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The names
Rickey
Rickey is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Richard, which comes from Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'ruler' or 'brave.' This friendly, approachable variant gained…
Keely
Irish
"slender"
Keely is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keeley and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie -- though…
Davie
Short form of David, Hebrew
"beloved"
The nickname Davie is very hot right now -- for girls. Most Davies these days are female, but this is still a natural short form of the classic David.
Turner
English
"works with a lathe"
Turner is a name that's both preppy and painterly, recalling the exquisite watercolor seascapes of British painter J.M.W. Turner. An occupational name in the Taylor-Carter mold, Turner is a more…
Shari
Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of Sarah
"princess"
This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
Alyson
Spelling variation of Alison
Alison by any spelling is now considered more of a mom name than a baby name. It's been trending downward for more than a decade, though it still makes the Top 1000.
Brad
Diminutive of Bradley
Pitt is the prototypical blond Brad.
Carina
Italian
"dear little one"
Carina is a pretty delicately feminine name whose fall from popularity is not helped by its similarity to hurricane name Katrina or slang victim Karen.
Sky
Nature name
Sky may be a bit hippie-ish, but it's bright and sunny nonetheless. Sky rejoined the Top 1000 in 2013 after spending many years off the list. Sky was the choice of magician David Copperfield for his…
Rochelle
French
"little rock"
While Rochelle may sound like a twist on Rachel, it has a different origin entirely. Rather than having Biblical and Hebrew ties, it comes from the name of a city on the west coast of France, La…
Belinda
Spanish or German
"pretty one, or, serpent"
Belinda, cousin of Linda and Melinda, enjoyed a brief return to the Top 1000 from 2005 through 2013, only to fall off again in 2014. A name that some may consider a modern spin on the midcentury…
Leigh
Variation of Lee, English
"pasture, meadow"
Leigh as a masculine name has Anglo-Saxon origins, derived from the Old English 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow.' While Leigh has become increasingly popular as a feminine name in recent…
Ashleigh
Ashleigh is a feminine name that represents an alternative spelling of Ashley, which originated as an English surname derived from place names meaning "ash tree clearing" or "meadow of ash trees."…
Phil
Phil is a masculine name primarily used as a familiar short form of Philip or Phillip, though it occasionally stands as an independent given name. Derived from the Greek name Philippos meaning 'lover…
Kassie
Kassie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive or nickname form of Kassandra or Cassandra, which comes from Greek mythology. The original name Cassandra means 'she who entangles men' or…
Ashley
English
"dweller near the ash tree meadow"
It may have peaked at #1 for girls in 1991 and 1992 in the US, but Ashley actually has a long history as a male given name, as evidenced by the sensitive Ashley Wilkes in Gone With the Wind . It's…
Odessa
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-name
"voyage"
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey . It would make an original and intriguing…
Gary
English
"spearman"
When Gary cracked the Top 10 in 1950, it was one of the first nonclassic boys’ names to do so, largely due to Gary (born Frank) Cooper, who was renamed after Gary, Indiana, his agent's hometown. Now,…
Carla
Feminization of Carl, German, Carlo, Italian, and Carlos, Spanish
"free man"
While Charlotte and Caroline are considered stylish and classic members of the Charles family, this Germanic form peaked in the US at Number 76 in 1965. It fell out of favor in the 2010s, but recent…
Cassie
Diminutive of Cassandra, Greek
"prophetess"
Though not much in use, still retains a cozy Little House on the Prairie-type pioneer feel.
