VEGAN BABY NAMES

Most will see this as a refreshing middle name possibility, but Bristol Palin baby daddy Levi Johnston used it as a first name for his new daughter, Breeze Beretta.

Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.

This surname has a modern yet old New England feel, perhaps because of the association with the transcendental teacher and reformer Bronson (born Amos Bronson) Alcott, father of Louisa May. (One-time sitcom star Bronson Pinchot's full name is Bronson Alcott Pinchot.) A more muscular image comes via tough guy Charles Bronson.

The seventh most common surname in Scotland, once associated only with soup, is now being considered as a last-name-first choice, accessible but unusual.

Cane is a masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Old English word 'cane' referring to the plant or walking stick, or it could be a variant spelling of Kane, which has Irish origins meaning 'warrior' or 'tribute.' In some cases, it might also be an Anglicized form of the Italian surname Cani. The name has a strong, concise sound with just one syllable, giving it a modern appeal. While not traditionally common as a first name, Cane has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries, particularly in recent decades as parents seek distinctive, short names for boys. Its simplicity allows it to work well cross-culturally.

Catherine is one of the oldest and most consistently well-used girls’ names, with endless variations and nicknames. The Catherine form feels more gently old-fashioned and feminine than the more popular K versions. Most stylish nickname for Catherine right now: Kate...or Cate, a la Blanchett.

Spicy.

With other fruity names like Clementine, Olive and Plum ripe for the picking, sweet Cherry remains remarkably underused: just 27 baby girls received the name in 2017, down from 343 at its peak in 1948. The unsavory slang meaning no doubt goes a long way towards explaining its fall from grace.

Chia is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Italian, it's a diminutive of Lucia, meaning "light." In Chinese, depending on the character used, it can mean "good" or "beautiful." The name also appears in Taiwanese aboriginal languages and Spanish dialects. Beyond its multicultural presence, Chia has gained contemporary recognition through the health food chia seeds, adding associations with wellness and vitality. Pronounced "KEE-ah" or "CHEE-ah" depending on cultural context, this short, sweet name has a modern appeal with ancient roots. Despite not being among the most popular names internationally, Chia's brevity, pleasant sound, and positive meanings make it an attractive choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible.

A sweet and rare spice name, which made its first and only appearance on the US baby name charts in 1969 – the year Neil Young's song "Cinnamon Girl" was released.

Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.

Clove is a spice name that is a tad more piquant than Saffron or Cinnamon. It might get more attention now as a member of The Hunger Games family of names.

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.

Thanks to its dashing Anglo-Irish image — due partly to Colins Firth and Farrell — and its C-initialed two-syllable sound, Colin and its cousin Collin have enjoyed a long run of popularity, reaching as high as Number 84 in 2004.

Cos is a short, distinctive masculine name with several possible origins. It may derive from the Greek island of Kos, from the Greek word "kosmos" meaning order or harmony, or as a short form of names like Cosimo or Cosmas. The latter comes from the Greek "kosmos" and was popularized by an early Christian saint. Cos could also be an Irish/Gaelic shortened form of names beginning with "Cos." As a standalone name, Cos remains uncommon internationally but offers a concise, strong sound. Its brevity makes it practical across multiple languages, while its various cultural connections give it depth despite its simplicity.

Dean may sound to some like a retro surfer boy name, but it is once again climbing up the popularity chart in the USA. For decades it was associated with Dean (born Dino) Martin; more recent representatives include Dean Cain, Dean McDermott and Dean Koontz -- not to mention Jared Padalecki's dreamy Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls.

Infantilizing short form best reserved for toddlers and younger.