By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 142 pages
of 142
Welsh
"divine queen"
Strong and outdoorsy, yet pretty and queenly, Rhiannon was a once obscure Welsh name, brought into the mainstream in 1976, following Fleetwood Mac's flash hit song of the same title. It stormed into…
English variation of Emmeline, French, or combination of Emma + -lyn
"work; universal"
Variation of Emma with the popular suffix -lyn.
Spelling variation of Allison
"noble"
The original Allison was a Top 50 name from the 1980s through 2016, and Allyson is one of the many spelling variations parents used to put a more unique spin on the original.
Anglicized form of Irish Caitlin
"pure"
Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of…
Combination of Ava and Lynn
Part Ava, part Lynn, and part cousin of the stylish Evelyn and Adeline, Avalynn is a recent 2014 entrant to the US Top 1000. But sometimes when a name is trying hard to have everything, it doesn't…
English and Scottish surname
"son of the marsh dwellers"
Very popular surname choice — it's in the Boys' Top 100 — beginning to catch on for girls. First female association: novelist Carson McCullers.
English and Irish
"rye land"
A unisex name, Rylan plays on many popular baby names , including Ryan and Riley. For boys, the trendy Rylan is in the US Top 500, while for girls, it fell out of Top 1000 in 2023, having been a…
English
"plant name"
Of all the botanicals, Fern has been one of the slowest to move back from the front parlor into the nursery, despite the appealing girl character in the children's classic Charlotte's Web . Fern was…
English variation of Caroline, French
"free man"
The phonetic Carolyn spelling, which was very popular from the 1920s to the '60s, has been steadily on the wane while Caroline herself has stayed strong. Carolyn Keene was the pseudonymous author of…
Word name
Among a small shower of rain-related names, this pure version can have a cool, refreshing image. Richard Pryor named his now-grown daughter Rain, and Rain is also one of the nature-named Phoenix…
English from Scandinavian
"son of Anders"
When you look at its etymology, Anderson might be a surprising choice for a baby girl: the son ending confers a meaning that's literally masculine, which is then reinforced by Anders ("manly,…
Variation of Mae, English
"drop of the sea; pearl"
A combination of vintage Mae with popular suffix -lynn , Maelyn feels reminiscent of glamorous Marilyn and contemporary Raelynn. In use since at least the 80s, Maelyn practically doubled in…
Hebrew
"a plain"
This Old Testament place name was in the Top 10 fifty years ago, but now Sharon, along with sound-alike Karen, have fallen out of favor.
Phonetic spelling of Gillian
"youthful"
This spelling of Jillian is now much more popular than the original, maybe because the G version invites pronunciation problems.
Raylynn is a contemporary feminine name that combines the popular 'Ray' prefix with the fashionable 'lynn' suffix. 'Ray' typically derives from Raymond, meaning 'wise protector,' or may reference…
Danish variation of Katherine, Japanese
"pure; lotus flower"
Karen, a once sweet Danish import, was so popular during the baby boom (Karen was Number 3 in 1960) that it's become a mem in recent years, representing a hostile white woman—one who usually wants to…
Spelling variation of Ryan
An attempt to make this name swing more to the feminine side, though the original Ryan is becoming perfectly acceptable for girls. Ryann O'Toole is an American professional golfer.
English variation of Devin, Irish
"poet"
A more feminine version of Devin.
Elaboration of Holly or spelling variation of Holland
"holly + lake, beautiful; forest land; point of the land"
Hollyn combines the Christmas- and nature-inspired feel of Holly, with the preppy, unisex style of Collins, all stung together with the globetrotter flair of Holland and the trendy -lyn ending of…
Ailyn is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a modern variation of Aileen or Eileen, which derive from the Gaelic name Eibhlín, meaning "light" or "torch." Alternatively, it…
