My All-Time Favorite Names

  1. Aurelia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "the golden one"
    • Description:

      Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
  2. Flynn
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of the red-haired one"
    • Description:

      Flynn, a charming Irish surname, is still used only quietly, despite its easygoing, casual cowboy charm, unlike Finn which is a star of this genre. Flynn was the choice of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr for their baby boy, and is also the middle name -- used as his first -- of a son of Miranda's fellow supermodel Elle Macpherson, of Gary Oldman's son Gulliver and Marley Shelton's daughter West.
  3. Gray
    • Origin:

      Color name, also diminutive of Grayson
    • Description:

      The girls have Violet and Scarlet and Ruby and Rose, but for the boys there's a much more limited palette of color names. Gray (or Grey), is one exception, which could make for a soft and evocative--if slightly somber-- choice, especially in the middle. Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney recently named their son Leo Grey.
  4. Jade
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "stone of the side"
    • Description:

      As a precious stone, Jade is known for its cool green hues, its importance in Chinese art, and its ability to transmit wisdom, confidence, and clarity. As a name however, Jade is a 90’s throwback in the UK, a Number 1 choice in France, and a returning gem in the US right now.
  5. Jane
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.
  6. Julietta
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Juliet
    • Meaning:

      "little Julia"
    • Description:

      Julietta feels newly fresh and friendly thanks to the growing familiarity of Juliet and French sister Juliette.
  7. Katarina
    • Origin:

      Slovak; Swedish; Serbian; Croatian; Slovenian, variation of Katherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.
  8. Maeve
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "she who intoxicates"
    • Description:

      Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. Maeve would make an excellent first or middle name choice, with more heft than Mae/May and more modern charm than Mavis.
  9. Marietta
    • Origin:

      Italian diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.
  10. Marley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pleasant seaside meadow"
    • Description:

      Harley is a tough guy, while the rhyming Marley has a softer, gentler image. The name brings to mind reggae great Bob Marley, as well as the lovable dog from bestseller Marley and Me.
  11. Paul
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Paul is an ancient name for boys -- popular in Roman and medieval times -- that's not very fashionable now, which can work in its favor, scarcity balancing simplicity.
  12. Rosalie
    • Origin:

      French variation of Latin Rosalia
    • Meaning:

      "rose"
    • Description:

      Rosalie hit its apex in 1938 and then slid straight downhill until it fell off the U.S. Top 1000 completely in the 1980s, only to spring back to life in 2009 as the name of a character in the Twilight series. The beautiful vampire Rosalie Hale has breathed fresh life back into this mid-century name, and the fact that the character is both sympathetic and relatively minor means Rosalie has the chance to thrive again as a baby name without feeling unduly tied to Twilight.
  13. Shane
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Sean
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Shane ambled into the picture via the 1953 movie, adding a cowboy twist to its Irish essence. A variation of Sean with a hint of Shay and Zane, it is a popular choice in Ireland.
  14. Shea
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the stately, dauntless one"
    • Description:

      A common surname in Ireland that projects a complex image for a short-one-syllable name, combining spirit, substance, and gentleness. The traditional Irish form is Séaghdha, though it could also be used as a short form of Séamus, connected to James.
  15. Skye
    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name
    • Description:

      The e-addition takes the name from slightly hippie-ish nature name to the place name of a picturesque island off the coast of Scotland, and for baby namers it's by far the more popular spelling.
  16. Triston
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Tristan
    • Description:

      While the medieval romantic name Tristan is popular and holding its own, this spelling variation has been sagging in the polls. If you love the name, choose the original spelling.