Contenders for Baby Girl Naegele

Charlene

English feminization of Charles, German and French

"free man"

Charlene is a Charlotte variation that, along with similar names like Arlene and Marlene, spiked in popularity in the 1940s and fifties, reaching a high of Number 100 in 1949. Most parents today…

Elain

Elain is a delicate feminine name of Welsh origin, considered a variant of Elaine. It derives from the Greek 'Helena,' meaning 'bright, shining light' or 'torch.' In Arthurian legend, Elaine (or…

Elanor

English, Literature, Sindarin

"sun star"

On one hand, Elanor is a spelling variation of the classic Eleanor with a slightly lighter, contemporary look about it. Usually said to derive from the Latin phrase, alia Aenor meaning "other Aenor",…

Ellyse

Ellyse is a graceful feminine name that represents a modern variant spelling of Elise or Ellis. Its roots trace back to the Hebrew name Elizabeth (meaning 'God is my oath' or 'God is abundance') or…

Isadora

Greek

"gift of Isis"

For a long time, Isadora has been overlooked in favor of Isabella, owing perhaps to its association with the tragic modern dancer, Isadora Duncan, or because parents would rather their daughter be a…

Kaleigh

Variation of Kaylee and Kali with the popular "-leigh" suffix.

Marianne

French combination of Marie and Anne

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace"

A midcentury Catholic classic that's not chosen by many parents today. Leonard Cohen fans might think of the beautiful song So Long, Marianne , named for his lover and muse Marianne Ihlen. The…

Marin

Latin

"of the sea"

Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina. As a place-name, Marin is pronounced with the…

Victoire

French

"victory"

Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.