Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.

An x makes any name cooler, so that Baxter has a bit more pizzazz than the original Baker. Baxter had some currency as a first name a century ago--it was on the popularity lists sporadically from 1880 till the 1920s, peaking at Number 515 in 1886-- which means it's just about due for a comeback. And we can see Bax as a worthy follow-up to Max and Jax.

Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.

Eleanor is back, Nora is back, and, as predicted, Eleanora is back too.

Rigby is a rather stiff British surname, which might call to mind the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby" or, from the recent past, Cathy Rigby, the first American woman to win a medal in World Gymnastics competition. The problem with Rigby may be its similarity to the word "rigid."

Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder.

After a long time in limbo, Prudence is now so clunky it'a cool, and it's starting to make a comeback, along with other Puritan virtue names like Mercy, Patience, and Constance.

More unique than Cooper, and a favorite among pet parents. Copper was the loveable bloodhound from Disney's Fox and the Hound. Keep in mind that Copper is also slang for a policeman.

Tough, cool, and rugged, Ramsey is a Scottish and English surname that has plenty of potential as a given name. Similar in style to Murray, Murphy, and Rafferty, it was chosen for around 90 boys and 70 girls in the US in a recent year.

The attractive actress Vivica A. Fox has done a lot to add this version of the name into the mix.

Sounds like and is often confused with Asia, though it has an air of retro cool via the seminal Steely Dan album. Or, pronounced eye-ah, it can be an alternate spelling of the international favorite Aya.

Perfect name for TV Frasier's effete brother. In the 2020 film Palm Springs, Andy Samberg plays a character with the updated spelling Nyles.

A perfectly fine Anglo surname, though we'd prefer Keaton. Oscar-winning writer-director George Seaton (Miracle on 34th Street, The Country Girl) was actually born George Stenius. 

Classy-sounding surname name usually bypassed in favor of the simpler Landon.

Spicy.

Ianna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Iana, which derives from the Roman god Janus, or it could be related to names like Diana or Anna. In some cultures, it connects to the Slavic name Yana, meaning 'God is gracious.' With its melodic flow and vowel-rich pronunciation, Ianna has a gentle, lyrical quality that crosses cultural boundaries. While not among the most common names, it has maintained steady usage in various parts of the world. The name's open vowel sounds and simple structure make it easily pronounceable in many languages, contributing to its international appeal. Ianna offers a balance of uniqueness and accessibility.

Zanthe is a feminine name primarily considered a variant spelling of Xanthe, which derives from the Greek word 'xanthos' meaning 'yellow' or 'blonde.' In Greek mythology, Xanthe was a sea nymph, one of the Oceanids. The Z spelling gives the name a more contemporary and distinctive appearance while maintaining the classical roots. Zanthe has an exotic, lyrical quality that combines ancient heritage with modern appeal. While uncommon in most English-speaking countries, it appeals to parents seeking names with classical origins and unusual initial letters. The name's connection to the color yellow also gives it subtle associations with sunshine and brightness.