Fairytale names

Archer is an Anglo-Saxon surname that feels more modern than most because of its on-target occupational and Hunger Games associations. And it's a nice way to bypass the clunky Archibald to get to the cool nickname Archie.

Divorces Aspen from its nature and ski resort associations. Aspyn first broke into the Top 1000 in 2020.

In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former prime minister Tony Blair – it is much less common, although it is in use for boys in its native Scotland.

Despite its modern sound, Blaise has plenty of history as a given name (for boys), from a Christian martyr to Arthurian legends. Today Blaise feels like the cool and edgy Blaze with a French accent.

Fans of the classic French designer would now more fashionably choose Coco.

Finn is a name with enormous energy and charm, that of the greatest hero of Irish mythology, Finn MacCool (aka Fionn mac Cuumhaill), an intrepid warrior with mystical supernatural powers, noted as well for his wisdom and generosity.

Flynn, a charming Irish surname, is still used only quietly, despite its easygoing, casual cowboy charm, unlike Finn which is a star of this genre. Flynn was the choice of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr for their baby boy, and is also the middle name -- used as his first -- of a son of Miranda's fellow supermodel Elle Macpherson, of Gary Oldman's son Gulliver and Marley Shelton's daughter West.

Grayson, which you might think of as a Jason-Mason substitute, has been rising through the US Top 1000 since 1984 and has ranked in the Top 100 since 2011.

The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Grey/Gray is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative—if slightly somber—choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney named their son Leo Grey.

The kind of nouveau macho name favored by NRA-leaning parents, Gunner could appeal to those who like other more military or gun inspired names, such as Hunter, Remington, and Cannon. It got a boost up the charts in 2009 when The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers gave it to his son.

You might think of Harper as the hottest name of the last decade, jumping from obscurity to the Top 10, where it remained until last year.

Kizzey is a whimsical feminine name that likely developed as a pet form of names beginning with 'K' such as Katherine or Kristin, or possibly as a variant of Kissy or Kizzy (which itself often derives from Kezia, a biblical name). With its playful 'zz' consonant pair and diminutive 'ey' ending, Kizzey has a distinctly affectionate, cheerful quality. This name remains quite rare in formal usage, appealing to parents seeking something truly distinctive. Kizzey evokes a spirited, lively personality with its bouncy sound pattern. The name's rarity means a child named Kizzey would likely stand out, rarely encountering others with the same name. Its informal, endearing sound balances uniqueness with approachability.

Knight (as opposed to Night) is a name clad in shiny armor. This high-ranking word name was introduced by singers Kelis and Nas. Knight might join brothers King, Royal, and Noble in a new definition of royal baby names.

Lissette is a charming feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Elizabeth or Lisa. The name Elizabeth derives from the Hebrew 'Elisheva', meaning 'God is my oath' or 'pledged to God'. Lissette emerged as a pet form with the characteristic French diminutive suffix '-ette', adding a sense of delicacy and sweetness. Popular in French-speaking regions and Latin American countries, Lissette has maintained steady usage without becoming overly common. The name carries a graceful, feminine quality with its soft sounds and rhythmic syllables. While honoring the traditional Elizabeth, Lissette offers a more distinctive alternative with a touch of European flair. The name experienced modest popularity peaks during the 1970s and 1980s in the United States.

Piper's rising popularity for girls makes it an unlikely masculine choice.

It may surprise you to know that surname name Porter was fairly popular in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, then went underground for 40 years only to reemerge at the turn of this century and climb the ladder again.

Even less subtle than Duke or Earl, this name shot up the popularity charts in 2013, the same year young Prince George was born and the craze for all things royal (and Royal) began. Today, it's a leading boys' name on Nameberry's own popularity charts.