By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 326 pages
of 326
English diminutive of Esther, Persian, or Estelle, French
"star"
Cute short form of Esther, now associated with the iconic nail polish brand.
Spelling variation of Jody
The Jodie spelling might be even more obscure, at this point, than the fading original, except actresses Jodie Foster and Jodie Sweetin have kept it in the public eye.
Variation of Coraline, English
"coral"
Coraline received a major popularity boost from the Neil Gaiman book and Henry Selick movie by the same name. As with many C names, this influenced the development of a K variant.
Noemie is the French variation of Naomi, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'pleasantness' or 'delightfulness.' In the Bible, Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth and a figure of loyalty and…
Variation of Renesmee, literature
"reborn + esteemed, loved"
A variation of the (slightly infamous) Renesmee, created by author Stephanie Meyer for a character in her Twilight series. Renesmee has proved unexpectedly popular in the UK, while this alternative…
English variation of Cheyenne, Sioux
"people of a different language"
This is a variation of Cheyenne that is slipping in the popularity list toward obscurity.
Spelling variation of Fanny, diminutive of Frances
"from France; free man"
It's hard to believe, via a 21st-century sensibility, that Fannie was ever a Top 50 name. But Fannie was even more popular than Fanny in its late 19th-century heyday, and stuck around much longer,…
Kenslee is a contemporary feminine name that emerged in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward creative spellings and combination names. It typically blends elements of names like Kensley,…
English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
"battle-mighty"
Maude, also spelled Maud, is a lacy, mauve-tinted name that was wildly popular a hundred years ago, but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose it again,…
French variation of Monica
"advisor"
The sort of oh-so-French name that's falling out of favor now.
Nichole is a feminine name, a variant spelling of Nicole, which itself is the French feminine form of Nicholas. The name derives from Greek elements 'nike' meaning 'victory' and 'laos' meaning…
French variation of Rachel
Elaboration of Rachel sometimes seen in France, but more rarely here.
Spanish, Catalan, Hungarian, Polish
"daughter of the oath"
Spelt with an acute accent on the final syllable in Spanish, Catalan and Hungarian (Betsabé) and without in Polish (Betsabe), this unusual name is a sleeker form of Bathsheba.
Elloise is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Eloise, which derives from Germanic origins meaning 'famous warrior' or 'healthy.' The doubled 'l' gives this version a slightly…
Invented name
Jaslene, a reality show-related name via former America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene Gonzalez, a smoosh of Jasmine and the 'ene' ending, has dropped from Number 599 in 2007 to 976 in 2010.
Variation of Rowan or Rowena
"rowan tree, little redhead; white spear, famous friend"
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…
Wynnie is a sweet, diminutive feminine name that likely originated as a nickname for Winifred or Gwendolyn. With Welsh roots, it relates to words meaning 'fair' and 'blessed' or 'happy.' The name has…
Variation of Adeline or Aileen
Aline may have originated as a short form of Adeline in the Middle Ages, but it may also be a variation of the Irish Aileen or Scottish Eileen. Aline dropped off the Top 1000 in the 1950s. Fewer than…
Brynne is a feminine name with Welsh and Irish Celtic origins. It's derived from elements meaning 'hill' or 'mound,' often interpreted as signifying strength and protection. Sometimes considered a…
Compound name, Hazel + Lee
Haizlee may owe more to the popular rhyming name Paisley than it does to Hazel or Lee, though Hazel is very popular too. A trendy choice, for better or worse, given to about 70 baby girls last year.
