Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds · Popular Names and Name Trends
Names With Many Spellings
Across 53 pages
of 53
Macie
Spelling variation of Macy, English
"hill"
Macie is one variation that has become more popular than the original Macy, perhaps thanks to its resemblance to the stylish Maisie. While Macie is usually pronounced to rhyme with lacy while Maisie…
Maddison
Spelling variation of Madison
"son of Maud"
While the traditionally spelled Madison has been among the most popular names in the 21st century, this version isn't exactly unpopular. Nevertheless, the second d is superfluous.
Sylas
Spelling variation of Silas
"of the woods"
Appearing in the Polish New Testament and possibly working to honor a Sylvester, Sylas has been climbing back up the rankings in recent years. Previously peaking in 2013 at #520, it has since…
Payton
English
"fighting man's estate"
Rarely used until the 90s, Payton rose up the charts when it was popularized by the football star, Peyton Manning, and, interestingly, by the character of "Peyton Flanders", the villainess of the…
Lorelei
German
"alluring, temptress"
The lovely Lorelei, a name from old German legend, was a beautiful Rhine River seductress whose haunting voice led sailors to hazardous rocks that would cause them to be shipwrecked. And this siren…
Gracelynn
Combination of Grace and Lynn
"Grace + lake; pretty"
With Grace mega popular and Gracie on the rise, this modern compound name provides a trendy alternative. With the vibes of Brooklyn and Evelyn and the contemporary feel of Oaklynn and and Emberlynn,…
Jalen
Modern invented name
The new Jason, spelled many different ways, and popularized by basketball star Jalen Rose.
Mya
Variation of Maia, Maya, or Mia, Greek, Scandinavian, Hebrew, Burmese
"mother; larger, greater; bitter, beloved; emerald"
This distinctive spelling was popularized by the R&B singer Mya (Harrison) and entered the US Top 100 in 2009 after the singer appeared on Dancing with the Stars . While it has since declined in the…
Lilliana
Variation of Lillian or Liliana
"lily, a flower"
While Lillian is the English version of this elaborated flower name and Liliana is the authentic Spanish and Portuguese spelling, Lilliana is a familiar and perfectly usable option in the US. Frilly…
Adelynn
Variation of Adeline, French
"noble, nobility"
Adelynn is one of the many variations rising on the heels of the lovely, old-fashioned (and yes, sweet) name Adeline. Though Adelynn is well-used and may clarify pronunciation assuming you prefer the…
Bo
Norse nickname
"to live"
A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
Zariah
Arabic, Hebrew, Russian
"flower, God has helped, dawn"
Zariah has three possible origins: the Arabic Zahrah which means ‘flower’, the Hebrew name Azariah, meaning ‘God has helped’, or the Russian word Zaria which means ‘sunrise/dawn’. Either way, it's a…
Kane
Celtic
"warrior"
A name of multiple identities: a somewhat soap-operatic single-syllable surname, a homonym for the biblical bad boy Cain, and, when found in Japan and Hawaii, it transforms into the two syllable…
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…
Karson
Spelling variation of Carson, Scottish and English
"son of the marsh dwellers"
An increasingly popular spelling of Carson, Karson feels at home with Kayden, Kieran, and Kai. While the Carson spelling sits just outside the Top 100 and is used three times more often, Karson is…
Alyssa
English variation of Alicia
"noble"
Alyssa was in the Top 20 from 1997-2010 and peaked as the 11th most popular girls’ name in 1998 and 1999 but has become less popular in recent years. It's related to the flower alyssum as well as to…
Oakley
English
"oak wood or clearing"
As sturdy as Oak, but with stronger roots as a first name, Oakley ticks lots of boxes for modern trends. With its unisex vibe, its nature-based meaning, its surname-y feel, and its popular -lee…
Madeleine
French variation of Magdalen
"woman from Magdala or high tower"
Sophisticated and sweet, delicate but substantial, Madeleine is the classic French variation of Magdalene. Once a Top 10 option in France, its popularity waned in the 70s, though it is slowly on the…
Wynter
Spelling variation of Winter
Less month, more trendy, more times needing to spell it to people. This spelling variation entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013—and doesn't appear to be going anywhere any time soon.…
Johnny
Diminutive of John
"God is gracious"
The ultimate midcentury nickname, retaining a good measure of retro charm, was chosen for her son by Mira Sorvino.
