By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Modern name, meaning unknown
Afro-Asian model, designer, and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons brought this name into the public eye and it enjoyed more than a decade in the Top 1000 during the 2000s and early 2010s. It peaked in…
Arabic
"trustworthy, faithful"
The usage of this Arabic name has been increasing in the US, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Arabic, African, Kazakh
"large eyes; time; beautiful flower; clear, obvious, revealed; seeing, witnessing"
With diverse roots and meanings, Ayana is a cross-cultural possibility with Arabic, African, and Kazakh origin. Both Ayana and Ayanna enjoyed a spike of popularity in the 1990s, but have faded since…
American invented name
Prior to 2013, this name was unheard of. That was the year that Larry Hernandez, singer and star of reality show Larrymania , gave the name to his daughter. It has now entered the US Top 1000,…
Word name
Heavenly, the word that's become a name, has been flirting with the bottom of the Top 1000 for a handful of years now. Heaven and cousins like Nevaeh have been well-used so adding the popular -ly…
Combination of Ava and Lynn
Part Ava, part Lynn, and part cousin of the stylish Evelyn and Adeline, Avalynn is a recent 2014 entrant to the US Top 1000. But sometimes when a name is trying hard to have everything, it doesn't…
Spanish and Greek variation of Melanie
"black"
The current wife of Donald Trump, Slovenian model Melania Knauss, brought this pretty version to the fore. Saint Melania was an heiress who freed thousands of enslaved people.
Spelling variation of Alana or Elena, Turkish, Arabic
"bright shining light; soft, tender, delicate"
A multicultural choice, Aleyna is a familiar name in Turkey, the UK, the Netherlands, and in France, where it has been on the rise in recent years. In the US, it has been given to a growing number of…
Variation of Delilah or Dalili
Names that sound and/or are spelled like Dalilah exist in several languages, from the Swahili Dalili to the Arabic Dalil to the Hebrew Delilah. While all these forms have pretty sounds, you'll…
Elyana is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, blending elements of various naming traditions. It can be viewed as a variation of Elena or Eliana, with roots in Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic…
Original spelling of Cassandra
Kassandra is actually the original form of Cassandra (Greek names do not have C s), though most will see it as a Kardashianization, which is a shame! As you might expect, the C currently charts…
Hebrew
"lily"
Susanna is an old and under-appreciated name, perhaps because of the recent overpopularity of Susan, that is certainly due for a comeback. The Susannah spelling is just as appropriate as Susanna. The…
Italian, Russian and Hungarian variation of Violet, English
"purple"
With Violet in vogue, this vibrant international variation has been on the rise since the 2010s. Vintage and floral like its more popular sister, Violetta has a slightly softer sound and a touch of…
Variation of Amara, Igbo, Sanskrit, Arabic
"grace, immortal, tribe"
Well-used spelling of Amara, particularly among those using the Arabic variation of the name.
Less common than other virtue names, Liberty is nonetheless a name with a long American heritage. Liberty is seeing a level of popularity not seen since the end of the First World War, but its heyday…
Shona
"to give thanks"
Zendaya has propelled her unusual African name into the spotlight and up the popularity charts. Zendaya is one of the major baby name influencers of our era. What does Zendaya's name mean? The name…
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-name
"voyage"
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey . It would make an original and intriguing…
Keilany is a feminine name that appears to be a modern creation, possibly inspired by the Hawaiian name Keilani meaning 'heavenly chief' or 'glorious sky.' The alteration of the ending to 'y' gives…
Spelling variation of Avery
That i adds some extra spunk to mega popular Avery. It also adds some pronunciation confusion (as it could be pronounced AV-er-ee or AV-er-eye). We suggest sticking with the original Avery.
Combination of Anna and Lee
"grace; pasture"
A compound name with an old-fashioned ring. It only first appeared on the US Top 1000 in 2012. Annalie is a somewhat different name that is nevertheless pronounced the same.
