Favorite Names

  1. Sam
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Samuel
    • Meaning:

      "told by God"
    • Description:

      Sam has long been used on its own for boys, as accepted standing by itself as it is as a short form of Samuel. Straightforward and down-to-earth, Sam is the name of the son of the co-stars of The Americans, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. Sam is one of the most popular names that start with S in the Western world, ranking higher in several European countries than it does in the US, where it's trended downward since the 19th century, though it's always been in the Top 1000.
  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. Kali
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit, English
    • Meaning:

      "black one; free man; beauty"
    • 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).
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Draco
    • Origin:

      Greek from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dragon"
    • Description:

      For as long as we all shall live, Harry Potter's sneering nemesis.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Zuko
    • Origin:

      Xhosa
    • Meaning:

      "glory"
    • Description:

      No, this name is not an homage to Grease! Zuko is a Xhosa (Zulu) boys' name meaning glory. In a world of Zekes, Zaks and Zanes, Zuko could make a refreshing choice for parents looking for something short and snappy.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  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. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Silver
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      " a metallic chemical element with atomic number 47"
    • Description:

      Among the first wave of word names used in the hippie era, it actually is a legitimate girl's name with a lot of luster.
  17. 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.

  18. Breeze
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Most will see this as a refreshing middle name possibility, but Bristol Palin baby daddy Levi Johnston used it as a first name for his new daughter, Breeze Beretta.
  19. Tobi
    • Origin:

      Variation of Toby, English
    • Meaning:

      "God is good"
    • Description:

      Tobi is typically used as an alternate spelling of Toby, a common nickname for Tobias. In the anime series Naruto, the name Tobi is written in kanji giving it the meaning "ten tails."
  20. 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.

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Nameberry App
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