Awesome Names

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

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.

Finlay is a Scottish royal name (it belonged to Macbeth"s father) that was revived by several celebrity parents who did a gender switch when they used it for their daughters. Angie Harmon and Jason Sehorn, Daniel Baldwin and Lisa Marie Presley all named their daughters Finley.

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.

Singer Wainwright is the third in his family to carry this unusual name.

Mable is a vintage feminine name, primarily a spelling variant of Mabel, which derives from the Latin 'amabilis' meaning 'lovable.' This particular spelling was quite popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the United States. Like many names from that era, Mable experienced a decline mid-century but has potential for revival as part of the trend toward reclaiming vintage names. It carries a sweet, unpretentious charm with its simple sound and straightforward spelling. The name evokes images of warmth and accessibility, with a touch of old-fashioned character. After decades of relative obscurity, Mable now offers an appealing alternative to more common vintage revivals, combining familiarity with relative uniqueness in today's naming landscape.

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.

A name that is rarely heard and might be worth considering as a way of zipping up a namesake Sandra. It has long been associated with iconoclastic British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.

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

The Ashlee variation of the megapopular 90s favorite Ashley is best-known as the name of Ashlee Simpson, younger sister of Jessica.

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.

Also spelled Fyfe, this zippy sounding name would make a great middle name choice for music lovers or those with Scottish roots. The name has a double meaning: it is both a Scottish place name, likely derived from fiamh meaning "path", and also the name of an instrument, which takes its name from the German Pfeife and the French fifre meaning "pipe".

Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.

K-beginnings are often substituted for Cs, and this spelling is definitely finding favor with many parents, among them skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. However, sometimes the original is the best - we suggest sticking to the still unusual Cadence.

An inspirational and aspirational word name that evokes ideas of loyalty, faith, honesty, and accuracy, True is a unisex name, which is just slightly more popular for boys. Like an updated form of Trudy and Prue and with the virtuous feel of Grace, Faith, and Hope, True was given to around 200 girls in 2023.

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

Right in step with the two-syllable irish surname-names now on the rise.

Not quite a nature name and not quite a surname — whatever Laken is or isn't, we know it's definitely a name to watch.

Has the offbeat quality and macho feel -- like Stone and Flint -- that appeals to increasing numbers of modern parents.