Caroline
- Rosalind
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"soft horse or pretty rose"Description:
Rosalind has a distinguished literary history – used and popularized by Edmund Spenser and Shakespeare via one of his most charming heroines, in As You Like It. Along with a bouquet of other Rose names, Rosalind might be ready for a comeback.
- Albert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
Albert has acquired a new gloss as one of the top royal baby boy names, a considerable upgrade from its serious, studious image (think Einstein, Schweitzer).
- Amanda
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"she must be loved"Description:
Amanda may no longer be the most popular girls' name in her class, but it still holds appeal with its pleasing meaning and solid yet romantic sound. Its heyday however was back in the eighties when it skyrocketed alongside Samantha, Vanessa, Melissa, and co.
- Maria
Origin:
Hebrew or EgyptianMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"Description:
As a highly popular girls' name in all Spanish-speaking countries, this saintly Latin variation of Mary retains a timeless beauty. Through the centuries, Maria remains one of the most widely-used girl names starting with M.
- Summer
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
The temperature is definitely rising for this popular seasonal name, which began being used in the seventies, and has been heard consistently ever since.
- Jemima
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"dove; daytime"Description:
Jemima, the name of a strong and beautiful Biblical daughter of Job, has long been among the chicest choices of aristocratic Brits, and has since shifted to be used more generally too, replacing Gemma/Jemma as a way to nickname "Jem". In a recent year, it featured in the England and Wales Top 500.
- Douglas
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"black water"Description:
Douglas, and more particularly its nickname, Doug, had a real romantic swagger in the 1950s and 1960s dating back to swashbuckling Douglas Fairbanks, but today is more likely to conjure up your mom's prom date. Originally a Celtic river name, it became attached to a powerful Scottish clan, renowned for their strength and courage. In its earliest incarnation, Douglas was used equally for girls and boys.
- Michelle
Origin:
French variation of MichaelMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
Michelle is the feminine form of Michel, the French variation of Michael. Michael was derived from the Hebrew name Mihka’el, meaning "who is like God." The alternate spelling Michele, with one "L," was the original version of the name. Michelle appeared as a later Anglicization in the 20th century.
- Lucinda
Origin:
English, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of LuciaMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucinda, an elaboration of Lucia created by Cervantes for his 1605 novel Don Quixote, is a pleasingly pretty alternative to Lucy. It was subsequently used by Moliere in his play The Doctor in Spite of Himself' (1666). More in tune with the times than Linda, Belinda and Melinda, it could be used to honor someone with one of those dated names.
- Heather
Origin:
English botanical nameMeaning:
"small shrub"Description:
This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers, in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the name. Now, though still pretty and evocative of the Scottish moors, it has faded in favor of other purplish blooms. It fell out of the Top 1000 in 2016 after having been as high as Number 3 in 1975, when it was given to close to 25,000 girls. Across the pond in the UK however, it remains near the latter end of the Top 1000.
- Gareth
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"gentle"Description:
Gareth, the name of a modest and brave knight in King Arthur's court, makes a sensitive, gently appealing choice, used more in its native Wales than anywhere else.
- Jillian
Origin:
Phonetic spelling of GillianMeaning:
"youthful"Description:
This spelling of Jillian is now much more popular than the original, maybe because the G version invites pronunciation problems.
- Alisha
Origin:
Phonetic spelling of Alicia; also SanskritMeaning:
"protected by God"Description:
This name has two derivations. One is as a member of the well-populated Alice/Alicia family (with an overly literal spelling), which gives it the meaning "noble"; the other is an Urdu name with the meaning "protected by God." If you're going with the first derivation, we suggest you stick with the classic and beautiful Alicia.
- Janine
Origin:
French variation of JaneDescription:
Has lost all trace of its French accent.
- Kirsty
Description:
Kirsty is a feminine name of Scottish origin, serving as a diminutive form of Christina or Kirsten. Popular throughout the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland, this charming name peaked in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Kirsty means 'follower of Christ' and carries a bright, spirited quality that balances traditional roots with a contemporary feel. The name has been borne by several notable figures including Scottish swimmers Kirsty Balfour and Kirsty Coventry, giving it athletic associations. While its usage has declined since its peak decades ago, Kirsty maintains a place as a recognizable yet not overly common name that embodies Scottish heritage. Its friendly sound and manageable spelling make it accessible across English-speaking countries.
- Gwendoline
Origin:
Variation of Gwendolen, WelshMeaning:
"white ring"Description:
The Gwendoline form may introduce pronunciation confusion -- does that last syllable rhyme with wine or win or when? We vote Gwendolen as not only the most proper but the clearest spelling, followed by Gwendolyn, with Gwendoline a distant third.