Family Names

Kay, a cigarette-smoking, nightclubbing name of the 1930's, could be ready for a comeback along with cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae.

Megan was one of the first trendy names to spawn lots of spelling variations and this form of the name is less popular than its streamlined counterpart, but nevertheless familiar to those in the English speaking world. A variant of Margaret, the name was rarely heard outside of Wales before the mid-20th century.

A less-used cross between Clifford and Clinton.

Where Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice him. Taylor Hanson chose this as the middle name for his son Viggo, his fourth child, but most will see it as a girls’ name. Make life simpler and spell it Mariah.

Rarely heard today-- it fell off the list around 1980--Bernice is a biblical name of Greek origin. In the Bible, she is a sister of King Agrippa.

Kim was the coolest name... of the 1960s. Kim was popularized by actress Kim Novak, and its energy is still maintained by rapper Lil' Kim, but it holds lil' or no appeal for new babies. Parents who like Kim's short, sweet sound might look to a choice such as Sam, Lou, or Belle.

This charming spelling of Lillie had its heyday in the late 1800s and ranked in the Top 100 until the end of the 1920s. It dropped off the Top 1000 completely in the 1980s and 1990s but is now back in play.

Kids love Bob the Builder, but do they want to be Bob the Builder? Bob and Bobby have been out of style since the 1960s, but as vintage nickname-names -- Fred, Archie -- come back into vogue, Bob may tag along. Charlie Sheen used it for one of his twin sons.

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.

Emmitt is a new spelling spin borne of the popularity of Emmett.

Kerry is the name of one of the most beautiful and lush counties of Ireland was a seventies favorite. Related, updated versions might include Cerys and Keira.

Variation of Terence.

Much-used midcentury diminutive, now fallen far from favor even as a middle name.

Salina is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Spanish, it derives from 'sal' meaning 'salt,' often referring to salt flats or salt mines. The name also has Greek roots, possibly connected to 'selene' meaning 'moon.' In Arabic culture, Salina (or Salima) means 'peace' or 'safe.' The name appears in various forms across different countries, including the Italian Selina and the Hebrew Selina. Salina has maintained steady but modest popularity, appealing to parents seeking a melodic name with cross-cultural appeal. Its gentle sound and natural connection (to salt or the moon) make it attractive, while remaining distinctive enough that most Salinas won't share their name with many classmates.

Hot star Ashton Kutcher is pushing this unisex choice toward the boys' camp, but its variation Ashtyn is on the rise.

Raffaella is the Italian form of the lovely name Raphaela, the female version of the angel's name Raphael, gorgeous in any spelling or international variation. Raffaella is one of the most appealing Italian baby names for girls.

Chantel is a feminine name of French origin, derived from 'chant' meaning 'song' or possibly from the place name Chantelle in France. During the 1970s and 1980s, Chantel rose in popularity in the United States as part of a trend toward French-inspired names with musical connections. The variant spelling Chantel (compared to Chantal) gained particular favor for its simplified, intuitive spelling while maintaining the elegant French sound. The name evokes musicality and artistic expression. Notable bearers include American R&B singer Chanté Moore and various athletes. While its peak popularity has passed, Chantel continues to be appreciated for its melodious quality and sophisticated French heritage.

These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.

Elton is an unassuming, lesser-used place name belonging to several towns in the British Isles, the US and Canada, and even a lake in Russia. The singer Elton John gives it a bit of extra pizzazz.

Just like Flora is for botanicals, Jewel is the generic gemstone name, not used much since the early twentieth century, when it was seen as a symbol of how precious a daughter could be. The French version, Bijou, feels more modern, as do Pearl and Ruby.