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Favorite Names

spensuh
By spensuh
Updated Sat Nov 20 2021
  1. Sophie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Sophia

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      Sophie is the French form of the Greek Sophia, for which it is also commonly used as a nickname. Given Sophia's long standing among the Top 10 girl names in the US, Sophie may feel more popular than it actually is.
  2. Ellie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Eleanor and Ellen

    • Meaning:

      "bright shining one"

    • Description:

      Ellie first took off in the UK—yes, in this nickname form—and this warm and friendly name has also become hugely popular here. In 2011, Ellie entered the US Top 100 girl names for the first time and has remained near the top of the charts ever since.
  3. Valerie

    • Origin:

      French variation of Valeria

    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"

    • Description:

      The name of a martyred medieval saint, Valerie has been on the popularity list since its earliest publication in 1880. Though it peaked in the 1960s, remaining in the Top 100 until 1988, it still doesn't sound terminally dated; the association with the word valor gives it a sense of boldness and makes it one of the special group of girl names that mean strong.
  4. Nola

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "white shoulder"

    • Description:

      Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It, and again by Woody Allen in Match Point. It's a short form of the traditional Irish name Fionnuala. Nola reentered the US Top 1000 in 2008, for the first time in 50 years.
  5. Skye

    • Origin:

      Scottish place-name

    • Description:

      The e-addition takes the name from slightly hippie-ish nature name to the place name of a picturesque island off the coast of Scotland, and for baby namers it's by far the more popular spelling.
  6. Myra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sweet-smelling oil"

    • Description:

      As with many grandmother-y names, this choice may be coming back into style.
  7. Seraphine

    • Origin:

      French from Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "burning ones"

    • Description:

      Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been largely ignored, though we believe the French vowel-sound ending will soon be more stylish than the a-endings that have predominated in girls' names for years.
  8. Hollis

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the holly trees"

    • Description:

      Hollis is a surname-name used quietly for both genders. At last count, it was given to over 200 baby boys and 160 baby girls in the US. Now a Top 1000 name for boys, it could well break into the charts for girls too in the coming years.
  9. Sky

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Sky may be a bit hippie-ish, but it's bright and sunny nonetheless. Sky rejoined the Top 1000 in 2013 after spending many years off the list. Sky was the choice of magician David Copperfield for his daughter, born in 2010.
  10. Prue

    • Origin:

      Short form of Prudence, English virtue name

    • Meaning:

      "caution"

    • Description:

      After a long time in limbo, Prudence is now so clunky it'a cool, and it's starting to make a comeback, along with other Puritan virtue names like Mercy, Patience, and Constance.
  11. Electra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "amber, shining, bright"

    • Description:

      Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder.
  12. Charlene

    • Origin:

      Variation of Charlotte, feminine form of Charles

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Charlene is a Charlotte variation that, along with similar names like Arlene and Marlene, spiked in popularity in the 1940s and fifties, reaching a high of Number 100 in 1949. Most parents today would prefer one of the note classic versions -- or even nickname Charlie.
  13. Lucina

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "grove or light"

    • Description:

      Lucina, deriving from Latin lucus "grove" and also associated with lux "light", is an epithet given in Roman mythology to the goddess Juno (and sometimes also Diana) in her role as goddess of childbirth. A stately and unusual route to Lucy, more delicate than Lucinda.
  14. Nevara

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "to snow"

    • Description:

      One of several snowy options, this one lacking a tie to a specific place: an asset.
  15. America

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
  16. Mariposa

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
  17. Nolia

    • Description:

      Nolia is a delicate feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Magnolia, the beautiful flowering tree named after French botanist Pierre Magnol, thus carrying natural, floral associations. Alternatively, it could be a variation of Nola (meaning 'famous' or 'noble') or a shortening of Finola (meaning 'white shoulder' in Irish). With its soft sounds and flowing quality, Nolia has an inherently graceful character. Though uncommon in mainstream usage, the name has periodically appeared throughout the 20th century, particularly in southern United States. Nolia strikes a balance between familiar and distinctive, offering a less common alternative to popular floral or feminine names. Its brevity and melodic quality make it both memorable and easy to pronounce.

  18. Truly

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "in a truthful way"

    • Description:

      A would-be up-and-comer if it wasn't for the spiked seltzer brand.
  19. Langley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "long meadow"

    • Description:

      This somewhat snobby-sounding surname popped onto the name map when Mariel Hemingway used it for one of her daughters.
  20. Merrigan

    • Origin:

      Irish surname, related to the sea

    • Description:

      A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.