ASTRID: From the Greek for "star" and Old Norse for "super strength." A good choice for a New Age family. Relatives: Astra, Astera, Astred, Asta, Astyr. Namesake: Astrid Gilberto.
ATHOL: A Scottish place name. Lends itself to being deviously mispronounced. Relative: Avery. Namesake: Athol Fugard.
AUBREY: German for "elf rule." Interesting. Namesakes: Aubrey Beardsly, John Aubrey, "Jack Aubrey."
AUBURN: Latin for "fair." A seldom-used color name. Relatives: Alban, Aubin. Namesake: Auburn University.
AUDREY: Old English for "noble strength." Shakespeare's choice for the country wench in AS YOU LIKE IT. Relatives: Audry, Audra, Audey, Audie. Namesakes: Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy.
AUGUST: From the Latin for "exalted." This one gets better the more you hear it. Relatives: Augustine, Augustina, Augie, Augustus, Augusta, Gus, Gussy, Gussie, Gusta. Namesakes: Augusta Wilson, August Busch, Augustus Caesar.
AURELIA: From the Latin for "gold." Relatives: Aurora, Aurea, Aurore, Aurelie.
AVERILL: Old English for "boar-warrior" and a variation of April. Relatives: Averil, Averell, Everill, Everil, Haverl, Haverhill. Namesakes: Averell Harriman, Earl Averill.
AVIVA: From the Hebrew for "springtime." This lively name sounds like a stadium cheer. Relatives: Avital, Avi, Avia, Avivah.
AXEL: Swedish for "divine source of life." Relative: Axtel. Namesakes: Axel Munthe, Axel Rose, "Axel Foley."
AZURA: Persian for "sky-blue." A name with a New Age quality to it. Give this child a crystal for a baby present. Relative: Azure.
