Possible Names for My Future Children

We usually think of place-names as a modern invention, but in fact Arizona ranked on the US Top 1000 from its inception in 1880 until 1911, when it vanished below the surface. It peaked at Number 510 in 1882, before Arizona became a state. One notorious vintage bearer: criminal "Ma" Barker, born Arizona Clark.

Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the update Barnaby, but could gain some attention as boys' names ending in 's' are enjoying a comeback.

Extreme makeover: Brooklyn has gone from jokey Borough Boy name in the 1990s to a leading girls' name starting with B. The status of New York's Brooklyn as hipster heaven is ironic as few bona fide Brooklyn hipsters would choose this name.

Eliott is traditionally a masculine name derived from Hebrew elements meaning 'the Lord is my God,' though this entry lists it as feminine. As a feminine name, it represents the growing trend of gender-crossing names. While Elliott (with two t's) is the more common spelling for boys, the single-t version might be seen as a more feminine variant. This name contains a blend of strength and softness in its sound, making it versatile across genders. Eliott for a girl follows the contemporary pattern of adopting surname-style names for daughters. Though still relatively uncommon for girls, it provides a distinctive alternative to more traditional feminine names while offering nickname options like Eli or Ellie.

Elisa is one of the most appealing of this contingent of Elizabeth-related names. In the US, Eliza is much more stylish these days, but Elisa is very popular internationally — especially in Europe and Latin America.

Emerson is a dignified, somewhat serious name associated with transcendental thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson. Much more popular now for girls since Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher used it for her daughter, it is definitely still a viable boys name.

Ezekiel used to be reduced to its nickname Zeke, but modern parents now embrace it in full for its power and dignity. Along with biblical brethren Asher and Ezra, Ezekiel is rising steadily up the popularity charts and is poised to take over for fading first wave Old Testament choices such as Zachary.

Isabella has been a Top 10 name for girls in the US for two decades now. The Latinate form of Isabel, a variation of Elizabeth which originally derived from the Hebrew name Elisheba, Isabella reigned as Number 1 in 2009 and 2010.

Jack may have fallen from its Number 1 place in England, but in the US it's as popular as it was at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. A durable, cheery, everyman form of John, Jack ranks as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.

Kaylee meets Hailey.

Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.

Lilli is a charming feminine name with multiple origins. It's primarily considered a diminutive of Elizabeth or Lillian, but also stands as a name in its own right in many European countries, particularly in Scandinavian and Germanic regions. The name evokes imagery of the lily flower, symbolizing purity and innocence. Short yet distinctive, Lilli balances sweetness with sophistication and works well across cultures. While less common than Lily or Lillie in English-speaking countries, it has maintained steady popularity in northern Europe. Its simplicity, floral connection, and international appeal make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that is both delicate and unfussy.

Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be yes.

Mae, a sweet and springlike old-fashioned name, hadn't been on the national charts in forty years, but finally made it back in 2010. Mae is derived from May, the month name that was chosen for its connection to Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and motherhood.

Maggie is a cute, earthy short form that has been in style for several decades now, still sometimes used as an independent name by such parents as Jon Stewart. First used in Scotland, it got a large bump in popularity via the 1971 Rod Stewart hit song "Maggie May." Today's Maggie might just as well be short for a more adventurous name such as Magdalena or Magnolia as for the classic Margaret.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was born Margaret.

Metta -- or Mette or Meta -- is an international short form of the classic Margaret, ranking in the Swedish Top 100 but never heard here. There were fewer than five baby girls given any spelling of this name in the US last year.

The bright, playful Micah feels like the middle ground between the safe, solid qualities of Michael and the flair and energy of Luca. Both Biblical and stylish, Micah is proving popular among parents today.

Like the original spelling Micah, more parents each year are considering this name for girls.

Milo is most commonly considered to be Germanic name derived from the Latin word miles, meaning "soldier." However, there is evidence to suggest it also may have independently spawned from the Slavic root milu, meaning "merciful." Milo predates brother name Miles, a variation that evolved when the name immigrated to the British Isles in the Middle Ages. Mylo is an alternate spelling.

Noellia is a feminine name derived from the French word "Noël," meaning "Christmas." This elegant variation adds a lyrical quality to the more familiar Noel or Noelle. The name suggests a connection to the Christmas season, potentially indicating a child born during or near the holiday. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Noellia has seen some usage in Hispanic communities. The name carries a festive, joyful connotation while maintaining a sophisticated sound. Its flowing pronunciation with the double 'l' gives it a musical quality. Noellia offers the cute nicknames Noe, Ella, or Lia. For parents seeking a name with seasonal significance but desiring something more distinctive than traditional Christmas-related names, Noellia presents an appealing option.