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… and More from my new middle grade novel A Family History of Ivy May. It was so much fun naming all of them - a name nerd's dream come true!

… just over 100 baby girls in 2017. Actor Josh Brolin named his daughter Westlyn Reign. Near-identical twin Westlynn is also growing in popularity, given to about half as many …

… and more the bright red color that inspired it in the first place. About 650 baby girls were named Scarlet last year, with nearly ten times as many named Scarlett.

… tree,' symbolizing strength and endurance. The name likely began as a surname for families living near oak trees or in areas known for oak forests. As a first name, Quennell …

… Old French 'paroisse' or Latin 'parochia,' referring to an ecclesiastical district or someone who lived near or worked for the parish church. As a first name, Parrysh emerged in the …

… English elements 'ora' meaning 'bank' or 'shore' and 'hyll' meaning 'hill,' suggesting someone who lived near a hill by the shore. Orrel is exceptionally rare as a first name, giving …

… spelling gives it a unique visual identity, though it's pronounced similarly to 'Nargiz' or 'Nergis' in related cultures. This floral name carries significant cultural importance throughout the Caucasus and …

… valued for its beauty and strength, giving the name nature-based significance. In Sanskrit traditions, 'nara' means 'man' or 'human,' and the doubled 'r' may be a variation. The name …

… when you combine all the variations together, names from the Madeline family are given to nearly 10,000 babies every year in the US. Whatever spin you put on it …

… it next level awesome? This seems to have been the thinking of the parents to nearly 3000 babies named Jaxx in America since the spelling first came into use in …

… Old English "hōh" meaning "heel of land" or "ridge", often referring to someone who lived near a hill or spur of land. As a first name, Hough is exceptionally rare …

… means "crown" or "garland." Predominantly used in Catalonia, Spain, and in some regions of France near the Spanish border, Esteve carries the historical weight of its connection to Saint Stephen …

… cliff" or "town on a slope." Clifton began as a surname describing someone who lived near a cliff or hillside before transitioning to given name usage. While Clifton has maintained …

… French, or Germanic sources, with meanings related to 'handsome,' 'beautiful,' or referencing someone who lived near a bell tower. The unusual double 'e' spelling makes Beell extremely rare, possibly representing …

… US, it is a unisex name from its Hawaiian roots, meaning "high chief". Five boys were called Ailani in the US in a recent year, compared to nearly 950 girls.

… out, and the next day you may be very very in. While all of these nerdy names sit outside the realm of fashion, some have their geekiness enhanced by a …

… the body, representing the energy that permeates the entire body and aids in circulation and nerve functions. This gives the name a profound spiritual meaning connected to life force and …

… and just might appeal to the parent looking for a quasi-unique Old Testament choice. And it avoids the negative Dickensian aura of the other New Testament U-name, Uriah.

… two early saints and means "a Syrian" or "from Syria". The name was given to nearly 100 babies in the US in a recent year, though it is unlikely parents …

… the rise, Stetson entered the US Top 200 in 2023 when it was given to nearly 2000 boys. While the etymology of the name is ambiguous, Stetson most likely stems …

… War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith. Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

… on its way up the charts and may crack the Top 100 in the very near future. Luka has a lot going for it — it is following the tails of …

… surname that combined geographic elements, possibly 'long' (lang) and 'valley' (den), suggesting someone who lived near a long valley. The name has a strong, distinguished sound with its combination of …

… in 2021. Literally meaning "one who keeps", it has several different associations, both positive and negative, perhaps. These associations or ways of interpreting Keeper include: a protector, guardian, or carer …

… edge. Trending since the 90s, Kade is currently in the Top 400, while Cade ranks nearly around 70 places ahead. Given to 933 babies in 2023, it is a consistently …

… exclusively as a feminine name in Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Uganda, in Turkey, it's nearly exclusively masculine. It is currently used as the name of a vape, which may …

… derived from Middle High German "etter" meaning "fence" or "boundary," possibly denoting someone who lived near a town boundary or who worked as a fence-maker. As a first name …

… elements 'dīc' meaning 'ditch' or 'dyke' and 'tūn' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement,' suggesting a town near a defensive ditch. As a first name, Deighton is extremely rare, following the trend …

… bath hill" or "healing hill." The surname was likely topographical, referring to someone who lived near a sacred or healing spring. As a given name, Bethell gained modest use primarily …

… in various grimoires and demonological texts throughout history. The name has roots in the ancient Near Eastern goddess Astarte, a deity associated with fertility, sexuality, and war in Phoenician and …

… surname referring to someone from a place called Alt or Alten, or someone who lived near an old settlement. As a given name, Alten has a strong, distinctive sound that …

… old cottage" or possibly a combination of "hall" and "cottage," referring to someone who lived near or worked at such a dwelling. As a first name, Allcott has never achieved …

… Torvald is most familiar in the English-speaking world as the infuriatingly sexist husband of Nora in Ibsen's play A Doll's House, which may account for its low …

… which has English origins as a surname meaning "cheerful" or referring to someone who lived near a gate. The distinctive 'y' spelling gives it a contemporary edge while maintaining the …

… with different connotations than in Western contexts—representing mystery, depth, and the unknown rather than negativity. In some cultures, it could be linked to the Tamasa River mentioned in ancient …

… traditions and craftsmanship. Historically, it designated families involved in sailing-related professions or who lived near harbors. As a first name, Sailer is extremely uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality …

… or have connections to Native American heritage, as there is a town called Rulo in Nebraska named after a Native American chief. The name could also have Latin roots related …

… be considered slightly violent, or it could be viewed as a name with strength and power. Nearly 60 boys in the US were given the name in a recent year.

… reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 and has been heading straight uphill ever since, nearing the Top 500. It was the fastest-rising girls' name in Ireland last year …

… used for any baby girls in 2022, it's certainly a gender-neutral choice. Reno, Nevada is named for Civil War Union General Jesse Lee Reno. The name is said …

… was often used as a short form of names such as Jeanette, Annette, and Antoinette. In Jewish families, Netta was typically seen as a variation of the Hebrew name Neta.