a sister for Ryan and Tristan

  1. Alessandra
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Alexandra
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      This softened version is even prettier than the original.
  2. Allena
    • Origin:

      Female variation of Allen or Alana, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful"
    • Description:

      Allena may feel like a somewhat antiquated feminization, though Allen itself is a tad old-fashioned. In many ways, Allena -- pronounced ah-LEN-ah -- feels more appealing that Alana or ah-LAH-ah.
  3. Cara
    • Origin:

      Latin, Italian, Irish, Spanish, and Portuguese
    • Meaning:

      "dear; friend; face"
    • Description:

      Cara is a simple, sweet, Italian endearment that enjoyed its greatest popularity from the 1970s through the 1990s, reaching a high of Number 189 in 1977. Though the name has been on the decline in recent years, that could change soon due to the rising celebrity of English model/actress Cara Delevingne, who played Enchantress in Suicide Squad. Cara is a highly popular choice in Ireland.
  4. Elaina
    • Origin:

      Variation of Elaine or Elena,"bright, shining light"
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining light"
    • Description:

      Both Elaine and Elena are on an upward trajectory, which means that Elaina, a combination of the two, is popular too.
  5. Elena
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian, German, Greek variation of Helen
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining light"
    • Description:

      Elena is at its most popular point ever in the US, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and the overall popularity of El- names. It's more international than Ellen or Eleanor, but still accessible.
  6. Elianna
    • Origin:

      Variation of Eliana, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my God has answered"
    • Description:

      Elianna and the even more popular Eliana are multicultural favorites that have been rising through the US Top 1000 since the turn of the century.
  7. Elisa
    • Origin:

      Spanish and Italian, diminutive of Elizabeth
    • Description:

      Elisa may be one of the most appealing of this contingent of names, but the Elizabeth variations that start with A are heading up, the E versions down. Eliza is much more stylish these days than Elisa.
  8. Elysia
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Elysium"
    • Description:

      This version stands out from the pack of Alyssas, Elissas et al, as Elysia relates to Elysian Fields, the mythological home of the blessed.
  9. Emelia
    • Origin:

      Variation of Emilia or Amelia
    • Description:

      Emelia takes elements from soundalike sisters Emilia and Amelia, which actually derive from different roots and have different meanings. So rather than cobbling the two together, it's better to make a choice. Rival or work? Latin or German? Pick a lane and stick to it.
  10. Emiliana
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Emily
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      The enormous popularity of Emily and Emma means that parents will be looking further afield for substitutes -- and this is one of the prettiest.

  11. Emmaline
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Emmeline
    • Description:

      This iteration of the name makes the link to the ultra-popular Emma even more obvious. It lags behind alternate spelling Emmeline on the US Top 1000 list.
  12. Evelina
    • Origin:

      English from French
    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"
    • Description:

      A popular name in the Middle Ages, Evelina was eclipsed by Evelyn in the last century, but has a chance at a well-deserved comeback now, fitting right in with the other Ev-names. Like Evelyn, it derives from the Norman name Aveline.
  13. Gia
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "God's gracious gift"
    • Description:

      Gia is a cute if slight name that calls to mind stylish sisters Mia, Lea, Pia, Tia, and Nia. One of the most familiar Italian baby names in the US, Gia is a short form of Gianna, which in turn is a diminutive of Giovanna, the feminine form of Giovanni, the Italian equivalent of John—all of them meaning "God's gracious gift."
  14. Giulia
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Julia
    • Meaning:

      "youthful"
    • Description:

      An Italian version of an English classic beginning to be adopted by cutting-edge American parents, including Entourage's Debi Mazar.
  15. Juliana
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "youthful or sky father"
    • Description:

      Long common in Europe, the elegant and regal Juliana, also spelled with two n's, has invaded these shores, in tandem with the more classic Julia. Together with Julian, the name derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis, meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos, meaning "downy-bearded"; or Jovis, a form of Jupiter, which means "sky father".
  16. Keira
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little dark one"
    • Description:

      Keira is an attractive girls’ name that's gotten a huge boost from the meteoric rise of Keira Knightley. Original spelling Kiera, which relates more directly to the male Kieran, was the more popular form until the rise of Keira Knightley reversed the order. Both are Anglicized versions of the Irish Ciara.
  17. Madison
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "son of Matthew"
    • Description:

      Since we wrote a book called Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana, encouraging parents to move beyond overused names, it's no secret what we think of this trendy surname name, inspired by a mermaid named Madison in the 1980s movie Splash.
  18. Milena
    • Origin:

      Czech
    • Meaning:

      "love, warmth, grace"
    • Description:

      This popular name in various Slavic countries and in Italy holds considerable Continental appeal. It is the full name of Ukranian-born actress Mila Kunis, most noted for her award-winning role in the film Black Swan. Another actress bearing the name is Milena Govitch, of Law & Order.
  19. Raegan
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Reagan, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little king"
    • Description:

      An increasingly popular spelling as parents are responding more and more to the ae form of Braeden, Jaeden, Janae, and Nevaeh.
  20. Reece
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "ardor"
    • Description:

      Reece is a less popular respelling of Reese, made famous by actress Witherspoon. Reese is the most popular spelling for girls and Rhys for boys, with Reece given to about four times as many boys as girls.