Couture Names

Adeline has a lovely, old-fashioned "Sweet Adeline" charm, but has become so popular in the US under so many spellings and variations — with Adalynn and Adalyn also popular — that considered together it is far more popular than it first seems. Adorable nickname Addie is also pervasive.

Fashion designer surname that could make a dynamic first.

Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaia's singular first name seems to belong to him alone.

Carlota is the preferred version of Charlotte in Spain and Portugal, each where it ranks among the Top 50 most popular girl names. Carlotta, with two Ts, is the Italian spelling.

French-Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation. Although many parents would prefer the homonym Selene, which has a different derivation and means "moon," Celine has been a Top 1000 name every year since 2012, and was also on the list each year from 1994 to 2005. Celine is also a newly-chic French fashion label.

Chloe is a pretty springtime name symbolizing new growth. Though slightly off its peak in the Top 10 in 2010, Chloe still ranks in the Top 20 and is solidly a modern classic.

The name Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others. Christian's enduring popularity may be influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.

Christophe is the French variation of Christopher, a masculine name with Greek origins meaning 'bearer of Christ.' This elegant form maintains the name's connection to Saint Christopher, the legendary patron saint of travelers who, according to tradition, carried the Christ child across a dangerous river. Popular throughout French-speaking regions including France, Canada, Haiti, and parts of Switzerland, Christophe combines classical roots with Gallic sophistication. While it shares the meaning and heritage of Christopher, the French pronunciation (krees-TOFF) and spelling give it a distinctive continental flair. The name has maintained steady popularity in Francophone countries, appreciated for its cultural richness and timeless appeal.

Coco came to prominence as the nickname of the legendary French designer Chanel (born Gabrielle) and has lately become a starbaby favorite, initially chosen by Courteney Cox for her daughter Coco Riley in 2004. At first it was the kind of name that the press loves to ridicule, but we predict Coco's heading for more broad acceptance and even popularity.

An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish. Which may be a positive, in terms of Daria not being in danger of overpopularity.

Had a surge of popularity in the Dynasty days, now has subsided in the wake of fresher French choices like Destry and Delphine, though it retains its sense of sophistication. It's one of the most truly gender-neutral baby names right now.

Stylish and dramatic, a la Donatella Versace.

Strongly connected to Elie Wiesel — Holocaust survivor, Nobel laureate, and author of the influential book Night.

Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.

Josephus is a masculine name with ancient Roman and Biblical connections, representing the Latin form of Joseph. With roots in Hebrew Yosef meaning "he will add," the name gained prominence through Biblical figures and early Christian history. Most notably, Flavius Josephus was a first-century Jewish historian whose works provide valuable insights into early Jewish and Christian history. This scholarly association gives the name an intellectual, classical quality. While Joseph remains common across many cultures, Josephus offers a distinctive, erudite alternative that maintains the familiar root while evoking classical learning and historical depth. Though rare in contemporary usage, it appeals to parents drawn to names with substantive historical weight and traditional masculine strength. The name carries dignity and gravitas while connecting to the more familiar Joseph tradition.

Supermodel Karlie Kloss lends this spelling variation some style. Having appeared in the US Top 1000 since 1991, it was in trouble of dropping off completely when it ranked Number 992 in 2009. Since then, however, it has made modest strides back up the list.

A name that has a bit of a shouldn't-I-be-a-middle-name sound, though still in use as a first for both genders. Lee might be a good choice if you want something that sounds at once traditional yet modern, unisex but not newly-minted.

Lily is the most popular of the popular delicate century-old flower names now making a return, thanks to its many irresistible attributes: a cool elegance and a lovely sound, a symbol of purity and innocence, and a role in Christian imagery.

Mason with a French accent. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2012, and it will likely hang on for as long as its brother-in-spelling-variations, Mayson.

Margherita is the Italian form of Margaret, a feminine name derived from the Greek word 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' This elegant variation carries the same core meaning while featuring the distinctive Italian pronunciation and spelling. The name has historical significance in Italy, with Saint Margherita of Cortona being a respected religious figure. Margherita has remained consistently used in Italy and Italian communities worldwide. Beyond its connection to the precious gem, the name gained additional cultural recognition through Queen Margherita of Italy (for whom the Margherita pizza was reportedly named). The name carries connotations of elegance, value, and classic beauty, appealing to parents seeking a name with Italian heritage and timeless charm.