New Names
- Zoya
Origin:
Russian and Greek variation of ZoeDescription:
Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.
- Reign
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"rule"Description:
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 Number 1 baby name trend of 2015...two weeks before Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick named their third child, a boy, Reign.
- Iyla
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"moonlight"Description:
Iyla, now a Top 1000 girls' name in the US, resembles many other popular names, from the Top 100 Isla to the Turkish Ayla, with which it shares a moonlit meaning.
- Kade
Origin:
Spelling variation of CadeDescription:
Kade is a prime example of the new trend for substituting K's at the beginning of traditionally C-starting names.
- Naya
Origin:
Spelling variation of NiaDescription:
Related to Nia and Naia, Naya was new to the US Top 1000 in 2014 and benefits from the short and simple pronunciation that many parents are seeking in fresh names. It also has obvious similarities to popular Mia and Maya.
- Colson
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Nicholas"Description:
Author Colson Whitehead introduced this surname-name to the lexicon, perfect for, well, a son or grandson of a Nicholas.
- Mya
Origin:
Variation of Maya, Greek mythology and Central American Indian nameDescription:
This distinctive spelling was popularized by the R&B singer Mya (Harrison) and has inspired many baby namers to adopt Mya for themselves.
- Zyler
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Tyler, with zest.
- Zayden
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
The most popular spelling of the fast-climbing member of the Aiden-rhyming clan is used by parents who love the first initial Z. Zaiden is nearly as popular, and Zaden is a ways behind.
- Campbell
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked mouth"Description:
This unisex name, the seventh most popular surname in Scotland, can make a more unusual Cameron alternative. It is represented on the girls' side by TV news correspondent Campbell Brown, for whom it was a family name, Brown was born Alma Dale Campbell, Alma Dale being her grandmother's name,and Campbell her mother's maiden name.
- Journey
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"passage from one place to another"Description:
One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
- Kobe
Origin:
SwahiliMeaning:
"tortoise"Description:
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose name was inspired by a Japanese steak house, brought this energetic and appealing name into -- and out of -- the mix. Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2020 increased the popularity of his name, as fans and admirers named their children Kobe in honor of the star.
- Maxton
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
Maxton is a new member of the ever-expanding Max clan of baby names, hitting the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2011. It joins newfangled Maxon and stylish cousin Paxton. Still, we prefer the more classic Maxwell, Maxfield, Maximus, or just plain Max.
- Keilani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"heaven, sky, glorious chief"Description:
Keilani is among the fastest rising girls' names in some US states, a once-unusual name perhaps popularized by its similarity to both Leilani and Kayla. Its rhythmic appeal cannot be denied.
- Tempest
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"turbulent, stormy"Description:
Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.
- Brisa
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"breeze"Description:
Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.
- Scorpio
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"scorpion"Description:
Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy.
- Khari
Origin:
West AfricanMeaning:
"kingly"Description:
Though used quite often for babies of both sexes, Khari, meaning "kingly," was traditionally a boys' name. Musical couple Fetty Wop and Masika Kalysha, however, named their daughter Khari.
- Alivia
Origin:
Variation of OliviaDescription:
While Alivia may not have achieved the megapopularity of its mother name, it's still a widely used choice. Alivia combines the trendiness of A names with the trendiness of Olivia to create a choice that's slightly off the beaten track -- slightly being the operative word here. Is the distinction the initial A earns you worth a lifetime of explaining, "No, it's Alivia, with an A, not Olivia"? Your call, though ours would be no.
- Dilan
Origin:
Spelling variation of Dylan; TurkishMeaning:
"love"Description:
Dylan has become a go-to name for boys in the last generation, thanks to poet Dylan Thomas, musician Bob Dylan, and fictional characters like Dylan McKay of Beverly Hills, 90210. Spelling variations include Dillon and Dilan. Alternately, Dilan is a feminine Turkish name meaning "love." Due to the ultra-popularity of Dylan, Dilan will likely be misspelled frequently.