By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 197 pages
of 197
English
"lives near the bridge"
A recent addition to the Most Popular list, Bridger has the trendy two-syllables and 'er' ending, and a historical reference to Jim Bridger, a foremost nineteenth-century frontiersman, explorer,…
Variation of Briar, English word name
"a thorny patch"
This spelling of the rising unisex name Briar may strike some parents as more definitively masculine than its source, less Briar-Rose, more last-name-as-a-given-name and cowboyesque. Though it is…
Invented name, African American, Arabic
"beauty + prince, ruler"
A tweaked version of Jamir, itself a modern invented name, Jahmir is based on Arabic names Jamal and Amir. Jahmir was amongst the fastest-rising boy names of 2023, and one of the newest additions to…
Basque form of Andrew and Andreas, Greek, "strong and manly"
"strong and manly"
This Basque form of the sturdy classic brings a fresh, cool edge to Andrew. It fits in with other trendy -er ending names while also still feeling classic and international. Derived om the Greek…
Arabic
"helper, supporter"
A popular name in the Middle East and one of the most evocative choices of its genre. One of the 99 names of Allah. The feminine form is Zahira.
Latin
"young"
The line should end with Junior Soprano. While most would expect this to be a nickname rather than an actual given name, Junior has always ranked in the US Top 1000, hitting its peak in 1925 at…
English from French occupational name
"candle maker"
For a generation, this name will always be linked to 1990s hit TV series Friends . Whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your fondness for the show, and character Chandler Bing, but…
Spanish from Latin Salvator
"savior"
A common epithet of Christ, frequently heard in the Hispanic community, Salvador could also be a great choice for artistic parents, given the continuing popularity of Dada and Surrealist painter…
Variation of Zaire, Kongo
"the river that swallows all rivers"
One of the many new spellings of Zaire that has been climbing the charts lately.
Hebrew, Arabic, Albanian
"nightingale, song; heart, conscience, mind; good voice"
An interesting bird name choice if you're seeking a nonbiblical Hebrew name. The zippy Z sound is appealing to more parents, and Zamir entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022 and was one of…
Spelling variation of Schuyler
While Skylar is currently the most popular spelling choice for girls - and the spelling seen most often - the Skyler option is more (statistically) unisex. Given to boy and girls in nearly equal…
Occupational name
"fisherman"
As a member of two trendy name categories, animal and occupational, this name broke into the Top 1000 in 2004 and would make a nice tribute to an angler Grandpa. The best known bearer, Fisher…
English, occupational surname
"one who brews beer"
Brewer is a surname turned first name that comes from the occupational name for someone who brews beer. Definitely a cool guy name, and one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2025, when it broke…
Hebrew and Arabic
"he will enlighten, he shines; to be visible, shining"
This Hebrew and Arabic name hit the US Top 300 in 2004 via an unusual inspiration: A Mexican pop singer and telenovela star known simply as Yahir, who was himself named after a Brazilian soccer…
German
"famous warrior"
In the World War II era, Roger had nothing but the most positive associations, actually used by military personnel to mean 'Received and understood'--or A-OK, and though it is now on extended…
"Emperor"
Kaiser, as in roll and Wilhelm, appeared for the first time on the US Top 1000 in 2017. It fits the two-syllable -er ending style that's all the rage, and it lends itself to the short form Kai. But…
Spelling variation of Connor, Irish
"lover of hounds"
Conor's more popular brother name Connor has been in the Top 100 for long enough that both are ready to make way for a new generation of Irish boys' names.
Animal name
"bear"
Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his…
Spelling variation of Connor.
This variation of Connor was practically unused before the 1990s.
"eagle"
Adler is a German-Jewish surname that is beginning to be used occasionally as a first and is among the stylish new German names for boys . Among the distinguished bearers of Adler as a last name are…
