An imaginative choice with an uptempo Cory/Rory/Tori sound, perfect for the child of a writer — or anyone with a good story to tell. Story has been finding some appreciation among celebs like Minnie Driver and others as a middle name. This is just one of the literary word names that have recently entered the realm of possibility, such as Fable, Sonnet and Poem.

Gloria is beginning to move beyond its de-glamorized Grandma image, most recently thanks to glamorous young Hollywood parents Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who chose it for their second daughter. Gyllenhaal was quoted as saying they had been inspired by Patti Smith's rendition of the Van Morrison song "Gloria" at a concert and thought " 'We'll name our daughter that one day'."

Lively and rhythmic version of Vivian heard in Italy and Spain. Viviana is right on trend today, fitting in with other frilly, girly favorites like Isabella, Eliana, and Ariana. It may also be spelled as Bibiana. One of the fastest rising names of 2023, Viviana has been in the US Top 500 since the 2000s.

Before there was Aspen, Denver was the Colorado city name of choice, and it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015 after a 14 year absence as a stylish two-syllable boys’ name with its trendy -er ending. Its decade of greatest use was the 1920s, when it reached as high as Number 422.

Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.

The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside variant Khadijah just below the Top 200).

The mother goddess Ishtar (also called, or identified with, Ashtoreth, Ashtoret, Astarte and Inanna) was worshipped by the Assyrians and Babylonians as the goddess of love, war, justice and fertility. While the original meaning is unknown, the name possibly derives from "Attar" meaning the morning star. She has been equated with the Greek Aphrodite.

Ziyad is a masculine name of Arabic origin, derived from the word 'ziyadah,' meaning 'growth,' 'abundance,' or 'increase.' It has historical significance in Islamic culture, as Ziyad ibn Abihi was a prominent administrator during the early Islamic caliphate. The name conveys positive aspirations for prosperity and development in a child's life. Ziyad remains popular throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Muslim communities worldwide. In Western countries, it has gained recognition as global naming practices have diversified. Parents often choose this name for its meaningful connotations and its balance of traditional Arabic heritage with a relatively straightforward pronunciation for non-Arabic speakers.

Niesha is a feminine name that likely developed as a variant spelling of Nisha, which has roots in several languages. In Sanskrit, Nisha means 'night,' while in Hebrew, similar names relate to 'moving' or 'wandering.' The 'ie' spelling variation appears to have emerged in the United States during the late 20th century as part of broader naming trends involving creative spellings of existing names. Niesha peaked in popularity during the 1970s and 1980s but has since declined in usage. The name's melodic quality, with its flowing vowel sounds and gentle consonants, contributes to its appeal. This name exemplifies how traditional names evolve through spelling adaptations while maintaining their phonetic integrity. While not among the most common names, Niesha has established itself as a recognized feminine name option.