The bright, playful Micah feels like the middle ground between the safe, solid qualities of Michael and the flair and energy of Luca. Both Biblical and stylish, Micah is proving popular among parents today.

Mara is the evocative ancient root of Mary, appearing in the Book of Ruth, in which Naomi, devastated after the death of her two sons, says "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." It's one of the girl names starting with M that both fits in and stands out.

Kyle is still appreciated by thousands of parents each year for its combination of simplicity, strength, and style; it was in the Top 20 for most of the nineties. As a Scottish surname, it dates back to the fifteenth century.

Can a name as virtuous as Hope be cool and trendy? Strangely enough -- yes. But though this optimistic Puritan favorite is experiencing substantial popularity, Hope is too pure and elegant to be corrupted, a lovely classic that deserves all the attention it's getting.

A popular Israeli choice that could work across different languages, Shira comes from the Hebrew shir meaning "song." Some parents may be reminded of the animated heroine She-Ra, Princess of Power, from both the 1980s original and the 2018 reboot, however, they are not related.

Animal names are on the rise, especially more of the aggressive Hawk-Fox-Wolf variety than cute little Bunnys or Robins, and Hawk is a prime example.

A name that would lavish your child with adoration, a princess name--as in Princess Adora of She-Ra: Princess of Power.

An old-timey boyish nickname that works as a diminutive of Leona or Leonie, Alondra, Lorna or any female name with strong L and N sounds.

Bow is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. As an English word name, it connects to several meanings: the weapon for shooting arrows, symbolizing precision and skill; the decorative tied ribbon, representing presentation and celebration; or the front of a ship, suggesting forward movement and navigation. It may also derive from Asian origins, particularly Chinese, where it can relate to various characters depending on the tone. Bow is extremely rare as a given name, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its brevity and simple pronunciation give it a modern, minimalist appeal. The name's multiple associations with strength, movement, and artistry make it versatile despite its unconventional nature as a personal name.

Raz, like many similar names, is used for both girls and boys in modern Israel. Simple, sleek, memorable.

Glimmer is shimmery but a little too showy, as is Glitter, a character on a TV sitcom-- while Glimmer appears in The Hunger Games.

A daring word name with a touch of mystique, Shadow is an edgy choice for a baby that some may say is best reserved for pets. Nevertheless, it has been appearing in the US stats for girls since 1974 and for boys since 1987.

Bright and glowing name, perfect for a baby who arrived on a sunny day.

With River and Ocean becoming mainstream, why not consider Sea?