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Favorite Names

spensuh
By spensuh
Updated Sat Nov 20 2021
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Harlee

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Harley, English

    • Meaning:

      "the long field"

    • Description:

      This invented spelling is much less popular than its biker counterpart. Regardless, it entered the US Top 1000 since 2012 and hung on there for more than a decade.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Malory

    • Description:

      Malory is a unisex name that has been predominantly used for girls in recent decades. Derived from the French surname 'Mallory,' which comes from the Old French 'maloret' meaning 'unfortunate' or 'unlucky,' its negative origins have been largely forgotten in its modern usage. The name gained recognition through Sir Thomas Malory, the 15th-century author who compiled Arthurian legends in 'Le Morte d'Arthur,' giving it literary and historical significance. In the United States, Malory saw modest popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, partly influenced by the character Mallory Keaton from the television series 'Family Ties.' Featuring a soft sound with its three syllables, Malory offers a blend of medieval heritage and contemporary appeal, striking a balance between uniqueness and familiarity.
  10. Mariposa

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"

    • Description:

      Mariposa is a rare, romantic choice with an intriguing meaning.
  11. Merel

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "blackbird"

    • Description:

      Merel is a soundalike of Meryl and may be thought of as a variation of that name, but it's also the Dutch word for blackbird and so you can make it more stylish as one of the flock of cool new bird names, joining Wren, Lark, and Sparrow.
  12. 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.
  13. Minerve

    • Description:

      Minerve is a French variation of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, arts, and trade. Derived from the Latin name Minerva, itself possibly of Etruscan origin, Minerve carries strong associations with intelligence, creativity, and strategic thinking. While less common than Minerva internationally, Minerve maintains a sophisticated, distinctive quality particularly appreciated in French-speaking regions. The name has historical connections to several places in France, including the village of Minerve in Languedoc. With its elegant sound and powerful mythological associations, Minerve appeals to parents drawn to names with classical roots and feminine strength. The name projects an image of refinement, wisdom, and artistic sensibility.
  14. Myra

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sweet-smelling oil"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "to snow"

    • Description:

      One of several snowy options, this one lacking a tie to a specific place: an asset.
  16. 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.
  17. Nolah

    • Description:

      Nolah is a modern feminine name that appears to be a variation of more established names like Nola or Norah. The name has a gentle, melodic quality with its soft consonants and vowel ending. While its exact origins are unclear, Nolah likely shares etymological roots with Nola (which means 'famous' or 'noble' in Celtic traditions) or may be a creative contemporary invention. The name has emerged in recent years as parents seek distinctive yet approachable names for their daughters. Though still relatively uncommon, Nolah appeals to those looking for a name that feels fresh and distinctive while maintaining a connection to more traditional naming patterns.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.
  20. Romana

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "a Roman"

    • Description:

      Romantic name, feminine form of the ancient name Romanus or the modern Roman, that may rise again with the league of Rom-beginning names that also include Romy and Romilly. Romana's downside: Easy to confuse with the more familiar Ramona.