Ancient Numerology 5 Names
- Neil
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"cloud"Description:
Always the top spelling of the name; Neil peaked in the 1950s, but then enjoyed a second coming following the fame of such Neils as astronaut Armstrong and singers Sedaka, Diamond, and Young. Now semiretired.
- Heather
Origin:
English botanical nameMeaning:
"small shrub"Description:
This flower name was one of the most popular in her class in the seventies and eighties, a fact reflected in the 1989 movie Heathers, in which every snobby girl in the high school clique bears the name. Now, though still pretty and evocative of the Scottish moors, it has faded in favor of other purplish blooms. It fell out of the Top 1000 in 2016 after having been as high as Number 3 in 1975, when it was given to close to 25,000 girls. Across the pond in the UK however, it remains near the latter end of the Top 1000.
- Gracie
Origin:
English, diminutive of GraceDescription:
Cute Gracie is one of the more recently revived nickname names by parents who chose it over the more formal Grace--or variations like Graziella or Grania. Country singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw cut straight to the nickname when they called one of their daughters Gracie, and actors Ron Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt named their newborn daughter Gracie James. Gracie Gold is a popular young figure skater.
- Linda
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese and ItalianMeaning:
"pretty"Description:
Linda will live forever in baby name history for toppling Mary from its four hundred year reign as Number 1. Queen of Names in 1947, Linda has fallen even further in favor than Mary today.
- Carol
Origin:
English, feminine variation of CharlesMeaning:
"free man"Description:
A Caroline abbreviation that was wildly popular with Mom's generation...or Grandma's. At one time it was a name for baby girls born at Christmas. because of its association with Christmas carols.
- Suki
Origin:
Japanese or EnglishMeaning:
"loved one; lily"Description:
As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.
- Blaire
Origin:
English variation of Blair, ScottishMeaning:
"dweller on the plain"Description:
Blair with a little something extra, which some parents may feel feminizes the name. The Blaire spelling was given to a surprising number of baby girls, with about a third of baby girls with the name given this spelling. The final e also is reminiscent of Claire.
- Matt
Origin:
Short form of MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Still one of the most appealing short forms, which goes a long way toward explaining the sustained popularity of Matthew. Matt is perennially the popular guy in high school, friendly, attractive, and comfortable with a baseball. Matty or Mattie are cute for a younger boy.
- Fae
Origin:
Spelling variation of Faye, EnglishMeaning:
"fairy"Description:
Now that Faye is back on the Top 1000 after a decades-long absence, its spelling variations are being revived as well. Fae was given to nearly as many baby girls last year as Fay and may be especially attractive as a middle name option.
- Avy
Description:
Avy is a contemporary feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant of Avery or Ava, both of which have gained popularity in recent decades. Avy could derive from the Latin 'avis' meaning 'bird', suggesting qualities of freedom and grace. As a standalone name, Avy has a modern, minimalist appeal with its short, symmetrical structure. In the United States, Avy remains relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality while still being easy to pronounce and spell. Its brevity and ending 'y' sound create a name that feels both youthful and adaptable, suitable from childhood through adulthood.
- Ali
Origin:
Short form of Alison or Alice or ArabicMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
One of the sweet simple unisex names balanced enough to stand on its own.
- Ali
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
This is one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah, deemed by Muhammad to be a recommended name for a male child. In this country, it's been primarily associated with boxing immortal Muhammad Ali, known as "the greatest." But Ali is also one of the most popular unisex names for both boys and girls.
- Adela
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"noble"Description:
A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
- Pavel
Origin:
Russian variation of PaulMeaning:
"small"Description:
Pavel may be widespread in the former Soviet Union, but it has a somewhat impoverished image here.
- Tim
Origin:
Diminutive of Timothy, GreekMeaning:
"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.
- Nakota
Description:
Nakota is a masculine name derived from Native American heritage, specifically referring to one of the three major divisions of the Sioux people (alongside Dakota and Lakota). The name means 'friend' or 'ally' in the Sioux language. While relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Nakota has gained some attention from parents seeking names with indigenous roots and meaningful cultural significance. The name carries a strong, melodic quality with its alternating consonants and vowels. For families with Native American ancestry or those drawn to names honoring indigenous cultures, Nakota represents strength, community bonds, and natural harmony.
- Elea
Origin:
Short form of EleanorDescription:
A sweet, breezy short form of Eleanor, that happens to coincide with the name of an ancient Italian town. It is a popular choice in Switzerland, Finland, and France, though the spellings Eléa and Éléa are currently preferred in the latter country. Typically pronounced like Ella, you could pronounce it eh-lee-uh, it basing it on the ancient place name, though choosing Ellia would probably avoid confusion.
- Cayla
Description:
Cayla is a feminine name with multiple origin theories. Most commonly, it's considered a modern variant of Kayla, which itself derives from the Irish Gaelic name Caoilainn, meaning 'slim and fair.' Alternatively, it may be a variation of the Hebrew name Michaela, meaning 'who is like God.' The distinctive spelling with 'C' emerged in popularity during the late 20th century as parents sought unique variations of familiar names. Cayla gained moderate popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, appreciated for its soft sound and contemporary feel while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. The name conveys a sense of feminine grace and modern simplicity while remaining recognizable and accessible.
- Calian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"slender"Description:
A variant of Caelan, from a Gaelic name meaning "slender".
- Donato
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"given by God"Description:
Widely used in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has an air of generosity and could easily be adopted here.
