Names that Peaked in 1996

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.

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

Combination of Tristan and Christian that is beginning to catch on.

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.

Variation of Christian.

Widely used in the Latino community, the name gained renown in the nineties for its association with rapper Gerardo Mejía of 'Rico Suave' fame.

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

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

Variation of Tristan.

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

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.

This is a variation of Cheyenne that is slipping in the popularity list toward obscurity..

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.

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