Part of the trend for formerly canine royal names; this is one a little girl might love—up till the age of eight.

Cherrelle is a feminine name that emerged in the mid-20th century, possibly as an elaborated form of Cheryl or an ornamental version of Cherry. The name gained some recognition through American R&B singer Cherrelle who had several hits in the 1980s. With its melodious sound and distinctive spelling, Cherrelle combines the natural sweetness associated with cherries with a fashionable '-elle' ending that adds sophistication. The name peaked in popularity during the 1980s and early 1990s, influenced partly by the singer's visibility. Cherrelle has a musical, rhythmic quality that feels both familiar and unique. While less common today than in previous decades, it remains a distinctive choice that carries a blend of natural imagery and musical associations.

Cherelle is a feminine given name that appears to be a variant of Cherell or possibly derived from 'Cherie,' a French word meaning 'darling' or 'beloved.' The name has been in use since at least the mid-20th century but gained more visibility in the 1980s, partly due to American R&B singer Cherelle who had several hit songs during this period. Linguistically, the name follows French-influenced naming patterns with the '-elle' suffix, which typically creates a feminine form and has a softening effect on the name's sound. This suffix appears in many French-derived names and words, indicating 'little one' or serving as a feminine marker. Cherelle has a melodious quality with its two-syllable structure and soft consonants. While never extremely common, the name saw periods of increased usage in the United States during the 1970s through 1990s, and continues to be used today, though less frequently than during its peak periods.

Martell is a masculine name that originated as a surname, derived from the French word 'martel,' meaning 'hammer.' The name gained historical significance through Charles Martel, the 8th-century Frankish military leader whose surname referred to his fighting prowess ('The Hammer'). As a given name, Martell emerged primarily in the United States during the 20th century, offering a strong, distinctive alternative to more common names like Martin. It carries connotations of strength and determination, enhanced by its percussive sound. In recent years, the name gained additional recognition through its use in George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series for House Martell. Though uncommon, it provides a masculine option with historical depth and contemporary appeal.

Meaghan represents an alternative spelling of Megan, a Welsh feminine name derived from Margaret, meaning 'pearl.' This particular spelling variation emerged as parents sought distinctive ways to present familiar names, particularly gaining traction in the 1980s and 1990s. The additional 'a' creates a more phonetic spelling that helps maintain the traditional pronunciation. Meaghan reached its peak popularity during the era when Megan was among the top girls' names in English-speaking countries. The name combines Celtic heritage with a recognizable sound, while the spelling gives it a slightly more uncommon quality. Though less frequently used than the standard spelling, Meaghan maintains the friendly, approachable character associated with all variations of this classic name.

A spelling variation of the unisex Dominique that was briefly popular in the late 80s and early 90s.

Shaquita emerged in American naming patterns during the 1960s and gained increasing popularity through the 1970s and early 1980s. The name appears to be a variant of Shaquita, possibly derived from combining the prefix 'Sha-' (common in names like Shanna or Shandra) with the ending '-quita' (which may relate to variants of names like Marquita). The 'Sha-' prefix became incorporated into numerous names during this period. Another possibility is that it represents a feminine form of names like Shaquille, which has Arabic origins meaning 'handsome' or 'comely.' The name peaked in popularity during the mid-1970s and has gradually declined since. Shaquita exemplifies the trend of melodic, multi-syllabic feminine names with creative phonetic structures that became more common in American naming practices during this period.

Sharday is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in American naming culture during the late 20th century. Its popularity likely drew inspiration from the French-American singer Sade (pronounced shah-DAY) who rose to fame in the 1980s. The name has no traditional historical roots but represents the modern trend of creating distinctive names with appealing sounds. Sharday typically features the emphasis on the second syllable (shar-DAY), giving it a rhythmic, melodic quality. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Sharday saw modest usage particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s among parents seeking distinctive names with musical connections or contemporary flair.

Whatever its derivation, best known now in the version used by the jazzy singer, Sade.

Fading since the 1970s -- but still a lovely name.