Frances, a soft and gentle classic last popular a hundred years ago, is trending again. The cool nickname Frankie is one reason for the revival of Frances, adding lightness and sass to a serious name. Frances is the feminine form of Francis, the English variation of the Latin name Franciscus. Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman," was taken from the Germanic tribe the Franks, which got its name from the francisca, the axe they used in battle. Until the seventeenth century, the spellings Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes.

A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.

Quentin, an offbeat name with lots of character, relates to the Latin for the number five and is by far the subtlest and most usable of the Latin birth-order names, masculine as well as stylish and distinctive. It was borne by a third-century saint and came to England with the Normans.

Lazarus is a name that looks as if it could possibly be raised from the dead, just like its biblical bearer. Look for it in the next wave of Old Testament revivals that transcend their long-bearded images, the way Noah, Moses, and Abraham have for this generation.

Perry fits right in with rising boyish nicknames for girls and cool picks like Frankie and Scottie. This relaxed name sounds novel compared to such former favorites as Kerry and Sherry.

Shel is a concise masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. Most commonly, it's a shortened form of Sheldon, which has Old English roots meaning 'valley with steep sides.' It gained notable recognition through American writer and illustrator Shel Silverstein, whose work has been beloved by generations of children and adults. The name can also be a variation of Shelley or a nickname for names containing 'shel' sounds. Shel has a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a distinctive character. Its brevity makes it easy to pronounce and remember across languages and cultures. Though uncommon as a formal given name, its simplicity and cultural associations give it appeal for parents seeking something short, meaningful, and with artistic connections.