UK Baby Names

Legitimizes the newly coined Denim, as does the Scottish place-name Denholm (both pronounced DEN-um).

Obscure, though legitimate, name that could be used to honor a relative named Barton or Martin.

Much more upscale and modern for a girl than a boy.

New is a middle name name with meaning: Your baby, after all, is new to the world and you may hope will continue to approach life and experience as if everything is new and exciting.

Might Carlyle (or Carlisle) be the next Carly, which of course was the update on Carla? In 2015, 14 girls were given the Carlisle spelling (vs. 35 boys) but the Carlyle version did not make the SSA list for girls although it was registered for ten boys. But it's a name we think we'll hear more of for both genders.

If Hunter just isn't full enough for you, place name Huntington might be a better option.

Gaynor is an early androgynous name with a positive association, related to the Cornish megahit name Jennifer.

Marge used to be as common as Maggie or Megan, ranking on its own in the girls' Top 1000 from 1900 until right after World War II, when so many Old School names fell off the list in favor of a new generation cuter, perkier choices.

Variously spelled Swithun or Swithin, and associated with St. Swithin's day, July 15th, which is famous as a weather predictor a la Groundhog's Day: supposedly, the weather on his feast day will continue for forty days. This would certainly make a unique choice.

We don't see that bright a future for this one either.

Ilisa is a spelling variant that's less appealing than the original.

Though we usually think a name's image in contemporary culture supersedes its ancient meaning, this is a case where the definition could undermine a child's self-esteem.

Shaw is a streamlined and more modern-sounding Shawn, with many notable surname namesakes.

Double whammy: the expression "Seward's folly" and inevitable sewer jokes.

Made familiar by poet William Blake. According to Blake, after her death, Conwenna "shines ... over the north with pearly beams gorgeous and terrible". Make of that what you will.

Gently pleasant English family name long associated with 60-Minuteman Morley Safer.

This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer, choreographer and director on the Broadway stage, in films and on TV.