Designer (as in Marc Jacobs) form of Mark. An international classic, but long falling in popularity as a boys' name.

The most minimalist of names, Ed is decidedly out -- though that usually means it's due to swing back in. More stylish these days: Ned or even Ted.

Not as lively or independent as Gigi, Kiki, or Coco.

There are a dizzying number of varieties of the Arabic name Leila or Layla, two of the most popular versions, with Lela one of the rarer, given to fewer than 100 baby girls in the US each year. Pronunciation and spelling can be a challenge, so if you choose this simple, lovely name, you will be explaining it much more often than you want to.

Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.

Ronda is a feminine name with Spanish geographical origins, inspired by the ancient city of Ronda in southern Spain, known for its dramatic cliffs and gorges. The name gained notable popularity in America during the 1960s and 1970s, often as a variation of Rhonda, which derived from the Welsh 'rhon' meaning 'spear' or 'lance.' Ronda peaked in popularity during this era and has gradually declined since. The name carries associations of strength and natural beauty, reflecting its geographical namesake. Its simple pronunciation and spelling make it accessible, while its slightly vintage quality now gives it a distinctive character. Notable bearers include American judoka and mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey, who brought renewed attention to the name in recent years.

One of the earliest of the relaxed, unisex names, now relegated to oldies rock stations. Ricki is a spirited, retro nickname traditionally short for Frederica but now stands strong on its own. Notable bearers include talk show host Ricki Lake, giving it a bold, independent vibe.

Gordy is a masculine name typically functioning as a diminutive of Gordon, which derives from a Scottish surname meaning 'spacious fort' or 'round hill fort.' The name carries a friendly, approachable quality with its -y ending, giving it a perpetually youthful feel. Gordy gained some recognition through association with Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, and occasionally appears as an independent given name rather than just a nickname. Popular primarily in English-speaking countries, especially Scotland, England, and parts of the United States, Gordy has never been among the most common names but maintains steady, modest usage. The name conveys warmth, informality, and a certain unpretentious charm.

Latanya is a feminine name that emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century. The construction follows a pattern combining the prefix 'La-' (possibly functioning as a definite article or emphasis element found in French and Spanish) with 'Tanya,' a name of Slavic origin. Tanya is a diminutive of Tatiana, traditionally meaning 'fairy queen' or connected to the Roman family name Tatius. Usage data shows Latanya gaining modest popularity during the 1960s-1970s, with continued though decreased usage in subsequent decades. The name has a melodic quality with its three-syllable structure and alternating consonant-vowel pattern. The combination creates a distinctive name while incorporating recognizable elements. Latanya represents a naming pattern where familiar name elements are combined with prefixes to create new variations with enhanced musicality.

Dickie is traditionally a masculine name functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of Richard, which has Germanic origins meaning 'strong ruler' or 'brave power.' While sometimes used as a standalone name, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, Dickie is more commonly encountered as a nickname. The name carries a vintage quality, evoking mid-century Americana and British culture where such familiar forms were more commonly formalized. Notable bearers include various athletes and entertainers who preferred this friendly variation. Though its popularity as a formal name has declined in recent decades due to potential teasing concerns and changing naming trends, Dickie remains part of naming heritage particularly in English-speaking countries, representing an era when casual, approachable name forms were embraced.

This mild-mannered short form was Queen of the Prom in the fifties and sixties, but today is mostly heard on TV's The Office (and of course as one of the founders of Nameberry).

He can get it for you wholesale.

Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.

Carleen is a feminine name that appears to be a blend of the prefix 'Car-' (found in names like Caroline or Carla) with the suffix '-leen' (as in Kathleen). It may have originated as a variation of Carlene or Charlene, names derived from masculine forms meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' Alternatively, it could represent a creative variation of Colleen, which comes from the Irish word for 'girl.' Carleen saw modest popularity in the United States during the 1940s-1960s but has since become uncommon, giving it a vintage mid-century quality. The name has a gentle, melodic sound while maintaining a certain strength. Its relative rarity today makes it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell, potentially appealing to parents seeking uncommon names with familiar phonetics.

Jaleel is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'great,' 'noble,' or 'revered.' It has been used across various Muslim communities throughout the world and gained notable recognition in America during the 1990s, partly due to actor Jaleel White who portrayed Steve Urkel on the television show 'Family Matters.' The name combines melodic qualities with strong meaning, making it both aesthetically pleasing and symbolically powerful. Jaleel typically ranks among moderately popular Arabic names in Western countries, appreciated for its distinctive sound and positive associations with greatness and dignity.

Dodds is primarily recognized as a surname of English and Scottish origin rather than a given name. Derived from a medieval diminutive of the name Dodd, itself a short form of names like Roger or George, it originated as a patronymic surname meaning "son of Dodd." The surname has historic concentrations in northern England and the Scottish Borders. While extremely rare as a first name, Dodds might occasionally be used to honor a family surname, following the trend of using ancestral surnames as given names. This practice is more common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. When used as a first name, Dodds has a distinctly British sound and projects a traditional, somewhat aristocratic quality, though its usage remains exceptionally uncommon compared to other surname-derived given names like Taylor or Jackson.

Portuguese form of Philip

Singer-actress Queen Latifah -- born Dana Owens -- makes this North African Muslim name sing.

Bethenny is the spelling introduced to the world by and closely associated with Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel. While the name has a bit of charm, we recommend sticking with the original Bethany spelling.