hot baby names

Noe

Greek, Latin, and Georgian variation of Noah, Hebrew

"rest, repose"

Spelled Noë, this name is common among baby girls in the Netherlands. The umlaut clarifies the two-syllable pronunciation, at least to Europeans, and the spelling variation may help sidestep gender…

Noellie

Noellie is a feminine name derived from Noël, the French word for Christmas, ultimately from Latin 'natalis' meaning 'birth.' This charming elaboration of Noel adds a distinctly French flair with its…

November

English word name

"month name"

The menu of usable month names seems to expand every, well, month, with such choices as November, October, and January joining more established names like April, May, June and August. Logical…

Orlaith

Irish

"golden princess"

In early, pre-Norman Ireland, this name was borne by both a sister and a niece of high king Brian Boru. Now, the English form Orla is more commonly used.

Peaches

English fruit name

Unlike the other fruit names that are just coming onto the baby name menu, Peaches is an old-timey nickname previously reserved for spangled showgirls, and now would be considered an outrageous --…

Peony

Flower name; Latin

"healing"

One of the rarest of the floral names, though not without some teasing potential. Peony is a historical 1948 novel by Pearl S. Buck.

Posie

Variation of Posy or short form of Mariposa, English or Spanish

"a bunch of flowers or butterfly"

Posie and its near-identical twins Posy and Posey are delicate old-fashioned flower names of the type that are stylish today: Think Poppy, Marigold, Clover. Perhaps because it's the name of cosmetics…

Renée

French from Latin

"reborn"

Chic in the fifties, now kept in the public eye mainly by actress Zellweger; today's parents seek more moderne Gallic choices.

Reverie

Word name

"pleasant, dreamlike state"

With strong sounds but a whimsical feel, Reverie is a word name associated with being in a dreamy, ethereal state, of being lost in a daydream, or coming up with a pleasant fantasy for the future.…

Sinclair

Scottish

"from the town of St. Clair"

The most famous Sinclair was the (male) writer Lewis, but these days the name works at least as well for a girl.

Suki

Japanese or English

"loved one; lily"

As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.

Séverine

Séverine is a feminine French name derived from the Latin name Severinus, which comes from 'severus' meaning 'stern' or 'serious.' Despite these somewhat austere roots, the name has developed a…

Theia

Greek

"goddess, godly"

Theia is the Titan of sight and the shining light of the clear blue sky. She is the consort of Hyperion, and mother of Helios, Selene, and Eos. The name is more familiar in its Anglicized version,…

Verity

Latin

"truth"

If you love Puritan virtue names and want to move beyond Hope and Faith and Grace, this is a wonderful choice, both for its meaning and its sound. A rare find here, though occasionally heard in…

Wallace

Scottish

"foreigner, stranger"

More famously spelled Wallis as a feminine name: the woman for whom the King of England abdicated the throne.

Saskia

Dutch

"Saxon"

From the first time we saw the name Saskia attached to a portrait of Rembrandt's wife (her full name was Saakje van Uylenburgh, but she was always called Saskia), we have found it utterly charming…