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Semi-Unique Names We May Choose for Our Baby

  1. Elliott

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elias, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "Yahweh is God"

    • Description:

      While Elliott and Elliot are well-established for boys, parents are now considering both these boy names for girls, too.
  2. Wayne

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "maker of wagons"

    • Description:

      When Marion Michael Morrison became John Wayne around 1930, his last name took on an air of cowboy cool that lasted about thirty years. These days however, Wayne has been replaced by Waylon, Wesley, and Wyatt, and it now resides in the grandpa name camp, alongside Stan, Bruce, and Ronald. For some, thus may well be its selling point. < br>
      Originally an occupational surname, Wayne comes from the Old English wægn meaning "wagon". Associated with wagon makers, it rose to popularity as a give name in the mid-20th-century. Notable bearers include footballer Wayne Rooney, hockey player Wayne Gretzky (generally considered the greatest player in the history of the sport), and rapper Lil Wayne.
  3. Layne

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Lane

    • Description:

      As surname Lane becomes more popular, so too does this variant. Regardless, it does create the possibility for spelling confusion.
  4. Ellis

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Elijah or Elias or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "benevolent"

    • Description:

      Ellis, a surname used sparingly as a first in the Wallace/Morris period, sounds new now for girls, as a gender-neutral alternative to Ella or Alice. It debuted in the US Top 1000 for girls in 2015.-- Ellis has always been in the Top 1000 for boys -- and seems to be headed straight up. One of the most popular gender-neutral names, currently there are two baby boys named Ellis for every girl.
  5. Drew

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Andrew, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Drew is an elegant formerly male-only alternative to Andy that joined the stylishly upscale Paige-Brooke-Blair sorority, thanks largely to Drew Barrymore. Barrymore comes by her first name legitimately: it was the maiden name of her paternal great-grandmother, Georgiana 'Georgie' Drew Barrymore, one of many esteemed actors in her family history.
  6. Hugh

    • Origin:

      English from German

    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"

    • Description:

      Patrician to the core, Hugh was firmly in the Top 100 until 1903. It's never achieved those heights again, though it has always managed to remain in the Top 1000, scraping bottom at literally Number 1000 in 2006 before reversing course and heading back upwards.
  7. Laurel

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "laurel tree"

    • Description:

      Laurel takes Laura back to its meaning in nature, resulting in a gentle, botanical option. Even more directly than Laura, Laurel relates back to the laurel wreath signifying success and peace in ancient Greece and Rome.
  8. Clyde

    • Origin:

      Scottish river name

    • Description:

      Even though in the past Clyde may have been identified as half of the infamous outlaw duo with partner Bonnie Parker—especially after the 1967 movie in which he was played by Warren Beatty—Clyde has always had an element of jazzy cool that could overcome all the rest.
  9. Dane

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "from Denmark"

    • Description:

      Dane is a more masculine Dana alternative, with added style edge. Dane has been on the US Top 1000 for more than seventy years, having entered the list in 1945.
  10. Fern

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "plant name"

    • Description:

      Of all the botanicals, Fern has been one of the slowest to move back from the front parlor into the nursery, despite the appealing girl character in the children's classic Charlotte's Web. Fern was most popular from the turn of the last century through the 1940s, reaching a high of #152 in 1916. We can certainly see her rejoining the long list of popular greenery names.
  11. Lorne

    • Origin:

      Variation of Lawrence

    • Description:

      Alive thanks to Ponderosa papa Greene and SNL creator Michaels, both from Canada, where the name is much more popular.
  12. Brea

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Bria or short form of Breana, English

    • Meaning:

      "strong, virtuous and honorable"

    • Description:

      Brea is another spin on the increasingly-popular Bria, another entry in the stylish Mia-Leah-Gia sisterhood. While Bria is on the charts with an arrow toward the top, Brea is used more quietly, maybe because the spelling makes the pronunciation less clear. Is it bree-a or bray (answer: bree-a).
  13. Heath

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "the heathland dweller"

    • Description:

      Rugged and outdoorsy, Heath was an obscure choice until the 1960s when it was used in the television series, The Big Valley for character Heath Barkley. It peaked in the 70s when it reached the US Top 200, but it has since fallen to the latter end of the Top 1000.
  14. Lyle

    • Origin:

      Scottish and English from French

    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives on an island"

    • Description:

      Straightforward single-syllable name, though children named Lyle may get tired of hearing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". Lyle was at the height of fashion in the 1920s, which makes him due for a comeback right about now. The double L certainly gives it a fashionable sound.
  15. Giles

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "young goat"

    • Description:

      One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
  16. Ida

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "industrious one"

    • Description:

      Many vowel names stylish a century ago are coming back, and Ida seems like a possible, logical successor to Ada and Ava.
  17. Linus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flax"

    • Description:

      Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be yes.
  18. Grover

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "one who lives near a grove of trees"

    • Description:

      Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look, similar in style to the likes of Wilder and Ranger, to Sullivan, Chester, and Stanley.
  19. Imogene

    • Description:

      Imogene is a feminine name of Celtic origin, believed to be derived from the Gaelic word 'imogen,' meaning 'maiden' or 'daughter.' Some scholars suggest it may also have connections to the Latin phrase 'Iphigenia,' from Greek mythology. The name gained literary significance through Shakespeare's play 'Cymbeline,' where the virtuous protagonist bears this name. Imogene enjoyed moderate popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries before declining, though it has seen renewed interest in recent years as part of the revival of vintage names. With its combination of classical literary associations and a distinctive, melodic sound, Imogene appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth, intellectual connections, and a touch of antiquated elegance.

  20. Tegan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "darling, pretty"

    • Description:

      Tailored Tegan is a Welsh name, developed from the element teg meaning "beautiful, pretty". Sweet but tough, is interpreted to mean "darling, or favorite", and is also the Welsh word for toy.

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