Kali is a number of different things: a playful, contemporary twist on the name Callie; the Hindu goddess of destruction; an alternative spelling for Kaylee; a short form of the Arablic Kalila, the Greek Kalista, or the African American Kaliyah; a masculine name in India; and a trendy form of Kali(fornia).

Bryn is an up-and-coming gentle, yet substantial, Welsh name that would also be effective in the middle spot. In Wales it's a traditional boys' name, but it's far more popular for girls now in the US.

Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.

Beau, when used as a feminine name, represents an interesting gender crossover from its traditional masculine usage. Derived from the French word meaning 'handsome' or 'beautiful,' Beau originated as a masculine name but has gained some popularity as a female name in recent decades. This trend reflects the broader movement toward gender-neutral naming. As a feminine name, Beau maintains its elegant French associations while offering a concise, modern feel. The simplicity of its spelling and pronunciation (BOH) appeals to parents seeking minimalist names. While still predominantly used for boys overall, feminine Beau usage has increased particularly in English-speaking countries as parents embrace its stylish brevity and sophisticated sound.

Ubah is a floral Muslim name that travels light — easily transitioning between languages and cultures. The Real Housewives of New York's Ubah Hassan is a current notable bearer.

Eris was the goddess of strife and discord, turned fairy tale and then popular culture figure Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty. Ironic, as her name sounds so much like that of Eros, the god of love.

Apt name for a little drama queen with a long future ahead of her. Saga is a Top 30 girls' name in Sweden.

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

Sean may be off its peak for boys, but there were still 1300 baby boys named Sean in the US in the most recent year counted, versus only five baby girls. In fact, there were fewer than 30 baby girls given the spellings Sean, Shaun, and Shawn combined. So while this name has been long used for girls, it remains in only occasional use as a feminine name and is not truly unisex in the way that names such as Rory and River are.

Saba is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'grandfather' or 'aged one,' though as a female name it takes on different connotations. In Arabic, Saba refers to the biblical kingdom of Sheba and connotes 'morning' or 'dawn.' In Persian traditions, it can mean 'gentle breeze.' The name appears in various cultures including Ethiopian, where Queen of Sheba (Saba) is a significant historical figure. Saba is also the name of a Caribbean island. The name has a timeless, cross-cultural appeal with its simplicity and melodious sound. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Saba has maintained steady usage in Middle Eastern, African, and some European communities.

This ultrapopular boys' name is rapidly becoming a hot name for girls; admired for its buoyant Irish spirit.

Mini names beginning with R are a trend to watch for both sexes. Recently, celebrities have been loving names like Ren, Rue, and Ro(w). The four-letter spelling, complete with a silent E, makes Rowe feel like a complete package despite its single syllable.

Influencers Avalon Nadfalusi and Adam Sullivan named their daughter Rowe in 2026.

Soft, simple, and far more unusual than Tara or Farrah. As a Japanese place name, it's been used occasionally as a surname and is beginning to be used as a first. Nara is also the name of a Hindu (male) God and the name means "man" in Hindi.

This Nova-offshoot is hot in the Netherlands, where it was recently one of the fastest-rising names of the year. It could eventually see great success in the US as well, and was given to 46 American girls at last count.

Shai is a name newly-used in the US for both boys and, slightly less often, girls. Though the correct pronunciation is "shy", many will say shay, which might be all right with you.

A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.

Too tightly tied to the acronym for the activist group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.

One of several similar feminine names often found in the Muslim world but also a Native American name. And in Greenlandic, Naja means "a boy's younger sister", which could be a sweet connection to a big brother. It's a relatively popular name in Denmark.