Name like a local - Chicago

  1. Andie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrea, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      Boyish nicknames for girls are all the rage — just look at the success of Charlie, Frankie, Stevie, Billie, and Scottie in recent years. Andie has history as a nickname for Andrea, popularized by actress Andie Macdowell.
  2. Ashlyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aislinn, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream"
    • Description:

      Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been dropping on the charts lately.
  3. Blair
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "dweller on the plain"
    • Description:

      In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former prime minister Tony Blair – it is much less common, although it is in use for boys in its native Scotland.
  4. Bobbi
    • Brett
      • Origin:

        Celtic
      • Meaning:

        "from Brittany"
      • Description:

        Football great Brett Favre single-handedly kept this name in the limelight, though it continues to sink in popularity.
    • Brie
      • Origin:

        French, place-name of cheese-producing region
      • Description:

        Place-name and homonym of Bree, less popular than its enlargement, Brielle.
    • Brogan
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "small shoe"
      • Description:

        Brogan is a cheerful Irish surname that would fit right in with the Logans and Br-starting names now trendy for boys. It's been on the pop list for the past three years, though it's sliding again. Its history includes Saint Brogan (Broccan in Gaelic), who was Saint Patrick's nephew and scribe.
    • 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.
    • Carey
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "dark, black"
      • Description:

        Variously spelled trendy name in the 1970s that hasn't even been in the Top 1000 in a decade.
    • Carly
      • Origin:

        Feminine diminutive of Carl
      • Meaning:

        "free man"
      • Description:

        Though a couple of its more "creative" spellings—Carli and Karlee, for example—are still on the rise, this feminine form of Carl, popularized by singer Carly Simon in the 1970s, could by no stretch be considered fashionable. Despite its decline, the name has still seen some use in the entertainment industry, from Nickelodeon's iCarly to Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
    • Corbyn
      • Dana
        • Origin:

          English, Slavic, Persian, Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "from Denmark, gift, or wise"
        • Description:

          This name found in both Celtic and Scandinavian mythology has gone from all-boy to almost all-girl, retaining a strong, unisex quality. However, it has dropped following its three-decade heyday from the 1960s to the 1990s.
      • Dani
        • Origin:

          Hebrew and Italian, diminutive of Daniella, Danielle, Danita
        • Description:

          Short form occasionally used on its own, with an open and friendly androgynous quality.
      • Darcy
        • Origin:

          Irish or French
        • Meaning:

          "dark one, or from Arcy, or from the fortress"
        • Description:

          Delicate ballerina name with grace, charm, and heft courtesy of Jane Austen's Mr.
      • Duffy
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "dark"
        • Description:

          This familiar Irish surname, best known as the name of the mononamed Welsh female singer, is extremely rare as a first name in the US but could make an original Irish choice.
      • Ferris
        • Origin:

          Irish, English
        • Meaning:

          "strong man or ironworker"
        • Description:

          It’s been more than three decades since Ferris Bueller took his famous day off in the cult classic 1986 teen comedy movie, but we think the time for this name could and should be now! Especially with the recent rise of the hero's girlfriend, Sloane, up the baby name rankings. Half preppy, half rugged, it boasts that stylish S ending and has a cozy, retro feel.
      • Hank
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Henry, German
        • Meaning:

          "estate ruler"
        • Description:

          Hank is a midcentury guy nickname (which actually dates back to the seventeenth century) of the Al/Hal/Dick school, which has been on recess from the playground for decades. Now it's just beginning to be given on its own again, appreciated for its earthy, sportsguy cool. Hanks Aaron and Greenberg (born Henry) and Hank Williams (born Hiram) Sr and Jr. are worthy namesakes.
      • Jacey
        • Origin:

          English (modern)
        • Description:

          A modern coinage from the initials JC, or from a combination of Jay plus the popular -acey/-asey ending sound.
      • Jed
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Jedidiah, Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "beloved of the Lord"
        • Description:

          Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing.
      • Jordan
        • Origin:

          English from Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "flowing down"
        • Description:

          Originally used for children baptized in holy water from the river Jordan, it became one of the leading androgynous names of the nineties. As the balance tips toward the boys' side, it's slipping on the girls' popularity chart. Alternate spelling Jordyn is now more popular for girls.