American Names

One of several offshoots of Nymir, itself a modern creation or spin on the Arabic big cat name, Namir. 17 boys were given this form in a recent count. 

Nymeir

An alternative spelling to Denver, given to 20 girls in a recent year. 

Denvyr

A blend of popular Leo and Italian Giovanni, Leovani is a modern creation, also spelled as Leovanni. 

Leovani

Raylan may be on the rise as a baby name thanks to (male) TV lawman Raylan Givens, but the name is also occasionally used for girls: the statistical gender split is 15 to 1.  The -lan ending might be thought of as Lynn-like, with Raylan an updated spin on such midcentury concoctions as Rae-Lynn.

Raylan

Zaire, derived from the name of a now dissolved Central African state which takes its name from the Kongo term "the river that swallows all rivers", has become a stylish choice for American boys, with Zyaire being a popular spelling alternative. Given to 1077 boys in a recent count, it was additionally chosen for 20 girls. 



Zyaire

Word name Love meets either trendy Neveah or classic Leah in this fairly recent creation, which first appeared in the US stats back in 2009. It could be viewed as an elaboration of the word Love, though you might also interpret it as a compound name, which would offer additional meanings. 
 
If you see it as a blend of Love and Leah, it could mean "weary love" or "love (after) weariness and grief". As a mix of Love and Nevaeh, "heavenly love" is a possibility, whereas with Aleah, "sublime, lofty love" might be used.

Loveah

Naleya is a modern creation, possibly inspired by Nala, Nalani, Nailea, Naila, Natalia, Aleya, or Aaliyah. As such, Naleya could mean "gift" or "beloved" (from Nala), "relating to Christmas" (from Natalia), "attainer" (from Naila and Nailea), Cataleya ("orchid") or "lofty, heavens" (from Aaliyah or Aleya). It might even be a blend of these meanings, like "beloved and heavenly", "attainer of loftiness", "attainer of heavens", "Christmas orchid" and so on.
 
It first appeared in the US stats in 2017, with 18 girls given the name in a recent year. Naleyah is an alternative spelling, used since 2007. It additionally ranks in the Netherlands Top 500.

Naleya

Unlike many other western city names, Tulsa has not proved attractive to parents. The name derives from Tallasi, meaning "old town" in the Creek language.

Tulsa

The prefix La- was historically used by the Free Blacks of New Orleans in the nineteenth century to indicate paternity. Thus, someone named Lashawn was the son of Shawn, a phonetic spelling of Sean, the Irish variation of John. 

Lashawn

One of many spellings of Kaylee, itself a name created from Kay and Lee or from Kelila; or, an anglicization of the Gaelic Ceilidh, meaning "companion" but generally referring to a social occasion of dancing, music, and story telling. 

Cailey

The Coca-Cola Company created the name Dasani for its brand-new bottled water in 1999. Dasani was chosen because "the name is relaxing and suggests pureness and replenishment," according to consumer testing, though it has been linked to the Latin sanus meaning "healthy".
 
Dasani has consistently been used as a baby name for both girls and boys since 1999, although the numbers are typically higher for girls. The name was most popular in 2001 when it was given to over 150 babies, while more recently, it was given to just 13 girls and 8 boys.

Dasani

The name Dasani was created by the Coca-Cola Company in 1999 for its bottled water product. Like other brands at the time, Coca-Cola tested various invented names and ultimately settled on Dasani because focus group data told them "the name is relaxing and suggests pureness and replenishment." Some have suggested it comes from the Latin sanus meaning "healthy".
 
The name debuted on the baby name charts for both girls and boys that year, later peaking in 2001 when over 150 babies were given the name. It's still in use today, albeit, with less frequency: just 13 girls and 8 boys received the name in a recent count.

A number-related choice, Syxx is an edgy respelling of Six, first appearing in the US stats in 2023. In a recent year, 12 boys were called Syxx (and 23 were called Syx).

Syxx

Closely associated with the well-regarded 2006 movie Akeelah and the Bee, about a girl from South L.A. who becomes an unlikely contender in the National Spelling Bee.

Akeelah

Myomi may be viewed in several ways: a spin on the Japanese names Miyomi (meaning "beautiful, era or generation (of) fruit and abundance) or Mayomi (meaning "absolute + generation + beautiful") or as a twist on Nyomi or Naomi, perhaps blended with Mya or Miar (giving the meaning "my pleasantness" or "my beloved pleasantness"). 
 
First appearing in the US stats in 2019, a recent year saw it given to 15 girls (the highest number yet).

Myomi

Neomi is one of many forms of the classic Biblical name Naomi, the Old Testament mother of Ruth. With Naomi now ranking among the Top 50 girl names in the US and -omi names on trend, variations such as Neomi are sure to become more popular.
 
Neomi also doubles up as a Japanese name, meaning "sound, thread and good result" or "beautiful sound" depending on the kanji elements used.
 
As a variation of Naomi, it could be said as nee-O-mee or nay-O-mee, while as a Japanese name, it would be NEH-O-MEE.

Neomi

Shantal

A modern, American spin on the Irish and Scottish name Finley, this form blends two stylish elements: the addition of a Y and a double-vowel ending. First appearing in the US stats back in 2009, it peaked back in 2018 when 43 girls received the name, while in a more recent year, it was given to 11.


Fynlee

Marilee is one of the cheeriest – if least substantial – combinations of Mary with another name.

 The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Marilee

Yuma

Are there any truly American baby names? Sure, if you count word names such as True and Justice and place names like Savannah and Sierra and invented names such as Brailyn and Zayden.

If you want an all-American name for your baby girl or boy, search here. You can also consult our lists of 

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Browse all of our American baby names here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

American names for boys and girls, including top baby names in USA United States of America and unique American names, with meanings and popularity. (Page 6)