America's Next Top Model Names

Jaslene, a reality show-related name via former America's Next Top Model winner Jaslene Gonzalez, a smoosh of Jasmine and the 'ene' ending, has dropped from Number 599 in 2007 to 976 in 2010.

Not quite as unusual as it might seem, it first entered the popularity list in 1995, as a possible alternative to the very popular Kayla. In the Bible, an alternate spelling is Jaala.

Jenah is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Jena, which itself has several potential derivations including the Hebrew word for 'answer' or the Arabic word meaning 'paradise.' Some see it as a modern variation of Jana or Jennifer. The unique spelling with the 'h' ending gives the name a distinctive touch while maintaining its connection to more traditional names. Jenah has a simple yet elegant sound with its two balanced syllables. While not among the most common names, it has seen occasional usage in the United States and other English-speaking countries since the late 20th century. The name's brevity and familiar sound pattern make it accessible while the spelling keeps it distinctive.

Jessie has never been used as much as Jennie/Jenny, partly because it's a boys’ name as well (spelled Jesse), but it does have a friendly and unpretentious pioneer feel. In Scotland, it's found as an Anglicized form of Teasagh, itself a form of Jean, and is used as a full name. And in the rest of the world, Jessie may be short for Jessica or used on its own.

Much less popular than the original spelling of Jocelyn, though still given to over 100 baby girls in the US last year. While it might be tempting to go with this more phonetic spelling, we recommend sticking with the traditional name.

Wildly popular in the 1960s and '70s, Julie is no longer anywhere near as stylish as the name's longer forms. Try Juliet, Juliana, or even the more grownup Julia.

Variation of CASEY or combination of initials K. and C. From the time when initial names seemed really neat. K. C.

Kara and the soundalike (though not necessarily related) Cara are among the most multi-cultural names around. Cara has roots in Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and Portuguese, and Kara can be viewed as simply as K-starting version of Cara.

Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either CatherineKatherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.

Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of the hip Dixie Chicks, Martie Maguire. Kathleen was a Top 10 name from 1948 to 1951, and it is the subject of several old sentimental songs, such as "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen."

Variant of Kendall

Kesse is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Ghana, it comes from the Akan people where it's associated with birth order, often given to a female twin. The name may also be a variation of Kessie or a shortened form of names like Kessley or Kesley. With its concise two-syllable structure and soft sound, Kesse has a contemporary feel despite its traditional roots. While not widely used in Western countries, it has gained some modest recognition as parents increasingly seek unique, cross-cultural names. The name's brevity and distinctive character make it appealing to modern parents looking for something uncommon yet easy to pronounce. Kesse carries qualities of uniqueness and cultural significance while maintaining a gentle, feminine sound.

Kiara can be considered a variation of both the Italian name Chiara and the Irish name Ciara. Chiara is the Italian form of Clara, meaning "bright" or "clear," while Ciara is the feminine form of male given name Ciar, derived from the old Irish cíar, meaning "dark."

Krista may be past its peak -- along with all similar C-starting sisters and their K variations -- yet it's still a pretty name.

A crystalline name that retains its loveliness far past its prime. Its biggest downside: Eternal confusion over spelling and pronunciation. Kristen? Kirsten? It can be so confusing that many parents today opt to bypass it.

Laura is a hauntingly evocative perennial, never trendy, never dated, feminine without being fussy, with long-standing literary links. All this makes Laura a more solid choice than any of its more decorative counterparts and one of the most classic girl names starting with L.

Lauren was derived from Laurence, an English name from the Roman family name Laurentius, meaning "from Laurentum." Laurentum, an ancient Italian city, got its name from the Latin word laurus, meaning "bay laurel."

Thanks to Mariah Carey, everyone now knows this name – and is aware that Mariah's pronounced with a long i – just as Maria was in the Jane Austen era. And though Mariah now sounds modern, it was heard as far back as 1550 in Great Britain.

Mercedes is one of the few names attached to luxury living that we can wholeheartedly recommend, it being a legitimate Spanish appellation stemming from one of the epithets given to the Virgin Mary--Santa Maria de las Mercedes, or Our Lady of the Mercies. The car, by the way was named after the eleven-year-old daughter of the Daimler company's French distributor in 1901.