By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 326 pages
of 326
Hebrew, Greek, and Latin jewel name
"blue"
Sapphire goes waaaaay beyond Ruby and Pearl. This September birthstone, occasionally used a century ago, might be worth a reappraisal, perhaps as a Sophie/Sophia alternative. Sapphire is the…
Spelling variation of Bailey
Like other "ee" names, Bailee is starting to lose its shine, slowly slipping down the charts.
Danish variation of Anneliese, German, Dutch
"grace + oath"
A streamlined version of Anneliese, or perhaps a hybrid of Ann and Elise.
Latin
"merry, joyous"
Joyce was once a boy name , but took off for girls during the mid-twentieth century, when it spent 1930 to 1947 in the Top 20. Now, Joyce is one of the girls' names starting with J least likely to…
Wyoming place-name, French
"canopy of leafy boughs"
Laramie was derived from the French word la ramée , meaning "leafy canopy." It was historically a French surname, but today it is a viable first name option for girls or boys. The balance is…
Irish
"liberty"
Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones , few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way…
English tree name from Latin
"maple tree; tree of the Acer genus"
Maple is one of those sweet-spot word names that sounds so almost name-like that it doesn't feel outlandish or strange, despite its relative newness as a given name. Just as Juniper is adjacent to…
Alternative spelling of Sunny, English word name
"sunny"
An alternative spelling to the cheerful Sunny, Sunnie may lend it a more 'name-y' feel as in the case of names like Scarlett, Daisie, Journee, and Saige. Country artist Payton Smith and his wife…
French from Latin
"reborn"
Chic in the fifties, now kept in the public eye mainly by actress Zellweger. Variations include Rene, Renae, and Renny.
Variation of Molly
This new/old spin on Molly -- nickname-names with the ie ending were particularly popular at the turn of the last century -- that has landed this name in the US Top 1000.
French, English
"light"
The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
Modern invented name, combining Aubrey and Brielle
"elf ruler, king + God is my strength; hunting grounds"
A compound name made up of Aubrey and Brielle, this modern invention blends fresh, stylish sounds, with a nod to more traditional elegance. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2012 and remained there for a…
Welsh
"ardor"
Reece is a less popular respelling of Reese, made famous by actress Witherspoon. Reese is the most popular spelling for girls and Rhys for boys, with Reece given to about four times as many boys as…
Modern invented name
Jaycee is a modern invented name, likely inspired by the similar sounding Casey and Macy. While these names peaked in the 1990s and 2000s, their energetic and contemporary vibe has kept them relevant…
Word name, English from Greek
"the most significant element of a thing or person"
Heavily perfumed word name that peaked a few years ago.
Modern Invented Name, combination of Ray and Lee
"beam of light + meadow"
A trendy choice that takes a little from Riley and a little from Kayleigh, to create the rather appealing meaning, "beam of light in the meadow".
Spelling variation of Scarlett
"brilliant red"
Although we think Scarlett is plenty feminine enough without the girly -ette suffix, this variation entered the US Top 1000 in 2011, where it remained for more than a decade. In 2023, it dropped off…
Arabic variation of Jasmine
"jasmine flower"
Any of the Y forms, which also include Yasmeen, Yasmin, and Yasmina, make this name more unusual and distinctive.
French diminutive of Angela
"angelic"
Angelique was the fastest-rising girl name of 2021, influenced by French-Mexican actress Angelique Boyer, who starred in the telenovela Imperio de mentiras ( Empire of Lies ). After a long run of…
Basque
"beloved"
A top ten choice in Chile and a popular name throughout the Spanish-speaking world, Maite is a mighty-sounding name with a soft and sweet meaning. It is also found as a contracted form of María…
