A solid classic with plenty of history, Thomas strikes the balance between strength and gentleness. A favorite in the UK, a staple in France, and Australia, and never absent from the US Top 100, Thomas feels like a safe bet and a name that fits into any era.

Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names, it's still widely used.

Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam 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).

When Gary cracked the Top 10 in 1950, it was one of the first nonclassic boys’ names to do so, largely due to Gary (born Frank) Cooper, who was renamed after Gary, Indiana, his agent's hometown. Now, a 65 years later, Gary isn't particularly high in the charts, and has lost any glitter it had. May we suggest the fuller name Gareth?

Mari enjoyed some mid-century popularity as a nicknameish version of Mary, but now deserves a second look as a multicultural classic. Popular in Norway and Armenia as a variation of Marie, it is also the name of a Basque goddess and an Estonian word name.

Best known as the beautiful heroine to whom Cyrano de Bergerac says, "Your name is like a golden bell".

Aida is a melodic name largely associated with the title character of the 1871 Verdi opera, an enslaved Ethiopian princess who dies to save her people. In the past, her name was rarely heard outside the Latino community, but in the current time of love for all A-starting girls' names, this could very well change.

Paula still seems somewhat stuck in the era of duo Paul and Paula bopping out the song "Hey, Paula." Two pronunciations are possible—the English "PAW-la" and the Portuguese "POW-la."

Gerard is currently in style limbo, after reaching peak popularity in the 1950s. With its strong meaning and gentle sound, it may be back in a generation or two. But for now, a boy called Gerard will likely be the only one in his class...unless you live in Catalonia, where it was recently in the Top 10.

A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.

Baby girl Danas outnumber baby boys with the name nearly ten to one. But Dana is an attractive, sleek name that can certain work for babies of either gender.

This regal Spanish name combines several of today's top trends: names that end in S, last names that can also be first names, royal-sounding names, and unisex options. It has a long history of use in Spain as both a surname and a given name.

Attractive British place-name with a sense of humor. Fun fact: John Wayne played five characters with the first or second name of Kirby.

If you wanted to try to get people to pronounce your son's first name the way Stephen Curry does, this might be a way to do it.

Spelled with one 'n', this was the name of the wife of Alexander the Great, and is more attractive than the better-known Roxanne.

Lu is an adorable mini-name that could be short for Luna, Lucinda, Luisa, or any other name beginning with the letters Lu. Or it can just stand on its own in first or middle place.

Kennard is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements "kenn" (meaning "brave, bold") and "hard" (meaning "strong, hardy"), creating the meaning "brave strength" or "bold and strong." This distinguished Old German name traveled to England with the Norman Conquest and has remained in limited but consistent usage throughout the centuries. It offers a strong, traditional alternative to the more common Kenneth, while providing the friendly nickname options Ken or Kenny. Kennard carries an air of dignity and resilience, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth and clear meaning. While never reaching high popularity rankings, the name maintains appeal for those drawn to strong, classic masculine names with Germanic roots.

Michial is an uncommon spelling variant of Michael, one of the most enduring masculine names throughout Western history. While the traditional Michael comes from Hebrew meaning 'Who is like God?', this alternative spelling offers a distinctive twist while maintaining the familiar pronunciation. The 'ial' ending gives it a slightly different visual impression than the more common 'ael' or 'ael' endings. Michial remains relatively rare, appealing to parents who appreciate the solid traditional foundations of Michael but desire something that stands out on paper. Despite its variant spelling, the name carries the same rich biblical heritage and cross-cultural recognition as its more common counterpart, while offering a touch of individuality.

Michale is a masculine name that represents an alternative spelling of Michael, one of history's most enduring names. Derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el meaning 'who is like God?' or 'gift from God,' this variant maintains the traditional pronunciation while offering a slightly distinctive written form. The altered spelling removes the traditional 'e' before the 'l' found in Michael. While not as common as the standard spelling, Michale occasionally appears in various English-speaking countries. Parents might choose this variation to honor a Michael in the family while giving their child a slightly more unique spelling, though potential spelling corrections may be a consideration.

A perennial classic in the Netherlands, short-and-sweet Dirk is starting to feel like a fresher alternative to cousin Derek.