User-created list
By RenG · Updated January 2023
Across 4 pages
of 4
Anglicized form of Irish Caitlin
"pure"
Kathleen is the early Irish import version that came between Katherine and Kaitlin, and which hasn't been used in so long it's almost beginning to sound fresh again. It was a surprise pick by one of…
German variation of Madeline; combination of Mary and Magdalen
Marlene Dietrich made it famous when she condensed her first two names, Maria and Magdalena. Now more often pronounced with two syllables rather than three.
Spanish, Hindi
"pearl; truth, order"
One of the glamour girl names of the Rita Hayworth 1940s, Rita was once a Top 50 name and stayed on the SSA list until 2002. The name Rita still has enough Latin zip to be a lively, revivable short…
Irish
"land of Owen"
Immigrated into American pop culture in the person of 1940s superstar Tyrone Power, Jr. It has been on a steady decline since the 1970s.
Latin and English
"bear cub"
In the past, Orson has felt like a one-person moniker, tied to film director Orson Welles, who dropped his given name of George in favor of his more distinctive middle. While the Citizen Kane creator…
English surname
"hare land"
Arlen is a surname long used as a first name: It ranked on the US Top 1000 from the late 1920s until the late 1960s. Originally, Arlen was a variation of Harlan which came from Harland, a place-name…
German and Scandinavian variation of Charles
Manly almost to the point of macho.
French
"wood"
The patron saint of comedians and dancers (also known as St Vitus) has a name that is both the ultimate everyman, and has a hint of British aristocracy. In the States, Guy was most popular in the…
Japanese, Slovene, Hebrew, English, Greek
"beautiful fragrance; who is like God?; follower of Demeter"
Mika is a sparky and stylish Japanese girls' name that translates easily to English. Also used as a Slovene and Hebrew diminutive for Mihaela and Michaela, as an alternative spelling to the Biblical…
Arabic
"servant of Allah"
Widespread choice in the Muslim world, this was the name of both the father of the Prophet Mohammed and one of his sons.
Scottish
"a narrow valley"
Former cool-boy name now in middle-aged limbo, but with a nice naturey meaning to endear it to modern parents.
"yew wood"
Peaking in the 1950s, Yvonne has now dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2003 and doesn't look set to return soon, although its rare Y initial might endear it to some. Yvaine, from Neil Gaiman's Stardust…
English word name
"dawn, sunrise"
Associated with the first light of the day, and more figuratively with new beginnings and fresh starts, Dawn's heyday came in the 1960s and 70s in the US, Canada and the UK. It had been in the charts…
Aedan is a masculine name of Irish and Scottish Gaelic origin, meaning 'little fire' or 'fiery one.' This ancient Celtic name has historical significance as it was borne by several Irish saints and…
Color name
Blue suddenly came into the spotlight, as the unusual color name chosen by Beyonce and Jay-Z for their baby girl Blue Ivy. Blue is also a starbaby middle name du jour, used for both sexes in…
Abigale is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Abigail, which derives from the Hebrew name 'Avigayil,' meaning 'father's joy' or 'source of joy.' This beautiful alternative spelling…
"safe"
Very popular throughout the Arab world and growing in use in the US as well, where it was given last year to more than 50 baby girls.
Billy is an unexpectedly feminine usage of what is traditionally a masculine nickname for William. When used for girls, Billy typically represents a diminutive of feminine names like Wilhelmina,…
Jewel name, from the French
"pomegranate"
One of the jewel names in use a hundred years ago, due for revival along with sisters Ruby and Pearl.
Camillia is a feminine name that represents a variation of Camilla, with origins in Latin. The name is associated with virginal attendants to the goddess Diana in Roman mythology, particularly the…
