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Lovely Names

  1. Aaron

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "high mountain; exalted, enlightened"

    • Description:

      Aaron is a name of subtle contrasts: an unusual spelling that is easily recognizable; a solid Biblical choice that doesn’t feel exclusively tied to religion; a well-established name for boys but sometimes confused with the girls’ name, Erin; used internationally but with notably different pronunciations; classic like Andrew but not out of place with recent favorites like Weston or Jayden.
  2. Albany

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Not yet on the place-name map, this name has Shakespearean ties via the Duke Of Albany character in King Lear.
  3. Alice

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."
  4. Allegra

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "joyous"

    • Description:

      In music, the term allegro means "quickly, lively tempo," which makes this quintessential Bohemian ballet dancer's name all the more appealing. Allegra is one of the most distinctive yet accessible girl names starting with A.
  5. Alva

    • Origin:

      English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of Alf

    • Meaning:

      "white; elf"

    • Description:

      While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.
  6. Amelia

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "work"

    • Description:

      Amelia is one of the hottest girls' names, a successor to the megapopular Emma and Emily. Amelia, which spent several years at Number 1 in England, is now comfortably ensconced in the US Top 10.
  7. Amy

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Amy is the English variation of the Old French name Amée—Aimée in modern French. Amée was a translation of the Latin name Amata, which derived from amatus, meaning "beloved." Other spelling variations include Amie and Ami.
  8. Annabeth

    • Origin:

      Combination of Anna and Beth

    • Description:

      This is a long-recognized smoosh name merging Anna with the short form of Elizabeth, and is one of the prettiest combo names, a possible alternative to Annabel.
  9. Anne

    • Origin:

      French variation of English Ann and Hebrew Hannah

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      The name of the sainted mother of the Virgin Mary was among the top girls’ names for centuries, in both the original English Ann spelling and the French Anne. Both left the Top 100 around 1970 but Anne is still among the most classic names for girls, although others are more likely to choose the original Hannah, the Anna variation, or even Annabel or Annabella.
  10. Annie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Ann

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Annie is one of the most open and optimistic, the-sun'll-come-out-tomorrow type of name, having been celebrated over the years in song (Annie Laurie), comic strip (Little Orphan Annie), folklore (Annie Oakley, born Phoebe), and film (Annie Hall). It strikes a nice old-fashioned-but-jaunty chord that still has appeal, but we do suggest that you consider putting a more formal version on her birth certificate.
  11. Arabella

    • Origin:

      Latin, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "yielding to prayer; lovable"

    • Description:

      Arabella, lovely and elegant, has long been well used in Britain and finally made it onto the American list in 2005. A Top 50 choice in the UK, in the US in remains in the Top 300, given to around 1300 babies each year.
  12. Aria

    • Origin:

      Italian and Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "air; song or melody; lion"

    • Description:

      Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.
  13. Asher

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "fortunate, blessed, happy one"

    • Description:

      Asher—an excellent, soft and sensitive Old Testament choice—is a baby boy name on the rise, and is a Nameberry biblical favorite.
  14. Ashton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "ash trees place"

    • Description:

      The recent ascent of this English surname is due to two things: the megapopular Ash beginning and TV/movie hottie Ashton Kutcher. The name peaked at Number 76 in 2004, a year after Ashton Kutcher's (both Christopher Ashton) hit TV show Punk'd made its debut.
  15. Auden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "old friend"

    • Description:

      The poetic, soft-spoken Auden has recently started to be considered as a first name option, used for both sexes, appreciated for its pleasing sound as well as its link to the distinguished modern Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden.
  16. Audrey

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "noble strength"

    • Description:

      Audrey is one of the girls' names that have been rising due to their connection to Old Hollywood glamour—in this case the eternally chic and radiant Audrey Hepburn. Audrey has another very different appeal as one of the elite group of girl names that mean strong, brave, or powerful.
  17. Bay

    • Origin:

      English word, Old English

    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"

    • Description:

      Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
  18. Beatrice

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"

    • Description:

      Beatrice is back. Stored in the attic for almost a century, the lovely Beatrice with its long literary (Shakespeare, Dante) and royal history is being looked at with fresh eyes by parents seeking a classic name with character and lots of upbeat nicknames, like Bea and Bee.
  19. Belle

    • Origin:

      Short form of Isabelle or French

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Belle has nothing but positive associations, from "belle of the ball" to "Southern belle" to the heroine of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. As if this weren't enough good things, Belle is also one of the most familiar and usable names that mean beautiful. Though it has been overshadowed by the Twilight-influenced Bella and longer forms like Isabella and Annabella, Belle has its own Southern charm and would make a pretty choice as a first or middle name.
  20. Beth

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      The sweetest and most sensitive of the pet names for Elizabeth, now also one of the most dated.
  21. Blair

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "dweller on the plain"

    • Description:

      In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former prime minister Tony Blair – it is much less common, although it is in use for boys in its native Scotland.
  22. Blake

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "fair-haired, dark"

    • Description:

      The unisex Blake, which indeed has two conflicting meanings, has a briskly efficient image when used for a girl.
  23. Brady

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "broad meadow or large-chested"

    • Description:

      The Irish name given to Miranda Hobbes's son on the dearly departed Sex and the City is a friendly and energetic choice. You well might want to make your son part of the Brady bunch.
  24. Bree

    • Origin:

      Irish, from Brid, Brigh, Brigid

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      A short, breezy name with a sophisticated yet upbeat image, that doesn't betray its Irish roots. Bree first came to notice here in 1971 via the complex prostitute character in the movie Klute, which earned Jane Fonda an Oscar. More recently, it was tied to the character of Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives.
  25. Brian

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strong, virtuous, and honorable"

    • Description:

      The origins of the name Brian are not entirely clear, but it is suspected that it evolved from an Old Celtic word related to nobility. In Ireland the name is associated with Brian Boru, the most famous of all Irish warrior-kings, credited with driving the Vikings out of Ireland around the year 1000.
  26. Bridget

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Gaelic Brighid

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      Bridget is the Anglicized form of Brigid, an Irish-Gaelic name that was derived from the word brígh, which means "strength."
  27. Bristol

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Meaning:

      "the site of the bridge"

    • Description:

      Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, grabbed her own share of headlines after her pregnancy and having appearing on Dancing With The Stars. She subsequently (almost) single-handedly propelled her distinctive name, derived from the name of a city in England, into the Top 1000 and up the charts.
  28. Callie

    • Origin:

      Greek diminutive

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      As 90s and early 2000s favorite Allie is starting to fall, Callie is feeling extra fresh. Callie is a nickname name that is currently more popular on its own than any of its longer versions. Callie was popular in the late 1800s when it was in the Top 200 for several years. However the name fell out of favor, eventually falling off the charts for some time. Callie has been rising again since the 70s, and it is now back in the Top 200 once again. In the popular show Grey's Anatomy, doctor Callie Torez's full name is the Greek Calliope.
  29. Callista

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "most beautiful"

    • Description:

      Calista Flockhart spotlighted this lovely Greek name that has a long future in the English-speaking world. Kallista is another spelling; Calixta and Calixto are related.
  30. Cecelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Cecelia, with this spelling, got some recent attention as the name of Jim and Pam's baby on The Office -- and also the name of actress Jenna Fischer's newborn niece. A spelling variation of Cecilia that has a gently old-fashioned feel and several appealing short forms, including Celia, Celie, and, as on the TV show, Cece. Three times as many babies are given the Cecilia spelling as get the Cecelia one, though if you plan on calling your daughter Cece or Celia, Cecelia may feel like the more logical spelling.
  31. Cecilia

    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Cecil, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "blind"

    • Description:

      Cecilia is a lovely classic name deservedly enjoying a new turn in the sun. Always among the Top 500 girls' names in the US, Cecilia is now at its highest point ever.
  32. Charlie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Charles, French from German

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlie derives, of course, from the classic name Charles which, in turn, comes from a German word meaning "free man." Charles became very popular in France during the Middle Ages due to the fame of Charles the Great, also known as Charlemagne. Charley is an alternate spelling.
  33. Charlize

    • Origin:

      Feminization of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlize is a name that owes its very life to a star: elegant blond South African actress Charlize Theron. She was named after her father, whose name was Charles. Charlize jumped onto the popularity lists in 2004, the year the actress won the Oscar for lead actress in Monster.
  34. Cher

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      For years there was only one Cher, and then along came the charming heroine of the movie "Clueless." The world now officially has enough Chers in it.
  35. Claire

    • Origin:

      French form of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"

    • Description:

      Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice.
  36. Clea

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      An attractive and unusual name that may be a variation of Cleo, Clea was possibly invented by Lawrence Durrell for a character in his Alexandria Quartet.
  37. Clementine

    • Origin:

      French feminine version of Clement, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"

    • Description:

      Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.
  38. Cole

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "swarthy, coal black"

    • Description:

      Cole -- a short name that embodies a lot of richness and depth -- has long been associated with the great songwriter Cole Porter. It's quite popular in Scotland.
  39. Daphne

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "laurel tree, bay tree"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Daphne was the nymph daughter of Peneus, a river god. Peneus saved Daphne from Apollo’s romantic obsessions by transforming her into a laurel tree. It is from this myth that the plant genus daphne, which contains the laurel species, gets its name.
  40. Delphine

    • Origin:

      French from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "of Delphi; womb"

    • Description:

      Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
  41. Drew

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Drew is an elegant formerly male-only alternative to Andy that joined the stylishly upscale Paige-Brooke-Blair sorority, thanks largely to Drew Barrymore. Barrymore comes by her first name legitimately: it was the maiden name of her paternal great-grandmother, Georgiana 'Georgie' Drew Barrymore, one of many esteemed actors in her family history.
  42. Ebba

    • Origin:

      English or German

    • Meaning:

      "fortress of riches, or strength of a boar"

    • Description:

      Ebba, the feminine version of Eberhard and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity.
  43. Eleanor

    • Origin:

      English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Eleanor's straightforward feminine image combined with its royal medieval history is striking just the right note for parents in search of a girls' name that combines substance and style.
  44. Elise

    • Origin:

      French variation of Elizabeth

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elise is one of those golden names that stylish but not TOO popular. Its appeal is due in large part to its French flair and to the love for El-names in general.
  45. Elizabeth

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Elizabeth is one of the most popular girls' names of all time, the female equivalent of James or William. Yet Elizabeth has so much going for it—rich history, broad appeal, and timeless style—that no matter how many little girls are named Lizzie, Eliza, and Beth, you can still make Elizabeth your own.
  46. Emmett

    • Origin:

      English masculine variation of Emma, German

    • Meaning:

      "universal"

    • Description:

      Emmett, honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, is on the rise as a male cognate of the megapopular Emma and Emily, not to mention being a character in the popular Twilight series.
  47. Ethan

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong, firm"

    • Description:

      Ethan is a name that succeeds in being at once classic and fashionable, serious and cheery, strong and sensitive. Given a big boost via the name of the Tom Cruise character in the Mission Impossible film series, Ethan has fallen from its peak at Number 2 in 2009 and 2010, but is still popular in the US along with several other countries.
  48. Fabien

    • Description:

      Fabien is a masculine name of French origin, serving as the French variant of the Latin name Fabianus, which derives from 'Fabius,' an ancient Roman family name. The name ultimately stems from 'faba,' meaning 'bean grower.' Fabien carries an air of sophistication and continental charm, popular throughout French-speaking regions and increasingly recognized internationally. In France, it saw significant popularity during the 1960s-1980s. The name suggests qualities of creativity, elegance, and intelligence. While less common in English-speaking countries, Fabien has gained some recognition through notable bearers, including French athletes and artists, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with European flair.

  49. Faith

    • Origin:

      Virtue name

    • Description:

      Faith is one of the most straightforward of the virtue names popularized by the Puritans in the seventeenth century, many parents still choosing it as an indicator of their religious conviction. Faith peaked in 2002 at Number 48.
  50. Farah

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "happiness"

    • Description:

      Farah is a soft and lovely Arabic name, best known here in this original spelling via the last Empress of Iran, Farah Palavi. It's currently a Top 250 name in both France and the Netherlands, which both have a large Arabic-speaking population, and appears in at least two video games.
  51. Felicity

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "good fortune, happy"

    • Description:

      Felicity is as accessible a virtue name as Hope and Faith, but much more feminine -- and dare we say, happier. The hit TV show did a lot to soften and modernize the once buttoned-up image of Felicity, and it got further notice as the red-haired Colonial doll, Felicity Merriman, in the American Girl series. A current bearer is actress Felicity Huffman.
  52. Finn

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair or white"

    • Description:

      Finn is a name with enormous energy and charm, that of the greatest hero of Irish mythology, Finn MacCool (aka Fionn mac Cuumhaill), an intrepid warrior with mystical supernatural powers, noted as well for his wisdom and generosity.
  53. Flavian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "yellow hair"

    • Description:

      A Latin clan name that may rise again along with other things Roman.
  54. Gemma

    • Origin:

      Italian, Catalonian, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"

    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  55. George

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "farmer"

    • Description:

      Iconoclasts though we may be, we like Fred, we like Frank, and we like George, which was among the Top 10 from 1830 to 1950, when the number of little Georges started to decline. Solid, strong, royal and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious, we think that George is in prime position for a comeback, especially since it was chosen by Britain's royal couple.
  56. Georgina

    • Origin:

      English, feminine variation of George

    • Meaning:

      "farmer"

    • Description:

      Now more popular than Georgiana in Britain, this elegant Dickens. Jane Austen name deserves attention. Most American parents prefer Georgia to Georgina or any other feminization of George.
  57. Grace

    • Origin:

      English, virtue name

    • Description:

      Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
  58. Gracie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Grace

    • Description:

      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.
  59. Gwendolyn

    • Origin:

      Variation of Gwendolen, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "white ring"

    • Description:

      One spelling variation that's more popular than the original, this somewhat old-fashioned name might be in honor of poet Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African-American to win a Pulitzer prize for poetry, or may be a way to get to the modern short form Gwen.
  60. Harrold

    • Description:

      Harrold is a masculine name of Germanic origin, variant of Harold, derived from the Old English elements 'here' meaning 'army' and 'weald' meaning 'power' or 'ruler', thus translating to 'army ruler' or 'leader of the army'. This traditional name carries historical significance, as it was borne by several medieval English kings, including Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. The Harrold spelling variation adds a slight distinction to the more common Harold. While its popularity peaked in the early 20th century, it has since declined, now considered a vintage name that occasionally appears as a family surname passed down as a first name. Harrold offers a distinguished, strong character with its connection to leadership and historical significance.

  61. Harry

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Henry

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Harry is the medieval English form of Henry, which derived from the Germanic name Heimrich, meaning "estate ruler." Harry was the nickname of all eight King Henrys; it is also a diminutive of Harold and Harrison.
  62. Haven

    • Origin:

      Word name, English

    • Meaning:

      "a place of safety"

    • Description:

      Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
  63. Hendrix

    • Origin:

      Dutch and German, from first name Hendrik

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Hendrix is one of those hip rock and roll names, like Lennon, Jagger and Presley, that have been used by fellow celebs and others, to honor the seminal guitarist/singer/songwriter Jimi. And this one has the trendy 'x' ending, as well, helping to propel it up the charts and into the spotlight.
  64. Henry

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "estate ruler"

    • Description:

      Henry is back. The classic Henry climbed back onto the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and now stands at Number 8.
  65. Hilary

    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "cheerful, happy"

    • Description:

      Hilary (also spelled with two 'l's) is a hot potato of a name, so closely identified with Sen. Clinton that it's hard for most parents to see it as a baby name. A pity, really, as it's got so much going for it: the popular, rhythmic three-syllable structure, the fact that it's strong but light, proper but jaunty, with an irresistible meaning -- having the same root as hilarious.
  66. Holden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "hollow valley"

    • Description:

      Holden is a classic case of a name that jumped out of a book and onto birth certificates--though it took quite a while. Parents who loved J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye are flocking to the name of its hero, Holden Caulfield -- not coincidentally in tune with the Hudson-Hayden-Colton field of names.
  67. Irvin

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "handsome, fair of face"

    • Description:

      Irvin is an Old Man name that has an uncertain future. Losing the final g in Irving makes the name slightly less dated -- but just slightly. There's something about the 'erv' sound that makes Irvin and brothers feel unappealing.
  68. Isla

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name or Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
  69. Ivy

    • Origin:

      Botanical name

    • Description:

      The quirky, offbeat and energetic botanical name Ivy is enjoying a deserved revival, propelled even higher by its choice by high-profile parents Beyonce and Jay-Z for daughter Blue Ivy. Ivy is also traditionally used at Christmas, make this one of the perfect names for December babies.
  70. Jade

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "stone of the side"

    • Description:

      As a precious stone, Jade is known for its cool green hues, its importance in Chinese art, and its ability to transmit wisdom, confidence, and clarity. As a name however, Jade is a 90’s throwback in the UK, a Number 1 choice in France, and a returning gem in the US right now.
  71. Jenson

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "son of Jens"

    • Description:

      The surname name Jenson is in the British Top 100 thanks to champion race car driver Jenson Button. Jenson might be an honorific for an ancestral John, the English form of Jens or Johannes, or even Jen.
  72. Jules

    • Origin:

      Latin; Greek

    • Meaning:

      "youthful; soft, downy"

    • Description:

      Jules is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls. It's rarer than Billie, with a cool and casual feel. It's use in the popular TV series Euphoria - where the character of Jules Vaughn was portrayed by Hunter Schafer - brought this name into the spotlight.
  73. Keira

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"

    • Description:

      Keira is an attractive girls’ name that's gotten a huge boost from the meteoric rise of Keira Knightley. Original spelling Kiera, which relates more directly to the male Kieran, was the more popular form until the rise of Keira Knightley reversed the order. Both are Anglicized versions of the Irish Ciara.
  74. Kirsten

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Christine

    • Description:

      Lovely, authentic name -- but any Kirsten will be condemned to a lifetime of hearing "Did you say Kristen?" They're both genuine Scandinavian names but too interchangeable.
  75. Laetitia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "gladness, happiness"

    • Description:

      Laetitia adds a layer of ancient patina to the more prosaic LETITIA.
  76. Laila

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Layla or Sami variation of Helga, Arabic or Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "night; holy"

    • Description:

      Beguiling and lovely, Laila is one of the lilting variations of Leila and Layla. It's the name of the former-boxer daughter of Muhammad Ali and of actor Shawn Wayans. In Finland, the Sami people use this in place of the Scandinavian name Helga.
  77. Layla

    • Origin:

      Variation of Leila, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "night"

    • Description:

      A lovely musical name (remember the old Eric Clapton-Derek & the Dominos song?), Layla's seen a significant surge in popularity, partly partly all names with a double L are stylish, and partly because all the forms of the name push it into the Top 15 for girls.
  78. Leighton

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "meadow town"

    • Description:

      One of those names that's suddenly on the map because of a celebrity's influence, Leighton Meester of the TV show Gossip Girl. She pronounces it LAY-ton but some will intuitively say LEE-ton.
  79. Lennon

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "lover"

    • Description:

      A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.
  80. Lennox

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "elm grove"

    • Description:

      Lennox is an aristocratic and powerful Scottish surname name made truly special by that final x. The worldwide fame of British boxer--World and Olympic champion--Lennox Claudius Lewis brought the name into the spotlight as a first name, while as a last it's tied to Eurythmics singer Annie L.
  81. Leon

    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Leo

    • Meaning:

      "lion"

    • Description:

      Currently overshadowed by the bright and lively Leo, Leon feels a slightly more serious, more quietly confident than its short and trending counterpart.
  82. Levi

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "joined, attached"

    • Description:

      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.
  83. Linda

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Portuguese and Italian

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  84. Linus

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "flax"

    • Description:

      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.
  85. Lizzie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Lizzie was commonly used as an independent name in the last half of the nineteenth century. Today Lizzie is still one of the most stylish short forms of Elizabeth, but few U.S. parents put it on the birth certificate.
  86. Lloyd

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "gray"

    • Description:

      This Welsh surname was taken up as a first in the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century, originally as a nickname for someone gray-haired. The original Welsh nickname was Llwyd, pronounced LHOO-eed, and is the Welsh word for the color.
  87. Logan

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "small hollow"

    • Description:

      According to exclusive Nameberry data, Logan is officially the Number 1 gender-neutral name in the US, but that statistic is somewhat misleading given that nearly 90 percent of the baby Logans born in 2023 were boys.
  88. Lou

    • Origin:

      Short form of Louise

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou is usually a short form of Louise, Louisa, or Lucy in English-speaking countries, when Lou is used for girls at all. But in France and Germany, it's a fashionable choice all on its own, sure to gain even more widespread style credibility since Heidi Klum and Seal chose it for their daughter.
  89. Lou

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Louis or Lewis, French and German

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou, all by itself, is become fashionable for girls, which usually makes a name LESS fashionable for boys. But Lou, like Bill or Jim, is rarely used on its own for boys anyway. (You wouldn't name a boy Frederick Lou the way that girls are named Mary Lou or, in the case of Keri Russell's new baby, Willa Lou.) Long form Louis is getting cool again and, with the Lewis spelling, is the Number 2 name in Scotland.
  90. Louise

    • Origin:

      French and English, feminine variation of Louis

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Louise has for several decades now been seen as competent, studious, and efficient—desirable if not dramatic qualities. But now along with a raft of other L names, as well as cousin Eloise, Louise is up for reappreciation—sleek and chic, stylish in Paris, and starting to become so in the US as well. Louisa is perhaps more in tune with the times, but Louise has more edge. Louise has been on the rise lately, and reentered the US Top 1000 for the first time in a quarter century in 2016.
  91. Lux

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light"

    • Description:

      This name of a character played by Kirsten Dunst in the movie Virgin Suicides, originally a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, is gaining attention, also thanks to the heroine Lux, Lady of Luminosity in the League of Legends games. Luz is the Spanish version.
  92. Lydia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "woman from Lydia"

    • Description:

      Lydia is one of the first place names, after an area of Asia Minor whose inhabitants are credited with strong musical talent great wealth. Always among the US Top 1000 girl names, Lydia is a quietly fashionable classic.
  93. Lyla

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Lila, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "night"

    • Description:

      The Lyla spelling variation has now superseded the original Lila — the former remains on the rise while the latter is consistently falling in popularity.
  94. Mae

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "beloved, bitter, drop of the sea; pearl"

    • Description:

      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.
  95. Maelle

    • Origin:

      French or Breton

    • Meaning:

      "chief or prince"

    • Description:

      This feminine form of Mael has the distinctive "aelle" ending found in Brittany. In the French spelling Maëlle, it is a Top 100 girls' name in France.
  96. Maeve

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "she who intoxicates"

    • Description:

      Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. Maeve would make an excellent first or middle name choice, with more heft than Mae/May and more modern charm than Mavis.
  97. Maisie

    • Origin:

      Scottish diminutive of Margaret or Mary

    • Meaning:

      "pearl or bitter"

    • Description:

      Maisie, a charming name long popular as a nickname for Margaret or Mary, entered the Top 1000 as itself ten years ago and continues to rise. Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams helped propel the name back into the limelight, along with the that of her character, Arya.
  98. Maura

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Maire

    • Description:

      Somber, almost mournful name that still has a lovely sound.
  99. Meg

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Meg, perennially one of the Little Women, is a Margaret short form that manages to be neither quite in nor quite out of style. Meg is sleeker and more sophisticated than Maggie, more contemporary than Peg, more stylish than Megan, and still one of the best diminutives of Margaret.

      Meg Ryan was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne.

  100. Meredith

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "great ruler"

    • Description:

      Meredith is a soft, gentle-sounding name with subtle Welsh roots. Although originally a boys’ name , Meredith is used mainly for girls now.
  101. Mila

    • Origin:

      Slavic, Russian

    • Meaning:

      "gracious; dear"

    • Description:

      Mila is a popular name that took a 125 year nap, ranking in the Top 1000 in 1881 and then not ranking again until 2006, after actress Mila Kunis appeared on That 70s Show.
  102. Miles

    • Origin:

      English form of Milo, Latin and Old German,"soldier or merciful"

    • Meaning:

      "soldier or merciful"

    • Description:

      Miles, which has a permanent veneer of cool thanks to jazz great Miles Davis, is a confident and polished boys' name that's an American classic. Always ranking in the US Top 1000, it's been drifting up the charts for the past half century and now ranks at its highest point ever, in the Top 50.
  103. Niall

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "cloud"

    • Description:

      Niall is pronounced nye-al--something like Neil, but this Irish spelling of the name makes it much more current and cool.
  104. November

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      The menu of usable month names seems to expand every, well, month, with such choices as November, October, and January joining more established names like April, May, June and August. Logical November nicknames include Nova, Novi, or Ember, making this a natural (if adventurous) choice for a baby girl. November is also, obviously, one of the perfect names for November babies.
  105. Olive

    • Origin:

      English, from Latin, nature name

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      Though greatly overshadowed by the trendy Olivia, Olive has a quiet, subtle appeal of its own -- and is now enjoying a remarkable comeback. Olive is one of only four girl names starting with O on the US Top 1000. Cool couple Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen chose it for their daughter, reviving the name to stylishness, and now Drew Barrymore has a little Olive too, as has country singer Jake Owen.
  106. Oliver

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree or elf army"

    • Description:

      Oliver is an international star, ranking near the top of the charts in the US and throughout the English-speaking world, along with a host of European and Latin American countries, from Norway to Chile, Slovenia to Switzerland.
  107. Orlando

    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Roland

    • Meaning:

      "famous throughout the land"

    • Description:

      Orlando, the ornate Italianate twist on the dated Roland, with a literary heritage stretching back to Shakespeare and before, has appealing book-ended o's, and is open to combination with almost any last name, a la British actor, Orlando Bloom.
  108. Paige

    • Origin:

      English, occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "page to a lord"

    • Description:

      Paige is more name, and less word than the occupational Page. Paige is also sleek and sophisticated a la Brooke and Blair and reached as high as Number 47 in 2003, when there was a very popular television show, Trading Spaces, hosted by the energetic Paige Davis.
  109. Philippa

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine variation of Philip

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      Philippa is a prime example of a boy's name adapted for girls that was common as crumpets in Cornwall, but rarely heard stateside. That was before the advent of royal sister-in-law Philippa Middleton, who goes by the lively nickname Pippa.
  110. Pippa

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philippa

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      Pippa, a peppy condensation of Philippa that turns it from serious to sprightly, has come into the public eye in a big way via the former Kate Middleton's sister.
  111. Poppy

    • Origin:

      English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "red flower"

    • Description:

      Poppy, unlike most floral names which are sweet and feminine, has a lot of spunk. Long popular throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Poppy is finally starting to rise toward the top in the US, where it entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
  112. Reed

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"

    • Description:

      A slim, elegant, silvery surname, Reed could be a banker or a sculptor, and therein lies the appeal of this simple yet distinctive name. The versatile Reed can be seen as a grass-like nature name and a musical name.
  113. Reese

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "ardor"

    • Description:

      The sassy, steel magnolia appeal of Oscar-winning Reese (born Laura Jeanne—Reese is her mother's maiden name) Witherspoon has single-handedly propelled this formerly boys’ name into girls' popularity.
  114. Rose

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "rose, a flower"

    • Description:

      Rose is derived from the Latin rosa, which referred to the flower. There is also evidence to suggest it was a Norman variation of the Germanic name Hrodohaidis, meaning "famous type," and also Hros, "horse". In Old English it was translated as Roese and Rohese.
  115. Rosie

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "rose"

    • Description:

      Rosy-cheeked and cheery, Rosie (also spelled Rosy) has been standing on her own for many decades, back to the days of 1943 musical Sweet Rosie O'Grady. She's one of the perky nickname-names that are filling the popularity lists of other English-speaking countries. In the US, she came back to the Top 1000 in 2013, after a 30 year hiatus. In 2023, Rosie was one of the fastest rising girl names.
  116. Ruby

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "deep red precious stone"

    • Description:

      Vibrant, sassy, and bubbly, Ruby is a vintage gem that hasn’t lost any of its sparkle. Currently popular in a number of English-speaking countries, Ruby is proof of the 100 Year Rule, trending again for the first time since its heyday in the 1910s.
  117. Rufus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "red-head"

    • Description:

      Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.
  118. Ryan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little king"

    • Description:

      Ryan’s use as a given name was inspired by the surname Ryan, a variation of the Irish O’Riain meaning "son of Rían." Rían is composed of the Irish-Gaelic elements rí, meaning "king" and an, a diminutive suffix. Ryan is considered a unisex name in the US, where variant spellings Ryann and Ryanne are also valid for girls.
  119. Samuel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "told by God"

    • Description:

      Samuel has been so popular for so long that it's hard to believe it's still climbing, at its highest point since the 1890s.
  120. Scarlett

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "scarlet, red"

    • Description:

      Scarlett Johansson is doing more for this sparky southern name than Scarlett O'Hara ever did. Since the turn of the 21st century, Scarlett has gone from an obscure literary name to one of the most popular girls' names starting with S, right after longtime favorites Sophia and Sofia.
  121. Serena

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "tranquil, serene"

    • Description:

      Serena, a name used since Roman times, was given fresh life by tennis star Williams, and then again with the leading character on Gossip Girl, Serena van der Woodsen. There have also been Serenas on soap operas and other shows from Bewitched to Law & Order.
  122. Sienna

    • Origin:

      Italian color name

    • Meaning:

      "orange red"

    • Description:

      Sienna has been a Top 100 choice in England & Wales since 2005, the year after Sienna Miller's acting breakthrough in the hit movies Alfie and Layer Cake. In the US, it also got a big boost in the early noughties, before dropping slightly then rebounding to reach an all-time high in 2022.
  123. Sinead

    • Origin:

      Irish form of Janet

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      One of the best known of the Irish girls' names, thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by now everyone in the Western World knows it's pronounced shin-aid and so would have no trouble fitting in on an American playground.
  124. Snow

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      There's definitely a cold front of names for winter babies moving in, with Summer, Spring and Autumn giving way to Winter--plus North, January, Frost--and Snow. This name feels brisk, fresh, pure, evocative -- and magical. A haunting middle name choice.
  125. Spencer

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "house steward, dispenser of provisions"

    • Description:

      Spencer is a name that has everything: it's both distinguished sounding and accessible, dignified but Spencer Tracy-like friendly. Picked by several celebrities (a couple of times even for a girl), adding up to an enthusiastically recommended choice.
  126. Summer

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      The temperature is definitely rising for this popular seasonal name, which began being used in the seventies, and has been heard consistently ever since.
  127. Tara

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rocky hill"

    • Description:

      Despite a rich history in Irish myth preceding its plantation appearance in Gone with the Wind, widespread use in the seventies caused Tara to lose its Irish accent.
  128. Theo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodore

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      See the popularity graph below for the name Theo? It's been heading straight uphill since 2010, when it hopped back onto the Top 1000 after a 60+ year absence.
  129. Tierney

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of a lord"

    • Description:

      Tierney is a Celtic surname with a definite Irish twinkle, a name just waiting to be discovered. Though now sometimes used for girls (in the US, not Ireland), as in jazz singer Tierney Sutton, it still has plenty of masculine punch.
  130. Tom

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Thomas

    • Meaning:

      "twin"

    • Description:

      Just like Sam and Ben, Tom could be revived as a simple, well liked name on its own. Tom, just Tom, is one of the Top 100 Boy Names in France
  131. Valerie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Valeria

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      The name of a martyred medieval saint, Valerie has been on the popularity list since its earliest publication in 1880. Though it peaked in the 1960s, remaining in the Top 100 until 1988, it still doesn't sound terminally dated; the association with the word valor gives it a sense of boldness and makes it one of the special group of girl names that mean strong.
  132. Verena

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "integrity"

    • Description:

      Verena is pleasant but old-fashioned. Whether that's the outdated kind of old-fashioned or the so-out-it's-in-again kind is your call.
  133. Wade

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "at the river crossing"

    • Description:

      Wade has never been outside the US Top 1000 for boys - there's a reason for that. It has a clean spelling, fresh sound and is neither too trendy (unlike Kade or Cade) or too old-school (like Richard or Albert). We think Wade is a winning name.
  134. Will

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protector"

    • Description:

      Will has definitely replaced Bill, not only as a nickname for William but as a stand-alone name as well, partly thanks to England's Prince William, also known as Wills. Currently outside the Top 1000 in the US and the UK, it wouldn't feel totally out of style.
  135. Wilson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Will"

    • Description:

      Wilson is a substantive presidential choice far less prevalent than Taylor or Tyler, and with the advantage of being a new route to friendly nickname Will. We see Wilson growing in popularity as an alternative to William; and as a patronymic, it would make a conceivable (if possibly confusing) choice for a son of William.
  136. Zara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew and Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "blooming flower; God remembers"

    • Description:

      Zara has multiple origins, but most notably is a variation of Zahrah, a name derived from the Arabic zahrah, meaning "blooming flower." Zara can also be a diminutive of the Bulgarian name Zaharina, a feminine form of the Hebrew Zechariah. Today, Zara is heavily associated with the Spanish fast-fashion empire of the same name.
  137. Zoe

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100.
  138. Zoey

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Zoe

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Zoey is a modern spelling variation of Zoe, the Greek Jewish translation of Eve. For a few years, it was even more popular than the original Zoe, but has now dropped back to the second ranked spelling.