New Zealand places
- Fox
Origin:
Animal nameDescription:
Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.
- Foxton
- Geraldine
Origin:
German and French, feminine variation of GeraldMeaning:
"ruler with the spear"Description:
Though twin brother Gerald is still in baby name limbo, Geraldine is in line to follow the path of Josephine to imminent revival—even though Gerry is not as spunky a nickname as Josie.
- Grey
Origin:
Color nameDescription:
The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Grey/Gray is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative—if slightly somber—choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney named their son Leo Grey.
- Hamilton
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"treeless hill"Description:
Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham.
- Hayes
Origin:
English surname and nature nameMeaning:
"hedged area"Description:
One of those simple, straightforward English surnames -- and with a presidential pedigree -- that's easy to translate into a first. Chosen by both Kevin Costner and Jessica Alba for their sons, it has been climbing the US charts since 2009.
- Hector
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"holding fast"Description:
Previously used primarily by Latino families, this name of the great hero of the Trojan War as related in Homer's Iliad is beginning to be considered more seriously by others seeking noble ancient hero names as well--it was also the name of the knight who raised King Arthur as his own son.
- Henderson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Henry"Description:
Bulky surname honoring Grandpa Henry or Saul Bellow's Rain King.
- Henley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"high meadow"Description:
The name of a British town on the Thames that hosts a famous regatta, so it could be an appropriate middle name for the son of boat-lovers.
- Herbert
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright army"Description:
Names ending in bert have long been in limbo, but with the return of Albert, maybe there's hope for Herbert. who could share the Bertie nickname. Herbert is a name that's been used by English speakers since medieval times, and was in the Top 25 in the US in the late 1920s, around the time of the presidency of Herbert Hoover, but there's been no sight of Herbert in the 21st century. Some Herberts, including novelists H. G. Wells and H. E. Bates, have preferred to go by their initials.
- Hope
Origin:
Virtue nameDescription:
Can a name as virtuous as Hope be cool and trendy? Strangely enough -- yes. But though this optimistic Puritan favorite is experiencing substantial popularity, Hope is too pure and elegant to be corrupted, a lovely classic that deserves all the attention it's getting.
- Kennedy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"misshapen head"Description:
This attractive surname name still projects that Kennedy family charisma. While it didn't come into widespread use until long after the deaths of martyred heroes President John F. or Senator Robert Kennedy, Kennedy is now one of the most popular unisex names for girls as well as the top girls' name starting with K. This is one name that manages to sound trendy and classic at the same time.
- Keri
Description:
Keri is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It can be a variant spelling of Kerry, derived from the Irish county name Ciarraí, meaning "people of Ciar" or "dark-haired people." Alternatively, it may be a diminutive of names like Katherine or Kerith. The name gained significant popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, reaching its peak in 1976. Keri has a brief, bright sound that feels both friendly and professional. Notable bearers include actress Keri Russell and basketball player Keri Sanford. The name has declined in usage since its peak but maintains a contemporary feel while being recognizable. Its simplicity in spelling and pronunciation makes it practical across various cultures.
- Lawrence
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"from Laurentium or bay laurel"Description:
Lawrence has survived from Roman times, when Laurentium was a city noted for its laurel trees (the laurel is a symbol of wisdom and achievement). It was in the Top 50 from the 1890s through the 1950s and the Top 100 for decades longer, always among the most popular boys' names starting with L, but Lawrence is now used less for babies than Landon or Lorenzo.
- Leigh
Origin:
English variation of LeeMeaning:
"pasture, meadow"Description:
This spelling adds a little more femininity to the neutral Lee. Leigh and sister Lee were quite popular in the 1960s and 1970s among the first cool wave of unisex names for girls, but now have vanished from the Top 1000. The Biblical Leah is preferred.
- Lincoln
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"town by the pool"Description:
Lincoln cracked the Top 50 for boys' names for the first time in 2016, more than 150 years after the death of its most famous bearer. This is especially remarkable because, as crazy as it seems now, Lincoln was deeply out of fashion as recently as the late 90s, consistently hovering near the bottom of the Top 1000.
- Mackenzie
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"son of Kenneth"Description:
Originally inspired as by eighties TV actress Mackenzie Phillips, parents since have flocked to Mackenzie for their daughters. Now a staple All-American choice, Mackenzie has ranked in the US Top 1000 for nearly 50 years.
Mackenzie originates from the Scottish surname which itself an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich. Coinnich is one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth meaning "handsome, beautiful, comely".
- Marco
Origin:
Italian and Spanish form of MarkMeaning:
"warlike"Description:
Simple and universal, Marco is a Latin classic that would make a much livelier namesake for an Uncle Mark. It was used for her son by actress Jill Hennessy and goes well with surnames of any nationality.
- Marsden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"boundary valley"Description:
Stuffy surname.
- Massey
Description:
Massey is a feminine name derived from a French surname with Norman origins. Historically, it referred to someone from the town of Macé in Normandy or various places called Massay in France. The surname has been anglicized over centuries and eventually found its way into use as a first name. While relatively uncommon as a given name, Massey has the contemporary appeal of surname-style first names that became fashionable in recent decades. With its simple two-syllable structure, the name is straightforward yet distinctive. Massey projects a modern, slightly androgynous quality while maintaining accessibility. The name has connections to land ownership and established family lines through its surname origins, giving it subtle associations with heritage and tradition despite its contemporary feel as a first name.