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Thats So Raven

  1. Kendra

    • Origin:

      Feminization of Kenneth or English

    • Meaning:

      "handsome or knowing"

    • Description:

      Kendra was once seen as a feminization of Kenneth -- but it's now firmly established as a standalone. American parents can't seem to make up their mind about it though: it was one of 2013's fastest-rising names, entering the Top 200 for the first time since 2000, but then it tumbled again.
  2. Curtis

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "courteous, polite"

    • Description:

      Curtis is an attractive if somewhat dated surname name that has been borne by several significant musicians and athletes--think Curtis Mayfield, Curtis James Jackson III--aka 50 Cent, and also director Curtis Hanson.
  3. Cory

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "from the hollow"

    • Description:

      A variation of Corey, this spelling has also been on a steady decline since the early-1990s. Its days are likely numbered on the US popularity charts altogether.
  4. Chad

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "battle warrior"

    • Description:

      Despite all the "hanging," "dangling," and "pregnant" chad jokes of the 2000 election, this saint's name and remnant of the Brad-Tad era didn't get a boost in popularity. But Chad still holds some surfer-boy appeal for a number of modern parents.
  5. Lynn

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Linda or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Nick

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Nicholas and Dominick

    • Description:

      The classic strong-yet-friendly nickname name, much used for charming movie characters.
  7. Andy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrew, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right. About twice as many baby boys are named Andy, just Andy -- though about eight times as many parents go with the full Andrew.
  8. Yolanda

    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "violet flower"

    • Description:

      Bold and distinctive, Yolanda is a floral name that doesn't sound frilly or delicate. Ultimately deriving from the Greek words ioles meaning "violet" and anthos meaning "flower", it appears in a variety of forms internationally, including Jolanda, Jolanta, Iolanthe, Iolanta, Iolanda, and Jolana.
  9. Eddie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Edward et al

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      Most parents today call their Edwards Edward -- and we tend to think that's the right call. But it's worth noting that Eddie has been in the Top 1000 every year since records began in 1880; indeed, it was a mainstay on the Top 100 through the 1950s.
  10. Aldo

    • Origin:

      Italian from German

    • Meaning:

      "old and wise"

    • Description:

      A spirited German name very popular in Italy and occasionally used here, Aldo is one of the unique baby names with international flair. And names that mean wise have an enduring appeal.
  11. Jessie

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Teasagh or diminutive of Jessica, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "behold or wealthy"

    • Description:

      Jessie has never been used as much as Jennie/Jenny, partly because it's a boys’ name as well (spelled Jesse), but it does have a friendly and unpretentious pioneer feel. In Scotland, it's found as an Anglicized form of Teasagh, itself a form of Jean, and is used as a full name. And in the rest of the world, Jessie may be short for Jessica or used on its own.
  12. Larry

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Lawrence, English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Laurentium or bay laurel"

    • Description:

      Your friendly next-door neighbor...not your baby. Although Larry was once one of the most popular boys' names starting with L, that title now belongs to Liam.
  13. Marvin

    • Origin:

      Welsh, variant of Mervyn

    • Meaning:

      "sea hill"

    • Description:

      Marvin has been neglected for so long that it's hard to believe that it has windswept Welsh roots. It also has some strong namesakes going for it -- singer Marvin Gaye, composer Marvin Hamlisch and boxer Marvin Hagler. It's the real name of both Neil Simon and Meatloaf. And let's not forget mention Marvin Gardens on Monopoly.
  14. Ambrosia

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine form of Ambrose

    • Meaning:

      "Immortal"

    • Description:

      Ambrosia combines some of the more whimsical qualities of more popular Aurora and Isabella, with a heavenly meaning.
  15. Mitch

    • Description:

      Mitch is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive of Mitchell, which itself began as a surname derived from the name Michael, meaning "who is like God?" in Hebrew. Mitch emerged as a standalone given name in the mid-20th century, reflecting the American tendency to use nicknames as formal names. It peaked in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, conveying a friendly, approachable quality with its short, punchy sound. The name carries associations with masculinity and straightforwardness. While its usage has declined since its peak, Mitch maintains a steady presence and evokes a certain unpretentious charm. Famous bearers include baseball player Mitch Williams and author Mitch Albom, adding to the name's cultural resonance.

  16. Danny

    • Origin:

      Short form of Daniel, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my judge"

    • Description:

      A diminutive of Daniel that's been immortalized in odes ranging from 'Danny Boy' to 'Danny's Song.'
  17. Tony

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Anthony

    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"

    • Description:

      Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
  18. Trevor

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "from the large village"

    • Description:

      Trevor, a British standard, took a long time to cross the Atlantic, but finally began its rise here in the 1980s. It is now a thoroughly naturalized citizen, though it still retains a touch of Anglo class.
  19. London

    • Origin:

      English place-name

    • Meaning:

      "Capital city of England"

    • Description:

      The capital of England makes a solid and attractive twenty-first-century choice in the US where it is currently in the Top 1000. Given to nearly 1000 girls and 200 boys each year, it is a unisex option that has been in slow decline since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
  20. Zack

    • Origin:

      Short form of Zachary or Zachariah

    • Description:

      As the common short form of Zachary or, more unusually, Zachariah, Zack is less intuitive than Zach or Zac in terms of spelling but clearer in terms of pronunciations. Maybe because it rhymes with Jack and Mack, it also feels more complete as a name. Some people also use Zack and brothers as a short form of Isaac.