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Read or heard 9/25

  1. Kristen

    • Origin:

      Danish and Norwegian variation of Christine

    • Meaning:

      "a Christian"

    • Description:

      Kristen may be somewhat past its fashion high point, but it remains forever crystalline clear. Possible problem: confusion with the similar Scandinavian names Kristin, Kirsten, Kirstie, et al.
  2. Tanner

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "leather tanner"

    • Description:

      One of the hot two-syllable T names of the nineties (along with Tyler, Trevor, and Taylor), and well represented on soap operas; Tanner is still widely used, but its popularity is declining.
  3. Tony

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Anthony

    • Meaning:

      "priceless one"

    • Description:

      Tony, as in classy. Or To-nyyy, as yelled out a tenement window.
  4. Rene

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "reborn"

    • Description:

      Though it's used for boys, most non-French people would hear it as a girls’ name. Most would be surprised to learn that Rene has always charted in the US Top 1000 for boys.
  5. Liz

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Some might think a girl named Liz on her birth certificate would feel deprived of her full identity, but in a time when mini names like Liv, Kit, Tru, Kai, Lou, and Bea are in style, Liz feels substantial enough that its bearer won't feel bereft.
  6. Tina

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Christina et al

    • Description:

      Tina, despite its petite and tinkly image, is apt these days to be replaced by the more elegant originals, Christina and Martina.It does have some strong namesakes, though, in Tina Turner (born Anna Mae), Tina Brown (born Christina), Tina Fey (born Elizabeth), and photographer Tina Barney (born Tina).
  7. Rochelle

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "little rock"

    • Description:

      Long-standing French name that retains a feminine, fragile, and shell-like image.
  8. Robbie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Robert, English from German

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      This short form of Robert was borne by famous figures from Robbie Williams to Robbie Coltrane to Robbie Robertson. At one point, Robbie was the cool new Bobby, but now Robbie is cool only for girls.
  9. Mindy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Melinda

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful honey"

    • Description:

      This sweet nickname style name combines contemporary Indy with vintage Minnie. Popular in the 80s, it fell out of style by the mid-90s, but, with the likes of Annie, Edie, Ellie, Bonnie and Heidi getting more attention, could Mindy make a comeback?
  10. Keely

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "slender"

    • Description:

      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 it might ultimately prove to close to one of those trendy names.
  11. Alex

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      One of the most evenly divided unisex names these days; strong and energetic, if overused, for both genders.
  12. Leigh

    • Origin:

      Variation of Lee, English

    • Meaning:

      "pasture, meadow"

    • Description:

      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 decades, it has a long history of masculine usage, particularly in England and English-speaking countries.
  13. Destiny

    • Origin:

      Word name, English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "destiny, fate"

    • Description:

      If Destiny is your daughter's destiny, she probably won't be the only one in her school: until 2009, Destiny was in the Top 50, with three of its alternate spellings in hot pursuit. It has since dipped a bit in popularity but is still widely used. Destiny Hope was the birth name of Miley Cyrus and Destiny Jones is the daughter or rapper Nas.
  14. Sky

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      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 daughter, born in 2010.
  15. Tim

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Timothy, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "honoring God"

    • Description:

      Tim is a boyish short form occasionally given on its own. There were 37 baby boys named Tim in the US last year, versus over 1700 named Timothy.
  16. Ron

    • Origin:

      Short form of Ronald, Norse

    • Meaning:

      "ruler's counselor"

    • Description:

      Ron is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a shortened form of longer names like Ronald, Aaron, or Byron. Ronald, its most common source, derives from the Old Norse 'Rögnvaldr,' meaning 'ruler's advisor' or 'decision maker.'
  17. Kristina

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Christina

    • Meaning:

      "annointed, a Christian"

    • Description:

      This streamlined form of a pretty and feminine classic may not be as popular as it once was, but it's never out of style. A royal name best used now in its full glory rather than as nicknames Kris or Kristy.
  18. Shari

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of Sarah

    • Meaning:

      "princess"

    • Description:

      This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
  19. Jaimie

    • Description:

      Jaimie as a masculine name is a variation of Jamie, which originated as a diminutive form of James. The name James comes from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning 'supplanter' or 'one who follows.' This particular spelling with the extra 'i' adds a distinctive touch to the traditional Jamie while maintaining its friendly, approachable character. While Jamie/Jaimie is used for both genders, for boys it has Scottish roots where it began as a nickname before becoming a given name in its own right. Though less common than the spelling Jamie, masculine Jaimie has maintained steady if modest usage, appealing to parents who appreciate its friendly sound and relaxed vibe while wanting a slight variation from the more common spelling.

  20. Ivey

    • Origin:

      Surname name, variation of Ivy

    • Meaning:

      "son of Ive; person from Ivoy; ivy plant"

    • Description:

      Ivey can be considered an alternate spelling of the botanical name Ivy, but it also has separate origins as a surname. For the Anglo-Saxon Ivey line, Ivey means "son of Ive," while for the English-Norman Iveys, it means "person from Ivoy," a commune in the Cher department of France.