Favorite

A list of my favorite names that start with "A!"
    • Alder
      • Origin:

        English tree name or surname
      • Meaning:

        "old"
      • Description:

        The surname-style Alden has been on the rise in the US in recent years, while tree-inspired Rowan is a top choice. Combine this with the popularity of names ending in -er such as Carter and Parker and it makes sense why Alder is now 4 times as popular as it was a decade ago. Given to 125 boys in a recent year, it could be a modern way to honor an "Al".
    • Alfie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Alfred, English
      • Meaning:

        "wise counselor"
      • Description:

        Alfie is a Top 20 name throughout the British Isles, where retro nickname names are mega-popular, but it hasn't really been picked up in the US yet. Both Alfie and rising star Archie are spunky nickname possibilities with a bit of an English accent.
    • Alice
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "noble"
      • Description:

        Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."
    • Amelie
      • Origin:

        French variation of Amelia
      • Meaning:

        "work"
      • Description:

        Emily gets a Bohemian spin and a French accent when it becomes Amelie. This favorite among French girl names has been gaining notice here thanks to the charming 2001 French film Amelie; it entered the American popularity list in 2002 and is now solidly established in the Top 1000.
    • Andie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Andrea, Greek
      • Meaning:

        "strong and manly"
      • Description:

        Boyish nicknames for girls are all the rage — just look at the success of Charlie, Frankie, Stevie, Billie, and Scottie in recent years. Andie has history as a nickname for Andrea, popularized by actress Andie Macdowell. This name has major cool girl appeal through Kate Hudson's portrayal of Andie Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Molly Ringwald's of Andie Walsh in Pretty in Pink.
    • Andrew
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "strong and manly"
      • Description:

        During its Top 10 heyday in the late 90s and early oughts, Andrew was one of the "cooler" classic boy names, an update on the old guard Roberts and Richards.
    • Angie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Angela
      • Description:

        Cute nickname of Angela and other angelic names, Angie is now being used on its own, although its popularity has fallen in recent years. That said, Angie is one of those surprising classics, hanging on in the girls' Top 1000 continuously since its inception in 1880.
    • April
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "to open"
      • Description:

        Once the most popular month names, April has been overtaken by June (for girls) and August (for boys), as well as the charmingly old-fashioned May. Literary reference: the heroine of the book and movie Revolutionary Road, and there have been Aprils on Parks and Recreation, Glee, and The Vampire Diaries. Trivia note: comedian Ralphie May named his daughter April June May.
    • Archie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Archibald, Teutonic
      • Meaning:

        "truly brave"
      • Description:

        Archie made global news as the surprise first name of the newborn royal baby, son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aka Harry and Meghan. Archie has now officially transcended Archie Bunker and Riverdale's Archie to take the, um, throne as the quintessential retro nickname name.
    • Arrow
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        Words are not always easy to translate into baby names, but the implications of being straight and swift lend this one great potential as a name. It also has the popular o-sound ending, which brings it further into the realm of possibility. Rising rock star Aja Volkman pulled a gender switch when she named her daughter Arrow Eve.
    • Asher
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "fortunate, blessed, happy one"
      • Description:

        Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
    • Atlas
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "bearer of the heavens"
      • Description:

        Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
    • Atticus
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "from Attica"
      • Description:

        Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
    • August
      • Origin:

        German form of Latin Augustus
      • Meaning:

        "great, magnificent"
      • Description:

        The name August is at its highest point since the 1890s, when it ranked among the Top 100 boy names in the US. And deservedly so, given its great meaning, historic roots, and cool nicknames.
    • Autumn
      • Origin:

        Season name
      • Description:

        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.