Braeden was one of the many -aiden names that we heard everywhere just a few years ago. Now it's fading, along with Aiden, Jayden, and company.

Jamir is a modern invention, created by blending together traditional Arabic names Jamal and Amir, giving the meaning "beautiful ruler". It has replaced the once popular Jamar in the US Top 1000, and currently sits in the Top 600.

Zeldris is a demon character — also known as the Prince of Darkness — on the anime series Nanatsu no Taizai (or The Seven Deadly Sins). His name debuted on the American charts in 2021, when it was used for eight baby boys.

Brixton, a formerly rough but now cool-and-gentrified area of London, is also gaining notice as a baby name, especially for boys. About 20 baby girls were given the name in the US in the most recent year, vs. about 300 baby boys. Its similarity to the trendy Braxton and the x in the middle place help make it appealing to contemporary parents.

A modern mashup of the popular Ky/Kai sound and the trendy -land ending. More than 60 boys were named Kyland in 2022.

A tweaked version of Jamir, itself a modern invented name, Jahmir is based on Arabic names Jamal and Amir.

Fans of versatile, rising African- American actor Mekhi Phifer have begun to adopt his unusual first name for their sons.

One of the oft-mocked Zappa kid names; it supposedly was a nickname his father had for his wife's pinkie toe.

Much less popular than more traditional spellings.

Jermajesty is a slightly bizarre name created by Jackson brother Jermaine, making his son a royal version of himself.

This name obviously has the prefix De- that denotes "son of"—in this form it can mean either "son of Angelo" or "from the angel."

Damari is thought to be a variation of the popular trans-cultural name Amari with the Da- prefix. Amari means "eternal" in Hebrew and may mean "strength" in Yoruba, though other sources list the African meaning as unknown.

A trendy sounding choice--if we had to give it a meaning would be either "three cities" or "town with trees," but since it's a modern invention, you'd have to pick it for its current feel alone. Another option: TRENTON, a real place name.

Though it lends itself well to the pleasant nickname Ty, it's also the name of an antibiotic powder for animals.

Lakelyn is a fast-rising girl name of the last decade, combining a nature word with the ever-fashionable -lyn suffix. It is occasionally given to baby boys too (more than 30 since 2020), no doubt helped by the similarity to Lachlan.

This spelling of popular Jalen ranks in the Top 1000 for both girls and boys.

Amarion is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a creative variation of names like Amari, Amarion, or Damarian. The prefix 'Amar-' may connect to roots meaning 'eternal' or 'immortal' in some languages, or 'to love' in Latin-based languages. Amarion gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the 1990s and saw increased usage through the early 2000s. The name has a rhythmic, melodious quality with its three syllables and ending '-on' sound that fits contemporary naming trends. Amarion offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents seeking a modern-sounding name with depth.

Khamari is a modern masculine name with African roots, particularly from Swahili origins. The name can be interpreted to mean 'moon' in some contexts, though interpretations vary. It's gained popularity in the United States since the 2000s as parents have sought distinctive names with cultural connections. Khamari offers a balance of uniqueness and accessibility, featuring melodic sounds with its three syllables and flowing rhythm. Often associated with qualities like strength and spirituality, Khamari represents a contemporary choice that stands out without being difficult to pronounce. The name has shown steady but modest usage, appealing to parents looking for a name that's uncommon while still feeling familiar and warm in tone.

May tagalong after fast-rising cousin Jaxon.

No longer a forbidden choice, Messiah has risen up the US popularity charts in recent years, and as a result, some parents have been seeking alternative spelling options. Masiah is one such choice, though it may also link more closely with the Arabic word for Christ, almasih. Given to around 80 boys each year, it is considerably less popular than Messiah, which was chosen for 1909 boys in 2023.