Names that Peaked in 1998

  1. Brennen
    • Odalis
      • Origin:

        French word Odalisque
      • Meaning:

        "chambermaid; concubine"
      • Description:

        As with the more popular variant Odalys, this is a name which should be avoided due to its connection to Ottoman Empire harems and concubines. May we suggest Odette, Odelie, Odessa or Lyssa as better alternatives?
    • Marquez
      • Origin:

        Spanish
      • Meaning:

        "nobleman"
      • Description:

        This Spanish spelling of Marquis is popular in its own right.
    • Lexis
      • Origin:

        Greek, diminutive of Alexis
      • Description:

        Lexis is a condensation of Alexis, or the expression of a wish to drive a Lexus. Go with the longer form.
    • Tahj
      • Origin:

        Variation of Taj, Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "crown"
      • Description:

        More common than steamlined Tahj, thanks to actor Tahj Mowry, brother of Tia of Tamara.
    • Serina
      • Brendon
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Brendan
      • Carlie
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Carly
        • Description:

          The ie ending injects this late 20th century favorite with a bit of late 19th century charm. But not quite enough to make it a good 21st century choice.
      • Kaycee
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Casey
        • Description:

          This spelling variation of unisex Casey leans farther to the girls' side. Kaycee ranked in the US Top 1000 in the late 80s and 90s, but has fallen out of favor now.
      • Kaitlynn
        • Origin:

          Spelling variation of Kaitlyn or Caitlin
        • Description:

          Kaitlynn seems to be trying too hard to make its pronunciation plain. At this point, everyone knows that the name however you spell it is pronounced like Kate plus Lynn, so why go all the way to Kaitlynn? This spelling has been stumbling down the charts since its peak in 1998 and may not be around much longer.
      • Elyssa
        • Reanna
          • Origin:

            Modern invented name
          • Description:

            Probably an offshoot of Deanna, lacking much identity of its own.
        • Katelynn
          • Origin:

            Spelling variation of Caitlin
          • Description:

            Caitlin, but with the popular -lynn suffix.
        • Bryanna
          • Origin:

            Feminine of Bryan
          • Description:

            A confusing looking name—is it BRY-anna or BREE-anna? There are other feminine variants of Bryan/Brian which look less made up, such as Brianna and Breanna. We recommend looking into those choices to avoid pronunciation issues.
        • Nathanial
          • Tyrek
            • Jarod
              • Tyriq
                • Caitlynn
                  • Jarett