new name list

Calliope is the name of the muse of epic poetry -- and also the musical instrument on the merry-go-round. Bold and creative, it debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016, and entered the Top 500 in 2023. Similar in rhythm and sound to Penelope with usable nicknames Callie, Clio, and Lola, it is no wonder it's on the rise.

Calloway is one of those irresistibly jaunty, animated three-syllable surnames, like Sullivan and Finnegan — but this one has the added attraction of jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of American Jive," Cab Calloway. For a girl, this could be an unconventional route to the cool nickname Callie.

Catherine is one of the oldest and most consistently well-used girls’ names, with endless variations and nicknames. The Catherine form feels more gently old-fashioned and feminine than the more popular K versions. Most stylish nickname for Catherine right now: Kate...or Cate, a la Blanchett.

The bright yellow weed lends itself to a creative baby name, although we don't recommend the nickname Dandy.

Fig was the unlikely name of a beautiful character in Curtis Sittenfeld's Man of My Dreams. Better bets: Plum, Quince, or even Apple. Still, you might consider Fig as an unusual nickname for any more formal F-starting name, from Frances to Fiona.

Florence is back, returning to the US Top 1000 girl names in 2017 after a nearly 40 year absence. Other English-speaking countries have been quicker to welcome Florence back into fashion.

Hartleigh is a feminine name of English origin, combining 'hart' (meaning 'stag' or sometimes 'heart') with the suffix 'leigh' (meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'). This nature-inspired name has a picturesque quality, evoking images of deer in woodland clearings. As a given name, Hartleigh is quite rare, though it has gained some attention in recent years amid the popularity of names ending with 'leigh' or 'ley.' The name carries both strength and delicacy in its sound and meaning. Originally more common as a surname or place name in England, its transition to a feminine given name represents the modern trend of repurposing surnames and locations as distinctive first names. Hartleigh offers a unique option with English countryside charm.

Long popular in Ireland and England, Kieran, the name of Ireland's first-born saint and twenty-five other saints, has been building its U.S. fan base thanks to its strong and attractive sound, and its fashionable Irish brogue. While Ciaran is the more authentic Irish spelling, Kieran is more popular this side of the Atlantic.

Lovett is a masculine name that functions both as a surname and given name. Its primary origin is as an English surname derived from the Old French "Louvet," a diminutive of "loup" (wolf), possibly referring to someone with wolf-like characteristics or as an occupational name for a wolf hunter. As a given name, Lovett has been used since at least the 19th century but remains relatively uncommon. The name's connection to the word "love" (though etymologically unrelated) may influence its appeal to modern parents. Lovett has a distinctive, strong sound with its two syllables and crisp ending consonant. The name carries a certain sophistication and traditional quality while being uncommon enough to be distinctive. Its usage as a first name has been sporadic but persistent across different regions in the United States.

European royal name, and to Americans a place-name evoking the majestic mountain in Washington state.

Rugged, outdoorsy, and full of energy, Wilder entered the US Top 1000 back in 2015. Part bad boy, part Western, part preppy, and part nature-loving, Wilder is given to nearly 800 babies each year.