Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds · Popular Names and Name Trends
Names With Many Spellings
Across 53 pages
of 53
Cartier
French variation of Carter, English
"transporter of goods by cart"
Luxury baby name associated with Jacques Cartier's eponymous jewelry company.
Carolyn
English variation of Caroline, French
"free man"
The phonetic Carolyn spelling, which was very popular from the 1920s to the '60s, has been steadily on the wane while Caroline herself has stayed strong. Carolyn Keene was the pseudonymous author of…
Karlee
Variation of Carly, English
"free man"
This nouveau spelling peaked at Number 583 in 2004. In spite of its trend-making K and "ee" ending, Karlee is much less popular than the original Carly.
Carly
English feminization of Carl, German
"free man"
Though a couple of its more "creative" spellings—Carli and Karlee, for example—are still on the rise, this feminine form of Carl, popularized by singer Carly Simon in the 1970s, could by no stretch…
Carla
Feminization of Carl, German, Carlo, Italian, and Carlos, Spanish
"free man"
While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent…
Carl
German variation of Charles
"free man"
This no-nonsense German variation of Charles is strong and sturdy. A top choice throughout the 20th century, Carl is now verging on falling off the charts.
Cara
Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and Portuguese
"dear; friend; face"
Cara is a simple, sweet, Italian endearment that enjoyed its greatest popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, reaching a high of Number 189 in 1977. Despite the rising celebrity of English…
Canaan
Biblical place name, Hebrew
"The Promised Land; humble, low"
Pronounced KAY-nan, this Old Testament place name has a strong modern feel that blends in with on-trend choices like Carter, Colton, and Kayson, but also with Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Tobias.…
Kamille
Kamille is a feminine name representing an alternative spelling of Camille, which derives from the Latin name Camillus. Originally a surname for children serving in religious ceremonies, Camille…
Sailor
Occupational name
Supermodel Christie Brinkley launched an entire name genre when she picked this breezy occupational name for her daughter in 1998, and it has become more prevalent in recent decades. The Saylor…
Kaya
Scandinavian, English, Literature, Japanese
"pure; one who arranges rocks; perfume, incense; fruit, reward"
A multicultural name, that's currently on style and fits right in with Kaia, Maya, Raya, and Mia. Currently in the Top 500 in both the UK and The Netherlands, it has several different origins and…
Cain
Hebrew
"spear; possessed"
Biblical name Cain was, until recently, seldom heard outside of the Old Testament and soap operas. Although Cain's murderous actions will always make this name difficult for some, Cain, Eve and…
Savanna
Variation of Savannah
Savanna has lost ground in recent years. It remains eclipsed by its more traditionally spelled cousin Savannah.
Kaydence
Variation of Cadence, word name
We'd prefer to stick with the more-familiar Cadence and avoid the overly trendy Kay- prefix.
Sayler
Sayler is a modern feminine name that appears to have emerged as an occupational surname repurposed as a first name, following the trend of surname-to-first-name transitions. Historically, Sayler (or…
Bryn
Welsh
"hill"
Bryn is an up-and-coming gentle, yet substantial, Welsh name that would also be effective in the middle spot. In Wales it's a traditional boys' name, but it's far more popular for girls now in the…
Kayley
American variation of Kayla
"laurel, crown, wreath"
A contemporary choice, Kayley blends elements of Kayla, Hayley, Michaela, and Keeley. Likely invented as a variation of Kayla, it can be considered a combination of popular sounds, though it may also…
Scarlette
Spelling variation of Scarlett
"brilliant red"
Although we think Scarlett is plenty feminine enough without the girly -ette suffix, this variation entered the US Top 1000 in 2011, where it remained for more than a decade. In 2023, it dropped off…
Schuyler
Dutch
"scholar"
Originally a Dutch surname, imported by the early Dutch colonists, has been all but overpowered by the phonetic spellings in the US -- Skyler for boys and Skylar for girls. With the…
Brice
Scottish surname
"speckled, freckled"
Brice, much more often spelled Bryce, is an old saint's name that now has a sleek and sophisticated image—it feels elegant and efficient. Of the two spellings, Bryce is much more popular for both…
