User-created list
Ultimate Southern Names
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of 11
Colton
English
"from the coal or dark town"
Colton is a trendy two-syllable choice, with the popular 'on/en' ending. Colton jumped onto the popularity list in 1982 at Number 806. Then, in 1988, the hunky character Colton Shore was introduced…
Vincent
Latin
"conquering"
Vincent is a name with a complex image. After being quietly used for centuries, it is suddenly seeming stylish, along wih other V names. Even the nickname Vince has been given a reprieve via actor…
Cecilia
Feminine form of Cecil, Latin
"blind"
Cecilia is a lovely classic name deservedly enjoying a new turn in the sun. Always among the Top 500 girls' names in the US, Cecilia is now at its highest point ever. Cecilia is a feminine form of…
Easton
English
"eastern town"
Easton is a stylish Ivy League-ish place and surname name, more modern than Weston, on its way up for both sexes as part of the new direction baby names are taking, as in North and West. Easton was…
River
Nature name
River shares the tranquil feeling of all the water names, and seems to have pretty much escaped its past strong association with River Phoenix and his unfortunate fate. Actor Joaquin Phoenix named…
Eliza
Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Eliza is a name with a wonderful combination of streamlined zest and Eliza Doolittle charm and spunk. It's a classic that's popular right now -- but not too popular. Eliza has not been in the Top 100…
Harrison
English
"son of Harry"
Harrison, a name made viable by Harrison Ford, is increasingly popular with parents who want an H name that's more formal than Harry or Hank but doesn't veer into the stiff Huntington-Harrington…
Hadley
English
"heather field"
Hadley, most famous as the name of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, is more sophisticated, professional, and modern than cousins Harley, Haley, or Hayden. The hit book The Paris Wife , a novel by Paula…
Sawyer
English
"woodcutter"
Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the…
Elsie
Diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish variation, Elspeth
"pledged to God"
Elsie is a sweet vintage nickname-name turned modern star. After a 30-year hiatus, Elsie started climbing the US popularity list 20 years ago and is still headed for the top. In its native Britain,…
Jonah
Hebrew
"dove"
Jonah, the name of the Old Testament prophet who was swallowed by the whale, only to emerge unharmed three days later, is increasingly appreciated by parents looking for a biblical name less common…
Evangeline
Greek
"bearer of good news"
Evangeline is a romantic old name enjoying a major comeback, thanks to its religious overtones, Eva's popularity, and the star of the TV megahit Lost , Evangeline Lilly. Evangelia and Evangelina —…
Genevieve
English from French
"tribe woman"
Genevieve is derived from the Germanic medieval name Genovefa, or Kenowefa, which consists of the elements kuni , meaning "kin", and wefa , meaning "woman." The medieval saint Genevieve, patroness of…
June
Latin
"young"
June, a sweetly old-fashioned month name derived from the goddess Juno, was long locked in a time capsule with June Allyson (born Ella) and June Cleaver, but is rising again especially as a middle…
Elliot
English diminutive of Elias, Greek
"Yahweh is God"
Elliot (which boasts several spellings depending upon how many 'l's or 't's you want to use) is a winner -- it has the ideal quality of being neither too common nor weirdly unique. Elliot had a style…
Blair
Scottish
"dweller on the plain"
In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former…
Ruth
Hebrew
"compassionate friend"
Ruth, with its air of calm and compassion, was the third most popular name in the 1890s, remaining in the Top 10 through the 1920s. It's still in use today as some parents tiring of Rachel and…
Callie
English diminutive of Caroline, English, or Calliope, Greek
"free man; beautiful voice"
Sweet and sunny but substantial too, Callie is a nickname-style choice that has long been used as a stand-alone option . Traditionally a diminutive of classic Caroline, it may also be used for…
Isabel
Spanish variation of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Isabel derived from Elizabeth in southwest Europe during the Middle Ages. It was originally written as Elisabel, but the first syllable was dropped as it spread across the continent. In Spain and…
Tucker
English occupational name
"fabric pleater"
Tucker has more spunk than most last-name-first-names, and also a positive, comforting ("Tuck me in, Mommy") feel. Tucker got something of a preppy image via bow-tied conservative TV commentator…