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Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular sister Eve, Eva is one of the elite group of girl names that mean life.

Hiro is an apt name for a hero of the show Heroes -- and for our times. Widely used in Japan, sometimes also for girls. Hiroshi is a long form.

Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.

Paul is an ancient name for boys -- popular in Roman and medieval times -- that's not very fashionable now, which can work in its favor, scarcity balancing simplicity.

Pixie is a cute -- quite possibly too cute -- name that suddenly feels possible thanks to the craze for names that contain the letter x. Though its origin may be uncertain, a pixie is internationally recognized as a sprite or fairy: tiny, sometimes green, usually pointy-eared.

Tilo is a masculine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a short form of Dietlof or Theodulf, which combine elements meaning 'people' and 'wolf.' Particularly common in Germany and Scandinavian countries, this concise name carries historical depth while maintaining a modern, approachable quality. In Finland, Tilo sometimes appears as a variant of the name Tilus. The name experienced modest popularity in Central Europe throughout the 20th century but has remained relatively rare in English-speaking regions. Tilo's brevity and distinctive ending sound make it memorable without being difficult to pronounce. Those with German or Nordic heritage might choose this name to honor their cultural roots while selecting a name that travels well across linguistic boundaries.