The Selection themed names
- Don
Origin:
Diminutive of Donald, ScottishMeaning:
"proud chief"Description:
Short form of Donald -- or more stylishly, Donahue or Donovan -- that's acquired a new sixties-era suaveness thanks to Mad Man Don Draper. The name also carries a Sopranos or Godfather-style double entendre.
- Brice
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
Among the more masculine of the short unisex B names, Brice is less popular than Bryce for both sexes. There were 240 boys named Brice in the US in one recent year, versus only five girls -- and more than ten times that many of both genders named Bryce.
- Marlee
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"pleasant seaside meadow"Description:
The combined inspiration of reggae master Bob and the dog-loving romp "Marley and Me" catapulted this name up the chart in recent years. But what goes up....
- Jamison
Description:
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
- Jamal
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"beauty"Description:
Jamal is an Arabic boys’ name meaning "beauty." Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years.
- Arizona
Origin:
Place-name from Papago IndianMeaning:
"little springs"Description:
This US state name has been rising slowly but steadily for girls over the last 30 years, but à la Dakota, it could easily be a male name too.
- Amberly
Origin:
Modern variation of AmberDescription:
A rarely used play on Amber, making it more feminine and both more modern and old-fashioned at the same time.
- Elayna
Description:
Elayna is a modern variant of Elena or Elaine, names with rich historical backgrounds. Elena derives from Greek origins meaning "bright, shining light," while Elaine has Celtic roots connected to Helen. This specific spelling emerged in the 20th century as parents sought familiar names with distinctive spellings. Elayna offers a slightly more phonetic approach while maintaining the melodic quality of its traditional counterparts. The name has gained moderate popularity since the 1980s, particularly in North America. With its flowing sound and familiar but uncommon spelling, Elayna strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility. The name often evokes images of elegance and brightness, true to its etymological origins.
- Neema
Origin:
Swahili, ArabicMeaning:
"divine grace, blessing"Description:
Ultimately from the Arabic ni'ma, this Swahili name celebrates the blessing of a baby. Also used as a masculine name, Neema is notably borne by film director Neema Barnette and activist Neema Namadamu.
- Keller
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"cellar"Description:
Keller is a German surname that originated as an occupational name for a cellar or store master. It may be an honorific for deaf-blind author and activist Helen Keller.
- Pesha
Description:
Pesha is a feminine name with Yiddish and Eastern European Jewish origins. Traditionally, it's considered a diminutive form of biblical names like Perpetua or Persian names meaning 'flower.' In some interpretations, Pesha is linked to the word for 'patience' or 'peaceful one.' The name carries cultural significance in Ashkenazi Jewish communities, where it was more common in previous generations. Pesha has a gentle, slightly vintage quality while remaining distinctive and uncommon in mainstream Western naming. Its short, two-syllable structure makes it easily pronounceable across languages. Today, Pesha might be chosen to honor family heritage or as an alternative to more widely used Jewish names. While rare in contemporary use, it represents a connection to Eastern European Jewish history and tradition.
- Lodge
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"shelter"Description:
This English surname offers an interesting mix of images: it sounds upper-crusty yet macho, and also conjures up the coziness of a wintery ski lodge. As a surname it is associated with the Massachusetts Republican Senate Minority Leader in the Woodrow Wilson era, Henry Cabot Lodge, who was the father of poet George Cabot Lodge and grandfather of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., who was ambassador to the UN and Richard Nixon's 1960 presidential running mate.
- America
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
- Eadlyn
Origin:
Anglo-SaxonDescription:
Eadlyn Helena Margarete Schreave de Koskinen is the protagonist of Kiera Cass' Selection novels. Eadlyn and its variants Eadlin and Edelyn are uncommon in real life, but feel bang on-trend and shorten to the adorable vintage nickname Edie/Eadie. The name may derive from the Anglo-Saxon elements ead "wealth" or adal "noble".
- Blakeley
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"dark wood or clearing"Description:
Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, taking the 80s unisex darling Blake into the new millennium.
- Petteri
Description:
Petteri is a masculine Finnish name derived from Peter, which ultimately comes from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This Finnish variation maintains the strong meaning while adding a distinctive Nordic flavor. In Finland, Petteri has been consistently popular, especially during the latter half of the 20th century. The name is celebrated in Finnish culture, notably in the Christmas carol 'Tip-tap,' which features Petteri the reindeer (Finland's version of Rudolph). Outside Finland and other Nordic countries, Petteri remains relatively uncommon, giving it an exotic quality while still being reasonably easy to pronounce for English speakers. The name carries a friendly, approachable sound with its rhythmic three syllables and soft ending, balancing masculine strength with melodic appeal.
- Nicoletta
Origin:
Italian and Spanish, diminutive of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, GreekMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
If you loved Nicole growing up but now are looking for a new spin, Nicoletta may interest you. The slightly sleeker French version is Nicolette. A shorter form is Coletta, or you could shorten it even further to Nico or Etta.
- Kerttu
Origin:
Finnish variation of GertrudeMeaning:
"strength of a spear"Description:
Variation of Gertrude.
- Jemmy
Description:
Jemmy is a masculine name with historical roots as a diminutive form of James, which ultimately derives from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter.' While now uncommon as a formal name, Jemmy was more widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in England. It has a friendly, approachable quality with its cheerful 'y' ending. In historical literature and records, Jemmy appears as both a nickname and given name. The name also has associations with a 'jemmy' tool (a type of crowbar), giving it a slight rugged edge. Today, Jemmy offers vintage charm as parents rediscover traditional nickname-names with historical depth.
- Leeland
Origin:
English, spelling variation of LelandMeaning:
"meadow land"Description:
An alternate spelling of Leland, Leeland may appeal to sports-loving parents due to former NFL player Leeland McElroy.
