"Our list"

  1. Brianna
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Brian
    • Meaning:

      "strong, virtuous and honorable"
    • Description:

      Brianna's popularity in the US came later than father name Brian's, peaking in the 1990s, two decades after Brian's Top 10 reign of the 1970s.
  2. Brianne
    • Brooke
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "small stream"
      • Description:

        Brooke has long projected an aura of sleek sophistication, and can also be seen as a stylish water name.
    • Carys
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "love"
      • Description:

        Common in Wales, this name was introduced to America when Welsh-born Catherine Zeta-Jones and husband Michael Douglas chose it for their daughter in 2003. It didn't come into use in Wales until the late nineteenth century. It's currently Number 367 in England and Wales.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Eva
      • Origin:

        Latin form of Eve, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "life"
      • Description:

        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.
    • Hayden
      • Origin:

        English place name
      • Meaning:

        "hay valley"
      • Description:

        A newly successful name for girls, which, like Brayden and Caden, used to be strictly for the boys. Young Heroes and now Nashville star Hayden Panettiere planted it in the girls' camp.
    • Jane
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        No, we don't consider Jane too plain. In fact, for a venerable and short one-syllable name, we think it packs a surprising amount of punch, as compared to the related Jean and Joan.
    • Jean
      • Origin:

        English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of silver screen glamour. Now, though there are many grandmas and even moms with the name, it doesn't seem all that baby-friendly. Though that could change, and Jean could join Jane.
    • Johanna
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Johanna is the version of this name used in Holland, Germany, and Scandinavia. The extra h makes Johanna a slightly more dignified version of Joanna.
    • 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".
    • Juliet
      • Origin:

        English from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "youthful or sky father"
      • Description:

        One of the most romantic names, the lovely and stylish Juliet seems finally to have shaken off her limiting link to Romeo. In Shakespeare's play, it was Juliet who said "What's in a name?"
    • Kate
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Katherine
      • Meaning:

        "pure"
      • Description:

        Kate, in the headlines via Catherine Middleton aka the Princess of Wales, has been as pervasive as Kathy was in the 1950s and 1960s, both as a nickname for Katherine and Kaitlyn and as a strong, classic stand-alone name.
    • Kaylin
      • Origin:

        American variation of Kayla
      • Description:

        Kaylin is a variation of Kayla and Katelyn that had several years of chart climbing before reaching a peak of Number 372 in 2009. Cailin and Kailyn are two other spellings.
    • Kelsey
      • Origin:

        English surname
      • Meaning:

        "Cenel's island"
      • Description:

        Yesterday's hottie, today's mom name. It derives from several English place names and may mean "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce".
    • Kiley
      • Origin:

        Spelling variation of Kylie
      • Meaning:

        "boomerang"
      • Description:

        Kiley is one of the more reasonable of the Kylie variations, which also include Kilea, Kilee, Kileigh, Kili, Kilie, Kylee, Kyley, Kyli, ad infinitum. Despite its similarity to the popular Riley, the high ranking Kylie will ensure that this choice comes with spelling confusion. For our part, we'd rather people stuck with the original Kylie, especially seeing as that is a Noongar Aboriginal word.
    • Kimberly
      • Origin:

        English surname
      • Meaning:

        "Cyneburga's meadow"
      • Description:

        Though Kimberly -- a South African diamond town name -- hasn't been stylish for decades, it was in the Top 5 throughout the sixties and seventies and long ranked among the top girls' names starting with K. Names with the -ly or -ley ending continue to be trendy, though, with Ashley falling while new choices such as Hadley and Kinsley are rising.
    • Marin
      • Origin:

        Latin, of the sea"
      • Description:

        Marin is a lovely county north of San Francisco, and a lovely baby name on the rise, one which sounds more refreshing than the more familiar Marina.
    • Mila
      • Origin:

        Slavic, Russian
      • Meaning:

        "gracious; dear"
      • Description:

        Mila is a popular name that took a 125 year nap, ranking in the Top 1000 in 1881 and then not ranking again until 2006, after actress Mila Kunis appeared on That 70s Show.