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Rynbeth's Favorites

  1. Freya

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "a noble woman"

    • Description:

      Freya has long been popular in the U.K. but has only taken off in the US in the last decade, along with the entire category of mythological names. Derived from the Old Norse name Freyja, meaning "Lady, noble woman", Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
  2. Gaius

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "to rejoice"

    • Description:

      Stately Gaius (pronounced GUY-us) was in the name of many ancient Romans, including Julius Caesar. Little-used before the year 2000, it now feels like a fresh possibility in the revival of Latin boys' names like Atticus and Cassius. Caius and derivatives like Caio come from the same root, and in ancient Roman times Caius was probably pronounced as Gaius. You could also see Gaius as a male version of the earth-goddess name Gaia.
  3. Hayden

    • Origin:

      English place name

    • Meaning:

      "hay valley"

    • Description:

      Hayden – a formerly obscure name that's risen to huge popularity – has dipped in this year's ratings. Though Hayden is among the most distinctive of the bunch, it gets lost in the crowd of Jaidens, Bradens, Aidans, and endless variations. Associated with Hayden Christensen, of Star Wars fame.
  4. 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.
  5. Klee

    • Origin:

      German and Jewish surname

    • Meaning:

      "clover"

    • Description:

      The whimsical quality of the work of Swiss artist Paul Klee is somehow reflected in his name, although many would mispronounce it to rhyme with key. Say it like clay.
  6. Kloris

    • Description:

      Kloris is an uncommon feminine name that appears to be a modern variation of Chloris, a figure from Greek mythology. In Greek, Chloris was the goddess of flowers and spring, with her name deriving from "chloros," meaning "green" or "verdant." This alternative spelling gives the classical name a contemporary twist while maintaining its mythological connections to nature and renewal. The name Kloris remains quite rare in most countries, offering a distinctive choice with ancient roots. Its association with flowers and springtime lends it a naturally feminine quality with connotations of growth and beauty. Parents choosing this name might appreciate its unique sound combined with its rich mythological background.

  7. Leigh

    • Origin:

      English variation of Lee

    • Meaning:

      "pasture, meadow"

    • Description:

      This spelling adds a little more femininity to the neutral Lee. Leigh and sister Lee were quite popular in the 1960s and 1970s among the first cool wave of unisex names for girls, but now have vanished from the Top 1000. The Biblical Leah is preferred.
  8. Meryl

    • Origin:

      Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "of the bright sea"

    • Description:

      Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique Irish name Meriel.
  9. Oona

    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of Una

    • Meaning:

      "lamb"

    • Description:

      Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.
  10. Phaidra

    • Description:

      Phaidra is a feminine name with ancient Greek origins. Derived from the Greek word "phaidros" meaning "bright" or "radiant," it embodies qualities of luminosity and brilliance. In Greek mythology, Phaedra was the daughter of King Minos of Crete and wife of Theseus, making this name rich with classical heritage. While never widely used in modern times, Phaidra possesses an elegant, scholarly quality that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical depth. The name maintains popularity primarily among families with Greek heritage or those drawn to classical mythology. Its uncommon nature gives it a unique appeal while its melodic sound and meaningful etymology offer substance and character.

  11. Rhys

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "ardor"

    • Description:

      Rugged but gentle, Rhys is the traditional Welsh spelling of this name, which can also be anglicized as Reese or Reece. Up until 2010, Reese was the preferred spelling in the US, perhaps because parents were concerned about mispronunciation. However, Rhys has since taken over for boys and is now used twice as often as Reese.
  12. Rhys

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "ardor"

    • Description:

      Less than ten percent of the babies named Rhys are girls, whereas Reese is given five times more often to girls than to boys, thanks to Ms. Witherspoon. It's a sleek and attractive name, but one that benefits from two accepted spellings that help clarify its gender identity.
  13. Sascha

    • Origin:

      German variation of Sasha

    • Meaning:

      "defending warrior"

    • Description:

      Largely male throughout Europe, this name--spelled with or without the c, is an energetic choice that has really taken off for girls here; it's been used for the daughters of Steven Spielberg, Jerry Seinfeld, and Vanessa Williams. The Barack Obamas use Sasha as the nickname for their younger daughter, whose proper name is Natasha. Sasha Alexander, on the TV show Rizzoli & Isles, was born Suzana.
  14. Tabia

    • Origin:

      East African, Swahili

    • Meaning:

      "talents, gifts"

    • Description:

      Has a feminine feline feel.
  15. Xanthe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "golden, yellow"

    • Description:

      X marks the spot in names these days, usually at the middles or ends of names, but here is one that puts it squarely up front.
  16. Yonina

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Jonah, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      Unlikely to catch on the way the male original has, though it may appeal to some parents as a more formal version of Nina.
  17. Zephyr

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "west wind"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a name that's light and breezy, this could be it. A name from mythology: Zephyrus/Zephyr was the Greek god of the west wind, and with its similarity in sound to the likes of Stefan or Seth, its zippy Z initial and cool Y, it is primed to rise up the US charts.