Thats So Raven
- Linda
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese and ItalianMeaning:
"pretty"Description:
Linda will live forever in baby name history for toppling Mary from its four hundred year reign as Number 1. Queen of Names in 1947, Linda has fallen even further in favor than Mary today.
- Buffy
Origin:
English diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.
- Rayne
Origin:
Variation of Rain or RaynaDescription:
Rayne is the unique name used for one of the girl sextuplets on the Sweet Home TV show.
- Jerry
Origin:
Diminutive of Gerald or Jerome, German or GreekMeaning:
"ruler with the spear or sacred name"Description:
Jerry is one of those short forms that, like Mike and Debbie, rose to popularity on the coattails of their formal versions. The equivalents today are nickname names like Ellie and Theo.
- Anneliese
Origin:
German, DutchMeaning:
"grace + oath"Description:
Anneliese is a German and Dutch combination of Anna and Liese (a form of Elizabeth) with an Old World feel but modern appeal. The Anglicized Annalise spelling in in the US Top 500, but this authentic German version has only ever broken into the US Top 1000 once, back in 2005.
- Tracie
Description:
Tracie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Tracy, which itself began as an English surname derived from place names in Normandy, France. The place names came from the Gallo-Roman personal name 'Thracius,' referring to someone from Thrace, an ancient region in southeast Europe. Tracie gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching its peak in the early 1970s. The spelling variation with 'ie' instead of 'y' gives the name a softer, more feminine quality. Although its usage has declined since its heyday, Tracie maintains an approachable, friendly image and carries associations with characteristics like adaptability and resourcefulness.
- Mimi
Origin:
Diminutive of Mary, Miriam, and othersDescription:
Sweet, nicknamey name belonging to the tragic heroines of both La Bohème and Rent. Mimi might feel too slight for many parents to use on the birth certificate, but as a short form, it's one of the cutest of the cute baby names.
- Chantel
Description:
Chantel is a feminine name of French origin, derived from 'chant' meaning 'song' or possibly from the place name Chantelle in France. During the 1970s and 1980s, Chantel rose in popularity in the United States as part of a trend toward French-inspired names with musical connections. The variant spelling Chantel (compared to Chantal) gained particular favor for its simplified, intuitive spelling while maintaining the elegant French sound. The name evokes musicality and artistic expression. Notable bearers include American R&B singer Chanté Moore and various athletes. While its peak popularity has passed, Chantel continues to be appreciated for its melodious quality and sophisticated French heritage.
- Brittany
Origin:
English name of the French region Bretagne, meaning 'from Briton'Description:
Brittany first arrived on the US popularity list in 1971, and rapidly zoomed up the charts, in the Top 100 a decade later. By 1986 it had entered the Top 10, becoming the third most popular girls’ name in the country by 1989.
- Lynn
Origin:
Diminutive of Linda or WelshMeaning:
"lake"Description:
Lynn arrived in the 1940s, spinning off from the wildly popular Linda, to become a top midcentury middle name. Now, Lynn's in limbo.
- Katina
Description:
Katina is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from Katerina or Katharina, ultimately meaning "pure." In Greek culture, it's often used as a diminutive of Katerina. The name carries a melodic quality with its flowing syllables and gentle ending. Katina experienced modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s but has since become less common, giving it a distinctive quality today. The name projects sophistication while maintaining warmth and accessibility. Its international appeal crosses cultural boundaries, recognizable in both Greek communities and beyond. Katina often evokes images of Mediterranean charm and classic beauty. For parents seeking a name with authentic Greek heritage that remains relatively uncommon, Katina offers both cultural depth and phonetic appeal.
- Natasha
Origin:
Russian diminutive of NatalyaMeaning:
"birthday of the Lord"Description:
Natasha, an appealing, still unusual name, entered the American mainstream post-Cold War but seems to have peaked in the eighties, replaced by the more straightforward Natalie. As is common for Natashas the world over, the Obamas shorten their Natasha's name to Sasha.
- Theresa
Origin:
English form of the Spanish TeresaMeaning:
"to harvest"Description:
The popular appeal of the strong, intelligent Saint Teresa of Avila, combined with the selfless compassion of the more recent Mother Teresa, have fused to give this second-tier classic a somewhat noble, religious image. Although the origins of the name are uncertain, it has been prevalent particularly in forms Theresa, Teresa, and Therese throughout Europe for centuries.
- Brad
Origin:
Diminutive of BradleyDescription:
Pitt is the prototypical blond Brad.
- Vicky
Origin:
Diminutive of VictoriaMeaning:
"victory"Description:
This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.
- Daryl
Origin:
Variation of Darrell, FrenchMeaning:
"dear one, beloved"Description:
Darrell and all its variations was a trendy name in the 1950s and 1960s, an update on David and Daniel that began to fall out of favor by the 1970s and fell out of the Top 1000 completely at the turn of this century.
- Courtney
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"short nose; courteous, from the court"Description:
Among the Top 20 names of the 1990s, today's Courtney is more apt to be the babysitter than the baby. Courtney has dropped since its peak at Number 17 in 1995. Familiar from Courtney Love and Courtney Cox.
- Ricky
Origin:
English diminutive of Richard or FrederickMeaning:
"dominant ruler; peaceful ruler"Description:
Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.
- Phil
Description:
Phil is a masculine name primarily used as a familiar short form of Philip or Phillip, though it occasionally stands as an independent given name. Derived from the Greek name Philippos meaning 'lover of horses,' Phil has been used across generations and carries a friendly, approachable quality. It gained particular popularity in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century. The name has a classic, unpretentious feel and is associated with notable figures like musician Phil Collins and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw. While many Phils formally have the longer version on their birth certificates, the shortened form has a warm, casual charm that has helped it endure as both a nickname and standalone name across different eras.
- Devon
Origin:
English place-nameDescription:
Devon, spelled like the lovely seaside county in Britain that inspired the name, has crashed since its heyday around the Top 100 in the 1990s. Despite its use as a female name, for example for Devon on the TV show The 4400, Devon continues to be far more popular for boys than for girls.
The Nameberry App Is Live
Find your perfect baby name together in our app, now available on the App Store and Google Play.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
