Favorite Names

Derived from a Scottish surname, Mckenzie is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Coinnich, Coinnich being one of the original Gaelic forms of Kenneth. As a given name, it took off for girls in the US in the 70s, thanks to actress Mackenzie Phillips, and it has always been less popular for boys. While Mackenzie was chosen for 86 boys in the US last year, the Mckenzie spelling was used for just 7.

Leland is traditionally a masculine name that has crossed over to occasional feminine usage. With Old English origins, it means 'meadow land' or 'fallow ground.' The name combines 'lea' (meadow) with 'land,' creating a nature-inspired moniker with a gentle, pastoral feeling. As a female name, Leland emerged as part of the trend toward gender-neutral naming in the late 20th century. It offers a distinctive alternative to popular 'L' names like Leah or Lily. Though still predominantly used for boys, Leland for girls provides a strong yet feminine option with a connection to the natural world. The name carries a sophisticated, preppy quality with subtle outdoor associations.

This Irish surname packs a lot of attitude, projecting an image of spunk and sass. The Welsh singer Duffy, born Aimee Anne Duffy, is best known for her songs Mercy and Warwick Avenue.

The more popular Aiden becomes, the more spelling variations we see in the Top 1000. This version was as high as Number 271 in 2009, though we recommend choosing a different spelling if you're set on this uber-popular moniker.