California

Boys & Girls
  1. Avalon
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "island of apples"
    • Description:

      Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
  2. Berkeley
    • California
      • Origin:

        Place-name
      • Description:

        Has not caught on as much as other Golden State place-names -- Sierra, Marin, West, or even Francisco -- probably because of its length.
    • Colton
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "from the coal or dark town"
      • Description:

        Colton is a trendy two-syllable choice, with the popular 'on/en' ending.
    • Cruz
      • Origin:

        Spanish
      • Meaning:

        "cross"
      • Description:

        For a single-syllable Latino surname, this new popular kid on the block packs a lot of energy and charm and is one of the most stylish Spanish names for boys in general use today. Victoria and David Beckham named their third son Cruz, following Brooklyn and Romeo, and it was also picked up on by tennis star Lleyton Hewitt for his son. Other parents may prize its Christian associations.
    • Jackson
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "son of Jack"
      • Description:

        Jackson is one of those names that's much more popular than you think, coming in near the top of our annual Playground Analysis, which ranks names by grouping all their spellings together. Last year, nearly 17,000 baby boys were named Jackson -- along Jaxon, Jaxson, Jaxxon, Jaxen, Jaxyn, Jaxsen, and Jaxsyn -- which counted together makes it the Number 3 boys' name.
    • Lake
      • Origin:

        Nature name
      • Description:

        Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
    • Lindsay
      • Origin:

        English surname
      • Meaning:

        "marshlands of Lincolnshire"
      • Description:

        In the early eighties, Lindsay, in tandem with Courtney, approached the Top 10.
    • Oak
      • Origin:

        English tree name
      • Meaning:

        "tree from the genus Quercus"
      • Description:

        Oak, a symbol of solidity, strength, and longevity, is joining Cedar and Pine as a viable name, one that would work especially well in the middle.
    • Oakley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "oak wood or clearing"
      • Description:

        Oakley, with its nature name roots and its Annie Oakley charm, is a hot name for both genders but more than twice as popular for girls. This name made it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013, one of only four girl names starting with O to rank that high. A decade letter, it's aiming for the Top 100.
    • Ross
      • Origin:

        English and Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "upland, peninsula"
      • Description:

        Like Friends, Ross is off the air and into syndication as a baby name, having plummeted from its zenith in the late 80s to fall off the US Top 1000 in 2013. Today, Ross is more likely to be a dad name than a newborn name.
    • Ventura
      • Origin:

        Spanish
      • Meaning:

        "good fortune"
      • Description:

        Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would associate it with the Valley's main stem--Ventura Boulevard, and others might think of Ace or Jesse Ventura.