Favorite Names
- Marla
Origin:
Variation of MarleneDescription:
A few semifamous Marlas have kept this name alive.
- Marlie
- Marly
- Naomi
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pleasantness"Description:
Naomi was once a primarily Jewish name from the Old Testament that referenced the mother-in-law of Ruth. Because of this, it is a symbolic name given to girls on Shavuot when the story of Ruth is read in the synagogue.
- Noelle
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Christmas"Description:
Noelle is the feminine variation of Noël, a masculine given name derived from the French word for "Christmas." As a word, Noël originated as a variant of nael, which evolved from the Latin natalis, meaning "birth." Noelle and Noel have traditionally been given to children born around Christmastime, particularly in the Middle ages.
- PATRICK
- Rae
Origin:
English, diminutive of RachelMeaning:
"ewe"Description:
All the old ae/ay middle names for girls are back--Kay, Fay, Mae/May, --and Rae is one of the coolest, used as such by celebrities as Mark Wahlberg and Daniel Baldwin. Even more popular in the celebrisphere is the jazzy Ray spelling: among those who used it as their daughters' middles are Bruce Willis, Dermot Mulroney, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, Uma Thurman and Lee Lee Sobieski.
- Raelyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of RaelynnDescription:
After entering the Top 1000 in 2009, Raelyn has climbed the charts. It's ridden the coattails of Raelynn (which remains more popular), but also may be benefiting from the rise of Brooklyn. The use of -Lyn and -Lynn suffixes has grown in recent years, even as the name Lynn itself languishes.
- Ray
Origin:
Diminutive of RaymondMeaning:
"wise protector"Description:
Ray, still and forever, is one of the all-time hippest boys' names, with its jazzy Ray Charles biopic overtones. It's one of the coolest middle names), but works perfectly fine as a first.
- Rhea
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"a flowing stream"Description:
Old-style creative name of the Greek mythological earth mother of all the gods. A lot better than the Roman equivalent: Ops. Rhea reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015. Its only previous appearance on the list since 1968 was 2004.
- Rhianne
- Rhiannon
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"divine queen"Description:
Most of us had never heard this lovely Welsh name with links to the moon until we heard the 1976 smash hit Fleetwood Mac song of that name, with lyrics by Stevie Nicks. That same year it popped onto the U.S. Top 1000 at Number 593.
- Riana
Origin:
Contemporary American variation of RhiannonDescription:
The original Rhiannon has more appeal.
- Rianne
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea + grace"Description:
Popular Dutch name derived from a combination of Maria (Ria) + Anne, or as a short form of Marianne.
- Roman
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"citizen of Rome"Description:
Roman is an ancient name trending in a major way. A surprise hit name of recent years, Roman now ranks in the Top 100 not only in the US but throughout the English-speaking world, and is rising in other European countries as well.
- Rosaline
Origin:
Medieval variation of RosalindDescription:
Rosaline, which can be pronounced to rhyme with mine or mean in its final syllable, has a deeper, richer pedigree than it might seem. Rosaline was used twice by Shakespeare and was also used in the poetry of Edmund Spenser. While we prefer the stronger-sounding Rosalind or Rosamund, Rosaline deserves another contemporary look.
- Rosalyn
Origin:
Variation of RosalindDescription:
True Blood may be the reason that variation Rosalyn has retained some popularity while the original Rosalind still languishes. Moderately popular in the middle of the last century, Rosalyn may deserve its revival but we still prefer the more classic Rosalind.
- Rowan
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"rowan tree; little redhead"Description:
With its gentle sounds and earthy vibes, the name Rowan feels like a fusion of different styles. A word name, a surname, and a gender-neutral name, Rowan is rustic but trendy, blending the vibes of both Owen and Oakley.
- Roxanne
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"dawn"Description:
Best known as the beautiful heroine to whom Cyrano de Bergerac says, "Your name is like a golden bell".
- Ryan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
This ultrapopular boys' name is rapidly becoming a hot name for girls; admired for its buoyant Irish spirit.