Names With Many Spellings
- Jon
Origin:
Variation of John or JonathanMeaning:
"God is gracious; or gift of Jehovah"Description:
Streamlined version of the classic boys' names, sometimes a short form of Jonathan, which is in fact an entirely different name from John attached to a different Biblical personage. Jon feels more modern than the traditional John, but some may find it an overly slight variation on an already slim name. Jon Snow is a popular character on HBO's Game of Thrones.
- Ximena
Origin:
Feminization of Ximeno, SpanishMeaning:
"son"Description:
Ximena, sometimes spelled Jimena, is a variation of boys’ name Ximeno. Spanish origins and popularity in the Latino community have boosted this name's popularity. Ximena Diaz was the wife of the Spanish national hero known as El Cid. Several well known Latin American actresses bear this name.
- Violetta
Origin:
Italian, Russian and Hungarian variation of Violet, EnglishMeaning:
"purple"Description:
With Violet in vogue, this vibrant international variation has been on the rise since the 2010s. Vintage and floral like its more popular sister, Violetta has a slightly softer sound and a touch of extra flair. Given to 135 girls in a recent year, it also gets you to nicknames Etta, Vita, and Lettie.
- Kyrie
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"Lord"Description:
Kyrie may be a name of God used widely in the ancient church refrain Kyrie Elieson, or Lord, have mercy, but it's rising in popularity for boys in the US on the strength of basketball star Kyrie Irving. Irving pronounces the first syllable of Kyrie to rhyme with my, whereas with the religious word it rhymes with fear.
- Elyse
Origin:
Variation of Elise or ElysiaMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Elyse hasn't been heard much since the 80s, but it's beginning to be reconsidered as a possibIlity again, now that it's not so much seen as a Mom name, as it was in the TV show "Family Ties." A spelling variation of Elise, it's another variation of Elizabeth. Many parents today would opt for Eliza.
- Elianna
Origin:
Variation of Eliana, Hebrew, LatinMeaning:
"my God has answered; sun"Description:
Eliana and her spelling variations are multicultural favorites that have been rising across the English-speaking world since the turn of the 21st century. Popular in Netherlands, the UK, Canada, France, and Brazil, Eliana and sisters come with in-built nicknames Ellie, Elle and Ana which makes them versatile and appealing
- Roselyn
Origin:
Combination name of Rose and LynnDescription:
Roselyn was a frequent member of the US Top 1000 in the early twentieth century until it dropped off the charts in 1954. It didn't return until 2003.
- Emmet
Origin:
English; HebrewMeaning:
"universal; truth"Description:
Honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, Emmet is a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, but the more common spelling is Emmett. Emmet dropped off the US Top 1000 in 1934 and reentered the list in 2014; Emmett, on the other hand, has never been off the charts.
- Kameron
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
With its on-trend K initial, this spelling variation of Cameron gives a nod to the likes of Kashton, Kayden, and Kaizen, while still maintaining the softer sounds and unisex feel of the original Scottish form. Currently in the US Top 500, it is given to around 810 boys each year.
- Siena
Origin:
Italian place-nameDescription:
Siena is a soft and delicate Tuscan town name given a big fashion boost by lovely young actress/gossip column staple Sienna Miller. A real up-and-comer.
- Dillon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"loyal"Description:
Different origin from the Welsh Dylan, but increasingly used as a variant spelling to honor Bob Dylan or Dylan Thomas. Still, the Dylan spelling is found 20 times as often as Dillon.
- Skyla
Origin:
Variation of Dutch SchuylerMeaning:
"scholar"Description:
Skyla is the most feminine form of the Skylar / Sklyer trend - little Skyla will never be mistaken on paper for a boy.
- Kayson
Origin:
Modern invented name, or English "enclosed town" "calf town"Meaning:
"calf town"Description:
Kayson is one of several variations of the boys' name Cason, a favorite of the 2010s when it appeared in many different forms, from the Casen to Kaisen to Cayson. Likely inspired by the popular Mason and Jason, the name is also a place name and surname, derived from the English town Cawston .
- Darien
Origin:
Spelling variation of DarianMeaning:
"rich, kingly"Description:
The Darien spelling, which relates to the posh Connecticut town, peaked at Number 393 in 1994 but more recently has been just hanging on at the bottom of the Top 1000. Still, a name with an appealing sound and feel that may ascend again.
- Sky
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Sky may be a bit hippie-ish, but it's bright and sunny nonetheless. Sky rejoined the Top 1000 in 2013 after spending many years off the list. Sky was the choice of magician David Copperfield for his daughter, born in 2010.
- Adelyn
Origin:
Variation of AdelineMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adeline in all its forms, including Adelyn, is rocketing up the list, but we do prefer the original to the variations. Or you might consider varying it yet further to Adelia, Adele, or Adelaide. Or lengthen it to Madeline/Madelyn.
- Henley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"high meadow"Description:
The name of a British town on the Thames that hosts a famous regatta. Henley is one of the English baby names soaring in popularity for both boys and girls in the US, but is now much more popular for girls. In the UK, however, it is almost unused for girls, with just 3 female babies named Henley as recently as 2014.
- Aubrie
Origin:
Spelling variation of AubreyMeaning:
"elf ruler"Description:
An alternative spelling to the highly popular Aubrey that entered the US Top 1000 back in 2001 and peaked in 2012 when it neared the Top 300. More recently, it has dropped out of the charts, with Aubrey and Aubree holding favor.
- Annaliese
Origin:
German, combination of Anna and LieseMeaning:
"grace and pledged to God"Description:
Annaliese is a distinctly German smoosh name that's found some popularity in the US, especially with the simpler spelling Annalise.
- Seven
Origin:
English word and number nameDescription:
This number name first came to public attention when Erykah Badu and Andre 3000 chose if for their son, Seven Sirius Benjamin, born in 1997. Over a decade later, David and Victoria Beckham used it as their daughter's middle name, and now in these days of unisex word names, it's rising for both sexes. It's certainly one of the most name-like numbers: after all, it's only a letter away from Steven.