dystopian future names

Abbie is a gently old-fashioned nickname name that owes its rising popularity to Top 10 Abigail. Abby may be the more usual spelling today.

Sympathetic new twist on a Puritan virtue name.

Amiel is a biblical name with lots of connections to those with a creative spirit, including director Jon Amiel, French pop singer Thierry Amiel, and medieval troubadour Gaubert Amiel. Ami (which means friend in French) is an obvious (and beautiful) nickname option.

Amitie is a feminine name of French origin meaning "friendship" or "amity." This elegant name embodies the values of companionship and harmonious relationships. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Amitie carries a distinctive charm and sophistication. Its French roots give it a melodic quality when pronounced (ah-mee-tee-AY), making it both unique and meaningful. Though rare in contemporary usage, Amitie might appeal to parents seeking a name that celebrates the importance of friendship and social bonds while offering an uncommon alternative to more familiar French-derived names.

Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.

Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Philipps named her baby Birdie (inspired by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson), as did soap star Maura West.

The many variations of Brynn are far more popular for girls than boys in the US, but if you’d like to use it on a son, Brin is the most masculine of all the spelling options.

Callen is a unisex Gaelic name growing in popularity here. Its newfound trendiness is possibly related to the Chris O'Donnell character on "NCIS: Los Angeles", known only as G. Callen. Jazz musician Cal Tjader's full name is Callen.

Cardin is a masculine name with multiple origins. It can be derived from the Scottish and Irish surname Cardin or Carden, ultimately from Gaelic roots meaning 'from the woodland' or 'from the black hill.' The name also has connections to the French surname Cardin, as popularized by fashion designer Pierre Cardin. As a first name, Cardin has a modern, sophisticated feel while maintaining Celtic heritage connections. The name has gained modest usage in recent decades, appreciated for its strong consonant sounds and straightforward pronunciation. Cardin fits well with contemporary naming trends that favor surname-inspired first names and two-syllable options for boys, offering both strength and style.

Clover is a charming, perky choice if you want to move beyond hothouse blooms like Rose and Lily, and it's recently become a new celeb favorite, chosen by both Neal McDonough and Natasha Gregson Wagner, who used it to honor her mother, Natalie Wood, one of whose most iconic films was Inside Daisy Clover.

Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.

Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in the same month; cool couple Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars as well as supermodel Claudia Schiffer. It was used earlier by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, while the male form, Cosimo, was given to the son of Marissa Ribisi and Beck.

Cheerful and distinctive.

Dora is poised for a comeback, right behind Laura, Nora, Cora, and Flora. First-time parents who haven't watched cartoons in a couple of decades should be aware of the Dora the Explorer connection, which has its pluses and minuses.