Our Newest Names: The Best of 2024
The Nameberry database is ever expanding with fresh finds and future favorites added to the collection every week. As we reach the end of 2024, it’s time to look back at the new entries for the year and spotlight some of our favorites.
New entries to the database come from a wide range of sources, including our own name sightings, recent celebrity births, and pop culture references. This year, Blues and Messody were some notable examples.
Other new names come from examining the latest name data, to uncover unique unisex names such as Kempsey or to explore international choices such as Cavidan and Warre.
Many new editions are also suggested by our very own Berry community, who share their knowledge over on the Forums. This is an invaluable resource which allows us to gather names from all around the world.
To keep up to date with the freshest names as we add them, check out our list of the Newest Names on Nameberry.
For now, though, let’s take a look at some of the standouts for 2024!
Famous Finds
Celebrities are well-known for their unique name choices, but in recent years, social media influencers have also been the source of new name discoveries. Below are a selection of celeb-inspired additions for 2024.
Alanneabh
A brand-new name, Alanneabh was chosen by DIY-and-Self-Build influencers, Cat and Ciaran. Resembling both Alannah and Niamh, it comes from the Irish term of endearment, a leanbh meaning “my child”. On Instagram, Cat explained that they were inspired by the use of the phrase in Claire Keegan’s novel, Small Things Like These.
Benny
Boyish nicknames for girls like Billie and Scottie were the rising stars of 2023 and influencer Jaci Marie Smith has added Benny to the mix after she chose it for her daughter. Rarely used as a given name, it might be one to watch out for in the future.
Blues
Musical and gentle, but also very cool, Blues was chosen by Justin and Hailey Bieber as a middle name for their son Jack. While Blue (and Blu and Bleu) have been around for a while, Blues fits in the recent trend of plural names like Brooks and Banks.
Kenkaide
This twist on the Scottish surname Kincaid was used by musicians Ashanti and Nelly for their son Karim's middle name. Chosen in honor of Ashanti’s father, Ken-Kaide, this spelling introduces the possibility of nickname Ken.
Messody
Melodic and playful in sound, Messody is a cross-cultural choice linked to the Arabic Masood, to an ancient fortification in Israel, and to the Hebrew name, Masodah. TikTok influencer Miriam Ezagui chose the name for her daughter in 2024, and it has since ranked on the Top 100 on the Nameberry popularity charts.
Pesce
Selected by actor Nico Tortorella and influencer Bethany C. Meyers for their son, this Italian surname means “fish”. Pronounced PESH-eh, it could be a fun choice for a Pisces baby, or simply to honor a love for water. Alternatively, you might enjoy Pesce's middle name, Pearl, which also entered the database as a masculine name in 2024.
Sosa
This sweet and spirited name of Spanish and Portuguese origin was chosen by reality TV star Lala Kent for her daughter in 2024. Likely derived from the Latin words salsus and saxa meaning “salty” and “pebbly”, the river connected Sosa has seen occasional use for boys, but it could grow as a unisex option in future.
Gems from Around the World
The release of the latest name data from around the world often leads to new discoveries and here are just a few recent entries that are popular — or at least familiar — in their native countries, but rare elsewhere.
Cavidan
Derived from the Persian javed with the compelling meaning of “eternal”, Cavidan is a popular choice in Azerbaijan and Turkey. Despite sharing the same origin and meaning however, in Turkey it is a predominantly feminine name, while in Azerbaijan, it is mostly masculine!
Irinel
A descendent of Irene, this peaceful and subtly poetic name is the Romanian variation of the Russian Iriney, itself the masculine form of Irina. Thank you to @SimiNova for introducing us to it.
Keita
Keita is a multi-cultural choice with (at least) four separate origins! In Latvia, it is a popular variation of Kate, while in Japan, it is a masculine name meaning “great celebration” or “great enlightenment”. As an Eastern African name, it possibly means "worshipper", while some sources link it back to the Celtic Keith. Thank you to @tallemaja for suggesting Keita.
Nai
A bit of Kai and a bit of Nick, this unexpected one syllable boy name appeared in the latest Top 100 names in Slovenia. Likely deriving from Nikolaj or Nikola, it joined a range of succinct options in the Slovenian charts, including Lan, Val, Brin, Rok, and Fran.
Warre
A name with a slightly convoluted history, Warre re-entered the Belgium Top 100 in 2023. Its meaning connects it to ravens, lending it a rugged and poetic — or perhaps ‘dark academia’ — vibe.
Pop Culture Creations
Borrowed from TV screens, book pages, and beyond, these new entries are drawn from pop culture and could make bold baby name options.
Arys
From Arya to Khaleesi and Daenerys, from Snow to Renly and Theon, George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones has been influential in introducing names to the charts — and Arys is no exception. In its fictional universe, the name Arys is conjectured to derive from Arya's name, though its real-world usage may be equally influenced by its similarity to the rising Greek names, Ares and Aris.
Baudelaire
A literary name with a dark academia vibe, Baudelaire is associated with Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and the poet Charles Baudelaire. It’s a French surname derived from the name of a large dagger and could be a distinctive way to get to nicknames Blaire, Bo, or Dell.
Keedie
Possibly a variation of Katherine (via Katie, Kitty, or Kadi), Keedie is a nickname style name used by Elle McNicoll, an author and advocate for better representation of neurodiversity. It appears in the novel and TV series A Kind of Spark and in its 2024 prequel, named simply Keedie. The name might appeal to those who like Kiki, Edie, or Keeley.
Sazz
With style and confidence, Sazz is a brand new gender-neutral option, worn by a nonbinary character in the TV series Only Murders in the Building. It could work as a stand-alone name in the spirit of Sage or Sol, but it could also work as a nickname for Sebastian, Saskia, Silas, Sarah, or Solaris.
Ulalume
A witchy, poetical choice, borrowed from the title of a tragic poem by Edgar Alan Poe, Ulalume could make a unique choice for Halloween lovers. The exact etymology is unknown but Poe could have borrowed it from the Latin ululare meaning wailing or lumen, a light that symbolizes sorrow. Thank you to @winterlyricalfox for suggesting Ulalume.
Future Favorites?
Currently rare but also up-and-coming, these (potential) future favorites were uncovered by examining the latest baby name data and identifying possible trends to watch out for.
Kempsey
With its trendy K initial and the sounds of Kenzie, Kasey, Kingsley, and Kennedy, Kempsey is a currently rare unisex option. Meaning “champion’s island” or “royal victory”, it similarity to new and long-standing favorites might make it one to keep an eye on.
McCall
Move over Mckenzie and Mckinley, McCall is one of the newest ‘Mac’ names in the database. Mildly popular as a feminine choice back in the 90s, recent years have seen it lean more into the gender-neutral category. Meaning “son of Cathal”, it is borne by soccer star McCall Zerbon, and by one of the Waldrop’s sextuplets (as a middle).
Southerly
We’ve got Weston, North, Breeze, and Stormi, so this wild nature name could provide an ultra-rare alternative. Referring to the south wind, it's also a bit like Everly and Sullivan in sound. While it has yet to appear in the US stats, there is a British influencer called Southerly, and yes, it is her real name. You can hear her talking about her experience of having an unusual name along with the baby names she likes on her TikTok!
Saturnina
Associated with the Roman God of agriculture and abundance, Saturnina is a golden feeling name with the in-built nickname Nina. Why does it appear here? Well, as a space related name, it has proven surprisingly popular among Nameberry users, at one point reaching #64 on the Nameberry popularity charts despite its real-world rarity.
Zani
Short and zippy names are in style, as are those which work across multiple cultures and Zani fits the bill as both. Currently a quietly used and gender neutral choice, it has its origins in Hebrew, Venetian, Arabic, and Albanian, with meanings including “gift of God”, “corner” and “voice”, depending on which root you follow.
Forum Finds
Coming from a wide range of styles and origins, these new names were introduced to us by the Berries over on the forums!
Fleury
While this could be a nickname for Fleur, it’s also the masculine form of the floral name and was familiar in its native France until the 1940s. Currently out of style, could those in pursuit of gentle boy names revive it? Would it work as a nickname for Florian? Thank you to @GeographyDragon for suggesting it.
Foss
Simple and understated, but bold and intriguing in terms of sound and meaning, Foss is an Icelandic name meaning “waterfall”. A rare choice but one that feels like it could fit in with Ford, River, or Fox. Thank you to @Rosebeth for suggesting it.
Jovo
Jovo, pronounced YAW-vaw, is a playful diminutive of Jovan, one of the many, many international forms of John. Used in Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro as both a nickname and a given name, it fits the style of Arlo, Milo, and Miro. Thank you to @tallemaja for suggesting Jovo!
Meghana
Sometimes used for babies born during India’s rainy season, Meghana is a gentle yet regal-sounding name of Sanskrit origin. Meaning “cloud” or “rain cloud”, it is sometimes used as an alternative name for the River Meghna in Bangladesh. Thank you to @EagleEyes for suggesting Meghana.
Poerava
The magical Poerava is a Tahitian word name meaning “black pearl”, and referring specifically to the pearls collected from the black lip oyster. It was suggested by @oakbelle who enjoyed the long, strong sounds, the island feel, and the possible nicknames of Po, Posy, and Rava. Thank you to @oakbelle for introducing us to the name.
Sinikka
Sinikka is a Finnish name meaning “bluebird”, that can also be used as an elaboration of the more familiar Sini. It might appeal to those who enjoy Saskia, Annika, and Sunniva. Thank you to @GeographyDragon for suggesting it.
Zenta
Sharp but sweet, Zenta is a Latvian and Hungarian name that derives from the more elaborate Kreszentia or Crescentia. Meaning “to grow”, it is a name full of potential. Thank you to @tallemaja for suggesting Zenta.
The Best of the Rest
Here are 50 more of the newest names in the database that are already proving popular with visitors to Nameberry!