Names that Peaked in 1992
- Moriah
Origin:
Biblical place name; HebrewMeaning:
"the Lord is my teacher"Description:
Where Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice him. Taylor Hanson chose this as the middle name for his son Viggo, his fourth child, but most will see it as a girls’ name. Make life simpler and spell it Mariah.
- Davante
Description:
Davante is a masculine name that emerged in American usage primarily in the late 20th century. The name appears to be a variation of Davon or Davan, possibly influenced by Italian or Spanish naming traditions with the '-te' ending (similar to Dante or Vicente). The 'Dav-' prefix likely connects to the Hebrew name David, meaning 'beloved.' Davante gained increased recognition in the United States partly through association with professional football player Davante Adams. The name exemplifies the trend of creating distinctive variations on traditional names while maintaining familiar roots. Usage data shows Davante has experienced regional popularity but has not consistently ranked in the top 1000 U.S. names. With its melodic three-syllable structure and blend of traditional roots with a contemporary feel, Davante offers a distinctive option that balances uniqueness with familiarity.
- Pedro
Origin:
Spanish; Portuguese variation of Peter, GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"Description:
Pedro is one of the most familiar Spanish names for boys, via baseball star Pedro Rodriguez and many others.
- Maira
Description:
Maira is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it relates to Mayra meaning 'exceptional woman' or 'beneficent.' In Scottish Gaelic, it derives from Màiri, a form of Mary. In Greek mythology, Maira was a name associated with the dog star. This cross-cultural name has gained modest popularity in diverse communities worldwide, appreciated for its melodious sound and international appeal. The name is relatively short yet carries a soft, flowing quality with its two syllables. Maira offers the advantage of being recognizable across different languages while remaining distinctive. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce in most languages, contributing to its gradual increase in usage in multicultural societies.
- Mariela
Origin:
Spanish diminutive of MariaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
Variant of Mariella
- Shanice
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Sha name, by way of Janice.
- Carissa
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Trending down, along with others of both the Car and the issa groups.
- Shawnee
Origin:
Native American tribe nameDescription:
The Shawnee were an Eastern tribe that migrated westward; Shawnee makes an unusual name, if a little dated a la Shawn and Tawnee.
- Malcom
Origin:
Variation of Malcolm, ScottishMeaning:
"devotee of St. Columba"Description:
This may be a phonetic variation of Malcolm, but it just looks...wrong. Be prepared for spelling corrections.
- Coty
Origin:
French surnameDescription:
Cosmetic reinvention of Cody.
- Dillan
Description:
Dillan is a variant spelling of Dylan, a name with Welsh origins meaning "son of the sea" or "born from the ocean." In Welsh mythology, Dylan was a sea god or hero. The name gained significant popularity in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century, partly due to the influence of poet Dylan Thomas and musician Bob Dylan. The Dillan spelling variation emerged as parents sought to create more distinctive versions of popular names while maintaining the original pronunciation. This spelling is less common than Dylan but offers a slight differentiation. The name conveys a sense of nature and flowing movement, making it appealing to parents drawn to names with elemental connections and a modern, approachable sound.
- China
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Long before the current place-name craze, a pair of the more daring pop singers of the Age of Aquarius picked this name for their daughters. Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick used the conventional spelling, the Mamas and the Papas's Michelle Phillips went further afield with Chynna (of the group Wilson Phillips).
- Ivonne
Origin:
French variation of YvonneDescription:
The I freshens up this name.
- Stormy
Origin:
Word name; variation of StormDescription:
Stormy is on the rise following the birth of Kylie Jenner's daughter Stormi, although the starbaby's spelling has taken over the lead.
- Karly
Origin:
Variation of Carly, EnglishMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Whether it be due to the Kardashian's or another manifestation of the creative spelling trend, we're seeing K spelling variations as some of the fastest-rising names of the past few years -- and Karly is no exception.
- Devonte
Description:
Devonte is a modern American name with African-American origins, created as a variant of Devon or DeVon. The distinctive ending gives it a more melodic quality while maintaining its strong masculine sound. The name gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly within African-American communities. While not among the top-ranked names nationally, Devonte has maintained a steady presence in naming patterns. It carries connotations of uniqueness and individuality, often associated with creativity and personal expression. Some notable namesakes include athletes and musicians who have helped familiarize the name in popular culture.
- Rakeem
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"wise, intelligent"Description:
Rakeem is a masculine name with Arabic origins, derived from the word "rakeem" meaning "wise" or "intelligent" in Arabic. It is also associated with "Al-Rakeem," which appears in the Quran referring to a tablet or inscription.
- Dominque
Description:
Dominque is a variant spelling of the more common Dominic or Dominique, derived from the Latin name 'Dominicus' meaning 'of the Lord' or 'belonging to the Lord.' This particular spelling appears to be a less conventional version of the masculine form. The traditional Dominic traces back to St. Dominic, a Spanish priest who founded the Dominican order in the 13th century. While Dominique is more commonly used as the French form of the name for both genders, the spelling Dominque is relatively rare. The name carries connotations of religious devotion and spiritual heritage, while offering a slightly unique variation for parents seeking something distinctive yet with recognizable roots.
- Chelsy
Description:
Chelsy is a modern feminine variation of Chelsea, a name with English origins referring to a district in London derived from Old English terms meaning 'chalk landing place.' This contemporary spelling gives the traditional name a fresh, youthful quality while maintaining its elegant sound. Chelsy gained notable recognition in the early 2000s when it was borne by Chelsy Davy, who was in a relationship with Prince Harry of the British royal family. The name carries a friendly, approachable quality with its soft consonants and cheerful ending sound. While less common than the traditional Chelsea spelling, Chelsy appeals to parents seeking a familiar name with a slightly more distinctive presentation. The name projects an image that balances sophistication with accessibility and warmth.
- Dejon
Description:
Dejon appears to have multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of DeJuan or DeJohn, which combine the French prefix "De" (meaning "of") with John (Hebrew, "God is gracious"). Alternatively, it could relate to the French surname Dijon (named after the city in Burgundy). The name emerged primarily in the United States in the late 20th century, with most recorded usage beginning in the 1970s-1980s. Dejon follows the phonetic pattern of many contemporary created names using prefixes like De-, La-, or Ja-. The name has remained relatively uncommon, never reaching the top rankings of popular names. Some families may choose it as a variation of Jon/John or as a distinctive name with a melodic quality. Usage patterns show it has been embraced across various communities in the United States.
