By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 776 pages
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English
"elf ruler"
Variation of Aubrey.
Diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a…
Variation of Carly, English
"free man"
Diminutive of Carol, English, or Caroline, French"free man"
Carrie lives on mainly on the screen, as the new/old antiheroine of Stephen King's classic Carrie , as turn-of-the-21st-century diva Carrie Bradshaw of Sex & The City , and as Claire Danes'…
Spanish
"mountain range or finish"
Cierra is a feminine name with Spanish influences, possibly derived from 'sierra' meaning 'mountain range' or related to the Spanish word 'cerrar' meaning 'to close or finish.' The name gained…
Greek
"protectress"
She was queen of the Greek gods, both sister and wife to Zeus, but the name of her Roman counterpart Juno has become much more fashionable these days. That said, we think Hera has possibilities today…
Diminutive of Joan, English
"God is gracious"
Although Joan was the more popular name in the 20th century, it's the nickname Joanie that is coming back in style, in tune with the likes of Bonnie, Margot, and Billie, or Sadie, Elsie, and Libby. A…
Spelling variation of Jocelyn, German
"member of the Gauts tribe"
Much less popular than the original spelling of Jocelyn, though still given to over 100 baby girls in the US last year. While it might be tempting to go with this more phonetic spelling, we recommend…
Kaislee is a modern feminine name that represents the contemporary trend of creative spelling and name blending. The name appears to be a variation of 'Kaisley' or a combination of 'Kai' (which means…
Kambrie is a feminine name that emerged as part of the trend toward creative spellings and modern-sounding names in the early 21st century. It appears to be a variant of Cambria, which refers to the…
Irish
"slender"
Keely is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keeley and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie -- though…
Spelling variation of Keziah
"cinnamon, cassia tree"
A long-popular name, particularly among the African-American community, Keisha was first publicized by the child actress, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who starred on the old Cosby Show. It entered the US…
Scandinavian
"headlands, promontory"
Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
Arabic
"moon"
An intriguing unisex name with a celestial meaning, Qamar is a name of Arabic origin. Sometimes transliterated as Kamar or elaborated to Kamaria, it is additionally the source of Comoros, an…
Spelling variation of River
"stream of flowing water"
The traditional spelling of River is currently in the US and the UK Top 200s, where it ranks as a solidly unisex option. Ryver, with it's on-trend Y has yet to catch up, but it with both Winter and…
Modern invented name
Ultimately, many parents attracted to Tinley's appealing -inley rhythm may decide they can do better with the first syllable than "tin" and move on to Finley, Brinley, or Kinley.
Invented literary name
A character name in George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, featured in the GOT prequel House of the Dragon .In the series, the name is a feminine form of Baelon, the character's paternal…
Brayleigh is a modern feminine name that embodies contemporary naming trends combining popular sounds and elements. Created as a variation blending the popular prefix 'Bray-' (as in Brayden) with the…
Cambree is a modern feminine name with American origins, created as a variation of names like Cambria and Bree. This trendy name combines elements of popularity from similar-sounding names like…
English variation of Eisele, German
"iron"
A surnamier take on Isla. Isley may be derived from the German occupational surname Eisele (of the same pronunciation), or be related to the Old English word hesli , meaning "hazel grove." The Eisley…
