Updated October 2026
Across 15 pages
of 15
English place-name
Out-of-the-way place name (it's an antiquated holiday spot on England's south coast) that might make a brilliant choice. Actor/director Jon Favreau named his daughter Brighton Rose.
Diminutive of Benjamin, Benedict, Bennett, or similar
"son of the right hand; blessed"
A friendly nickname for several classic choices, Bennie has the charm of Ronnie, Reggie, Archie, and Alfie. Familiar in the US in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, some may be reminded of the Elton John song,…
English surname
"dark wood or clearing"
Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, updating the 80s darlings Blake and Ashley.
Variation of Brianna, English
"strong, virtuous and honorable"
The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want…
Color name
Among the coolest of the cool color names, particularly popular with celebs as a unisex middle name. While most famous as the name of Beyonce and Jay-Z's daughter Blue Ivy, more than 60 percent of…
Variation of Briar, English
"a thorny patch"
Bryar is a respelling of Briar, a trendy botanical name that is used nearly equally for girls and boys. About 50 baby girls were named Bryar last year, compared with about 500 named Briar.
English
"from Britain"
One case where a spelling variation improves the name, Britton is used about four times as often as Britain for both genders. Currently, the count of baby Brittons is running at about 4 to 3 in favor…
English from Dutch
"burnt wine"
The alcohol-laced member of the Randy-Candy-Mandy sorority of 1970s to 80s nickname names; now pretty much on the wagon.
Spelling variation of Bria or short form of Breana, English
Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe…
English, Yiddish
"bailiff; white; bashful"
Reminiscent of well-established choices like Bella and Beulah, but also of trendy options like Baylor, Kayla, and Bailey, Bayla is a name with a variety of different origins. Also spelled as Baila…
English occupational name
"baker"
An x makes any name cooler, so that Baxter has a bit more pizzazz than the original Baker. Baxter had some currency as a first name a century ago--it was on the popularity lists sporadically from…
Place-name from Dutch
"marshland"
It may be the hippest of hispter neighborhoods, but as a baby name Brooklyn is now on the decline: down from a peak of 120 births for boys in 1999, and over 7000 births for girls in 2011. The most…
Variation of Barrett or elaboration of Bear, English
"bear strength"
Barrett, but more Bear-like and more reflective perhaps of the US pronunciation, this form was chosen for 34 boys in a recent year. It could be read simply as an elaboration of the word, or it could…
English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
The sweetest and most sensitive of the pet names for Elizabeth, now also one of the most dated.
"wide river crossing"
Brad in a Brooks Brothers suit.
English diminutive of Rebecca, Hebrew
"servant of God"
Down to earth and versatile, Becky is a popular diminutive of the classic Biblical name, Rebecca. In the US, it was most popular as a stand alone name back in the 60s, while in the UK, it remained in…
"broad clearing"
Fading boys' name making fresh start for girls, aided by -ley ending. About 50 baby girls were named Bradley last year in the US, versus 900 baby boys. Bradley got a boost as a girls' name via the…
English diminutive of Rebecca
The currently preferred replacement for Becky, sometimes used on its own.
English diminutive of Barbara, Greek
"foreign woman"
Despite the voluptuous doll's various career choices, from astronaut to doctor, her name still remains a euphemism for "bimbo".
American invented name
The newest addition to the Kylie, Rylie family, really catching on with some parents.