Favorite Names
- Jax
Origin:
Modern invented name, EnglishMeaning:
"God is Gracious"Description:
With its cool -X ending, Jax is an update on the classic nickname Jack, likely inspired by the rise of Jackson. It garnered attention in the US thanks to the game, Mortal Kombat II back in the '90s, and was pushed up the charts when it was used in the show Sons of Anarchy, in which Jackson "Jax" Teller is the central character.
- Sam
Origin:
English, diminutive of SamuelMeaning:
"told by God"Description:
Sam has long been used on its own for boys, as accepted standing by itself as it is as a short form of Samuel. Straightforward and down-to-earth, Sam is the name of the son of the co-stars of The Americans, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys. Sam is one of the most popular names that start with S in the Western world, ranking higher in several European countries than it does in the US, where it's trended downward since the 19th century, though it's always been in the Top 1000.
- Loki
Origin:
Norse mythological nameMeaning:
"lock"Description:
Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.
- Kali
Origin:
Sanskrit, EnglishMeaning:
"black one; free man; beauty"Description:
Kali is a number of different things: a playful, contemporary twist on the name Callie; the Hindu goddess of destruction; an alternative spelling for Kaylee; a short form of the Arablic Kalila, the Greek Kalista, or the African American Kaliyah; a masculine name in India; and a trendy form of Kali(fornia).
- Lark
Origin:
Bird nameDescription:
In one recent year there were 60 baby girls in the US named Lark....and only eight baby boys. But there's no reason this bird name can't also be masculine, especially given that Robin is making a comeback for boys and Sparrow is a notable starbaby boy (he's Nicole Richie and Joel Madden's son).
- Rogue
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"independent, uncontrolled"Description:
Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.
- Hayden
Origin:
English place nameMeaning:
"hay hill; hay valley"Description:
A newly successful name for girls, which, like Brayden and Caden, used to be strictly for the boys. Young Heroes and now Nashville star Hayden Panettiere planted it in the girls' camp.
- Rain
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Mostly feminine, though "Office" star Rainn Wilson gives it a slight masculine twist. You might also use this as a short form of Raines.
- Draco
Origin:
Greek from LatinMeaning:
"dragon"Description:
For as long as we all shall live, Harry Potter's sneering nemesis.
- Cloud
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Like Sky and Sunshine, this fluffy name from the hippie 1970s has floated back onto the naming radar. It's similarity of Clyde and Claude help to ground it.
- Sunshine
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Sunshine was seen as a quintessential hippie name of the 70s, reaching as high as Number 536 in 1975. Now such names are making a bit of a retro comeback, seen, for example, as a character on Glee.
- Terry
Origin:
English, diminutive of TheresaMeaning:
"to harvest"Description:
Terry hit the Top 30 in the fifties when it was seeen as a cool, sleek gender neutral name, but it's long since lost that edge. Today's Terry would probably be Tess or Tessa.
- Kat
Origin:
English diminutive of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
We're hearing Kat more and more being used by Katherines who are tired of Kathy, Kate and Katie. Katti or Kattie is another possibility.
- Steele
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"steel"Description:
This steely surname has a macho image that might feel more appropriate for a romance novel than a baby. But on the upside, it's also sleek and modern, familiar yet unusual, given to only around 100 boys per year in the US.
- Tobi
Origin:
Variation of Toby, EnglishMeaning:
"God is good"Description:
Tobi is typically used as an alternate spelling of Toby, a common nickname for Tobias. In the anime series Naruto, the name Tobi is written in kanji giving it the meaning "ten tails."
- Starling
Origin:
Bird nameDescription:
Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.
- Silver
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
" a metallic chemical element with atomic number 47"Description:
Among the first wave of word names used in the hippie era, it actually is a legitimate girl's name with a lot of luster.
- Shia
Description:
Entered the vernacular with the rising star of Shia LeBeouf. The meaning and origin of the name are disputed, though the actor has been quoted as saying he's embarrassed by its meaning in French: another four-letter word starting with s.
- February
Origin:
Word name or LatinMeaning:
"purification feast"Description:
If January, April and August are useable and fashionable, why not February? February as a word derives from the Latin februa, which was the name of a purification feast coming at the end of winter, to prepare for the coming spring.
- Kalvin
Description:
Kalvin is a masculine name that serves as a modern variant of Calvin, which derives from Latin 'calvus' meaning 'bald.' The K-spelling gives the traditional name a contemporary edge while maintaining its recognizable sound and heritage. Calvin gained popularity through various cultural references including the theologian John Calvin and the comic strip character Calvin from 'Calvin and Hobbes.' The Kalvin variant emerged as part of the trend toward distinctive spellings and has been moderately used since the 1990s. The name projects reliability and intelligence while the K spelling adds a touch of uniqueness. Kalvin combines traditional substance with modern styling, appealing to parents wanting a familiar name with a slight twist.