My Favorite Names
- Poseidon
Origin:
Greek mythology nameDescription:
This version of the sea god's name may be more ready for prime time than the Roman version, Neptune -- slightly.
- Poet
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
A recently entered name on the roster, Poet was used for her daughter by Soleil Moon (Punky Brewster) Frye, who obviously appreciates the advantages of an unusual name. This is a possible middle name choice for verse-loving parents who want to skip specifics like Auden or Poe or Keats or Tennyson and go with the generic.
- Anaise
Origin:
Variation of AnaisDescription:
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.
- Kasey
Origin:
Variation of Casey, IrishMeaning:
"brave in battle"Description:
Kasey was a modestly popular choice among Millennial babies, particularly girls.
- Red
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
Fiery but slight middle name choice; much more apt to be a redhead's nickname.
- Ashlynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
This Anglicized spelling of Irish Aislinn or Aisling has enjoyed some popularity in the US as an updated Ashley.
- Azami
Origin:
Japanese; PersianMeaning:
"thistle flower; greatest"Description:
Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.
- Poetry
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"literary form with distinctive style, rhythm, and line breaks; as beautiful as a poem"Description:
A lyrical choice with a similar feel to Story and Posy and a similar sound to Penelope. It might refer to either a work of poetry, a collection of poems, or something that is comparable to the beauty often associated with poetry as a form.
- Karlee
Origin:
Variation of CarlyMeaning:
"free man"Description:
This nouveau spelling peaked at Number 583 in 2004. In spite of its trend-making K and "ee" ending, Karlee is much less popular than the original Carly.
- Buzz
Origin:
Modern nicknameDescription:
Brother for Biff and Bud. McFly rocker Tom Fletcher transformed this from midcentury short form to modern cool name when he used it for his newborn son.
- Hurricane
Origin:
Spanish from Native American word nameMeaning:
"hurricane"Description:
Hurricane is a storm, but it's also an American name, thanks to rising tennis star Hurricane Black -- whose sister's name is Tornado. There's no reason this tempestuous choice can't work for boys too, inasfar as the name can work for any child. As a name, Hurricane is definitely original and attention-getting, but is it a name you'd want to carry around for life?
- Night
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
An ubercool and mysterious name, brought to you by director M. Night Shyamalan.
- Whisper
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
In 2014, fifteen newborns were named Whisper, all of them girls. We can see the attraction of the name but if you are in Australia be warned - Whisper is a well-known brand of sanitary products, so a teenaged Whisper will find life more embarrassing than usual.
- Lynnette
Description:
Lynnette is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Lynn or Linda. It has French and English roots, with Lynn deriving from the Welsh word 'llyn' meaning 'lake' or possibly from the Old English element 'lind' meaning 'soft, tender.' The name gained significant popularity in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, reaching its peak in the early 1960s. Lynnette has a delicate, graceful quality with its soft consonants and French-influenced ending. The name conveys a classic femininity while avoiding overuse. Though less common today, Lynnette maintains associations with elegance and refinement. The spelling variation Lynette (with one 'n') is also used, but the double-n version has historically been more popular.
- Sarafina
Description:
Sarafina is a variant of Seraphina, which derives from the Hebrew word 'seraphim,' referring to a celestial being or angel. The name emerged in the late Middle Ages and became more widely recognized following Disney's 'The Lion King' film franchise, which featured a lioness character with this name. Sarafina carries connotations of fiery energy, warmth, and ethereal beauty. While not among the most common female names, it has maintained steady usage since the 1990s, with occasional peaks in popularity following media exposure. The spelling variation with 'a' instead of 'e' gives the name a more melodic quality while maintaining its angelic associations. Sarafina often appeals to parents seeking a name that combines spiritual significance with a distinctive feminine sound.
- Locklyn
Origin:
Variation of male name Lachlin, GaelicMeaning:
"lake land"Description:
This phonetic spelling of a traditional Scottish male name wasn't seen until used by Vince Vaughn for his daughter. As Lachlan becomes more of an established boy's name in the US, more parents are turning to the Locklyn spelling on the girl's side.
- Kae
Description:
Kae is a concise, gender-neutral name that has been more commonly used for girls in Western contexts. It has multiple origins: it can be a short form of Katherine or names beginning with K; in Japanese, it means "support" or "blessing"; and in Hawaiian, it relates to "the essence" or "the core." This brief, one-syllable name carries a striking minimalist quality that appeals to modern naming preferences for simplicity. Despite its brevity, Kae's cross-cultural connections give it depth and versatility. The name has maintained a consistent but uncommon presence in naming records, making it distinctive without being completely unfamiliar.
- Imagine
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"to form a mental image"Description:
If you like such uplifting New Age word names as Peace and Justice, the evocative and pretty Imagine should definitely be on your short list.
- Sabastian
Description:
Sabastian is an alternative spelling of the more traditional Sebastian, a masculine name with Greek and Latin origins. The name derives from 'Sebastianos,' meaning 'from Sebastia,' an ancient city whose name meant 'venerable' or 'revered.' This variant spelling has gained some popularity among parents seeking a slightly distinctive twist on the classic name while maintaining its historical richness. Sebastian, in its traditional form, has associations with numerous saints and historical figures, including Saint Sebastian, a third-century Christian martyr. The Sabastian spelling preserves the name's dignified feel while offering a subtle uniqueness. Though less common than the traditional spelling, Sabastian shares the same potential nicknames such as Seb, Bas, or Ian.
- Fionna
Description:
Fionna is an alternate spelling of Fiona, a name with Scottish Gaelic origins meaning "fair, white, or beautiful." While Fiona emerged as an Anglicization of the Gaelic word "fionn" (fair), this variant spelling with a doubled 'n' adds a distinctive touch to the classic name. The name gained international recognition through James Macpherson's 18th-century Ossian poems, though it didn't become widely used until the 20th century. Fionna offers the same lilting, feminine sound as its more common counterpart while providing visual uniqueness. The name evokes images of Celtic heritage, natural beauty, and gentle strength. Though less common than the standard spelling, Fionna appeals to parents seeking a name with Scottish roots and a slightly unconventional spelling.