User-created list
The Selection themed names
Across 9 pages
of 9
Martha
Aramaic
"lady"
The name of our first First Lady still has something of a prim and proper image, academic and efficient. That quiet, traditional, and tasteful gestalt is exactly what makes Martha appealing to some…
Abby
Diminutive of Abigail, Hebrew
"my father is joyful"
Gently old-fashioned stand-alone nickname that owes its popularity to mega popular Abigail.
Lacey
English
"from Lassy"
A unique combination of a surname feel and dainty femininity, Lacey is a favorite in the UK where it ranks in the Top 500. Likely derived from the name of a place in Normandy, it might occasionally…
Adele
French diminutive of Adelaide
"noble, nobility"
Credit the award-winning single-named British singer for taking the girls’ name Adele from a quiet semi-retirement back into currency. Adele reentered the US Top 1000 popular baby names in 2011 and…
Bethany
Biblical place name and Hebrew
"house of figs"
Bethany is a lyrical name that still strikes many parents as a fresher, more substantial substitute for the overused Brittany/Brittney or the more antiquated Beth. In the New Testament, Bethany is…
Kenna
Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth
Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
Celia
Latin
"heavenly"
Celia, splendidly sleek and feminine, is a name that was scattered throughout Shakespeare and other Elizabethan literature, but still manages to feel totally modern. Derived from the Latin Caelius,…
Jamison
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
Janelle
American, modern elaboration of Jane
It's far cooler to drop the first syllable and go for Elle.
Kayleigh
Variation of Kaylee, English
"laurel, crown"
The -leigh suffix seems to be losing its luster; several names in this category, including Kayleigh, Kyleigh and Ryleigh, peaked in popularity a few years back but have since lost quite a bit of…
Annika
Swedish diminutive of Anna
"grace"
Annika is a surprise hit of recent years, inspired by golfer Sorenstam; for Trekkies, it was also the name of a 'Star Trek:Voyager' character. Some people's first memory of it might be as Pippi…
Abril
Polish variation of Abraham
Antoine
French variation of Anthony
"priceless one"
Antoine is a venerable French name that is still stylish in its native habitat, where it is in the Top 30. In the US, it was most popular in the 1970s and '80s, reaching Number 262 in 1985. There…
Arizona
Place-name from Papago Indian
"little springs"
This US state name has been rising slowly but steadily for girls over the last 30 years, but à la Dakota, it could easily be a male name too.
Apsel
Baden
German
"son of Bade"
If Braden and Caden, why not Baden?
Barton
English
"from the barley settlement"
More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.
Blakeley
English surname
"dark wood or clearing"
Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, taking the 80s unisex darling Blake into the new millennium.
Brenton
English
"town near the burnt land"
Name hovering near the bottom of the Top 1000 that may move higher with the fashion for two-syllable surnames. You could do worse...but you probably could also do better.
Burke
French
"from the fortress"
Simple, usable surname choice.