Girl Names

Extreme makeover: Brooklyn has gone from jokey Borough Boy name in the 1990s to a leading girls' name starting with B. The status of New York's Brooklyn as hipster heaven is ironic as few bona fide Brooklyn hipsters would choose this name.

Caeli is a delicate feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'caelum' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky.' This ethereal name carries celestial connotations and evokes images of the heavens above. In Roman mythology, Caelus was the god of the sky, giving the name additional historical depth. Caeli remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, making it an uncommon choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet melodic. The name's brevity and flowing sound contribute to its appeal, along with its meaningful connection to the natural world. Some may also appreciate Caeli as a variation of Caelie or Kaylee, though with a more direct link to its Latin celestial roots.

Cailyn is a feminine name of Irish and Gaelic origin, representing a modern anglicized spelling of the traditional Irish name Caoilfhionn, which means 'slender' or 'fair.' It can also be seen as a creative variation of Kaylin or a feminine form of Calen. The name began gaining popularity in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s, part of the trend toward Irish-inspired names with contemporary spellings. While maintaining its Celtic roots, Cailyn offers a more intuitive spelling for English speakers than the traditional Irish form. The name has a gentle, melodic quality that contributes to its appeal. Cailyn strikes a balance between uniqueness and familiarity, making it recognizable without being overly common.

A short form that is given on its own to a good number of baby girls each year — Cali has been on trend in recent years along with sister names Callie and Kali, as the popular 90s and early 2000s nickname Allie has felt less fresh.

Has fallen off its Kathie Lee Gifford inspired peak in the 1990s, but since that notably celebrity baby is now a grownup and out of the limelight, Cassidy may once again reclaim its own Irish charm.

Cayla is a feminine name with multiple origin theories. Most commonly, it's considered a modern variant of Kayla, which itself derives from the Irish Gaelic name Caoilainn, meaning 'slim and fair.' Alternatively, it may be a variation of the Hebrew name Michaela, meaning 'who is like God.' The distinctive spelling with 'C' emerged in popularity during the late 20th century as parents sought unique variations of familiar names. Cayla gained moderate popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, appreciated for its soft sound and contemporary feel while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. The name conveys a sense of feminine grace and modern simplicity while remaining recognizable and accessible.

With its C spelling, Cayley is softer than its more popular counterpart, Kayley. It's never ranked in the US Top 1000 and at this point probably never will, now that the -aylee, -ayley, and -aylie names are starting to dip.

Unnecessary complication.

Used quietly on boys in the US since the early 20th century, Mckenzie was abruptly overtaken by the Mackenzie spelling back in 1973 when actress Mackenzie Phillips introduced the name as a possibility for girls. While Mckenzie has never matched its sibling spelling in popularity, it nevertheless climbed the charts in its wake, peaking in 2000 at #133.