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Favorite Names

  1. Rain

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Mostly feminine, though "Office" star Rainn Wilson gives it a slight masculine twist. You might also use this as a short form of Raines.
  2. Lark

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a comeback for boys and Sparrow is a notable starbaby boy (he's Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's son).
  3. Kaden

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kayden, modern invented name

    • Meaning:

      "round or barrel"

    • Description:

      A popular member of the -ayden family, Kaden ranks alongside Kaiden, Kayden, Kasen, Kade, Caiden, Cade, and Caden in the US Top 1000. A 90s invention that took off in the 2000s, Kaden is concise and modern, with its popular K initial.
  4. April

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to open"

    • Description:

      Once the most popular month names, April has been overtaken by June (for girls) and August (for boys), as well as the charmingly old-fashioned May. Literary reference: the heroine of the book and movie Revolutionary Road, and there have been Aprils on Parks and Recreation, Glee, and The Vampire Diaries. Trivia note: comedian Ralphie May named his daughter April June May.
  5. Draco

    • Origin:

      Greek from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dragon"

    • Description:

      For as long as we all shall live, Harry Potter's sneering nemesis.
  6. Cloud

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Like Sky and Sunshine, this fluffy name from the hippie 1970s has floated back onto the naming radar. It's similarity of Clyde and Claude help to ground it.
  7. Kali

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, English

    • Meaning:

      "black one; free man"

    • Description:

      Kali is a number of different things: a playful, contemporary twist on the name Callie; the Hindu goddess of destruction; an alternative spelling for Kaylee; a short form of the Arablic Kalila, the Greek Kalista, or the African American Kaliyah; a masculine name in India; and a trendy form of Kali(fornia).
  8. Loki

    • Origin:

      Norse mythological name

    • Meaning:

      "lock"

    • Description:

      Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.
  9. Steele

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "steel"

    • Description:

      This steely surname has a macho image that might feel more appropriate for a romance novel than a baby. But on the upside, it's also sleek and modern, familiar yet unusual, given to only around 100 boys per year in the US.
  10. Starling

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.
  11. Hayden

    • Origin:

      English place name

    • Meaning:

      "hay hill; hay valley"

    • Description:

      A newly successful name for girls, which, like Brayden and Caden, used to be strictly for the boys. Young Heroes and now Nashville star Hayden Panettiere planted it in the girls' camp.
  12. Shia

    • Description:

      Entered the vernacular with the rising star of Shia LeBeouf. The meaning and origin of the name are disputed, though the actor has been quoted as saying he's embarrassed by its meaning in French: another four-letter word starting with s.
  13. Rogue

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "independent, uncontrolled"

    • Description:

      Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.
  14. Ash

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Ashley, English

    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"

    • Description:

      Ash is a gender-neutral choice that calls to mind the '80s favorite: Ashley. But view it as a nature name -- as in the tree, not the charred bit of soot in the fireplace -- and it makes a cool choice that fits with today's trends.
  15. Sunshine

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Sunshine was seen as a quintessential hippie name of the 70s, reaching as high as Number 536 in 1975. Now such names are making a bit of a retro comeback, seen, for example, as a character on Glee.
  16. February

    • Origin:

      Word name or Latin

    • Meaning:

      "purification feast"

    • Description:

      If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa, which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter, to prepare for the coming spring.
  17. Kat

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Katherine, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
  18. Eren

    • Description:

      Eren is a feminine name with multicultural origins, though it can also be used for boys in some cultures. In Turkish, Eren means 'saint' or 'holy person,' while it may also derive from Celtic elements meaning 'peace.' The name gained international recognition through the popular manga and anime series 'Attack on Titan,' where Eren is the male protagonist. As a feminine name in Western contexts, it offers a short, contemporary sound with cross-cultural appeal. Its brevity and modern feel make it attractive to parents seeking a name that's both distinctive and easy to pronounce. Despite its simplicity, Eren carries rich cultural connotations and a strong, memorable quality.

  19. Kalvin

    • Description:

      Kalvin is a masculine name that serves as a modern variant of Calvin, which derives from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald.' The K-spelling gives the traditional name a contemporary edge while maintaining its recognizable sound and heritage. Calvin gained popularity through various cultural references including the theologian John Calvin and the comic strip character Calvin from 'Calvin and Hobbes.' The Kalvin variant emerged as part of the trend toward distinctive spellings and has been moderately used since the 1990s. The name projects reliability and intelligence while the K spelling adds a touch of uniqueness. Kalvin combines traditional substance with modern styling, appealing to parents wanting a familiar name with a slight twist.

  20. Terry

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Theresa

    • Meaning:

      "to harvest"

    • Description:

      Terry hit the Top 30 in the fifties when it was seeen as a cool, sleek gender neutral name, but it's long since lost that edge. Today's Terry would probably be Tess or Tessa.