Only 17 Babies in 2020 England and Wales

  1. Alexa
    • Origin:

      Greek, English
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Alexa was a steadily popular modern classic until Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa was released in 2013. It remains relatively well used in the US despite this, though its standing keeps dropping for obvious reasons. Too bad, because it's a strong and pretty name (which is probably why Amazon used it.)
  2. Amelia-lily
    • Bernadette
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "brave as a bear"
      • Description:

        Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated with the saint who saw visions of the Virgin Mary—Saint Bernadette of Lourdes—it is now no longer strictly inhabiting the Catholic diocese.
    • Betsi
      • Bridie
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "strength or exalted one"
        • Description:

          Swap two letters of Birdie and you get Bridie, a traditional diminutive of Bridget. Bridie fits perfectly with the trend for standalone vintage nicknames like Betty and Sadie, but is surprisingly rare.
      • Calliope
        • Origin:

          Greek mythology name
        • Meaning:

          "beautiful voice"
        • Description:

          Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry -- and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it would not be the easiest name for a girl lacking such qualities. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016. While Americans usually pronounce this name with a long I sound and the emphasis on the second syllables, Greeks pronounce it with the emphasis on the third syllable -- ka-lee-OH-pee.
      • Chanel
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "dweller near the canal"
        • Description:

          Fans of the classic French designer would now more fashionably choose Coco.
      • Cici
        • Origin:

          English, nickname
        • Description:

          An alternative spelling to Cece that would make a more intuitive nickname for names with a "Ci" spelling, like Cicely or Lucille.
      • Clarissa
        • Origin:

          Elaboration of Clara
        • Meaning:

          "bright, clear"
        • Description:

          Clarissa, the daintier version of Claire, has a long literary history of its own, having been featured in the novels of Samuel Richardson, Charles Dickens, and Virginia Woolf—Clarissa was the title character of Mrs. Dalloway—not to mention the 1990s teen sitcom, Clarissa Explains it All.
      • Clemmie
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Clementine, French
        • Meaning:

          "mild, merciful"
        • Description:

          Cutesy pet form of Clementine.
      • Deanna
        • Origin:

          English variation of Diana, feminine form of Dean
        • Meaning:

          "divine; valley"
        • Description:

          Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
      • Drew
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Andrew
        • Meaning:

          "strong and manly"
        • Description:

          Drew is an elegant formerly male-only alternative to Andy that joined the stylishly upscale Paige-Brooke-Blair sorority, thanks largely to Drew Barrymore. Barrymore comes by her first name legitimately: it was the maiden name of her paternal great-grandmother, Georgiana 'Georgie' Drew Barrymore, one of many esteemed actors in her family history.
      • Elaine
        • Origin:

          French and Scottish
        • Meaning:

          "bright, shining light"
        • Description:

          This old Scottish form of Helen has had quite a history, going from appearing as one of the shining heroines of the Arthurian legends, the princess who fell in love with Sir Lancelot and became the mother of Sir Galahad, referred to as 'Elaine the fair' and 'Elaine the lovable', to being the name of the most famous of New York's celebrity restaurants, to being the archetypal New York neurotic on Seinfeld.
      • Ethel
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "noble maiden"
        • Description:

          Ethel is a name we once declared as 'So Far Out They'll Probably Always Be Out,' but with the return of other names on that list and with its new starbaby cred via Lily Allen, its soft sound and admirable meaning, we're not so sure.
      • Eva-rose
        • Ebony-Rose
          • Harmony-Rose
            • Leanne
              • Origin:

                Combination of Lee and Anne
              • Meaning:

                "meadow grace"
              • Description:

                One of the quintessential midcentury combination names, Leanne was spelled any number of ways: Lianne, LeeAnn, Leigh-Anne, and so on. Like many similar combo names -- Joanne, Maryann -- they're all dated now.
            • Lexi-may
              • Lilah-Rose