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Favourites/Future Character Names

CosmicMicrowave
By CosmicMicrowave
Updated Mon Nov 15 2021
  1. Isla

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name or Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "island"

    • Description:

      Isla is a hit name throughout the English-speaking world but hasn't found the same popularity in other western countries, perhaps because its spelling and pronunciation don't make sense for those whose native language is not English. Think island without the final two letters.
  2. Everett

    • Origin:

      English variation of the German Eberhard

    • Meaning:

      "brave as a wild boar"

    • Description:

      Everett is a preppy but outdoorsy name, with wintery New England vibes. In the last decade, it’s had a leap in popularity, perhaps because of its similarity to trendy girls’ names like Ava and Scarlett, or perhaps because it offers a fresh alternative to 90’s style Evan and Brett.
  3. Imogen

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "maiden"

    • Description:

      Imogen has long been fashionable in England and is gaining favor in the US among stylish parents. Pronounced the British way — the initial i is short as in Kim, as is the final E as in Ken — Imogen is as pretty and classy as it is distinctive.
  4. Theo

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Theodore

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      See the popularity graph below for the name Theo? It's been heading straight uphill since 2010, when it hopped back onto the Top 1000 after a 60+ year absence.
  5. Poppy

    • Origin:

      Flower name, English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "red flower"

    • Description:

      Poppy, unlike most floral names which are sweet and feminine, has a lot of spunk. Long popular throughout the rest of the English-speaking world, Poppy is finally starting to rise toward the top in the US, where it entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2016.
  6. Ira

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "watchful one; wind"

    • Description:

      Succinct and sharp, Ira is one of the shortest Old Testament names, belonging to one of King David's thirty 'mighty warriors.' It was widely used in the US from the 1880s to the early 1930s (it was Number 57 on the Social Security list in 1881), but fell off completely in 1993, only to return in 2016. Currently, it is in the latter half of the US Top 1000, given to around 260 boys each year.
  7. Matthias

    • Origin:

      Aramaic variation of Matthew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      With Matthew sounding somewhat exhausted, and ancient endings sounding new again, this New Testament apostolic name makes an appealing and recommended choice. Both Mathias and Matias are well used in the Hispanic community, and throughout Europe. Will Ferrell and his Swedish wife chose Matias for their second son.
  8. Thaddeus

    • Origin:

      Aramaic, meaning unclear, possibly from Theodore

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Thaddeus, a distinguished, long-neglected name, has several areas of appeal: a solid New Testament legacy, a nice antique feel, and the choice of several more modern nicknames and international variations.
  9. Celine

    • Origin:

      French variation of Celeste

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly"

    • Description:

      French-Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation. Similar in sound but not related to the names Selene and Selena ("Moon"), sleek Celine has a more celestial, heavenly vibe.
  10. Sunniva

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "sun gift"

    • Description:

      Sunniva was an Irish-born saint who fled to Norway, where she hid in an island cave with her followers and eventually died. After miracles were reported on the island, the cave was excavated and Sunniva's intact body was found. Sunniva is the patron saint of Western Norway. Her name would make a fascinating and unusual choice for a modern baby girl, and if her story is a bit grim, you can take refuge in the upbeat nickname Sunny or Sunni.
  11. Calix

    • Origin:

      Male variation of Calixta or Latin

    • Meaning:

      "chalice"

    • Description:

      Calix is once-obscure name that is starting to see some use in the US, where 62 baby boys were named Calix in 2024. An indirect influence is the actress Calista Flockhart, who introduced Americans to the female version of this attractive Greek name to prominence.
  12. Alastair

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "defender of men"

    • Description:

      To Americans, a quintessential British name, introduced to the U.S. public by suave journalist/PBS Masterpiece Theater host Alastair Cook. Sometimes used in the U.S. by parents with Scottish heritage.
  13. Acacia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "thorny"

    • Description:

      Acacia is an attractive, rarely used Greek flower name enhanced by its popular beginning-and-ending-with 'a'-construct, and is gradually beginning to catch on as a new member of the stylish girl names starting with A.
  14. Cyril

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "lordly"

    • Description:

      A British-accented Greek name with an intellectual image that has been off the U.S. charts since 1966, but was a Top 300 name at the turn of the last century. We have the feeling Cyril's ready for a comeback.
  15. Paxton

    • Origin:

      Latin and English

    • Meaning:

      "peace town"

    • Description:

      Paxton stands out from a lot of other two-syllable surname names for two reasons: the dynamic letter X in the middle, and its admirable peace association, providing the great nickname Pax.
  16. Dakota

    • Origin:

      Native American tribe and place name; Sioux

    • Meaning:

      "friendly one"

    • Description:

      A Native American tribe name which is found in the names of two US states, Dakota was one of the first trendy nineties place names, but is now flagging a little in popularity. The cultural question around using a Native American tribe name as a baby name may be partly to blame.
  17. Chrysanthemum

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "gold flower"

    • Description:

      One of the rarest of the flower names, that of the blossom celebrated in Japan as a symbol of the sun and a possible object of meditation. One of the rare flower names counted among names for autumn babies, Chrysanthemum is also one of the most unusual nature-themed girl names starting with C.
  18. Addison

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Adam"

    • Description:

      Despite its origin as a patronymic meaning "son of Adam", Addison really caught on for baby girls in the US around the turn of the millennium, following in Madison's footsteps to peak at #11 in 2007 and again in 2010.
  19. Akoni

    • Description:

      Akoni is a Hawaiian masculine name that carries a powerful meaning - "worthy of praise" or "priceless." It has its roots in the Hawaiian culture where names often reflect natural elements, spiritual concepts, or admirable qualities. The name maintains its cultural significance among Hawaiian families and those with connections to Hawaiian heritage. Though not widely used in mainstream American naming, Akoni has seen modest usage among families seeking names with Pacific Island origins or meaningful Hawaiian connections. Its distinctive sound and positive meaning make it an appealing choice for parents looking for a name that stands out while honoring Hawaiian cultural traditions.

  20. Wynter

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Winter

    • Description:

      Less month, more trendy, more times needing to spell it to people. This spelling variation entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013—and doesn't appear to be going anywhere any time soon.