Names I Love

A variant of Alyona, which itself originated as a nickname for Yelena, a variation of Helen.

Aoibhe may be considered a form of either Aoife -- beauty in Irish -- or Eve, which means life. Either way, this popular Irish name for girls is pronounced as Eva though outside of Ireland few would guess that. Leave Aoibhe to the Gaelic speakers.

This variation of Aryan has a slightly less racist connotation, making it a bit more acceptable. Arian debuted on the Top 1000 in 2011, but didn't have a sustained rise on the charts. This is likely due to the Aryan connection and the popularity of all things Aria among girls.

Ariel is a male Biblical name, seen there as the messenger of Ezra, and also used as a symbolic name for the city of Jerusalem, while Shakespeare used it for a (male) sprite in The Tempest.

Better than Capricorn or Cancer, not as usable as Leo, the name of the Roman god of war becomes more possible as a baby name every day, as mythological names take the place of biblical names.

Crisp and colorful, Autumn is the most popular season name now — the only one in the Top 100 in recent years — with Autumn's coolness only surpassed by Winter. Jennifer Love Hewitt named her daughter Autumn James.

Ava is one of the prime examples of a modern classic name, rising thought the course of a generation into the Top 10, where it has lingered for nearly 20 years.

Beckett is one of the big baby name hits of the decade.

Belle has nothing but positive associations, from "belle of the ball" to "Southern belle" to the heroine of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. As if this weren't enough good things, Belle is also one of the most familiar and usable names that mean beautiful. Though it has been overshadowed by the Twilight-influenced Bella and longer forms like Isabella and Annabella, Belle has its own Southern charm and would make a pretty choice as a first or middle name.

Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native habitat, it is sometimes spelled Keeva.

Somehow a "y" got stuck in a glass of apple juice.

This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with a Greek or Turkish heritage.

Cyrus is one of those surprising names that have always ranked among the Top 1000 boy names in the US. On an upward trend since the mid-90s, Cyrus now sits in that comfortable place between too popular and too unusual.

Emelyne is a delicate feminine name that serves as a variant of Emeline, itself derived from the Germanic name Amalia, meaning 'work' or 'industrious.' The name also shares roots with Emily and Amelia, all stemming from this same origin. With its soft sounds and graceful ending, Emelyne carries a romantic, medieval quality while remaining accessible to modern ears. This spelling variation gives the name a slightly more exotic or French-inspired appearance than its counterparts. While never reaching significant popularity in English-speaking countries, Emelyne has maintained a subtle presence throughout the years, appreciated by parents seeking something traditional yet uncommon. The name blends antique charm with a melodic quality, making it both distinctive and classically feminine.

Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".

Evander is a name that could build on the popularity of shorter form Evan, and could work and play well with schoolmates like Zander and Xander.

Eviana is a modern feminine name that likely emerged as a blend of popular names like Eva, Evie, or Evelyn with the romantic -ana suffix. It may also be viewed as a variation of Ivana or a feminine form of Evan. With its melodic four syllables, Eviana has a contemporary feel while maintaining a connection to more traditional naming roots. The name has gained some modest popularity in the 21st century, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. Eviana carries an elegant, feminine quality with potential meanings connected to its root names - Eva relates to 'life' in Hebrew, while Evan has Welsh origins meaning 'young warrior.' Its flowing sound and unique character make it increasingly appealing in today's naming landscape.

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.