Random

  1. Emerald
    • Origin:

      Gem name; Persian
    • Meaning:

      "green"
    • Description:

      Emerald is the intriguing color and jewel name of the deep green stone treasured as far back as ancient Egypt — it's supposed to open one's heart to wisdom and to love and be good for strengthening relationships — which could make for an interesting, unusual name, particularly with the popularity of so many Em-starting names.
  2. Nehemiah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "comforted by God"
    • Description:

      Nehemiah is an Old Testament name used by the Puritans, whose white-bearded image kept it out of favor for centuries, until it suddenly reappeared in 1998, along with the more user-friendly Josiah and Isaiah.
  3. Lyndon
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "linden tree hill"
    • Description:

      An English surname-turned-first-name whose most famous bearer is former US president Lyndon B. Johnson. His appointment in 1963 caused a huge spike in use for his unusual name the following year, pushing it to its historical peak of #347 in 1964. However, the year after his exit from the Oval Office, it dropped back below the Top 1000.
  4. Trevor
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "from the large village"
    • Description:

      Trevor, a British standard, took a long time to cross the Atlantic, but finally began its rise here in the 1980s. It is now a thoroughly naturalized citizen, though it still retains a touch of Anglo class.
  5. Ismay
    • Origin:

      Possible variation of Esme
    • Meaning:

      "esteemed, beloved"
    • Description:

      The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
  6. Nylah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "winner"
    • Description:

      Nylah is the Arabic name of a princess -- Nyla is another variation -- that's rising quickly through the ranks, partly thanks to an adorable kitty that enjoyed 15 minutes of YouTube fame. But we predict this attractive and unusual name will get a longer turn in the sun than the pop-culture cat.
  7. Brent
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller near the burnt land"
    • Description:

      One of several blunt B names just this side of the gender divide. While its short and to-the-point sound may feel modern, it has been declining steadily since the 1980s.
  8. Kaiden
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kaden, modern invented name
    • Description:

      This version of Kaden is also a popular choice and one of the many boys' names starting with k that can also start with a C, as in Caiden, Cayden et al.. Kaiden Alenko is a character in the video game Mass Effect.
  9. Maliyah
    • Origin:

      Hawaiian variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "bitter"
    • Description:

      This version of Malia (as in Obama) peaked at Number 296 in 2009. Though Maliyah has lost ground since then, it's surprisingly enduring for a newly-fashion name whose pop culture connection was more than a decade ago.
  10. Jada
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "jade"
    • Description:

      Long used in Spanish-speaking countries, this strong but feminine name was jump-started here by the rise of actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The Italian Giada is a popular variation. In the Bible, the name Jada was borne by a man and has a different root and meaning: It's Hebrew and means "he knows".
  11. Aleah
    • Origin:

      Arabic, "high, exalted"
    • Meaning:

      "high, exalted"
    • Description:

      Simple and melodic, this spelling offers an alternative to the more-popular Aliyah or Aaliyah -- the name of the late R&B singer who propelled the name into the US Top 100.
  12. Navi
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "to name"
    • Description:

      Nickname for the star Gamma Cassiopeiae given by the late astronaut Gus Grissom after his own middle name (Ivan) spelled backwards. Navi also relates to the prophets in the Hebrew Bible.
  13. Jadah
    • Description:

      Jadah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It may be derived from the Arabic 'jada' meaning 'goodness' or 'generosity,' or it could be a variation of Jade, which comes from the precious green stone highly valued across many civilizations. In Hebrew contexts, it relates to 'yadah' meaning 'to praise' or 'give thanks.' Jadah emerged in popularity in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s as part of the trend toward unique spellings of traditional names. The name carries a contemporary feel while maintaining cross-cultural appeal. Its melodic quality and positive associations make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and meaningful.
  14. Meilani
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Meilani may sound like a Hawaiian name, kind of a mashup of Leilani and Melanie, but it's actually an invention by that style-maven JWoww, AKA Jenni Farley of Jersey Shore, who used it for her daughter. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  15. Jasmin
    • Origin:

      Variation of Jasmine, a Persian flower name
    • Meaning:

      "jasmine flower"
    • Description:

      Jasmin doesn't have the grace of Jasmine (which in 2016 ranked at 122 in the US Top 1000), but it is far more preferable to the trendier versions doing the rounds like Jazmin or Jazzmyn. If you are looking for a more unusual variant try Yasmin or Jessamine.
  16. Miah
    • Origin:

      Swedish variant of Mia
    • Description:

      Made most familiar by Miah Persson, a famous Swedish opera singer.
  17. Thijmen
    • Description:

      Thijmen is a masculine Dutch name, considered a variation of Timothy, which has Greek origins meaning "honoring God." The distinctive Dutch spelling reflects the language's orthographic conventions, with the 'ij' combination pronounced similar to a long 'i' sound. Common in the Netherlands but relatively unknown elsewhere, Thijmen carries a strong cultural connection to Dutch heritage. The name has been steadily popular in its home country but remains rare in English-speaking regions, making it an excellent choice for families seeking to honor Dutch ancestry. Thijmen offers a fresh alternative to Timothy with its unique spelling while maintaining the meaningful connection to its Greek roots. The name combines traditional substance with distinctive character, embodying both history and cultural specificity.

  18. Owin
    • Description:

      Owin is a masculine name with roots in Old English. It's believed to be a variant of Owen, which derives from the Welsh name Owain, meaning 'well-born' or 'young warrior.' The name carries a sense of nobility and strength. While less common than Owen, Owin has a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking a slightly unique twist on a classic name. It shares the approachable, friendly quality of Owen but with a more uncommon spelling. In recent years, as parents have sought out traditional names with unique variations, Owin has seen modest but increasing usage, particularly in English-speaking countries.
  19. Kean
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Keen and Keane
  20. Karson
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Carson, Scottish and English
    • Meaning:

      "son of the marsh dwellers"
    • Description:

      An increasingly popular spelling of Carson, Karson feels at home with Kayden, Kieran, and Kai. While the Carson spelling sits just outside the Top 100 and is used three times more often, Karson is still given to around 980 babies each year.