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Names 08/12/13

  1. Lale
    • Liara
      • Madison

        • Origin:

          English

        • Meaning:

          "son of Matthew"

        • Description:

          Since we wrote a book called Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana, encouraging parents to move beyond overused names, it's no secret what we think of this trendy surname name, inspired by a mermaid named Madison in the 1980s movie Splash.
      • Manuela

        • Origin:

          Spanish, feminine variation of Emmanuel

        • Meaning:

          "God is with us"

        • Description:

          Manuela is one feminine form that's more energetic than the male original, and is worth considering if you're seeking an easily assimilated Spanish name.
      • Maximilian

        • Origin:

          Latin

        • Meaning:

          "greatest"

        • Description:

          This name once seemed a bit grand and pompous for an American baby boy, but a significant number of parents are now preferring it as a substantial platform for the nickname Max, among them Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, who chose it for their twin son.
      • Maya

        • Origin:

          Sanskrit, English, Hebrew, Estonian

        • Meaning:

          "illusion, magic; mother; water; beloved, bitter, drop of the sea"

        • Description:

          Maya, which has an almost mystical image, has been steadily climbing in popularity in the US and the English-speaking world, along with a range of other countries, including France, Germany, Israel, and Brazil. It's ranked in the US Top 100 since the turn of this century, but has never risen to the top of the list, which you may consider a good thing.
      • Mayra

        • Description:

          Mayra is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic contexts, it means "exceptional" or "beneficial," while in Slavic languages it's connected to "peace" or "greatness." The name also exists as a variation of the Irish Máire or as a form of Maria in Spanish-speaking countries. Mayra gained significant popularity in Hispanic communities during the 1970s-1990s, where it was embraced for its melodic sound and cultural resonance. The name strikes a balance between familiar and distinctive, making it recognizable without being overly common. Mayra has a warm, approachable quality while maintaining a sense of strength. Though its peak popularity has passed in the United States, it continues to be used globally, especially in Latin American countries and among Hispanic Americans, appreciated for its cross-cultural appeal and pleasant phonetics.

      • Mona

        • Origin:

          Irish

        • Meaning:

          "noble good"

        • Description:

          Mona had more than a moment in the sun, peaking in 1950 at Number 230 but falling off the Top 1000 completely in the late 1980s. Its similarity to the word "moaner" undercuts the appeal of its simplicity. In one recent year, fewer than 100 baby girls received the name, and we don't see it reviving any time soon.
      • Malte
        • Nico

          • Origin:

            Italian diminutive of Nicholas, Greek

          • Meaning:

            "people of victory"

          • Description:

            Nico is one of the great nickname names, full of charm, energy and effortless cool -- a neo Nick.
        • Orlana
          • Pauline

            • Origin:

              French, feminine variation of Paul

            • Meaning:

              "small"

            • Description:

              Pauline had its moment of glory almost a century ago, when movie audiences were thrilling to the silent serial The Perils of Pauline; it's a sweet and gentle name that just might be due for reconsideration. Off the list since the late 1990s, Pauline was a Top 50 name from around 1908 to 1930.
          • Ramon

            • Origin:

              Catalan variation of Raymond

            • Description:

              The Latin Ramon has been in the U.S. Top 1000 since the beginning of baby-naming time, i.e. the past 130+ years. Ramon is the perfect blend of worldly and familiar, with a rocker edge via The Ramones. A cool name classic, if there ever was one.
          • Raphael

            • Origin:

              Hebrew

            • Meaning:

              "God has healed"

            • Description:

              Raphael is a romantic archangel name that sounds both artistic and powerful. Raphael is also a great cross-cultural choice, with significance for people with both Latinate and Jewish roots, plus plenty of grounding in the English-speaking world.
          • 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.
          • Sirin
            • Viana
              • Wenke
                • Xaver

                  • Description:

                    Xaver is a masculine name with German and Bavarian origins, functioning as a variant of Xavier. The name ultimately derives from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning 'the new house,' and was popularized by St. Francis Xavier, a 16th-century Spanish missionary. While Xavier (or Javier in Spanish) is widely recognized internationally, Xaver represents a more regionally specific Germanic form, particularly common in Bavaria, Austria, and parts of Switzerland. The name has a strong, distinctive sound and the uncommon initial 'X' gives it a bold, memorable quality. Despite being less familiar in English-speaking countries, Xaver offers an intriguing international alternative with authentic historical usage.