Unnamed List
- Paisley
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"church, cemetery"Description:
For a name related to a Scottish town, a patterned Indian fabric, and a country singer named Brad, Paisley has seen remarkable success. After appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, it is now an American favorite.
- Brooklyn
Origin:
English Place name from DutchMeaning:
"marshland"Description:
Extreme makeover: Brooklyn has gone from jokey Borough Boy name in the 1990s to a leading girls' name starting with B. The status of New York's Brooklyn as hipster heaven is ironic as few bona fide Brooklyn hipsters would choose this name.
- Alyssa
Origin:
English variation of AliciaMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Alyssa was in the Top 20 from 1997-2010 and peaked as the 11th most popular girls’ name in 1998 and 1999 but has become less popular in recent years. It's related to the flower alyssum as well as to the classic Alice and variants. Alyssa Milano helped give it a bounce back when she was still a child sitcom star.
- Blaire
Origin:
English variation of Blair, ScottishMeaning:
"dweller on the plain"Description:
Blair with a little something extra, which some parents may feel feminizes the name. The Blaire spelling was given to a surprising number of baby girls, with about a third of baby girls with the name given this spelling. The final e also is reminiscent of Claire.
- Kendra
Origin:
Feminization of Kenneth or EnglishMeaning:
"handsome or knowing"Description:
Kendra was once seen as a feminization of Kenneth -- but it's now firmly established as a standalone. American parents can't seem to make up their mind about it though: it was one of 2013's fastest-rising names, entering the Top 200 for the first time since 2000, but then it tumbled again.
- Elisabeth
Origin:
German, Dutch, Danish, English, variation of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
This spelling of the classic name is found in France, Germany, Greece, and other cultures, and is worn by such notables as Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Elisabeth Shue, Elisabeth Moss, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. The name's pronunciation is usually just like the Z version, but some parents choose this because they want to discourage the Liz or Lizzie short forms and so pronounce it as if it has Lisa in the middle.
- Khloe
Origin:
Variation of ChloeMeaning:
"young green shoot"Description:
Khloe's a variation of the popular Chloe, thanks to reality star Karshadian of the K-named family. Khloe jumped a whopping 101 places into 2009's Top 100 and peaked at 42 in 2010 but has declined in popularity in recent years.
- Blaine
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"yellow"Description:
She's the bff of Blair, Blake, and Brooke who shop at Bergdorf's, Bonwits and Bendel's.
- Blaise
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"one who stutters"Description:
Despite its modern sound, Blaise has plenty of history as a given name (for boys), from a Christian martyr to Arthurian legends. Today Blaise feels like the cool and edgy Blaze with a French accent.
- Ashton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ash tree place"Description:
Hot star Ashton Kutcher is pushing this unisex choice toward the boys' camp, but its variation Ashtyn is on the rise.
- Maleah
Origin:
Variation of MaliaDescription:
Oh dear! We can see where you were going with connecting this name to the classic "Leah," but it just doesn't work. We recommend sticking with the classic Malia.
- Laken
Origin:
Variation of Lake, EnglishMeaning:
"lake"Description:
Not quite a nature name and not quite a surname — whatever Laken is or isn't, we know it's definitely a name to watch.
- Lauryn
Origin:
Spelling variation of LaurenDescription:
Given a new shot of style by singer Lauryn Hill, this spelling of the name has fallen quite a bit in popularity since its peak of 167 in 1996.
- Jayde
Origin:
Spelling variation of JadeDescription:
This creative spelling of Jade adds in the trendy y, but it remains much less popular.
- Kyleigh
Origin:
Feminine variation of Kyle or spelling variation of KylieMeaning:
"narrow spit of land; or, a boomerang"Description:
Kyle is a Scottish male name while Kylie is an Aboriginal name meaning boomerang. Kyleigh might be seen as a feminine spin on Kyle or a spelling update of Kylie. A trendy choice longer on style than substance.
- Rian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
As Ryan quickly becomes a plausible option for a girl, some parents may be interested in the spelling Rian — the more authentic and original form of the name.
- Klaire
Description:
Klaire is a modern feminine variant spelling of Claire, which comes from the Latin 'clarus' meaning 'clear, bright, or famous.' This contemporary spelling substitutes the traditional 'C' with 'K,' giving the classic name a fresh, distinctive appearance while maintaining the same pronunciation. Claire has been consistently popular across Western countries for centuries, and this variant offers a way to honor that tradition while adding uniqueness. Klaire began appearing more frequently in the early 2000s, coinciding with the trend toward alternative spellings of classic names. Though still relatively uncommon compared to Claire or Clare, Klaire appeals to parents seeking names with traditional roots but contemporary presentation.
- Madisen
Description:
Madisen is a modern feminine spelling variation of Madison, which originated as an English surname meaning 'son of Maud' (a medieval form of Matilda). This alternative spelling gained popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as parents sought ways to personalize traditional names. Madisen maintains the appealing sound of Madison while offering a slightly more distinctive appearance. The name rose to prominence as a feminine given name in the 1980s-90s, inspired partly by the 1984 film 'Splash.' With the familiar nickname Madi or Maddie available, Madisen balances recognizability with uniqueness. It conveys a contemporary, slightly preppy image while maintaining its connection to the more common Madison.
- Madyson
Origin:
Spelling variation of MadisonDescription:
With the ultra-popularity of Madison—currently ranked Number 15 for girls—it's inevitable that spelling deviations will make their way into the charts as well. Madyson joins this group of alternates, headlined by Maddison and Madisyn, all of which rank somewhere in the Top 1000. While the "creative" trend of adding the letter y doesn't look to be going away any time soon, it often creates confusion more than anything else.
- Melanee
Description:
Melanee is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Melanie, which derives from the Greek 'melania' meaning 'black' or 'dark.' This alternative spelling adds a contemporary touch while maintaining the melodic sound of the traditional form. Melanee likely emerged as parents sought to personalize a classic name while preserving its essential pronunciation. While less common than the standard spelling, Melanee offers a subtle distinction that some parents appreciate. The name conveys many of the same qualities as Melanie—gentleness, beauty, and sophistication—with a slightly more unique presentation that helps set the bearer apart without straying too far from familiarity.