By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 334 pages
of 334
Arabic
"judicious, wise"
Muhammad approved all ninety-nine attributes of Allah as worthy names, and this is one of the most popular. It was in the US Top 1000 for the first time since 1998 in 2016, when it was one of the 10…
Italian variation of Lazarus and Eleazar
"God is my helper"
This sleek Italian name was raised from the dead by Mexican Mozart in the Jungle star Gael Garcia Bernal, who chose it for his son (he also has a daughter named Libertad). For athletic inspiration,…
Kallum is a masculine name that represents a modern spelling variation of Callum, which derives from the Latin name 'Columba,' meaning 'dove.' This alternative spelling with 'K' emerged as parents…
English word name
"highest point of a mountain"
An especially adventurous word name that conjures up mountain expeditions. As names like Everest and Zenith continue to climb, so too should Summit.
Modern invented name
Daylen is a D-starting spin on the trendy Jaylen. Day is an appealing nickname.
Greek
"Indian dye"
Indigo is one of the most appealing and evocative of the new generation of color names. Color names have joined flower and jewel names -- in a big way -- and Indigo, a deep blue-purple dye from…
Variation of Maddox, Welsh
"son of Madoc"
The popularity of handsome Welsh surname Maddox led to the creation of this spelling variation, connected to baseball great Greg Maddux.
Variation of Manuel
Because of shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, this has become a generic term for pricey stilettos, as in "I must have those Manolos."
"traveler, voyager"
A wise ruler of legend--his sage advice helped the Greeks win the Trojan War--whose name is a possibility for the adventurous, though related in sound to the dated Lester-Hester family.
Variation of Schuyler, Dutch "scholar"
"scholar"
This Americanized spelling of the Dutch name is now used nearly exclusively for girls in the US. While the Skyler variant remains more statistically unisex, the original Dutch spelling, Schuyler, is…
Spanish and Russian variation of Herman, German
"warrior"
German might seem like an unlikely occupant of the Top 1000 list, unless you realize that it's a Spanish name, with the accent on the second syllable. It's been on the U.S. list since 1973.
Spelling variation of Jalen
This spelling of popular Jalen ranks in the Top 1000 for both girls and boys.
English
"loyal one"
Truman is an upstanding presidential name that radiates an aura of integrity and moral truth, values any parent would want for a child. It seems definitely headed for a revival. Also associated with…
Spelling variation of Duane
"swarthy"
This is an offshoot of Duane, which is an old Irish surname. It took off in the 1960s, when it conveyed a surfer boy image, and reached as high as Number 111 in 1961. The most prominent current…
Kalvin is a masculine name that serves as a modern variant of Calvin, which derives from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald.' The K-spelling gives the traditional name a contemporary edge while maintaining…
Spelling variation of Camden, place name
"winding valley"
Gentle but solid, Camden is currently in the US Top 200, and subsequently, alternative spellings have made an appearance. Kamdyn shares the popular K initial of Kaden, Kannon, and Kairo, the trendy Y…
Variation of Patton or Peyton, English
"fighting man's estate"
Once an obscure, surname-inspired option, Payton (and Peyton) hiked up the charts back in the 90s, likely inspired by the football star Peyton Manning. While both spellings were more (statistically)…
French form of German Emmerich
"power"
A name popular both in France (where it's Number 405) and within the Cajun population, it's more substantial than Eric, and occurs twice in the Harry Potter series.
French
"forest guardian"
The list of occupational boys' names continues to expand, and this is one of the latest to ride onto the range. With a hint of cowboy and Western, a sprinkle of preppy surname, an outdoorsy,…
