Liv's List 2013 Version

  1. Adela
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  2. Alistair
    • Origin:

      English spelling of Alasdair, Scottish version of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      With many British names invading the Yankee name pool, the sophisticated Alistair could and should be part of the next wave. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016. You have a triple choice with this name--the British spell it Alistair or Alastair, while the Scots prefer Alasdair--but they're all suave Gaelic versions of Alexander. Adopted by the lowland Scots by the seventeenth century, the name didn't become popular outside Scotland and Ireland until the twentieth century.
  3. Asa
    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "healer; born in the morning"
    • Description:

      A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame.
  4. Aveline
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or island, water"
    • Description:

      Aveline is a name that's long been an obscure cousin of more widely-used choices, but may come into its own riding the tail of the megapopular Ava, which may derive from the same root.
  5. Alais
    • Bonnie
      • Origin:

        Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "beautiful, cheerful"
      • Description:

        Bonnie is an adorable nickname name, heading back up the popularity list after a 50-year nap. A Top 100 girls' name throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Americans are later to jump on the Bonnie bandwagon but now it's trending here too.
    • Bridie
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "strength or exalted one"
      • Description:

        Swap two letters of Birdie and you get Bridie, a traditional diminutive of Bridget. Bridie fits perfectly with the trend for standalone vintage nicknames like Betty and Sadie, but is surprisingly rare.
    • Cai
      • Catrin
        • Origin:

          Welsh and German
        • Meaning:

          "pure"
        • Description:

          The sweet and simple Welsh form of Katherine, long popular in Wales but dropping down the popularity charts now. As a German name, it's a short form of Katharina.
      • Charlie
        • Origin:

          English, diminutive of Charles
        • 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.
      • Ciro
        • Origin:

          Italian variation of Cyrus
        • Description:

          This name of an old Hollywood nightclub still retains a spark of glamour.
      • Clara
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "bright, clear"
        • Description:

          Clara is a strong, lovely girls' name that's always ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names but has been climbing since the turn of this century. It now ranks right around Number 100, making it a modern classic that's neither too popular nor unfamiliar.
      • Clemence
        • Origin:

          French feminine variation of Clement
        • Meaning:

          "mild, merciful"
        • Description:

          Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.
      • Cora
        • Origin:

          Greek
        • Meaning:

          "maiden"
        • Description:

          Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
      • Cordelia
        • Origin:

          Latin; Celtic
        • Meaning:

          "heart; daughter of the sea"
        • Description:

          Cordelia is exactly the kind of old-fashioned, grown-up name for girls that many parents are seeking for their daughters today. The name of King Lear's one sympathetic daughter, Cordelia has both style and substance along with its Shakespearean pedigree.
      • Dahlia
        • Origin:

          Flower name, from Swedish surname
        • Meaning:

          "Dahl's flower"
        • Description:

          One of the flower names, used occasionally in Britain (where it's pronounced DAY-lee-a). It seems to have recovered from what was perceived as a slightly affected la-di-dah air. The flower was named in honor of the pioneering Swedish botanist Andreas Dahl, which means dale.
      • Della
        • Origin:

          Diminutive of Adela, Adele or Adelaide
        • Meaning:

          "noble"
        • Description:

          Fresh, bright, and sunny, Della could be an alternative to Ella, Delilah, or Adeline. Familiar but not yet overused, it combines the elements of contemporary favorites with vintage charm.
      • Dimitri
        • Origin:

          Russian from Greek Demetrius
        • Meaning:

          "follower of Demeter"
        • Description:

          Dimitri is a Slavic variation of the Russian Dmitriy, a name that comes from the Greek Demetrius. Demetrius was derived from Demeter, the name of the Greek goddess of fertility and farming. Among the possible spelling variations are Dmitri, Dmitrii, Dmitriy, and Dmitry.
      • Dortchen
        • Eddie
          • Origin:

            Diminutive of Edward et al
          • Meaning:

            "wealthy"
          • Description:

            Most parents today call their Edwards Edward -- and we tend to think that's the right call. But it's worth noting that Eddie has been in the Top 1000 every year since records began in 1880; indeed, it was a mainstay on the Top 100 through the 1950s.