Fantastic Fabrics

For a name related to a Scottish town, a patterned Indian fabric, and a country singer named Brad, Paisley has seen remarkable success. After appearing, seemingly out of nowhere, it is now an American favorite.

This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers, in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the name. Now, though still pretty and evocative of the Scottish moors, it has faded in favor of other purplish blooms. It fell out of the Top 1000 in 2016 after having been as high as Number 3 in 1975, when it was given to close to 25,000 girls. Across the pond in the UK however, it remains near the latter end of the Top 1000.

In the nineties there was a "One Life to Live" soap opera character named Suede, but few fans picked up on it. Now however, parents may be reconsidering Suede, given its similarity in sound to Sage, Wade, and Zade and the recent interest in Denim, and unique word names more generally.

A unique combination of a surname feel and dainty femininity, Lacey is a favorite in the UK where it ranks in the Top 500. Likely derived from the name of a place in Normandy, it might occasionally be considered a diminutive to Wallace ("Welshman") or Larissa ("citadel").

Satine, the name of the Nicole Kidman character in Moulin Rouge,, is, by definition satiny smooth. Jacinda Barrett named her daughter Satine Anais.

Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.

Also spelled Zilke, Silke is a common German short form for variations of Cecilia and Celia.

With Levi in vogue and country names on trend, Denim could fit in among the Waylons, Walkers, Coltons, and Rhetts. As a boys name, it brings to mind the qualities of the fabric: hardworking, cool and versatile. Singer Toni Braxton chose this name for her son in 2001, and parents have been using it for boys and girls ever since.

Has a musty 1940s feel. Try Georgia -- or Georgiana.

Sweet and frilly but with a surname-feel, Lacie is a spelling variation of Lacey. It rose up the charts in the US back in the 1980s and then in the UK in the 2000s and 2010s, following in the footsteps of its more popular form. Usually said to derive from the name of a town in Normandy, Lacie is occasionally considered a diminutive of Wallace or Larissa too.

A word name with fashionable o-ending that has associations with both the homespun fabric and the mottled cat. Alice Cooper named his daughter Calico decades ago, while it was selected more recently by influencer Paige R Williams for her daughter in 2025.

A few boys have adopted fabrics like Denim and Suede; here's a singular one for the girls, with a distinctively silky sheen.

An established place name, associated with a sunny island in the English Channel, the Garden State in the US, knitted pullovers, reality TV, and a Broadway musical. It peaked in the late 2000s and though it is now in decline, 130 girls and nearly 50 boys received the name in 2023.

-ey meaning "island". Alternative theories suggest it comes from jarl ,meaning "earl" or hjǫr meaning "sword".

Sensuous to a fault.

Lacee is a feminine name that represents a creative alternative spelling of Lacey or Lacy, which originated as an English surname derived from a Norman town called Lassy. The name carries associations with delicate lace fabric, suggesting refinement and intricacy. This particular spelling variation with the double "e" ending emerged as part of the trend toward unique name spellings, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. While less common than the traditional Lacey spelling, Lacee offers a slightly more modern appearance while maintaining the original pronunciation. The name has a light, cheerful quality and continues to be chosen by parents seeking a name that sounds feminine and familiar yet looks slightly distinctive.

Lace is a delicate feminine name derived from the English word for the ornate fabric made from intricately looped threads. As a given name, it emerged primarily in the late 20th century when word names and short, distinctive choices gained popularity. The name evokes images of elegance, intricacy, and feminine beauty. Lace has never been a common choice for girls, maintaining its status as a rare and distinctive option. It falls into the category of subtle virtue or aesthetic names, alongside choices like Grace, Pearl, or Ruby. The name's brevity gives it a modern feel, while its meaning connects to traditions of craftsmanship and refinement. For parents seeking a simple yet uncommon name with graceful associations, Lace offers an understated elegance.

Silk is an uncommon English word name derived directly from the luxurious fabric. The name evokes qualities of smoothness, elegance, softness, and luxury. As a given name, Silk has been used very rarely, making it a truly distinctive choice. The word itself comes from the Old English 'seoloc,' ultimately derived from the ancient Chinese silk trade routes. While traditionally gender-neutral, it has slightly more usage as a feminine name. Parents choosing Silk for their child likely appreciate its unique sound, memorable single-syllable simplicity, and the positive sensory associations it carries. The name projects an image of refinement and uncommon beauty, standing out in a world of more conventional names.

Cashmere is soft, luxurious — and way out of the ordinary. One of the unique names found in The Hunger Games series.

Pronounced SHAM-ee, this color and word name is soft and appealing.