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Joslyn's list

JossieChris
By JossieChris
Updated Sat Apr 29 2023
This is the start of my list for baby #2 due Feb 2015. I had such a difficult time naming the first.I poured through thousands of names. Then when we heard it was a girl we knew we had our tomboy and wanted a boys name to reflect this. We were then able to narrow it down to the top five. But the final decision came to me in a dream where is was revealed that the name Dylan was an annogram for Lynda, my mother. I woke up, called my mom at four am, told her and we were done. Now with #2, I feel it is going to be a girl, but preparing for a boy just in case. Baby #1 was given a tomboy name and she sure is my little rough and tumble kid. I am thinking of taking the next one in a completely different direction, more feminine and popular, thinking cheerleader meets Shakespeare. I love diminutive names or names that lead to them with some pep and cheer, ie. Pippi, Mimi, Kiki. Also have some family names to take in to account: Isabel, Ardith, Chad, Joseph and Ashley.
  1. Antonia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Antium"

    • Description:

      Antonia is stronger than most feminized boys’ names, reflecting the pioneer spirit of Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia. Antonia is hovering near the bottom of the US popularity list, which may be an excellent reason for you to use it.
  2. Arden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "valley of the eagle; high"

    • Description:

      Arden, the name of the magical forest in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is a stylish A name with a strong, straightforward image. Another reason to love Arden: its similarity to "ardent." Arden is solidly unisex, with the current gender distribution running about 60 percent girls and 40 percent boys.
  3. Arlo

    • Origin:

      Irish, English

    • Meaning:

      "between two hills"

    • Description:

      Arlo, an unexpectedly popular name for boys these days, is also finding new life as a girls' name. The first name Arlo may be rooted in the surname Arlow or the place name Aherlow, meaning "between two highlands". As a surname, it also has roots in a place name meaning "rocky hill".
  4. Basil

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "royal"

    • Description:

      Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.
  5. Bowie

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "blond, yellow"

    • Description:

      Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn put this name in play as a first name, but David Bowie (born with the considerably less marketable moniker of David Robert Jones) gave it charisma. He changed his surname in 1965 to avoid confusion with the then popular Davy Jones of The Monkees, borrowing it from the American hero of Alamo, Jim Bowie.
  6. Cecily

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Cecil

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily Parsley is a Beatrix Potter bunny, Cecily Cardew is a character in The Importance of Being Earnest, and the author of the Gossip Girl books is Cecily von Ziegesar.
  7. Chandler

    • Origin:

      English from French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "candle maker"

    • Description:

      In the US, nearly 300 baby girls were named Chandler in the US last year, which first appeared on the girls' Top 1000 in the heyday of Friends. While the TV character was masculine, today the name is 43 percent female and climbing, making it one of the trendiest boy names for girls.
  8. Charisma

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after an Avon perfume.
  9. Charlotte

    • Origin:

      French, feminine diminutive of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
  10. Daryn

    • Description:

      Daryn is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variant of Darin or Darren, traditionally masculine names with Celtic origins meaning 'great' or possibly from the Irish surname Ó Dáiríne. As a feminine name, Daryn represents the trend of adapting traditionally male names for girls by altering the spelling. The 'y' spelling gives it a softer, more feminine appearance while maintaining its strong sound. Daryn has a contemporary feel with its concise form and gender-neutral quality, appealing to parents seeking modern options. The name projects confidence and individuality, fitting current trends toward shorter, stronger names for girls. While uncommon, Daryn has gained some recognition as a distinctive choice that bridges traditional and contemporary naming styles.

  11. Declan

    • Origin:

      Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"

    • Meaning:

      "man of prayer"

    • Description:

      Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
  12. Devin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "poet"

    • Description:

      Used far more for boys with this spelling, but still has a nice impish Irish feel for a girl.
  13. Dewey

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.
  14. Dahl
    • Elliot

      • Origin:

        Anglicization of Elijah or Elias

      • Meaning:

        "Jehovah is God"

      • Description:

        Elliot is another traditional boy name used for girls", a trend led by political commentator George Stephanopoulos and his actress wife Ali Wentworth.
    • Farren

      • Description:

        Farren is a masculine name with Celtic and Irish origins, though it's used for both genders in some regions. Derived from the Irish surname Ó Fearáin, it means 'adventurous,' 'wanderer,' or sometimes 'from the land of the ferns.' The name has a nature-inspired quality that connects to the earth and wilderness. In Ireland, it's traditionally associated with strength and independence. Farren has never been extremely common but maintains steady usage, appealing to parents seeking a name with Celtic heritage that isn't overused. Its strong consonants balanced with the softer ending create a pleasing rhythmic quality. The name carries a sense of exploration and resilience while remaining approachable and easy to pronounce.
    • Felicity

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "good fortune, happy"

      • Description:

        Felicity is as accessible a virtue name as Hope and Faith, but much more feminine -- and dare we say, happier. The hit TV show did a lot to soften and modernize the once buttoned-up image of Felicity, and it got further notice as the red-haired Colonial doll, Felicity Merriman, in the American Girl series. A current bearer is actress Felicity Huffman.
    • Ferris

      • Origin:

        Irish, English

      • Meaning:

        "strong man or ironworker"

      • Description:

        It’s been more than three decades since Ferris Bueller took his famous day off in the cult classic 1986 teen comedy movie, but we think the time for this name could and should be now! Especially with the recent rise of the hero's girlfriend, Sloane, up the baby name rankings. Half preppy, half rugged, it boasts that stylish S ending and has a cozy, retro feel.
    • Finch

      • Origin:

        English word and nature name

      • Meaning:

        "to swindle"

      • Description:

        Bird name possibility, rarer than Lark and Wren but with the same short, punchy feel.
    • Finley

      • Origin:

        Irish and Scottish

      • Meaning:

        "fair-haired hero"

      • Description:

        This was Irish name was once used exclusively for boys, and remains so in England and Wales where it's a Top 50 choice. In the US, however, celebs Jason Sehorn, Angie Harmon, and Lisa Marie Presley inspired many parents to consider this name for girls instead, after they chose it for their daughters. In fact, up until 2024, it ranked considerably higher for girls than it did for boys.