keepitcosmic's list "Favorites" of 5 great name ideas: Henry - Khaleesi!

Favorites

Henry is well and truly back in style. The classic returned to the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and as of 2024, sits at Number 6. Like James and Theodore, Henry is a strong, traditional name that also manages to feel stylish and gentle.
 Henry was derived from the French Henri, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Heimrich, made up of the components heim, meaning "home" or "estate," and rich, meaning "ruler." The most famous bearer is Henry VIII of England, best known for having six wives—two of whom he beheaded for not bearing him sons. It's been used in the British royal family many times since, including for the current prince better known as Harry.
 
Other illustrious Henrys that might provide baby name inspiration include Henry David Thoreau, Henry (Hank) Aaron, Henry James, Henry Ford and Henry Miller. For lovers of literature, it appears in a number of classic novels including Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Henry Clerval) and Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray (Lord Henry Wotton). 
 Appealing international versions include Henri, Arrigo, Enrico, Enzio and Enrique, while those wanting something a bit more contemporary might like Hendrix, Endrick, and Henley.

Henry

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.
 Ezra just misses being among the elite group of male names that's always been in the US Top 1000, having dipped below the cutoff in 1964 and '67. Ezra also makes the Top 100 for boys in other English-speaking countries along with the Netherlands.
 Ezra is an abbreviation for the Hebrew phrase Azaryahu, meaning "Yah helps". In the bible, Ezra led a group of fifteen hundred Israelites out of slavery in Babylon and back to Jerusalem. 
 
Other notable Ezras include poet Ezra Pound and New York Times political columnist Ezra Klein. Ezra Cornell was a founder of Western Union and co-founder of the university that bears his name and Ezra Jack Keats is a popular children's book author-illustrator. 
 Both Paul Reiser and Taylor Hanson are dads to boys named Ezra, and there are Ezras to be found in Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone and Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.
 And let's not forget the band—Better Than Ezra—along with rising actor Ezra Miller, Vampire Weekend musician Ezra Koenig or the character Ezra Fitz from Pretty Little Liars.
 Ezra is also growing in popularity as a girls' name, making the girls' Top 1000 in 2018 and still rising. About 400 baby girls were named Ezra last year, but about 8780 baby boys, meaning less that 5% of Ezras are girls in the US.

Ezra

As elegant and refined as it is sweet and energized., Penelope has been well and truly revived in the 21st-century. Off the Top 1000 for 25 years, Penelope jumped back on in 2001 and has been heading uphill ever since, propelled by the trend for mythological names, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, and some high-profile celebrity babies. 
 
In Greek mythology, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus in Homer's Epic, the Odyssey. It has two possible origin stories—Penelope was either derived from the Greek pēnē, meaning "thread of a bobbin", or from penelops, a type of duck. Mythological Penelope was cared for by a duck as an infant, and later was known for fending off would-be suitors by pretending to weave a garment, so both meanings fit. 
 
Penelope's status as a Kardashian baby name -- Kourtney's daughter Penelope was born in 2012 -- brought the ancient name to widespread attention. Given to 1871 American babies in 2011,this figure had increased to 2536 in 2012, and to 4292 in 2013, revealing the power pop culture can exert.
 
Also chosen by celebs such as Tina Fey, by Anna Chlumsky, and by Natalie and Taylor Hanson, fictional Penelopes have appeared in Thunderbirds, Desperate Housewives, Lost, and Harry Potter.
 A perennial Nameberry favorite, Penelope can be shortened to the traditional Penny, or perhaps to Nell, Pepper, Poppy, Lola, Pip, Lolo, Polly, or Poe. 
 
In a recent year, Penelope was a Top 30 choice in the US, a Top 50 name in England and Wales, Australia, New Zealand,, and Canada, and a Top 150 option in Scotland and Italy.

Favorites

The names

Henry

Ezra

Penelope

Ophelia

Khaleesi