Full Names

Names for boys and girls, inspired by old family names and literature. Harvey, John, Annie and Leah come from my dad's side of the family, while Zackary (and my variations), Corwin, John (also), Jack, Anne, and Mae (and my variation Maisie) are inspired by my mom's side of the family. Also just other names I think are cute!
  1. AERIE
    • Alexandre
      • Origin:

        French variation of Alexander
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        What's the difference between Alexander, the usual English spelling of this deeply classical name, and Alexandre, the French version? English speakers might find the proper French pronunciation challenging: a-lehk-SAHN-dreh, but that last syllable is barely pronounced. Americans might an an a or an ee on the end of the name, or simply pronounce it as Alexander, for better or worse.
    • Anne
      • Origin:

        French variation of English Ann and Hebrew Hannah
      • Meaning:

        "grace"
      • Description:

        The name of the sainted mother of the Virgin Mary was among the top girls’ names for centuries, in both the original English Ann spelling and the French Anne. Both left the Top 100 around 1970 but Anne is still among the most classic names for girls, although others are more likely to choose the original Hannah, the Anna variation, or even Annabel or Annabella.
    • Annie
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Ann
      • Meaning:

        "grace"
      • Description:

        Annie is one of the most open and optimistic, the-sun'll-come-out-tomorrow type of name, having been celebrated over the years in song (Annie Laurie), comic strip (Little Orphan Annie), folklore (Annie Oakley, born Phoebe), and film (Annie Hall). It strikes a nice old-fashioned-but-jaunty chord that still has appeal, but we do suggest that you consider putting a more formal version on her birth certificate.
    • Ava
      • Origin:

        Hebrew, Latin or Germanic
      • Meaning:

        "life; bird; water, island"
      • Description:

        Ava is one of the prime examples of a modern classic name, rising thought the course of a generation into the Top 10, where it has lingered for nearly 20 years.
    • Bran
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Brandon
      • Meaning:

        "broom-covered hill"
      • Description:

        A little heavy on the fiber content; we prefer Bram. But Bran is also the Celtic god of the underworld, whose symbol is the raven.
    • Charlotte
      • Origin:

        French, feminine diminutive of Charles
      • Meaning:

        "free man"
      • Description:

        Charlotte, the name of the young Princess of Cambridge, is the latest classic name to join Sophia, Emma, Olivia, and Isabella at the top of the popularity list. It is now among the most popular girl names in many English-speaking and European countries.
    • Corwin
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "heart's friend"
      • Description:

        Corwin is an upstanding surname name that has been seen occasionally as a first in literature, but rarely in real life. But maybe with the recent acceptance of Darwin, that might change.
    • Daisy
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, English
      • Meaning:

        "day's eye"
      • Description:

        Daisy, fresh, wholesome, and energetic, is one of the flower names that burst back into bloom after a century's hibernation. Originally a nickname for Margaret (the French Marguerite is the word for the flower), Daisy comes from the phrase "day's eye," because it opens its petals at daybreak.
    • Dean
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "church official"
      • Description:

        Dean may sound to some like a retro surfer boy name, but it is once again climbing up the popularity chart in the USA. For decades it was associated with Dean (born Dino) Martin; more recent representatives include Dean Cain, Dean McDermott and Dean Koontz -- not to mention Jared Padalecki's dreamy Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls.
    • Elizabeth
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        Elizabeth is one of the most popular girls' names of all time, the female equivalent of James or William. Yet Elizabeth has so much going for it—rich history, broad appeal, and timeless style—that no matter how many little girls are named Lizzie, Eliza, and Beth, you can still make Elizabeth your own.
    • Fox
      • Origin:

        Animal name
      • Description:

        Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.
    • Gabriel
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is my strength"
      • Description:

        Gabriel has become a biblical favorite, an angelic choice that's lighter and less patriarchal than some of his Old Testament brethren. Derived from the Hebrew name Gavri’el, Gabriel is taken from the elements gever, meaning "strong," and ’el, in reference to God.
    • Harvey
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "battle worthy"
      • Description:

        Harvey, which was brought to England by the Normans, is a genial, old-timey name that has been much more popular across the pond in the UK. It was a Top 100 choice in England & Wales from 1997 until 2021, though 2022 saw it fall just slightly.
    • Jack
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of John
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Jack may have fallen from its Number 1 place in England, but in the US it's as popular as it was at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. A durable, cheery, everyman form of John, Jack ranks as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.
    • JEYNE
      • John
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "God is gracious"
        • Description:

          John reigned as the most popular of all boys' Christian names for 400 years, from the time the first Crusaders carried it back to Britain until the 1950s. Then American baby namers finally seemed to tire of this straight-arrow, almost anonymous John Doe of names, replacing it with fancier forms like Jonathan and the imported Sean and Ian.
      • Leah
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "weary"
        • Description:

          Strong but sweet, Leah is a classic name that doesn’t feel dull or dusty. It’s got plenty of dignity, grace, and pluck, making it a solid choice in the 21st century.
      • Leigh
        • Origin:

          English variation of Lee
        • Meaning:

          "pasture, meadow"
        • Description:

          This spelling adds a little more femininity to the neutral Lee. Leigh and sister Lee were quite popular in the 1960s and 1970s among the first cool wave of unisex names for girls, but now have vanished from the Top 1000. The Biblical Leah is preferred.
      • Macsen
        • Origin:

          Welsh variation of Maximus, Latin
        • Meaning:

          "greatest"
        • Description:

          Macsen may sound like a modern invention, cousin to Jackson and Maxon, but it's a longtime Welsh variation of Maximus with evocative roots in legend. Macsen Wledig is another name for the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus, was played an important role in Welsh history and was further immortalized in a poem celebrating his dream about his lover Elen. Macsen also appears in Arthurian legend.