"Y" Middle Names
- Aidyn
Description:
Aidyn is a feminine name that has gained popularity as a modern, alternative spelling of Aiden. While traditionally used for boys, this spelling variant has increasingly been adopted for girls as well. The name has Irish roots, derived from the Celtic name Aodhán, meaning "little fire" or "born of fire." This connection gives Aidyn fiery, spirited associations. The 'y' spelling emerged in the early 2000s during the trend toward creative name spellings and gender-neutral options. As a feminine name, Aidyn offers a contemporary feel with ancient undertones. The name combines melodic sounds with strong symbolism, appealing to parents seeking a name that suggests both passion and individuality. Though less common for girls than boys, Aidyn continues to gain traction in English-speaking countries.
- Austyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Austin or AustenDescription:
As with many other names, the y seems to make this name more girl-appropriate for some parents. About three-quarters of the babies named Austyn are female.
- Avery
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ruler of the elves"Description:
Avery is a hugely popular name in the US, especially for girls. But while nearly four times as many girls as boys are named Avery today Avery's popularity is starting to soften for girls while it continues to strengthen for boys.
- Bradyn
Description:
Bradyn as a feminine name represents a modern gender-crossover trend, as it's more typically used for boys. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Bradley or the Irish surname Brady, meaning 'broad meadow' or 'broad island,' Bradyn gained popularity in the early 2000s as part of the trend of adding 'yn' endings to traditional names. While the masculine version emerged as part of the Aiden/Jayden/Brayden trend, its usage for girls remains quite rare. The name has a contemporary, slightly tomboyish quality while maintaining a soft sound through its ending. Parents might choose Bradyn for a daughter appreciating its unique position as a gender-neutral option with roots in nature. The unusual spelling adds a distinctive touch to this uncommon feminine choice.
- Brynn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Bryn, WelshMeaning:
"hill"Description:
Brynn outshines the original Welsh Bryn in the popularity stakes. This simple, brisk name might be seen as a combination of Bree and Lynn, an androgynous-sounding choice that especially in this spelling is not truly unisex: Brynn, for boys, is not even in the Top 1000.
- Bostyn
- Camryn
Origin:
Spelling variation of Cameron, ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
This Cameron variation was popularized by actress Camryn Manheim and the character inTwitches of the same name. It also makes it more obviously feminine, which might appeal to some parents, considering the classic Cameron is a Top 100 choice for boys in the US.
- Carlyle
Origin:
Variation of Carlisle, EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
Might Carlyle (or Carlisle) be the next Carly, which of course was the update on Carla? In 2015, 14 girls were given the Carlisle spelling (vs. 35 boys) but the Carlyle version did not make the SSA list for girls although it was registered for ten boys. But it's a name we think we'll hear more of for both genders.
- Casey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"brave in battle"Description:
One of the original unisex Irish surname names, energetic Casey bounced onto the scene in the 1960s, then peaked in the 1980s for both boys and girls. Today Casey is having a resurgence for both girls and boys and re-entered the charts on the girls' side, likely due to the character Kayce Dutton (pronounced like Casey) on the hit show Yellowstone.
- Dylan
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"son of the sea"Description:
Boys' favorite retains more of its poetic, windswept quality when used for a girl, as Robin Wright and Sean Penn did. Alyssa Milano gave her daughter Elizabella Dylan as a middle name.
- Elliot
Origin:
Anglicization of Elijah or EliasMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Elliot is another traditional boy name used for girls", a trend led by political commentator George Stephanopoulos and his actress wife Ali Wentworth.
- Evyn
Description:
Evyn is a modern feminine variation of Evan, which derives from the Welsh name Iefan, a form of John meaning 'God is gracious.' Though traditionally a masculine name, Evyn has gained popularity as a feminine option for parents seeking a name with a contemporary edge while maintaining traditional roots. The unique spelling with a 'y' gives this name a distinctive touch while preserving the familiar pronunciation. Evyn represents a trend toward gender-neutral naming, offering a strong yet versatile choice for girls. While not among the most common names, its similarity to popular names like Evelyn and Eva has helped it gain recognition in recent decades.
- Flynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of the red-haired one"Description:
A winning last-name-first Celtic choice, Flynn is still mostly used for boys, such as the son of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr. Though Flynn is definitely one of the Irish surname names, from Quinn to Flannery to Makenna, that makes one of the trendy boy names for girls".
- Hayden
Origin:
English place nameMeaning:
"hay hill; hay valley"Description:
A newly successful name for girls, which, like Brayden and Caden, used to be strictly for the boys. Young Heroes and now Nashville star Hayden Panettiere planted it in the girls' camp.
- Jay
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"jaybird"Description:
While Jay has been long used as a stand-alone boy name, it has more recently been used as one for girls. Otherwise, it has largely been seen as a pet form of any J name, or as a singular middle name.
- Jordyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of JordanMeaning:
"flowing down"Description:
This variation of Jordan entered the Top 1000 in 1989. Jordyn as well as Jordan trended throughout the 90s and early 2000s, but are beginning to fall slightly on the girls' side. While the Jordan spelling reached the highest point in popularity out of the 2, making it into the Top 50 in the late 90s and early 2000s, today Jordyn has taken the lead.
- Kayden
Origin:
Variation of CadenDescription:
More feminine than the male Caden, which came in at Number 192 in 2015. We still think Cadence is a prettier version of the "Kay-" group of names which are so popular at present.
- Kennedy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"misshapen head"Description:
This attractive surname name still projects that Kennedy family charisma. While it didn't come into widespread use until long after the deaths of martyred heroes President John F. or Senator Robert Kennedy, Kennedy is now one of the most popular unisex names for girls as well as the top girls' name starting with K. This is one name that manages to sound trendy and classic at the same time.
- Kody
Origin:
Spelling variation of CodyDescription:
The K spelling somehow makes this name more feminine, if not more appealing.
- Kyle
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"narrow spit of land"Description:
Not as popular for girls as Kylie or Kyla, but we prefer its simplicity.