Easter This is certainly the most direct route toa connection with the holiday and would make a novel choice for a springtimegirl baby. Not as rare as you might think, Easter appeared on the Top 1000 listduring the first few decades of the 20th century, just as Christmas did beforeit was overtaken by Noel and Noelle.
Sunday Sunday became a more usable day-nameinstantly after Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban chose it for their daughter in2008. It has a bright and sunny feel (and readymade nickname), and,withseasonal names and month names gaining in acceptance, perhaps more parents willstart considering Sunday.
Pascal,Pascoe Pascal is French for Easter and a classicGallic boys' name, as Pascale is for girls. We slightly prefer the EnglishPascoe, which has been around since medieval times and would make an appealingo-ending choice. Pasqual/Pasquale is the Spanish version, and though theRussian Pasha/Pascha is actually a diminutive of Pavel, it sounds veryEaster-ish (and Pashka is actually the name of a fabulous Russian Easterdessert).
Ash Dial the calendar back several weeks andyou get to Ash Wednesday, the movable feast that marks the start of Lent, inpreparation for Easter. Ash can be a nickname for Ashley or Ashton or Asher,but it's perfectly capable of standing on its own, as a strong tree name thatcould also appeal to kids via its Pokémon connection.
Palma Palm Sunday is celebrated the week before Easter, commemorating the entry ofChrist into Jerusalem where he was greeted by crowds waving palm a is an attractive Latin name that is geographical -- the romantic Spanishisland city of Palma de Majorca -- as well as botanical.
Tamar Tamar is another name related to the palm,meaning ‘date palm' in Hebrew. A rich, strong biblical name, it has long beenoutshone by its Russian version, Tamara, but is worthy of consideration. Onenoted bearer is singer Tamar Braxton, the sister of Toni.
Lily The flower name most closely associatedwith Easter has been a longtime love of baby namers -- it's been in the Top 100for a decade, and in the Top 20 for the past three years, with more than 8,000little Lilys born last year. Parents seeking something similar but less popularmight consider Lillian or Liliana, Lilia or Lilias.
Susanna Susanna is the New Testament form of theHebrew name Shoshana, which means ‘lily.' It's a timeless beauty, with or withoutthe final ‘h' (more stylish now without), unlike the shortened Susan orFrenchified Suzanne or Suzette, which are rarely used today. Name savvy WilliamShakespeare named his younger daughter Susanna.
Magdalene Mary Magdalene plays a leading role in theEaster story, a witness to the crucifixion and the first person to see Jesusafter his resurrection. The more frequently heard form is Magdalena, used inHispanic and Slavic cultures, a name that's been associated with several highachievers in sports and in the arts.
Agnes The lamb is an animal associated withEaster, as it represents Jesus, who is traditionally referred to as "the Lambof God," in Latin Agnus Dei. Agnes and its internationalvariations thus make highly appropriate choices. We love Agnes, a currentstarbaby fave, and also the rhythmic Italian Agnella, as well as the IrishUna/Oona, and the Spanish Inez.
Cruz The Spanish word for cross has long been aunisex standard in Latino cultures, but it became more of a crossoverpossibility when Victoria and David Beckham picked it for their third son, whowas born in Madrid in 2005. Cruz has been climbing the US popularity chartssince then, now ranking at Number 300.
Fred This may seem a little far removed, butre-watching Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in the movie Easter Parade has becomean Easter tradition for many. Fred is one of those great old friendly good guynickname names that could join all the little Jacks and Charlies and Sams inthe playground.
