This creative spelling variation of Landon is widely used but still lags far behind the original.

With Brooklyn, Trenton, and Camden on the rise, Harlem is one to watch out for. It has lingered down the lower end of the US Top 1000 since 2018 but has been trending upwards. It's already been picked by one celebrity, and it certainly has a stronger historical and cultural identity -- and it could work as an alternative to Harvey or Harley.

A common unisex name in Israel, more properly written as Ya'el, Yael rose more than 200 places in 2023 to become one of the fastest-rising boys' names of the year in the US.

Can one prominent character affect the gender identity of a name? Definitely, as has supernatural bad girl Ridley Duchannes of the Beautiful Creatures series-turned-movie, played by the gorgeous Emmy Rossum.

Paz, currently represented by actresses Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerts, would make a sparkling middle name choice. It originated as a title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, and is one of the names that mean peace, derived from the Latin word "pax".

With its gentle sound but edgy vibe, Tru ticks the boxes for several modern trends: one syllable boy names (see Brooks), alternatively spelled word names (see Chozen), word names with spiritual undertones (see Shepherd), and nickname style choices (see Bo). Currently in the Top 1000 for girls and boys, it is joined in the rankings by Truett and True

Jupiter may be known as the father of all the gods, but it's baby girls who have claimed his name for their own. Mythological and celestial baby names are hot across the board, so Jupiter was bound to rise in popularity. But the reason it's currently mostly female in the US is thanks to its similarities to the trendy feminine name Juniper.

Parents who love the great English novelist Jane Austen may choose this spelling of the popular name Austin to honor the author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice.

Lovers of the name Carter and the Kardashians method of baby naming have popularized this choice, one of many boys' names starting with K that began life as boys' names starting with C. Karter has been in the charts since 2005, riding on the success of the original Carter. Since 2014, Karter has been just inside the Top 200.

Carlisle may be a male name in Twilight (he's vampire hero Edward's adoptive father), but in the real baby naming world, it's used about a quarter of the time for girls. Unusual now, we think Carlisle (or Carlyle) has the potential to be the next Carter.

A distinctive surname that, despite its meaning, has a cowboy swagger, a la Autry.

Not quite a nature name and not quite a surname — whatever Laken is or isn't, we know it's definitely a name to watch.

This spelling variation of trending unisex Ari — both diminutives of Hebrew Ariel — means "lion of God".

Many parents seeking a return to more basic values and a simpler lifestyle are turning to such virtuous girls' names as Grace, Faith, and Hope, but there are a handful that work just as well on boys, including True.

Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.

Short and zippy, Ru may be familiar as a nickname for the likes of Ruby or Ruth, though more recently, it could has been considered as a concise and trendy variant to word name Rue (see Blu or Tru). From its Chinese roots, it is a standalone choice meaning "scholar, learner", though other interpretations can be "as if", and "magnolia".

A unisex Hebrew name sometimes given in Israel to kids born under the goat sign of Capricorn; it's also spelled Yael/Ya'el.

Adley made the Top 1000 at Number 735 in 2012 on the heels of sister name Hadley, only to vanish again in 2013. But now, with the popularity of Adelaide and Adeline, it has leaped upward and entered the Top 1000 once again. Adley feels in step with name trends of the moment, but will it survive the ages? Other such mashups have not.

Cai is a name with rich multicultural origins. In Welsh, it means 'rejoice' and is a form of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay. In Chinese, Cai (蔡) is a respected surname and can also be a given name meaning 'talent' or 'ability.' The name has gained modest popularity in Western countries as parents seek short, distinctive names with cross-cultural appeal. In Scotland and Ireland, it may be a shortened form of Cailan or related Celtic names. Cai's simplicity and strong sound make it an increasingly attractive choice for boys, especially among parents looking for names that are brief yet meaningful and easy to pronounce across languages.

Raylen is a modern masculine name that has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly in the United States. It appears to be a contemporary blend of the popular Ray prefix (meaning 'beam of light' or 'counsel') with the trending -len/-lyn suffix seen in names like Kaylen and Jaylen. The name has a contemporary sound that fits with current naming trends while maintaining a distinctly masculine quality. Raylen may also be viewed as a variation of Raylan, which gained visibility through the character Raylan Givens in the television series 'Justified.' The name carries connotations of brightness and illumination through its 'ray' element. While still relatively uncommon, Raylen has been steadily increasing in usage, appealing to parents seeking a modern-sounding name that balances uniqueness with accessibility.