Lovely List

  1. Everett
    • Origin:

      English variation of the German Eberhard
    • Meaning:

      "brave as a wild boar"
    • Description:

      Everett is a preppy but outdoorsy name, with wintery New England vibes. In the last decade, it’s had a leap in popularity, perhaps because of its similarity to trendy girls’ names like Ava and Scarlett, or perhaps because it offers a fresh alternative to 90’s style Evan and Brett.
  2. Arwen
    • Origin:

      Literature, Sindarin, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "noble maiden; fair, blessed"
    • Description:

      Best known as the princess of the Elves in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Arwen is a fantasy-inspired choice that feels perfectly down to earth. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 400, making it one of the fastest rising names, more than doubling in use from the previous year.
  3. Della
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Adela, Adele, or Adelaide, German
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      Fresh, bright, and sunny, Della could be an alternative to Ella, Delilah, or Adeline. Familiar but not yet overused, it combines the elements of contemporary favorites with vintage charm.
  4. Cecily
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Cecil
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      Cecily is as dainty as a lace handkerchief. Cecily has a wide assortment of namesakes. One Cecily was the mother of King Richard III, whose beauty gained her the title "the Rose of Raby," Cecily Parsley is a Beatrix Potter bunny, Cecily Cardew is a character in The Importance of Being Earnest, and the author of the Gossip Girl books is Cecily von Ziegesar.
  5. Junia
    • Origin:

      Latin, Feminine variation of Junius
    • Meaning:

      "born in June"
    • Description:

      Juno is hot, June is showing signs of a comeback along with other month and day names, whereas Junia, the name of the the first century Christian referred to by the apostle Paul as an apostle (and who may have been male), is yet to be discovered.
  6. Sarai
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "princess"
    • Description:

      Sharp but sweet, ancient but with a contemporary sound, Sarai has been rising steadily up the US charts since the 90s and now sits comfortably in the Top 1000. In the Old Testament, God changed Sarai's name to Sara, so this would make a clever and legitimate honor name for an ancestral Sarah.
  7. Aida
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Italian; Lithuanian
    • Meaning:

      "returning visitor; happy; echo"
    • Description:

      Aida is a melodic name largely associated with the title character of the 1871 Verdi opera, an enslaved Ethiopian princess who dies to save her people. In the past, her name was rarely heard outside the Latino community, but in the current time of love for all A-starting girls' names, this could very well change.
  8. Elden
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "Ella's hill; old friend"
    • Description:

      A name with old-fashioned charm, akin to Elton, Elwin, and Elwood, Elden is a variation of two Old English names, Eldon or Alden. Meaning "Ella's hill" or "old friend", it combines strength and cosiness, but the connection to the fantasy roleplay game, Elden Ring adds an element of adventure and mystique.
  9. Andi
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrea or Anderson, Greek or English from Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly, son of Anders"
    • Description:

      Boyish nickname name that first heard in the Ricki/Terri era but finding new favor among parents who love names like Billie and Frankie, Scottie and Stevie. Sister spelling Andie has also been on the rise in recent years, and when you combine the two, around 700 girls received the slightly retro moniker.
  10. Olwen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white footprint"
    • Description:

      Olwen is a Welsh favorite, the name of a legendary princess in what is believed to have been the earliest Arthurian romance, and in fact one of the first recorded examples of Welsh prose.
  11. Druella
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "elfin vision"
    • Description:

      A little too close to Cruella.
  12. Cambrie
    • Origin:

      Modern invented name
    • Description:

      Cute but slight mix of stylish sounds Cam and Bree, chosen by Rick Schroder for his daughter.
  13. Cam
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Cameron, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "crooked nose"
    • Description:

      Cameron is still more popular as a boy's name than a girls and this simple, snappy short form works well for either sex.
  14. Eloi
    • Origin:

      French, Catalan and Spanish from the Latin Eligius
    • Meaning:

      "the chosen"
    • Description:

      From the saintly name Eligius, Eloi is popular in Catalonia but rarely used by English speakers. There's potential for confusion with Eli - and with the Aramaic word eloi, said to mean "my God", which appears in the bible.
  15. Idra
    • Origin:

      Aramaic
    • Meaning:

      "fig tree"
    • Description:

      Idra is one of the less obvious botanical names. In ancient times, a fig tree was a symbol of learning, peace, and prosperity.
  16. Ita
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "thirst"
    • Description:

      The name of one of the most famous medieval Irish saints, who was known as "the foster-mother of the saints," and founded a nunnery in the county of Limerick. Might be of interest to someone looking for an unusual 3-letter name.
  17. Hazelle
    • Description:

      Hazelle is a delicate feminine name that represents an elaborated form of Hazel, derived from the English word for the hazelnut tree and its light brown color. The additional '-le' ending gives the name a softer, more ornate quality while retaining the natural woodland charm of the original. Hazel has experienced a significant revival in recent decades, and Hazelle offers a more distinctive variation on this trend. The name evokes images of nature, warmth, and earthy elegance. While less common than the standard spelling, Hazelle appeals to parents seeking a name with natural origins but with a touch more uniqueness and flourish in its presentation.
  18. Eligius
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "to choose"
    • Description:

      Eligius comes from the same root as the word eligible. St. Eligius was a 7th century bishop in France and is the patron of goldsmiths and metalworkers.
  19. Brodny
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "one who lives near a stream"
    • Description:

      Off-putting cousin of Bradley and Rodney.
  20. Buren
    • Description:

      Buren is a rare masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from the Dutch surname Van Buren (famously held by the 8th U.S. President Martin Van Buren), which originally referred to someone from the city of Buren in the Netherlands. The name could also have Germanic roots, possibly related to words meaning 'dwelling' or 'to dwell.' In some contexts, it might be connected to places named Buren across northern Europe. With its strong, concise sound and uncommon status, Buren appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with historical connections. The name has a sturdy, masculine quality while remaining simple to pronounce and spell, though it remains exceedingly rare as a first name in most Western countries.