Updated October 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
English
"of the sea"
A retro short form of Marina, dated to the era of the Hitchcock movie that made it famous, Marnie is beginning to feel fresh again — or rather, it is in the UK. Appearing in the Top 100 there in a…
"driftwood"
Marlow is a suave, unusual surname-name that was chosen by Celine designer Phoebe Philo for her older son. This is a name with many spellings and many difference in gender identity. Marlowe is…
"heavy club"
Has a slight aura of danger, from its being two types of weapons and a looming character in the Star Wars films. Best left as a nickname for Mason.
Compound of Maeve and Avery
"she who intoxicates + ruler of elves"
A blend of contemporary favorites, unisex Avery and Irish Maeve, Mavery has a whimsical meaning and melodic sound. Also spelled Maevery, it was given to around 70 girls in a recent year. It could…
"son of Morris"
Morrison is one of the more uncommon patronymics; it could be used to honor an ancestral Morris, or one of the well-known surnamed Morrisons: Toni, Jim or Van.
Word name
At one time, Moon might have felt like a celebrity-only option, memorably chosen by Frank Zappa for his daughter Moon Unit. Now, with Sunny, Goldie, Wren, Star, Storm, Ocean, Onyx, and Scout in the…
English occupational name
"stoneworker"
Mason is a supertrendy name for boys that's starting to cross over -- Kelsey Grammer used it for his daughter. Creative speller's delight.
English, diminutive of Emmanuel
He can get it for you wholesale.
Variation of Marlow, English
While Marlowe (and Marlow and Marlo) are surname names that are not intrinsically or traditionally gendered and so in theory work equally well for boys and girls. About 10 percent of the babies named…
"maiden"
Old English name as outmoded as the use of the word maid for a young girl.
Diminutive of Marcella, Marceline, or Marcelle, Latin
"warlike"
Sweet and cosy, but with a bit of kick, Marcie is a diminutive of Marcella, Marceline, and similar. Ultimately derived from Latin and related to Mars, the Roman god of war, Marcie has been a fast…
"mist"
Misty is simultaneously an airy and nature inspired choice and a nickname-y gem with a retro feel. First appearing in the US Top 1000 back in the 1960s, it peaked in 1977 when it reached #40. It was…
Variation of Maddox
"son of Madoc"
A trendy spelling of Maddox, with a hint of Matthew, Mattias, and Matrix about it too. Appearing in the US stats back in 2004, around the same time Maddox began to rise, it peaked in 2012 when it was…
Diminutive of Amanda, Latin
"she must be loved"
A seventies favorite, Mandy once appeared in the US Top 100, joined by the likes of Brandi, Kristy, Nancy, Lori, and Misty. By the mid-2000s, it had fallen out of favor, and while long form Amanda…
English, diminutive of Michael
Most often associated with Rolling Stone Jagger, Mick is also used as a generic, and derogatory, term for an Irishman.
English slang
"aggressive energy, know-how"
Like Penn Jillette, you can have your own little brash babe.
"son of Matthew"
Madison was at one time a strictly boys' presidential name, reaching as high as Number 311 at the end of the nineteenth century. That all changed in 1985 when it entered the girls' list, zooming up…
"descendant of Moses"
This evocative green nature name, heard much more frequently as a surname, is associated with playwright Moss Hart (born Robert), who co-wrote (with George S. Kaufman) such enduring Broadway comedies…
English, diminutive of Melissa
A name that works until your daughter is, say, six.
A cool looking choice, adjacent to Matrix, Max, Matias, and Mack, Matix likely emerged as a modern spin on Maddox, a Welsh surname meaning "son of Madoc" or "son of good fortune". It has been…