Favorite Names

Egyptian mythology place-name with an intriguing sound and appealingly peaceful meaning. Update for Aaron?

More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.

Ajax was the strong and courageous Greek hero featured in Homer's "Iliad," known as Ajax the Great. But it's also the name of a foaming cleanser, and if you find that reference too strong, you might try the shortened Jax instead.

Alyxandria is an elaborate feminine variation of the classic name Alexandria, which itself derives from Alexander, meaning 'defender of mankind' in Greek. This distinctive spelling, replacing the 'e' with 'y' and adding an 'x,' gives the traditional name a contemporary, unique flair while maintaining its sophisticated essence. The name carries the historical weight of Alexandria, Egypt, the legendary city founded by Alexander the Great, imbuing it with associations of knowledge, culture, and grandeur. While much rarer than Alexandria or Alexandra, Alyxandria appeals to parents seeking an ornate, unconventional spelling of a recognizable name. The name allows for familiar nicknames like Alyx, Lexi, or Andria, offering versatility despite its length. This elaborate variation exemplifies the modern trend of reimagining classic names with creative spellings.

Russian, Belarusian, Romanian and Bulgarian form of Andrew

Aodh, the name of the Celtic sun god meaning "fire", was common in early Scotland. It's also the origin of the wildly popular Irish name Aidan (originally Aodhán). Its pronunciation varies depending on region: AY or EE are Irish pronunciations, and in Scotland it's closer to UH, and has been Anglicized as Hugh.

Pronounced like the word "even," this was a common name among the ancient royal families of Ireland, and has now become popular again.

Ara is a unique boys' name that one of the most melodious in the Armenian name pool, familiarized by Notre Dame football coach Ara Parseghian. In Armenian mythology, Ara was a king so handsome that a rival queen went to war in order to make him her own. The name Ara is also known in the Arabic and Hebrew cultures.

Aurelio is an energetic Italian name rarely heard in the US, with an attractive aura. As the female version Aurelia gains greater notice, we expect to hear more from Aurelio too. In fact, Aurelio has recently entered the Top 1000 in the US in 2022. Next to follow might be latinate versions Aurelius and Aurelian.

A classic in its native Scandinavia, Axel has a cool rock 'n' roll flavor in the US, thanks to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose (born William). With its distinctive letter 'x', it has an effortlessly cool vibe about it, and is currently growing in popularity.

Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a Turkish variation is Azize. In African mythology, the Azizi are a supernatural race of forest dwellers who give practical and spiritual advice.

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.

Bairtliméad is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of the name Bartholomew, which comes from the Aramaic name Bar-Talmai, meaning "son of Talmai" or "son of the furrows." This distinctively Irish version of the biblical name maintains strong connections to Irish cultural heritage and language. In the New Testament, Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. The Irish form of the name has been used since medieval times, though it's considerably less common today than anglicized versions. Pronunciation might be challenging for non-Irish speakers, adding to its distinctive character. Bairtliméad represents a deep connection to Irish linguistic traditions and offers an authentic alternative for those with Irish heritage seeking to honor their cultural roots through naming.

In this form, or as Sebastian or as Bas, Bastien is a fashionable Euro name with a possible future in America.

Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).

Callum is a gentle, charming name of Scottish origin, that is a popular choice across the UK. In the US, it was a rare option until the late 2000s, however, since 2017 it's been rising up the ranks. Complete with easy, breezy and cool nickname Cal, it climbed more than 60 places in the US in 2024, placing it just outside the Top 150.