Russian cognate for the Yiddish, Shayndel, though the two names are not etymologically related.
Sonia could also be from the Hindi word sona सोना meaning “gold.”
In South Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, the name has been used as an independent given name since at least the turn of the 20th-century.
In the English-speaking world, the name was popularized by a 1917 eponymous novel by Stephen McKenna.
Currently, Sonja is the 297th most popular female name in Germany, (2011)
Other forms of the name include:
The name is borne by Norwegian figure skater and actress, Sonja Henie (1916-1969).
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Turkish
Meaning: “quick.”
(JAY-dah)
The name is from the Turkish meaning “quick.”
It is currently the 292nd most popular female name in Germany, (2011).
The name is borne by Turkish actress, Ceyda Ateş (b.1987)
Gender: Feminine
Origin: French
The name is a compound of Anne and Marie. Originally, the name was used by Catholic families, usually in honour of the Virgin Mary and her legendary mother St. Anne. Its usage spread to German-speaking countries and became especially common in Bavaria.
Currently, Annemarie is the 361st most popular female name in Germany, (2011). Its South Slavic form of Anamarija is currently the 48th most popular female name in Croatia (2010) and the 79th most popular in Slovenia, (2010).