By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 326 pages
of 326
German and Scandinavian variation of Caroline, French
"free man"
Karoline is the form of the classic Caroline commonly used in Germany and throughout Scandinavia, where it is popular. It's an acceptable if not traditional spelling variation, given to nearly 100…
French, diminutive of Nicole, feminine variation of Nicholas, Greek
"people of victory"
Frilly and feminine, Nicolette is the name of an enchanting princess in the medieval French romance, Aucassin et Nicolette , but really got its publicity from the heyday of Desperate Housewives and…
Scottish
"blond"
Music legend David Bowie lends his adopted surname considerable charisma to this stylish Scottish name for girls and boys. Born David Robert Jones, he changed his name to avoid confusion with The…
Modern invented name
"lake + meadow"
Lynlee — in which two popular suffixes meet to become one trendy name — has been rising up the US stats since 2000s. While it has yet to reach the popularity levels of Everly or Raelyn, and while it…
Greek
"most holy"
This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest…
Variation of Miley that is on the decline, thanks to its association with pop starlet Miley Cyrus.
Combination of Rose and Marie
"rose flower + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Rosemarie had its moment in the sun back in the middle of the last century, when parents were looking for new ways to recycle traditional family names. So a child might combine her two grandma's…
Variation of Adelie or Adalia
"noble; God is just"
Akin to Ada, Adeline, and Adele, Adalie is one of many names to derive from the Old German element adal . Musical and lively, and less popular than its many of its sisters, Adalie was given to around…
Variant of Vivian, Latin
"life"
Vivian is the classic spelling, now in the Top 100, while Vivien is the most common alternative. This one foregrounds the "Anne," and so could serve as a nod to a relative or friend by that name.
Word name, English
"love, respect. worship"
With lofty word names like Chosen, Blessing, Halo, and Haven in vogue, Adore feels like it could fit right in. With possible spiritual undertones and a sense of self-confidence, Adore also sounds…
French literary nickname
"little thing"
Cosette is best known as the heroine of Les Miserables . In the Victor Hugo novel, Cosette was the nickname given to the girl named Euphrasie by her mother. Although Hugo invented the name, some…
English surname
"rock hill or army hill"
A glamorous but earthy sounding surname style name, Harlowe is currently less popular than Harlow, though the -e ending might soften it a little.
"beautiful voice"
Original form of the more familiar Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. A calliope is a musical instrument sometimes called the steam organ, frequently found on carousels. With its rhythmic sound, this…
Latin
"she who brings victory; true image"
Androgynous nickname for Veronica, Rhonda or Rona. Traditionally a male nickname for Ronald, Ronnie s finding new life as a girl's name amid the rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls. With its…
Spelling variation of Brinley, combination of Brynn and Lee
"burnt clearing; hill + meadow"
One of many variations of the name Brinley, with its on-trend -lee ending and inclusion of the "Brynn" sound. This form has never been in the US Top 1000, though Brynlee, Brinley, and Brynleigh are.
Variation of Ivy, botanical name
Lengthens the popular Ivy, but why? About 100 baby namers in the US last year found a reason.
English
"a small roadway or path"
Lane is a unisex name equally accessible to boys and girls. Breezy, cool and contemporary, it might equally put in mind country lanes and banks of wildflowers. As a word name, Lane means "small…
Gisselle is a feminine name derived from the Germanic name 'Gisela,' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' in its ancient context, though the modern connotation is more about a sacred promise or bond. This…
Variation of Emery, German, combination name, blending Emma and Marie
"industrious; universal + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
On one hand, this may be a twist on the unisex Emery, to make it more obviously feminine - and to make it stand out from Emery, Emory, and Emerie, which all rank in the US Top 600. Alternatively, it…
French combination of Marie and Anne
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"
A midcentury Catholic classic that's not chosen by many parents today. Leonard Cohen fans might think of the beautiful song So Long, Marianne , named for his lover and muse Marianne Ihlen. The…
