One of the fastest rising names of 2025, Jasai made its debut on the US charts, leaping straight into the Top 500 when it was given to 719 babies (four times more than the year prior). Likely inspired by more traditional Josiah, and blended with he popular Ja- prfix, it could mean "God supports". As such, it holds appeal as a fresh sounding option with a nod to the Bible.

Soan is a variation of Sohan, an invented French name that may be related to the masculine Jean. Both names rank in France’s Top 100, with the original Sohan pulling slightly ahead. The Soan version was popularized by a French singer Julien Decroix, who performs by the name Soan. He won the 2009 season of a music competition called Nouvelle Star.

Rhaegar Targaryen is one of the most glamorous, noble characters in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series... even though he's been dead over a decade when the books begin. The reader first learns about him through Robert and Ned, both enemies, who paint a distorted picture of this striking man.

A hybrid of trendy syllables, but less evocative than the original Taylor.

Whether you think of it as Cale with a K, or a pet form of Kalen or Kaleb, this is just the kind of short, synthetic name finding a lot of favor now, but remember -- it's also the name of a vegetable.

Tyler, with zest.

More neo than Neo, this is a name heard in the Power Rangers film title Power Rangers Zeo.

Jaxon with a twist.

Kal-El is Superman's Kryptonian name, invented by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1938 as the birth name of the superhero. Some theorize that it relates to Hebrew characters with the meaning "voice of God", while others give the meaning as "son" or "Earth one".

One of the most popular of the creative spellings of this name.

Braelyn just barely qualifies as a unisex name, being used for girls over 89 percent of the time.

Daryl plus Harold equals this mid-century smoosh name.

@jhayco is the social media handle of rapper Jhay Cortez, which itself was given to 17 baby boys in 2022.

Khyree appears to be a modern variant spelling of the name Kyrie, which derives from Greek 'kyrios' meaning 'lord' or 'master.' The distinctive spelling with 'Kh' and double 'e' ending represents contemporary phonetic spelling preferences that emerged in the late 20th century. The name gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the 1990s and continued rising in the early 2000s. The term 'Kyrie eleison' ('Lord, have mercy') is significant in Christian liturgy, which may influence some families' choice of this name. The spelling variation with 'Kh' might reflect phonetic influences from various languages where this sound combination appears. As with many contemporary names, creative spelling variations allow for personalization while maintaining the original pronunciation.

Grace and Adam Rodriguez created the faux-place name Bridgemont for their son in 2020. According to Adam, they loved the symbolism of a bridge as a connecting element and added -mont for familial significance. Adam's father's middle name is Montalvo, his own father's surname prior to his adoption.

The invented name Xael debuted on the charts for boys in 2010. It is primarily used among Spanish-speaking families.

Kiari is the birth name of rapper Offset, who passed on this attractive name to his daughter as her middle. Indeed, it resembles several more established names associated with both genders, from Kiara to Kyrie to Kai.

Kamarion is a modern masculine name that has gained recognition in the United States since the early 2000s. It appears to be a creative extension of names like Kamari or Kameron, possibly combining elements of these names with the popular '-ion' suffix found in names like Demarion and Jamarion. The prefix 'Kamar' may have Arabic roots meaning 'moon.' Kamarion exemplifies the trend toward creating distinctive, melodious names with a contemporary feel. The name has a rhythmic quality and strong sound that many parents find appealing. While not among the most common names, Kamarion has been steadily chosen by parents seeking something unique yet accessible. It fits well with current naming trends that favor longer names with multiple syllables and memorable endings.

Is it a form of Zayden? Zyden? We're not quite sure. NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. chose this sleek, practically vowelless name for his son, born in 2022.

Shakespeare invented the names Salerio, Solanio, and Salarino for his play The Merchant of Venice. The names are puns on salario, the Italian word for "salary," as each character shows great concern with money.