Awesome Names

Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll. Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.

Using the 'ie' ending makes Johnny slightly more feminine, which must have been what Melissa Etheridge was thinking when she named one of her twins Johnnie Rose.

As a nickname for one of the longer Z-starting choices, maybe, but not as a name unto itself.

Readers who remember J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey have probably forgotten that the character was male (nee Zachary). Nowadays the somewhat loopy spin on Zoe is associated with actress Zooey Deschanel.

True has become an accepted first and middle name; Truth makes an even stronger statement. And with nearly 150 baby boys named Truth in the US in the most recent year counted, as many as were named Ross, the word name is edging up on the Top 1000.

Attractive Spanish name heard in the movie Spanglish. Roll that final r. Or say it the French way: Fleur.

These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.

Sibel is a feminine name with multiple cultural roots. In Turkish, where it enjoys significant popularity, the name is pronounced 'See-bel' and means 'ear of wheat' or 'spike of grain', symbolizing abundance and fertility. The name also has connections to the Greek 'Sibyl', meaning 'prophetess' or 'oracle', referring to female seers in ancient Greece and Rome. This dual heritage gives Sibel rich cultural significance. The name is widely used in Turkey and among Turkish diaspora communities. Outside of Turkish communities, the name remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. Sibel has a concise, elegant sound that works well across different languages, contributing to its international appeal while maintaining its cultural connections.

Though little used as a first name, Loa will be familiar to many from the name of Hawaii's most famous volcano, Mauna Loa, on the Big Island.

One of the simplest, most down-to-earth yet evocative of the word names, which could work — especially as a middle.

This up-and-coming single-syllable name has a few famous bearers, including baseballer Cale Iorg and Canadian hip-hop musician Cale Sampson. Sounding like Kale, this name also has a crunchy, hipster vibe.

An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.

Dexter turned ultracool for a girl when Diane Keaton named her daughter Dexter Dean. Dexter is getting a new style gloss for both genders thanks to (unlikely) baby name role model, television's Dexter the genial serial killer.

Zorah, the Old Testament home of Samson, is both soft and substantial.

An attractive North Carolina unisex place name, Raleigh's soft sound is particularly appropriate for a girl.

Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.

One of the newer and fresher-sounding members of the Braeden, Jaden, Caden clan.

Shady, leafy nature-boy name.

Tolkien may have been inspired by this unisex name of a Celtic goddess of war. Welsh poet Dylan Thomas named his daughter the variation Aeronwy. With goddess names so hot for baby girls, this ethereal choice is one to consider.