Names that Peaked in 1996

Attractive international Stephanie alternative. Estefania ranks in the Top 100 in Puerto Rico.

Kiersten is the version of Kirsten you use if you really really really don't want anyone to mispronounce it as ker-sten or kris-ten. But they probably still will.

An alternative spelling of Tristan, and also the modern Welsh form of the legendary hero's name.

Elaboration of Dion publicized by the football and baseball star Deion Sanders -- aka Neon Deion.

Lexus, an automotive newcomer, has recently entered the Top 1000 -- more because of its association, we fear, with the status symbol car than its relation to the name Alexis. If you love this name, do your child a favor and make it Alexis or at least spell it Lexis.

Halie is the name of several figures in Greek mythology, most of them sea nymphs.

This obscure Native-American name owes its very life to country singer Shania Twain, who dropped her original name, Eileen, for it.

The letters "ae" are always a little tricky, and the more familiar Kayla has started to fall out of fashion, but there's nothing glaringly wrong with this version.

We're not sure that the 43 little girls named Odalys in the USA last year are going to thanks their parents when they realize the meaning of their name. This is a name that should be avoided despite its sweet sound. Better alternatives are Lyssa, Odette, or Odelie.

While the medieval romantic name Tristan is popular and holding its own, this spelling variation has been sagging in the polls. If you love the name, choose the original spelling.

The further you move away from the original Briana, the feminine form of Brian first used by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queen, the more invented and less authentic you get. But many parents want the distance from Brian as Breanna -- or Breana or Breeanna or any of the other variations -- feels more like its own name.

Flailing attempt to switch up popular Tristan.

Variation of Tristan.

Nearly 350 babies were named Austyn last year, about a quarter of them boys.

Even less popular than the rarely-used Deangelo. This spelling is likely helped by singer-songwriter and record producer D'Angelo.