Macho Nerd

Abigail has been in for so long -- the name has ranked in the US Top 100 since the late 1980s -- it's amazing that it isn't more out by now. But Abigail's biblical and historic roots make it a fashionable classic rather than a passing fad.

As a form of the popular Arabic name, Hamid, Ahmad could be seen as a contraction for one of the 99 names for Allah, al-Ḥamīd, however, it might also be a variation of Muhammad as they share the same roots. Either way, the name has many variants of its own, the Urdu Ahmed, the Kazakh Akhmet, and West African Amadou.

Nickname for Alena, a Helen variation that can be heard in Eastern Europe.

The independent Alex has become a classic in its own right. One of the truest unisex names, Alex is used almost equally for both sexes. Alex is used both on its own and as a short form of formal names of both genders, such as Alexander, Alexandra, and Alexis.

Amrita may be considered the feminine version of the names Amrit and Amar. In Sanskrit 'a' means 'not' and 'mrita' means dead, giving this name it's powerful meaning. Amrita may also refer to a potion that bestows immortality upon those who drink it (similar to the Greek ambrosia).

A strong sounding name with a joyful meaning.

With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, and melodic option. Similar in style to Atlas and Atticus and similar in sound to Arlo, Paolo, Paul, and Ollie, Apollo entered the US Top 1000 back in 2012, and was propelled upwards after it was chosen by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale in 2014.

Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.

Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the moon. Artemis is the equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice.

Asil is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'noble,' 'authentic,' or 'pure-bred.' It carries connotations of dignity, honor, and high moral character. In Arabic culture, the name is associated with thoroughbred horses known for their beauty and strength, metaphorically extending these qualities to the name bearer. Asil has moderate popularity in Middle Eastern countries and is gradually gaining recognition internationally due to its distinctive sound and positive meaning. The name's brevity and melodic quality make it easy to pronounce across different languages, contributing to its cross-cultural appeal.

Aslan, derived from the Old Turkic word arslan, meaning "lion," is best known in the West as the name of the heroic lion in C.S. Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" series, who serves as an allegorical stand-in for Jesus Christ. It was also used as a positive epithet for several Turkish emperors in the Middle Ages.

Asra is a feminine name with roots in multiple cultures. In Arabic, it means 'travel by night' or 'night journey', referring to the Prophet Muhammad's miraculous night journey in Islamic tradition. In Hindu and Indian contexts, it can mean 'help' or 'support'. The name also appears in Persian culture with connections to concepts of gentleness or beauty. With its simple two-syllable structure and melodic sound, Asra has cross-cultural appeal while remaining relatively uncommon in Western countries. The name has gained modest popularity among Muslim communities worldwide and is appreciated for its spiritual significance, brevity, and elegant pronunciation. Its multicultural nature makes it appealing to parents seeking names with deep meaning and international relevance.

Similar to the floral name Aster, this spelling derives separately from Old Provençal astur "hawk") and from the Icelandic name elements as ("god") and þor ("thunder").

Since Aurelius was given the supermodel seal of approval by Elle Macpherson, it has joined Augustus as an ancient Roman name that feels usable today. Slightly mystical and magical, Aurelius is grounded by its similarity to rising stars Aurora, Aurelia, and Atticus, and its golden aura is certainly appealing. 

Austin is one of the most attractive city names for babies, with an appealing southwestern feel and place-name panache.

Azriel is more masculine than Ariel, more unusual than Israel. Also spelled Asriel and Azrael, Azriel is the name of the Angel of Death in Jewish and Muslim traditions.