Names, Names , Glorious names

Marlowe

Variation of Marlow, English

"driftwood"

Marlowe is very much in the air, with its lovely -o ending and the modern twist it offers on the likes of Margaret, Margot, Martha, and Marlene. But is it Marlowe, Marlow, or Marlo? Well, for a girl…

Holland

Dutch place name

"wooded land"

Holland is one of the coolest geographical names, unadorned and elegant, evocative of fine Rembrandt portraits and fields of pink and yellow tulips. It first entered the US Top 1000 for girls in…

Lylah

Variation of Leila or Lila

Lylah could be seen as a variation of Delilah, Leila or Lila or (like Lyla) a female variation of Lyle. Either way, we think you're best going with one of those other names to avoid your daughter's…

Flora

Latin

"flower"

Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names that's making a big comeback. Short and sweet, it joins…

Brinley

English, combination of Brynn + Lee "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"

"burnt clearing; hill + meadow"

Brinley was a surprise entrant to the US Top 1000 in 2009, however, in 2023, it doesn't feel surprising at all. In fact, alternative spellings Brynleigh and Brynlee also rank in the Top 1000, with…

Rosalia

Latin

"rose"

Elegant and bright with plenty of flair, Rosalia is widely-used in Spain and Italy, where there is a Sicilian Saint Rosalia. The name Rosalia refers back to the annual Roman ceremony of hanging…

Sierra

Spanish

"saw"

Sierra is a name borrowed from the western mountain range, with Latin rhythm and cowboy charm, that has led to many offshoots: Cierra, Cyara, and so on. It is now probably past its peak but retains…

Noah

Hebrew

"motion"

There is a female figure in the Old Testament named Noa or Noah, whose name derives from the Hebrew No'ah, meaning "motion". The popular Biblical male name Noah (sometimes spelled as the streamlined…

Gabrielle

French, feminine variation of Gabriel, Hebrew

"God is my Strength"

The quintessentially elegant and worldly Gabrielle -- designer Coco Chanel's real name -- is on its descent after years on the rise. Gabrielle was a hit in the 90s and early 2000s, peaking at number…

Thalia

Greek

"to flourish"

Thalia was one of the Three Graces in Greek mythology, and also the Muse of comedy and pastoral poetry, making this a Hellenic choice worthy of consideration. In the Rick Riordan series Percy Jackson…

Whitley

English

"white meadow"

Surname style Whitley emerged in the late 1980s as a spin on the (then) mega-popular Whitney, rising dramatically from obscurity to the Top 500 after it featured on a character in the TV sitcom, A…

Kinley

Scottish surname

"fair hero"

A Scottish surname name, more popular as the Presidential McKinley, meaning "son of the fair hero". Kinley also feels like a modern invention, ala Kenzie or Kimbry. Kinley peack in 2011-12, when it…

Louisa

Latinate feminine variation of Louis

"renowned warrior"

Louisa, a quaint but strong vintage name, might feel fresher in English speaking countries than old favorite Louise, just as Diana and Julia have more energy than Diane and Julie at the moment. Part…

Alena

Variation of Helen

Alena is a modern variant of Helen. Alena might also be a spelling twist on the Slavic Alina or a long form of Lena.

Macy

English surname, variation of Massey

"hill"

Singer Macy Gray has popularized this cute and upbeat choice—once solely associated with the department store. A modern replacement for Stacy and Tracy, Macy was most popular in the early 2000s when…

Bristol

Place-name

"the site of the bridge"

Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, grabbed her own share of headlines after her pregnancy and having appearing on Dancing With The…

Laurel

Latin

"laurel tree"

Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in…