bb names

  1. Akira
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "bright, intelligent"
    • Description:

      A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games and because of its international feel. It was a fast rising choice in 2024, when it entered the Top 1000.
  2. Bishop
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "senior member of the church"
    • Description:

      Occupation names and spiritual names are in style, so it's hardly surprising that Bishop has been making appearances in the Top 1000. Popular back in the late 19th and early 20th century, it reappeared in the charts in 2015. Given to 170 boys in a recent year, it tends to drop in and out of the Top 1000.
  3. Kaius
    • Origin:

      Variation of Caius, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rejoice"
    • Description:

      Kaius is a K-ization of the Latin Caius, the name of an ancient poet, introduced by style maven Rachel Zoe. More recently, it was used by Derek Jeter for his son.
  4. Palmer
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pilgrim; one who holds a palm"
    • Description:

      Palmer is a name that derives from the fact that pilgrims often carried palms, thus the double meaning. It's a fresher sounding twist other surname style names, such as Spencer, Carter, Porter and Parker.
  5. Ezrah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, variation of Ezra
    • Meaning:

      "help"
    • Description:

      Ezra (and Ezrah) is potentially an abbreviation for the Hebrew phrase Azaryahu, meaning "Yah helps." In the Bible, Ezra led a group of fifteen hundred Israelites out of slavery in Babylon and back to Jerusalem. The Ezrah spelling is definitely less popular than the original Ezra, but is rising itself as well — Ezrah entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2022.
  6. Kamora
    • Origin:

      Variation of Kimora or Kamara, Malagasy
    • Meaning:

      "chameleon"
    • Description:

      Kamora may be a variation of Kamara, a Malagasy name from Madagascar with an unexpected animal meaning. Alternatively, it might be an invented name, inspired by the similar Kimora or Amora - in which case it could also mean "woods by the village" or "love".
  7. Adah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ornament"
    • Description:

      Adah is a biblical name twice over—one was the mother of Jabal and Jubal, the other was a wife of Esau. The latter Adah and Esau’s descendants settled in Edom and became the Edomites. Adah is unrelated to the visually similar name Ada, which is Germanic in origin.
  8. Tempest
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "turbulent, stormy"
    • Description:

      Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.
  9. Violette
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "purple"
    • Description:

      Now that Violet is becoming more popular, parents are starting to explore same-but-different options such as the French Violette, which would properly be pronounced with a long e sound in the first syllable and three syllables -- vee-oh-let -- as well as the Spanish Violeta — both of which were among the fastest-rising girl names of 2023.
  10. Journey
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "passage from one place to another"
    • Description:

      One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
  11. Coen
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Coenraad
    • Meaning:

      "bold advisor"
    • Description:

      Like many short forms now popular as full names in the Netherlands, Coen—also spelled Koen—originated as the diminutive of the more old-fashioned Coenraad, the Dutch Conrad. May be confused in the US with Cohen, which stems from the Jewish surname designating a priest.
  12. Patience
    • Origin:

      Latin virtue name
    • Meaning:

      "ability to accept or tolerate inconveniences, and suffering without anxiety or anger"
    • Description:

      Patience is a passive virtue turned engaging name, fresher than Hope, Faith, or even Charity. Its resemblance to the trendy Payton may be one reason that it returned to the US charts back in the 90's and 2000s, having been absent for a century.
  13. Karma
    • Origin:

      Hindi, Sanskrit "destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"
    • Meaning:

      "destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"
    • Description:

      Some parents are hoping to bestow good karma on their children with this name, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fate". Associated with the Hindu and Buddhist belief that someone's actions in this life (and their previous ones) decide their future existences, it is more informally used in the Western world to refer to good or bad luck.
  14. Lenox
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lennox, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "elm grove"
    • Description:

      Lennox is one of the hottest unisex names of recent years, and this spelling retains the appealing surname vibe and cool -x ending. This form does distance the name slightly from the literary and boxing associations of the original, linking it instead to a tableware manufacturer, a 17th naval ship, and several American places.
  15. Kaine
    • Description:

      Kaine is a masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. In Celtic tradition, it's a variant of Kane or Keane, meaning 'warrior' or 'tribute.' It can also relate to the Hebrew name Cain, though without the biblical associations. As a modern name, Kaine gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries during the early 2000s, appreciated for its strong sound and contemporary feel. The name's distinctive spelling with the 'i' gives it a modern edge while maintaining its traditional roots. Kaine offers a powerful yet accessible option for parents seeking a name that sounds assertive and stylish without being overly common.

  16. Kaleah
    • Origin:

      Variation of Kalea, Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "joy, happiness"
    • Description:

      More common than the original Hawaiian Kalea.
  17. Isiah
    • Origin:

      Variation of Isaiah, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Salvation of the Lord"
    • Description:

      Streamlined spelling of the biblical name, as in basketball great Isiah Thomas, falling fast from its height in the charts.
  18. Sincere
    • Origin:

      English, Word name
    • Meaning:

      "honest, genuine, and heartfelt"
    • Description:

      Reminiscent of Puritan and Pilgrim name choices, Sincere is a relatively modern virtue name that has been in the US Top 1000 since the 2000s.
  19. Honor
    • Origin:

      English word and virtue name
    • Meaning:

      "honor"
    • Description:

      Honor is a somewhat more straight-laced virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.
  20. Karsen
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Carson
    • Meaning:

      "son of the marsh-dwellers"
    • Description:

      Carson is finally beginning to fall slightly after a nearly 2-decade reign of popularity, and we suspect its many spelling variations will follow suit.