Names that end in y

Malory is a unisex name that has been predominantly used for girls in recent decades. Derived from the French surname 'Mallory,' which comes from the Old French 'maloret' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'unlucky,' its negative origins have been largely forgotten in its modern usage. The name gained recognition through Sir Thomas Malory, the 15th-century author who compiled Arthurian legends in 'Le Morte d'Arthur,' giving it literary and historical significance. In the United States, Malory saw modest popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, partly influenced by the character Mallory Keaton from the television series 'Family Ties.' Featuring a soft sound with its three syllables, Malory offers a blend of medieval heritage and contemporary appeal, striking a balance between uniqueness and familiarity.

Malory

Sy is a short masculine name that can serve as a nickname for longer names like Simon, Seymour, or Sylvester, but also stands independently. It has multiple origins, including Hebrew, where it derives from 'Simon' meaning 'listener,' and Chinese, where the character '思' (Sī) means 'to think' or 'to reflect.' Simple and concise, Sy carries a friendly, approachable quality while maintaining a touch of uniqueness. In American culture, it gained some recognition through notable bearers like comedian Sy Feldman and cartoonist Sy Barry. While never among the most popular names, Sy maintains a steady presence particularly among Jewish communities and has seen occasional use throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Marty and Martie are old-fashioned gender-neutral nickname names, boyish nicknames not heard much since the middle of the last century. That could change, though, with the rise of vintage boyish nicknames for girls. They have a certain charm and may come back into style along with mother names such as Martha.

Marty

Tanay

Mazey is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Maisie (itself a diminutive of Margaret meaning 'pearl') or could relate to the word 'maze,' suggesting something wonderfully complex or intricate. The name can also be connected to the location Marazion in Cornwall, nicknamed 'Mazey.' With its playful 'z' and friendly 'ey' ending, Mazey sounds modern and upbeat while retaining a sweet, vintage quality. Though still relatively uncommon, it has gained some traction among parents seeking alternatives to more popular names like Maisie or Maizy. The name evokes a sense of whimsy and brightness, often associated with cheerful, spirited personalities.

Mazey

This name of the largest river in Scotland, renowned for its salmon fishing, is usually thought of as a nickname for Taylor. 

An unconventional route to Theo, perhaps, Theory is a bold word name which has been given to more than 200 babies since the 2000s. While it leans slightly feminine statistically, it's so rare that it could go either way. 
 
Associated with ideas, explanations, conjecture, and beliefs, Theory might seem slightly hypothetical for a real baby, though some see it in a more a positive light, as in evoking a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn and make sense of the world — or perhaps from a more spiritual perspective, a search for truth. 
 
Given to 7 boys and 14 girls in a recent year, it may be considered a wild word name parents are actually using.

Theory

Mickey is a nickname-name redolent of the mid-20th century and best-known as a mouse name. While this spelling works for either gender, the girls' version is more often spelled Micki.

Mickey

Trinay

Uday

Nayely is a contemporary feminine name with possible Spanish or Latin American origins. This melodic name appears to be a variation of Nayeli, which has roots in the Zapotec language of Mexico, meaning 'I love you' or 'I like you.' The slight spelling variation creates a unique form while maintaining the beautiful sound and cultural connections. Nayely has gained moderate popularity in Hispanic communities, appreciated for its flowing pronunciation and meaningful associations. The name has a gentle, feminine quality with its three syllables and soft ending. Parents might be drawn to Nayely for its blend of cultural significance and modern appeal. Though not among the most common names in general population statistics, it represents a meaningful choice for families seeking a name with Latin American heritage and a message of affection.

Nayely

Wadley

A rugged surname style choice, with a nature inspired feel, Woodensky is most notably borne by Haitian footballer Olivier Woodensky Pierre. The exact meaning of the name is unknown though "wood and sky" or "wooded valley under sky" could be literal possibilities. 
 
Alternatively, it could reflect other -sky (or -ski) names, in which case it could mean "Wood's son" or perhaps "Woden's son" (Woden being an Anglo-Saxon form of Odin), or even "Wednesday's son". There's also the Polish Wodziński ("one who lives by water") which may have been an influence. 
 
The name is used almost exclusively in Haiti.

Woodensky

If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">name for Christmas babies</a>.

Noely

While Woodrow is too forbidding, its nickname Woody is a bit cartoonish, as in Woody Woodpecker and the animated cowboy character in Toy Story. Woody also has a slang meaning that no teenage boy will thank you for. Woody Allen was born Allen.

Woody

Yeremy is a masculine name that represents a variation of Jeremy, which derives from the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah), meaning "appointed by God" or "God will uplift." This spelling variation appears to incorporate elements of how the name is pronounced in some Spanish or Eastern European contexts, where the initial "J" might be pronounced as a "Y" sound. Yeremy offers a distinctive alternative to the more common Jeremy while maintaining the same essential pronunciation. The name is relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while still being recognizable. Parents might choose this spelling to honor multicultural heritage or simply to provide their child with a more unique version of a classic biblical name.

Yeremy

A spelling variation of the popular Romy, itself a short form for a number of including surname-style Romilly, vintage Rosemary, sassy Ramona, classic Rosamund and international choices such as Romaine, Romana, and Romola. In the UK, this spelling is current more popular for boys (in which case, it may come from Roman, Jerome, Romeo, or Romero), while in the US, it is used more often for girls.

Romey

Rynley

The Shirley of the 1950s. Shelley Winters was born a Shirley. 

Shelley

Alvey is a masculine name with English origins, traditionally used as a surname before transitioning to a given name. It likely derives from the Old English personal name 'Ælfwine,' combining elements meaning 'elf' and 'friend,' or possibly from place names referring to 'elves' island.' As a first name, Alvey has maintained a quiet presence in English-speaking countries, particularly in rural communities. It carries a gentle yet sturdy quality with its soft consonants and cheerful ending sound. The name has an appealing vintage charm that fits with the trend of reviving surname-style names. Though uncommon, Alvey offers a distinctive alternative to more popular names like Alvin or Alfie.