Popular Names and Name Trends · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
Modern Baby Names
Across 27 pages
of 27
Ila
Scottish, Hindi, Hungarian, Finnish
"from the island; earth, sacred speech; shining light; joy"
A simple name that's rising fast in the US, likely inspired by the popularity of Isla and Ayla. This streamlined form might appeal to those who like Ana, Ivy, and Ada, and it brings a multicultural…
Ocean
English, nature name
"ocean"
Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents. In 2024, it was given to 483 boys and 325 girls, making this a unisex favorite…
Cannon
Word name
Cannon sits amongst other weapon names like Colt, Pistol, Lance, and Remington. Definitely a name that offers bombast.
Bristol
Place-name
"the site of the bridge"
Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, grabbed her own share of headlines after her pregnancy and having appearing on Dancing With The…
Case
Word name
A brisk and unconventional name that could be a style stand-in for confederates Casey, Chase, Cale, and Cade.
Huxley
English
"inhospitable place"
Huxley is definitely rising as a surname name, with its X that makes almost any name cooler. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015. The modern nicknames Hux and Huck certainly don't hurt. Last year,…
Kenzie
Short form of Mackenzie, Scottish
"son of Kenneth"
Take away the Mac and what do you have? Rather than "son of Kenneth," the meaning becomes simply Kenneth, which in itself means son of fire or handsome. In the US, the name Kenzie peaked for girls…
Brixton
British place name
Brixton, a formerly rough but now cool-and-gentrified area of London, is also gaining notice as a baby name, especially for boys. About 20 baby girls were given the name in the US in the most recent…
Chandler
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…
Trace
Diminutive of Tracy, word name
"of Thracia; to discover or track down; to copy"
Undoubtedly inspired by country singer Trace Adkins, Trace is part update on 20th century fave Tracy, and part modern word name. Derived from Tracy, it originated as a Roman name meaning "of Thracia"…
Zyair
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.
Kenna
Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth
Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
Boden
English or German surname, variation of Beauden, French
"hill shaped like a bow; floor; beautiful"
Boden is most often inspired by the clothing catalog of the same name, and it feels like an appropriate first name for boys because of its stylish two-syllable -n ending rhythm, a la Logan, Mason,…
Reign
English word name
"rule"
Reign is one of a new, ahem, kingdom of word names that suggest a high-born child, joining Royal, Lorde, Titan, Saint, King, Princess, and Noble. We predicted this kind of defining name to be the…
Riggs
English surname
"one who lives on the ridge"
Riggs, with its suave, cowboy-cool style, is one of the hottest new names on the scene. Boy names that end with S are particularly trendy right now, with similar choices Briggs, Wells, and Jones…
Blaze
English word name
"fire"
Originally a form of the saint's name Blaise, though now more likely to be a hot word name used for both sexes, though heavily weighted toward the boys. It has been in the boys' Top 1000 since the…
Royalty
English word name
"people of royal blood or status"
Royalty represents the convergence of two important trends: word names and superlative names such as Legend and King. Blending status and power with a fashion, flair, and confidence, it this longer…
Jamison
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
Everest
Place-name, world's tallest mountain
"from Évreux"
This twist on the popular Everett takes it to lofty heights and gives it a geographical and nature-inspired link. The snow-capped Everest could make a name that stands out without feeling too out…
Bellamy
English and Irish from French
"fine friend"
Bellamy is emerging as an up-and-coming girls' name , an Irish surname-y riff on the super-popular Bella series of names. While the Bella connection makes Bellamy sound a little trendier and more…