By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 27 pages
of 27
English word name, French
"vigour, spirit"
A vibrant and energetic noun name, chosen by actress Shawnee Smith for her daughter, Verve has plenty of zest packed into a stylish single syllable. Borrowed from French, it means "spirit, vigour,…
English
"purposeful peace"
Hopelessly nerdy.
"agreeable, lighthearted"
A sweet, modern descriptive name, with a wholesome and winning feel, Winsome means "appealing, fresh, simple, innocent" or "cheerful and lighthearted." Some may find it a little too cutesy, but with…
"fenced meadow"
Yeardley (born Martha) Smith is the unusual name of the voice of Lisa Simpson; not advised unless your surname is Smith or Jones.
"freezing"
Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names…
English and French surname derived from a place-name, Gerville
Randall Jarrell was an important mid-20th century poet; his surname makes a pleasingly soft name for a girl.
English literary name
"kite"
Keats is both poetic and easier to pronounce (it's keets) than Yeats (which is yates).
"gates"
Yeats, the strong name of the great Irish poet, would work better for a boy. Also has possible pronunciation problem with people who might think it rhymes with Keats. Yeats rhymes with the word from…
English surname and place-name
A rather formal British surname that originated as a place name in the county of Lancashire.
English nature name
Soft and creative update of Marsha.
"at the river crossing"
An established male name that might cross over to the girls' side -- though if it's a water name you're after, there are so many prettier choices.
"blond"
Place name and surname that sounds a tad snooty.
"rocky water"
One art name that sounds distinctly more masculine. Unless you're a big mobile fan, keep thinking.
English, from French, nature name
"falcon, a bird"
One of the bird names that's more appropriate for a boy, though it works for a girl too.
English word and nature name
"to swindle"
Bird name possibility, rarer than Lark and Wren but with the same short, punchy feel. Only five baby girls were named Finch in the most recent year, and four times as many baby boys.
Latin
"applelike fruit"
'Q' names are hot, and this is an intriguing fruit name that could be used for a girl or boy. The quince often appears in Greek myth, in tales of Aphrodite, Paris and Atalanta. Can also be a nickname…
"winter solstice"
Yule is one Christmas baby name that doesn't sound very festive. We prefer Winter or even Christmas itself.
"moor, meadow clearing"
Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.
"near the stony meadow"
Perfect example of how your perception of a name can change when you apply it to the opposite gender: when used for a girl, Stanley suddenly becomes an attractive, upper-crusty name ala Ansley or…
"steep-sided valley"
Like Marvin and Melvin, Sheldon has been perceived as about as far out as you can get, though there are very pretty towns in Devon and Derbyshire that inspired it. Sheldon Lee Cooper is the lead…
