The quality of mercy makes this lovely Puritan virtue name a quiet favorite today. Although it was most popular in the late nineteenth century, Mercy is on its way to a comeback -- it rose 143 spots between 2012 and 2013, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names. Right now, it's still stylish and distinctive, a rare and wonderful combination.

Soraya is a Persian name made famous in the Western world by the one-time empress of Iran, who settled in Europe, primarily in France. Soraya is derived from Thurayya, the Arabic name of the Pleiades, a group of stars in the constellation Taurus.

Aviana is a name that's like the megapopular Ava and Ariana, but not quite as popular as either. It entered into the mainstream back in 2010 however, after actress Amy Adams chose it for her daughter, fulfilling her desire to choose a "normal" name after all, even if it didn't seem like that a decade ago.

There's only one Trenton, New Jersey, but it's a widely used name, more for its fashionable -on ending than the reference to the city. Since 2007, however, Trenton has been on a steady decline. Trenten is another popular spelling.

Deante is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a variant of names like Dante or Deon, or possibly as a combination of the prefix 'De-' with another name element. The 'De-' prefix appears in many names of various origins, including French, Spanish, and Italian, often meaning 'of' or 'from.' Dante itself derives from the medieval Italian name Durante, meaning 'enduring.' Deante began appearing in naming records in the United States primarily in the late 20th century. The name shows creativity in contemporary naming practices, where prefixes and suffixes are combined to create distinctive names. While not among the most common names, Deante has maintained consistent, if limited, usage in the United States over recent decades.

Variation of Kaylee and Kali with the popular "-leigh" suffix.

Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.

One of the more girlish forms of the name better known as Jaden.

Addison has been a wildly popular surname name, mostly for girls, for a few decades now, and Addisyn is one of its many spelling variations.

Eryn is a feminine name of Welsh origin, serving as a modern variant of Erin. While Erin derives from 'Éirinn,' the dative form of 'Éire' (the Irish Gaelic name for Ireland), Eryn represents a contemporary spelling adaptation. The name carries associations with Ireland's lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage despite its altered spelling. Eryn gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries during the 1980s and 1990s, appealing to parents seeking Celtic-inspired names with straightforward pronunciation but distinctive spelling. The name conveys a sense of natural beauty and Celtic heritage while maintaining a modern feel. Though less common than its traditional counterpart Erin, Eryn continues to be chosen by parents drawn to its subtle uniqueness and pleasant sound.

A contemporary spin on Hailey, Bailey, and Kailey, using the stylish letter Z and the double -ee ending, Zaylee ticks the boxes as trendy choice for a modern baby. It joined the US Top 1000 back in 2015 and at least 350 girls received the name in a recent year.

Kenyon is a very engaging British surname name, the middle y giving it a kind of southwestern canyonesque undertone.

A Biblical place name and a unisex choice that has been on the rise in the US in recent years. With its bright sound and cool, zippy Z beginning, it blends religious significance and trendiness.

Any of the Y forms, which also include Yasmeen, Yasmin, and Yasmina, make this name more unusual and distinctive.

Adds a soupcon of French flair to some old classics with the currently trendy ae ending.

The letters "ae" are always a little tricky, and the more familiar Kayla has started to fall out of fashion, but there's nothing glaringly wrong with this version.

This much less popular variation draws more from Karin.

Azalee is a flowering variation of Azalea, the botanical name for colorful flowering shrubs native to several continents. The name derives from Greek 'azaleos' meaning 'dry,' ironically referring to the plant's preference for moist soil. This feminine name carries natural beauty and delicacy through its association with the vibrant, spring-blooming flowers. Azalee represents a Southern American spelling variation that was occasionally used in the early 20th century, reflecting regional pronunciation patterns. While the standard 'Azalea' has seen increased popularity as a nature-inspired name in recent decades, Azalee remains a rare vintage alternative. The name evokes images of Southern gardens and gentle sophistication, appealing to parents seeking a floral name with distinctive spelling and pronunciation.

Amarion is a modern masculine name with multiple possible origins. It likely developed as a creative variation of names like Amari, Amarion, or Damarian. The prefix 'Amar-' may connect to roots meaning 'eternal' or 'immortal' in some languages, or 'to love' in Latin-based languages. Amarion gained modest popularity in the United States beginning in the 1990s and saw increased usage through the early 2000s. The name has a rhythmic, melodious quality with its three syllables and ending '-on' sound that fits contemporary naming trends. Amarion offers a distinctive yet accessible option for parents seeking a modern-sounding name with depth.