1000+ Names With Many Spellings
- Jada
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"jade"Description:
Long used in Spanish-speaking countries, this strong but feminine name was jump-started here by the rise of actress Jada Pinkett Smith. The Italian Giada is a popular variation. In the Bible, the name Jada was borne by a man and has a different root and meaning: It's Hebrew and means "he knows".
- Alena
Origin:
Variation of HelenDescription:
Alena is a modern variant of Helen. Alena might also be a spelling twist on the Slavic Alina or a long form of Lena.
- Jase
Origin:
Diminutive of JasonMeaning:
"the Lord is salvation"Description:
Nickname name Jase joined twin brother Jace in the Top 100 in 2013, after first entering the list in 2002 -- but has since dropped in the charts. Inspiration may be Jase (born Jason) Robinson of the reality show Duck Dynasty.
- Raegan
Origin:
Spelling variation of Reagan, IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
Less popular than Reagan, but more popular than Regan, Raegan is a spelling option for the popular Irish surname. It followed Reagan up the charts in the 90s, perhaps due to its similarity to Morgan, but in recent years, use of Raegan has declined
- Raoul
Origin:
French variation of RalphMeaning:
"wolf-counsel"Description:
Raoul, with its unique three-vowel middle, rolls off the tongue in an appealing way. Raoul is one of the French names that sounds infinitely more romantic and attractive than the somewhat harsh English version Ralph.
- Adelyn
Origin:
Variation of AdelineMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
Adeline in all its forms, including Adelyn, is rocketing up the list, but we do prefer the original to the variations. Or you might consider varying it yet further to Adelia, Adele, or Adelaide. Or lengthen it to Madeline/Madelyn.
- Journey
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"passage from one place to another"Description:
One of the new word names, appealing to parents attracted to the idea of a spiritual -- or even an actual -- voyage. The Journee spelling is also being used. Unisex alert: Jenna Jameson used Journey for one of her twin boys, as did the Black Eyed Peas rock musician known as Taboo.
- Makenna
Origin:
Spelling variation of McKenna or Eastern AfricanMeaning:
"happy one"Description:
Part of the Mackenzie/Mackena/Mackenna family, this variation has a positive meaning.
- Blaire
Origin:
Spelling variation of BlairDescription:
Blair with a little something extra, though that's hardly needed.
- Adalynn
Origin:
Variation of Adeline, FrenchMeaning:
"noble, nobility"Description:
This popular form of the even-more-popular Adeline combines the trendy Ad- prefix with the equally trendy -lynn suffix. Adalynn is the second most widely-used form of this popular name next to the classic Adeline. Singer Chris Daughtry named his daughter Adalynn Rose.
- Macie
Origin:
Spelling variation of MacyMeaning:
"hill"Description:
Macie is one variation that has become more popular than the original Macy, perhaps thanks to its resemblance to the stylish Maisie. While Macie is usually pronounced to rhyme with lacy while Maisie sounds more like crazy, there is undoubtedly some overlap -- and confusion.
- Jaylen
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
More popular than the Jalen spelling. Like other names with many variants, when you count up all the alternatives, the name is much more popular than it first appears.
- Arlette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"noble, honor"Description:
Arlette is a French form of the Germanic name Herleva, which was the name of the mother of William the Conqueror. It peaked in France in the mid-1930s, but you might be surprised to learn that in the US, it's only just beginning to catch on now. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2018, and has dipped in and out in the years since then.
- Freyja
Origin:
Old Norse variation of FreyaMeaning:
"a noble woman"Description:
The original form of the name of the Norse goddess Freya, whose name is now a worldwide sensation. Freya is the most common variant, although Freja is preferred in Denmark and Sweden. Iceland still uses Freyja, the Old Norse spelling.
- Raylan
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Raylan, one of an uncountable number of two syllable, surname-like boys’ names end in n that are in style these days, is inspired by Raylan Givens, the cowboy hat-wearing U.S. Marshall created by writer Elmore Leonard and starring in the television series Justified. The Ray part of the name is of course a traditional choice -- it's usually said to mean "wise" -- but the lan takes it out of Old School Raymond territory. Other variations include Raylen, Raylon, Rayden and so on. The name is also sometimes given to girls, but not nearly as often as it is for boys.
- Carolyn
Origin:
Variation of CarolineMeaning:
"free man"Description:
The phonetic Carolyn spelling, which was very popular from the 1920s to the '60s, has been steadily on the wane while Caroline herself has stayed strong.
- Aviana
Origin:
Variation of Avis, LatinMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Aviana is a name that's kinda like the megapopular Ava, and kinda like the popular Ariana, and not quite as widely appealing as either of them. But it's on everyone's scope now as the choice of actress Amy Adams for her new daughter -- ironic as she was quoted as saying she wanted a "normal" name. Turns out that Adams was born in Aviano, Italy, explaining the mystery. The first syllable of the name can be pronounced ah, ay, or (most commonly) to rhyme with have.
- Haley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"hay field"Description:
The second most popular spelling of this name is also the most straightforward.
- Colson
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"son of Nicholas"Description:
Author Colson Whitehead introduced this surname-name to the lexicon, perfect for a son or grandson of a Nicholas, a Nicole, or a Colin. Or anyone else who likes the sound for that matter, since there are plenty of Jacksons and Harrisons whose parents are not called Jack or Harry.
- Elliott
Origin:
Variation of ElliotMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
While Elliott and Elliot are well-established for boys, parents are now considering both these boy names for girls, too.