Donald has been used for centuries in Scotland, where the Macdonald clan is one of the most ancient and where there have been six early Scottish kings by that name. Donald was a Top 20 name throughout most of the early twentieth century.

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.

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.

A modern-sounding unisex name which belongs to a dragon in Turkish mythology, Evren has huge potential to rise more globally, thanks to its accessible sound and its wide-reaching meaning "universe". It may appear to those who are looking to a choice that works internationally, or for alternatives to the likes of Atlas and Cosmo.

One of the sweet simple unisex names balanced enough to stand on its own.

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.

Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jordon is a masculine name that represents a variant spelling of Jordan, which derives from the Hebrew name 'Yarden,' referring to the Jordan River in the Middle East. The river holds significant religious importance in Christianity as the site where Jesus was baptized. As a personal name, Jordon gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century. This alternative spelling with an 'o' rather than an 'a' offers a subtle distinction while maintaining the name's recognized sound and heritage. Jordon peaked in usage in the 1990s in the United States but remains a steady choice for parents seeking a name with biblical connections that still sounds contemporary. The name conveys strength and has a modern, masculine feel.

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.

Widely used in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has an air of generosity and could easily be adopted here.

A variant of Caelan, from a Gaelic name meaning "slender".

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.

Pavel may be widespread in the former Soviet Union, but it has a somewhat impoverished image here.

This attractive Arabic name is gaining attention in the US, used equally for boys and girls. Indeed, its sound (it rhymes with the feminine Tamar but ends with the fashionably masculine -ar sound as in Oscar) and most logical nickname (Sam) make it a choice that's at once accessible and distinctive for both genders.