Names That Are Variations

This spelling of Silas hit a peak at Number 520 in 2013 -- likely to due the trendy Y -- but has since fallen a bit in the ranking. The classic spelling is much more popular.

A softer take on Joaquin or a quirkier version of Joachim, depending on how you look at it.

Lucille and its alternate spelling Lucile are both popular in France, but in the US, Lucy rules with the more-antiquated sounding Lucille a distant second. Lucile fell off the Top 1000 more than 60 years ago and it's hard to imagine what might make this spelling preferable to the original. As with Jenifer, subtracting that letter doesn't add anything.

Caitlyn is following all variations on the Irish classic Caitlin down the US baby name charts, following decades of popular usage. The original Anglicized form Kathleen is now starting to feel fresher than these more modern forms.

An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.

A French name that's lost its chic.

Rarely, if ever, heard outside the Jewish community.

Intriguing twist on Jacob, but may be too strongly associated with Michael Jackson.

The Arthur variation preferred in Portugal and across much of Eastern Europe. It’s a truly international name, and one that would be easy to wear in the US as well.

Pascoe was popular in medieval times and is definitely deserving of revival, especially for a child born in the Easter season. Other spellings are Pasco and Pascow.

This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, unlike popular boy Giovanni. It could honor a grandpa Joe, and we think the traditional diminutive Beppe is pretty cute.

The Icelandic form of the internationally popular Magnus, currently ranked in the Top 50 over there.

Although Ulysses is the more recognizable spelling — the Latin name for epic Greek hero Odysseus, as well as the first name of US President Grant — Spanish Ulises is the more popular choice in the US. Ulises was at its highest in the early 2000s, and has since been on a downswing.

Country singer Waylon Jennings bestowed a kind of outlaw image on his name, and parents have been loving the suave cowboy name Waylon in recent years — enough to crack to Top 100 in 2021. Alternative spelling Waylen is beginning to climb as well, entering the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022.

An attractive, surprisingly uncommon variation of Josiah. To give you an idea of how comparatively rare Josias is, there were about 200 baby boys named Josias in the US last year, versus nearly 6000 named Josiah.

This Cameron variation was popularized by actress Camryn Manheim and Twitches character Camryn. But why choose Camryn over Cameron? In most cases, the classic spelling is preferable.

The final e introduces pronunciation questions. Is Eleanor pronounced just like Eleanor, or is it the more elaborate el-LAY-ah-nor? Or something else?

Embroidered lace hankie of a name, used in a Thomas Hardy novel. That literary cred lends some gravitas.

Mayson, usually a spelling variation of the popular boys' occupational name Mason, has been on the US Top 1000 since 2010. This follows as trend for adding the letter Y to a name or substitution as Y for another vowel, as in Ayden or Kaytlyn.

Kyle is a Scottish male name while Kylie is an Aboriginal name meaning boomerang. Kyleigh might be seen as a feminine spin on Kyle or a spelling update of Kylie. A trendy choice longer on style than substance.