Classic Favorites

These are some of the names I have always had in the back of my head. My children in the future will most definitely be named some of these...I love them all!
  1. 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.
  2. Liam
    • Origin:

      Irish short form of William
    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"
    • Description:

      Liam is the top boys' name in the US, holding the Number One spot for the past eight years and also ranking as one of the most popular boys' names around the western world.
  3. Emmett
    • Origin:

      English masculinization of Emma, German
    • Meaning:

      "universal"
    • Description:

      Emmett, honest and sincere, laid-back and creative, is on the rise as a male cognate of the megapopular Emma, not to mention being a character in the popular Twilight series.
  4. Owen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "young warrior; well-born"
    • Description:

      Owen, a resonant Celtic name, has ranked among the Top 100 boys' names in the US for 20 years and is now at its highest point ever.
  5. Cameron
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "crooked nose"
    • Description:

      With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to Cameron Diaz. Still, eight times more boys than girls are named Cameron in the US.
  6. Zoe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      Zoe is one of those surprising names that has been on the Top 1000 nearly every year since 1880, but it's only since the turn of this century that it's ranked in the Top 100.
  7. Patrick
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "noble, patrician"
    • Description:

      Patrick, long tied to a hyper-Irish image, is enjoying something of a renaissance as a stylish classic, as it has long been considered in England. Along with such choices as Charles and George, Patrick has escaped overuse in recent decades.
  8. Declan
    • Origin:

      Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"
    • Meaning:

      "man of prayer"
    • Description:

      Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
  9. Juliette
    • Origin:

      French from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "little Julia"
    • Description:

      Juliette, pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, adds a little something extra to Juliet. In the past years it has been rising up the chart.
  10. Ansel
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "with divine protection"
    • Description:

      Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.
  11. Aaron
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "high mountain; exalted, enlightened"
    • Description:

      Aaron is a name of subtle contrasts: an unusual spelling that is easily recognizable; a solid Biblical choice that doesn’t feel exclusively tied to religion; a well-established name for boys but sometimes confused with the girls’ name, Erin; used internationally but with notably different pronunciations; classic like Andrew but not out of place with recent favorites like Weston or Jayden.
  12. Lainey
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elaine, French and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "bright shining light"
    • Description:

      Nickname name Lainey has been rising since the turn of the century to become a Top 200 girls' name in the US today.
  13. Xander
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Xander is a diminutive of Alexander, the Latin variation of the Greek Alexandros. Its meaning, "defending men," is taken from the Greek roots aléxein, "to defend," and andros, "men." Zander, pronounced the same way, is an alternate spelling.
  14. Kendall
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "valley of the river Kent"
    • Description:

      Kendall, as used for a girl, was initially propelled up the popularity ladder by a soap opera character (Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kendall Hart in All My Children) but now is more closely associated with supermodel Kardashian sister Kendall Jenner.
  15. Brielle
    • Origin:

      Short form of Gabrielle, French, Cajun, Hebrew, Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "god is my strength; hunting grounds"
    • Description:

      Though it sounds modern, Brielle is, among other things, a traditional Cajun contraction of Gabrielle, and the name of a historic seaport in the Western Netherlands, also known as Brill. Today, it is used more widely as a nickname for Gabrielle and as a stand-alone name that fits in easily with Isabelle, Briana, and Brinley. In a recent year, it appeared in the US Top 200, ranking above the longer form and used nearly four times as often.
  16. Reagan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little king"
    • Description:

      A strong, straightforward Irish unisex surname, with a merry glint in its eye, Reagan has been leaping up the popularity lists, to become one of the top girl names starting with R. Some will inevitably link it to President Ronald, but spell it Regan and it's a Shakespearean name: a daughter of King Lear.
  17. Lilliana
    • Origin:

      Variation of Lillian or Liliana
    • Meaning:

      "lily, a flower"
    • Description:

      While Lillian is the English version of this elaborated flower name and Liliana is the authentic Spanish and Portuguese spelling, Lilliana is a familiar and perfectly usable option in the US.
  18. Ryann
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Ryan
    • Description:

      An attempt to make this name swing more to the feminine side, though the original Ryan is becoming perfectly acceptable for girls.
  19. Loughlin
    • Description:

      Loughlin is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the surname Ó Lochlainn, meaning 'descendant of Lochlann.' Lochlann was an ancient Irish term referring to Scandinavia or Viking territories, literally meaning 'land of lakes.' As a first name, Loughlin (sometimes spelled Lochlan, Lachlan, or Laughlin) carries connotations of Viking strength and Celtic heritage. While more common in Ireland and Scotland, it has gained modest recognition internationally. The name has a distinguished sound that balances traditional roots with contemporary appeal. Pronunciation can vary, but it's typically said as 'LOCK-lin' or 'LOFF-lin.' For parents seeking a name with deep Celtic connections and historical significance, Loughlin offers strength and distinctive character.

  20. Caitie
    • Description:

      Caitie is a feminine name that functions as a diminutive or nickname form of Caitlin, Catherine, or similar names. With Irish and English influences, this spelling variation emerged in the late 20th century as parents sought more distinctive ways to write familiar nicknames. The name Caitlin itself derives from the Irish form of Catherine, ultimately from Greek meaning 'pure.' Caitie conveys a youthful, friendly quality while maintaining connections to traditional naming roots. While sometimes used as a given name on birth certificates, Caitie more commonly serves as a familiar form used by family and friends. The spelling with 'ie' rather than 'y' gives it a slightly sweeter, more feminine appearance. Popularity peaked in the 1990s alongside other Cait- variants.