Names that end in y

This name of the largest river in Scotland, renowned for its salmon fishing, is usually thought of as a nickname for Taylor.

A courtly surname and place name that feels like it could be a successor to Kingsley. It has a British feel thanks to its most famous wearers: actress Keira Knightley, and Mr (George) Knightley, the love interest of Jane Austen's novel Emma.

Cedric the Entertainer chose this for his daughter, but most other parents would find it, though optimistic, not exactly substantial.

He can get it for you wholesale.

An English place and surname with a fierce natural meaning. Loxley is a village and river name from Yorkshire, England, famous for being the purported birthplace of Robin Hood. Loxley Chase was an extensive historic forest bordering Sherwood Forest in the Middle Ages.

Marty and Martie are old-fashioned gender-neutral nickname names, boyish nicknames not heard much since the middle of the last century. They have a certain charm and may come back into style along with mother names such as Martha.

Variously spelled Covy and Covey, this is a surname derived from the first name Cobthach. Like cousins Coby and Cody, it has an energetic nickname feel.

A modern choice for girls riffing on the popular unisex name Quinn, with an extra syllable to add substance and formality. And Quinn is still available as a nickname!

With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.

A popular name in its native Turkey, with one of the most poetic meaning around.

The J spelling of this nickname name has always skewed more masculine, perhaps because it relates directly to Jerome but not to Geraldine. But supermodel Jerry Hall, whose full name is Jerry and who has a twin sister named Terry, pulls it off in glamorous style.

An eighties favorite back on the rise for girls. It's used for boys approximately fifteen percent of the time.

There are lots of Kathy moms and grandmas but very few babies, most of whom are now called Kate or Katie.

In the US, Mandy may be a common girls' name, a Bobby Soxerish nickname for Amanda, but in the Latin community, it's a popular nickname for Armando, the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese form of Herman. Actor Mandy Pantikin was born Mandel, another (though not recommended) possibility.

The only version that works for boys anymore is the Latinate Hilario or Ilario. Better to look to Felix for a happy-meaning name.

Jentry is an upwardly-striving word name that's gaining ground for girls as a new spin on Jennifer or Jenna. If classy is what you're after, a name with a genuine pedigree would serve you better. Others spellings -- Jentri, Jentree, Jentreigh -- abound, presumably for parents who want to use the short form Jen or like Gentry but prefer girl names starting with J..

Tory (and more commonly, Tori) is most often seen as a feminine nickname for Victoria. However, in terms of putting Tory — just Tory — on the birth certificate, boys have the leg up.

Lesley runs a distant second to more popular sister Leslie, used for just over 50 baby girls in one recent year vs. Leslie's 700+. And interestingly, no baby boys were named Lesley though 45 were named Leslie. Once one of the most widely-used girl names starting with L, Lesley and Leslie now trail behind trendy L-starting girl names like Layla and Lily.

This once vivacious midcentury nickname is rarely used for modern babies.

Best left at the Jersey Shore.