Dad Names

Kadeem is a name made familiar by TV actor Kadeem Hardison, a fresher alternative to the better known Kareem.

Humberto lifts this ancient name out of the gross association to fictional pedophile Humbert Humbert, investing it with a good measure of Latin charm. It helps that the pronunciation is significantly different, much closer to the Italian Umberto than to the flat-footed original.

This contemporary combo name burst onto the scene in tandem with the megasuccess of then-child singer Tevin Campbell in 1989, but has been losing its footing since the start of the millennium.

DeShawn or Deshawn is the more popular variation, but Dashawn charted from the late 1980s until 2010, which means it's on its way to becoming a Dad Name. Traditionally, the De or Da prefix means "son of", so this name means "son of Shawn", with Shawn a variation of John.

Though it may have a slightly different pronunciation than Devin, this name is struggling to gain momentum.

This Spanish spelling of Marquis is popular in its own right.

Attractive twist on Middle Eastern favorite -- with further twists being Zamari, Jamari, and Jamarion.

Even less popular than the rarely-used Deangelo. This spelling is likely helped by singer-songwriter and record producer D'Angelo.

Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.

A strong Arabic choice with a covetable meaning — one of the most important considerations in the Muslim baby name practice.

An invented name with several spelling variations. Ranking in the Top 1000 from 1989 to 2005, Daquan is now becoming a Dad Name.