Future baby #2 names

The name of a character in Dawson's Creek, from a surname derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Paccius, of unknown meaning.

Just when we thought Paisley couldn't get trendier, this -ee suffix showed up. Although it's not our favorite, parents are choosing this spelling more and more often.

One of the first generation of surname names, along with Porter and Morgan, Parker's still one of the most appealing and remains firmly in the Top 100 for boys. About three times as many boys as girls get this occupational name. The association with Charlie Parker gives Parker itself a jazzy edge, and it also has a nature-related meaning. Rosie O'Donnell has a son named Parker.

Payten is primarily a feminine name though it can be used for any gender. It originated as a variant spelling of Peyton, which was traditionally an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'Paega's town' or 'Paega's settlement.' The name gained popularity as a first name in the United States during the 1990s and continued rising in the early 2000s. The unique spelling with 'ay' instead of 'ey' gives it a more contemporary feel. Payten carries connotations of strength and distinction. Its rise coincided with the trend toward using surnames as first names and the popularity of unisex names. The name maintains a modern, sporty image while still retaining traditional roots.

For such a short, simple name, Pela has many possible derivations and meanings. It's most commonly cited as a short form of Penelope, but can also be a nickname for Pelagia, a name related to the sea.

Pen is a concise masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. As a standalone name, it can be derived from the Welsh element 'pen' meaning 'head' or 'chief,' suggesting leadership. It may also function as a shortened form of longer names like Penrose, Penton, or Spencer. In Eastern cultures, particularly Chinese, Pen can represent different characters with meanings like 'basin' or 'foundation.' The name's simplicity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its cross-cultural versatility adds depth. Though uncommon as a full given name, Pen's brevity and strength make it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet unpretentious for their son.

Pixie is a cute -- quite possibly too cute -- name that suddenly feels possible thanks to the craze for names that contain the letter x. Though its origin may be uncertain, a pixie is internationally recognized as a sprite or fairy: tiny, sometimes green, usually pointy-eared.

Pollie is a delightful feminine name typically serving as a diminutive of names like Pauline, Paula, or Polly. It has English origins and derives ultimately from the Latin name 'Paulus,' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' With its cheerful sound and vintage charm, Pollie evokes the innocent sweetness of bygone eras, particularly the late 19th and early 20th centuries when diminutive forms were especially popular. Though never ranking among the most common names, Pollie enjoyed modest use during the Victorian and Edwardian periods before fading from popularity. In recent years, it has garnered renewed interest alongside the revival of other vintage nicknames and short forms. The name carries a friendly, unpretentious quality with its soft sounds and playful ending, making it both distinctive and accessible.

Posey is fashionable in England, a country of gardeners, but this pretty bouquet-of-flowers name is only starting to be heard here.

Could join such up-and-comers as Miller and Gardener.

A quaint and quirky flower name, until recently considered a bit too prim for most American classrooms but brought back to life in recent years by the attractive character of Primrose "Prim" Everdeen in the Hunger Games series. In the Top 300 girl names in England and Wales and on Nameberry, Primrose remains rare in the US, but is made more accessible by a raft of sweet nickname options, including Rosie and Posy.

Prudence, like Hope and Faith, is a Puritan virtue name with a quiet charm and sensitivity that is slowly returning to favor, though it hasn't yet registered on the charts.