favourites

my favourite names!
  1. Annaleigh
    • Arista
      • Origin:

        Greek or Latin
      • Meaning:

        "the best; ear of corn"
      • Description:

        From the root for aristocrat, an upwardly mobile choice -- or if you go by its other meaning, an earthy delicious choice.
    • Aurora
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "dawn"
      • Description:

        The goddess name Aurora has consistently been on the US popularity list since the nineteenth century, but has really taken off in the past 30 years. Aurora also enjoys remarkable international popularity, ranking in the Top 100 throughout the English-speaking world as well as in Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries.
    • Bentley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "meadow with coarse grass"
      • Description:

        Bentley, a somewhat stuffy British surname, previously associated primarily with an incredibly expensive English car, has had a recent surge in popularity, thanks largely to the reality TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, with Bentley being the name of the son of breakout star Maci (another new favorite) Bookout.
    • Bobbi
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Roberta or Barbara, English
      • Meaning:

        "bright fame; foreigner"
      • Description:

        A vintage short form of Roberta or Barbara, Bobbi fits into the boyish nicknames for girls renaissance.
    • Callan
      • Origin:

        Gaelic
      • Meaning:

        "descendent of Cathalan; descendent of the battle ruler"
      • Description:

        This anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Cathaláin links back to the Irish given name, Cathal. Similar to Callum, Caleb, and Calvin, it might feel more usable outside of Ireland and Scotland than its origin name.
    • Colton
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "from the coal or dark town"
      • Description:

        Colton is a trendy two-syllable choice, with the popular 'on/en' ending.
    • Ezra
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "help"
      • Description:

        Ezra has a lot going for it: the strength of its heroic Biblical legacy, its quirky sound, and its fresh but familiar feel. Ezra is now at its highest point ever, but its intuitive streamlined spelling and deep roots could make it a worth successor to Elijah in the Top 10 -- or even to Liam or Noah at Number 1.
    • Elita
      • Finn
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "fair or white"
        • Description:

          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.
      • Fletcher
        • Origin:

          English occupational name
        • Meaning:

          "arrow-maker"
        • Description:

          Fletcher is a common surname with a touch of quirkiness; it definitely fits into the So Far Out It's In category--and moving further in all the time along with other occupational names from Parker to Forester.
      • Gilbert
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "shining pledge"
        • Description:

          Considered ultra debonair in the silent-movie era, Gilbert then went through a nerdy phase, a la Gilbert Gottfried. Now though, like Albert and Alfred and Walter and Frank, it could be in for a style revival.
      • Haddan
        • Hadley
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "heather field"
          • Description:

            Hadley, most famous as the name of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, is more sophisticated, professional, and modern than cousins Harley, Haley, or Hayden. The hit book The Paris Wife, a novel by Paula McLain told from the point of view of Hadley Hemingway (born Elizabeth Hadley Richardson), has helped popularize the name, which also appears on the vampire show True Blood. Hadley could become this generation's Hailey. Adley, a mashup of Hadley and Addie, has also appeared on the scene.
        • Holden
          • Origin:

            English
          • Meaning:

            "hollow valley"
          • Description:

            Holden is a classic case of a name that jumped out of a book and onto birth certificates--though it took quite a while. Parents who loved J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye are flocking to the name of its hero, Holden Caulfield -- not coincidentally in tune with the Hudson-Hayden-Colton field of names. (Trivia note: Salinger supposedly came up with the name while looking at a movie poster promoting a film starring William Holden and Joan Caulfield, though other sources say he was named after Salinger's friend Holden Bowler.) Another impetus was provided by a soap opera character introduced in 1985.
        • Juniper
          • Origin:

            Latin tree name
          • Meaning:

            "young"
          • Description:

            Juniper is a fresh-feeling nature name -- it's a small evergreen shrub -- with lots of energy. A new favorite of fashionable parents, Juniper joins such other tree and shrub names as Hazel, Acacia, and Willow.
        • Maverick
          • Origin:

            American
          • Meaning:

            "independent, nonconformist"
          • Description:

            It's ironic that the name Maverick is not such a maverick anymore. Heard first in a 1950s James Garner western TV series, and then as the Tom Cruise character in Top Gun, Maverick symbolizes an unfettered, free spirit.
        • Olympia
          • Origin:

            Greek
          • Meaning:

            "from Mount Olympus"
          • Description:

            With its relation to Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods, and to the Olympic games, this name has an athletic, goddess-like aura, making it the perfect Olivia substitute.
        • Pepper
          • Origin:

            English from Latin, Sanskrit, "the pepper plant; berry"
          • Meaning:

            "the pepper plant; berry"
          • Description:

            With its bubbly sounds and stylish feel, Pepper joins a small but distinctive group of names inspired by the spice rack: Saffron, Juniper, Cassia, Sage, Ginger, and Rosemary. Enough like Pippa, Piper and Penelope that it feels usable, Pepper has appeared every year in the US stats since the 60s.
        • Valerie
          • Origin:

            French variation of Valeria
          • Meaning:

            "strength, health"
          • Description:

            The name of a martyred medieval saint, Valerie has been on the popularity list since its earliest publication in 1880. Though it peaked in the 1960s, remaining in the Top 100 until 1988, it still doesn't sound terminally dated; the association with the word valor gives it a sense of boldness and makes it one of the special group of girl names that mean strong.