Em's List of Potential Names

Abigail

Hebrew

"my father is joyful"

Abigail has been in for so long -- the name has ranked in the US Top 100 since the late 1980s -- it's amazing that it isn't more out by now. But Abigail's biblical and historic roots make it a…

Peyton

English

"fighting-man's estate"

Peyton is a unisex surname that rose to fame in the 90s, with parents drawing inspiration from football star, Peyton Manning, and, oddly enough, from "Peyton Flanders", the villainess of the 1992…

Dakota

Native American tribe and place name; Sioux

"friendly one"

A Native American tribe name which is found in the names of two US states, Dakota was one of the first trendy nineties place names, but is now flagging a little in popularity. The cultural question…

Wynter

Spelling variation of Winter

Less month, more trendy, more times needing to spell it to people. This spelling variation entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013—and doesn't appear to be going anywhere any time soon.…

Emerald

Gem name; Persian

"green"

Emerald is the intriguing color and jewel name of the deep green stone treasured as far back as ancient Egypt — it's supposed to open one's heart to wisdom and to love and be good for strengthening…

Kenna

Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth

Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.

Dylan

Welsh

"son of the sea"

Boys' favorite retains more of its poetic, windswept quality when used for a girl, as Robin Wright and Sean Penn did. Alyssa Milano gave her daughter Elizabella Dylan as a middle name.

Lilianna

Spelling variation of Liliana

Deriving from "Lilian", as an elaborate form of the flower name, "Lily", Lilianna is a clean and polished spelling for those wanting the pronunciation Lily-Ann-uh. While the Spanish-influenced…

Savanna

Variation of Savannah

Savanna has lost ground in recent years. It remains eclipsed by its more traditionally spelled cousin Savannah.

Lora

Spelling variation of Laura, Latin

"from Laurentum or bay laurel"

A succinct and stripped back form of Laura, that also doubles up as a Portuguese diminutive of Lorena ("from the kingdom of Lothar") and as a German and Scandinavian short from of Eleanora. In the…

Rion

from the Irish word for Queen

A much prettier and feminine version of the boys name Ryan which is starting to be used for girls, while still retaining the Irish feel and the regal meaning.