Ultimate Southern Names

  1. Bayou
    • Origin:

      Native American nature name
    • Description:

      A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender. While the word feels French and has its roots in 18th century French Louisiana, it derives from the Choctaw word bayuk, which means "small stream."
  2. Macon
    • Origin:

      French place-name
    • Description:

      What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative.
  3. Adair
    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish, Brazilian
    • Meaning:

      "oak tree ford; wealthy spearman; wealth and fame"
    • Description:

      A unisex name with lots of flair and a daring spirit, Adair was first noticed as a girl's name in the 1980's, thanks to the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. Given to just 22 girls in a recent year (along with 59 boys), it remains a familiar but quietly used choice.
  4. Acadia
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "idyllic place"
    • Description:

      Acadia, the French name for Nova Scotia and the name of a gorgeous national park in Maine makes a fresh, rhythmic choice for your little girl. Acadia is an original yet accessible member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
  5. Gentry
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "aristocracy"
    • Description:

      Gentry is a word name that's gaining ground for girls as a kind of updated Jennifer, especially in the Jentry (or Jentri or Jentree) spelling.
  6. Jessup
    • Description:

      Jessup is a masculine name with English origins, primarily used as a surname before transitioning to occasional first-name usage. It evolved from the medieval personal name 'Joseph,' meaning 'God will add' or 'God increases.' Historically found in English counties like Yorkshire and Gloucestershire, Jessup has the distinctive quality of sounding both traditional and rare. As a first name, it offers a fresh alternative to the more common Jesse or Joseph, while maintaining familiar sounds. The name has a strong, concise quality with its two syllables and crisp ending. Though uncommon as a given name, Jessup appeals to parents seeking names with historical depth and an English heritage connection without being commonly used.

  7. Boyd
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "blond"
    • Description:

      Has a bit of a hayseed image, and that oy sound is tough to work with.
  8. Keturah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "incense"
    • Description:

      Keturah, the Old Testament name of Abraham's second wife, is a possibility for anyone seeking a truly unusual and interesting biblical name; certainly a lot more distinctive than that of Abraham's first wife, Sarah.
  9. Ibby
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      An English diminutive of Isabel or Elizabeth that works best with a longer form on the birth certificate.
  10. Gardner
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "keeper of the garden"
    • Description:

      Surely one of the most pleasant and evocative of the occupational options.
  11. Gannon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "fair-skinned, fair-haired"
    • Description:

      The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.
  12. Collins
    • Origin:

      Surname derived from Nicholas or Colin
    • Description:

      Though Collins makes the Top 1000 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen. Might make an innovative honorific for a grandpa Nick.
  13. Trilby
    • Origin:

      Place name, surname, and literary name
    • Description:

      Trilby was used first for a character by French novelist Charles Nodier (1822) and made more famous by writer George du Maurier in an 1894 work. A Trilby hat, which Du Maurier's character wore, is a short-brimmed fedora of the kind recently revived by hipsters. Du Maurier's character Trilby fell under the hypnotic power of Svengali: not the best choice for an independent and self-determining daughter. Still, if you want a unisex name that moves far beyond the usual Taylor and Morgan and has energy and feminine verve, Trilby might well be your girl.
  14. Corliss
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "carefree person"
    • Description:

      Corliss, eccentric yet well-established, has an independent and artistic air.
  15. Redd
    • Description:

      Redd is a masculine name that originated as a nickname for people with red hair or ruddy complexions before evolving into an independent given name. Derived from the Old English 'read' meaning "red," the distinctive double-d spelling gives the name added character and visual impact. Redd carries associations with vitality and distinctiveness, often evoking images of strength and individuality. While never extremely common as a first name, it has appeared occasionally throughout the 20th century, sometimes gaining recognition through cultural figures like comedian Redd Foxx. The name has a punchy, concise quality that fits with the trend toward brief, impactful male names. Redd's simplicity belies its strong presence, making it a bold choice with historical roots.

  16. Belden
    • Origin:

      English from French
    • Meaning:

      "pretty valley"
    • Description:

      Belden is a little-used surname-name that might work in this age of Belles.
  17. Elizabelle
    • Origin:

      English combination of Elizabeth + Isabelle
    • Meaning:

      "God is my oath"
    • Description:

      What do you do when you love two variations of the same name that also sound quite distinct? One option is to blend them together and keep the best of both. Elizabelle - and Elizabella - have been in use since the 2000s, though they haven't caught on just yet. Possibly divisive, but both are rather pleasing to say.
  18. Pellias
    • Origin:

      Variant of Pelleas
    • Description:

      The spelling of Pelleas used in the original Post-Vulgate stories of the Arthurian legends.
  19. Fleming
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "man from Flanders"
    • Description:

      If it's not too phlegmatic for you, this surname and name of a Scottish clan could honor a number of people, especially Alexander Fleming, the father of antibiotics, and Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.
  20. ABNEY

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