Great names to my actual future kids
- Barbara
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"foreign woman"Description:
Barbara is back! Among the fastest-rising names of 2023, Barbara came back from oblivion at the very bottom of the Top 1000, gaining nearly 100 places on the popularity list.
- Berenice
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"she who brings victory"Description:
A name with a surprising amount of history--it was the name of the wife of Ptolemy I of Egypt, occurs in the New Testament, and belonged to a fourth century saint. In the US, it has long been spelled and pronounced Bernice. Nicknames include Bernie, Berry, Binnie and Bunny.
- Blaise
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"to lisp, stammer"Description:
As modern as it sounds, Blaise is an ancient Christian martyr name. In Arthurian legend, Blaise is the name of Merlin the Magician's secretary. Its relation to the word and name Blaze gives it a fiery feel. Amanda Beard named her baby boy Blaise Ray.
- Blas
- Boris
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"to fight"Description:
Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
- Brenda
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"blade of a sword"Description:
First the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's 1822 novel The Pirate, then a glamorous 1940s debutante, then the troubled twin on Beverly Hills 90210, and now fading in favor of more modern Brenna, Briana, and Bryn. Much more likely to be worn by a mother or grandmother these days. The song "Brenda's Got a Baby" was late rap megastar Tupac's debut single.
- Bautista
- Camilo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"young ceremonial attendant"Description:
The increasing popularity of Camila may have pushed this underrated Spanish name into the Top 1000 — though it remains far less popular than its feminine counterpart. A perfect familiar-but-rare choice.
- Carolina
Origin:
Variation of Caroline; also place-nameMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Languid, romantic, and classy, this variation heats up Caroline and modernizes Carol, adding a southern accent.
- Catalina
Origin:
Spanish variation of CatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
This name of a touristed island in sight of Los Angeles makes an attractive and newly stylish variation on the classic Catherine or overused Caitlin.
- Caterina
Origin:
Italian variation of KatherineDescription:
If your ancestry is Italian, you may want to consider this elegant twist on a classic.
- Cesar
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"head of hair"Description:
Cesar is the sleeker version of Caesar, as in emperor Julius, used in the US most frequently by Hispanic parents who put the emphasis on the second syllable. With ancient Roman names back in vogue, Cesar might become more popular.
- Ciara
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dark one"Description:
Ciara is very popular in Ireland, more familiar here as the Anglicized Kiera or Keira. The uninitiated will tend to pronounce Ciara as the Italian Chiara, a form of Claire—kee-AHR-a or even see-AHR-a, like the American singer-songwriter Ciara. In the US, Ciara peaked in 2005, when it was the Number 150 name; it's since fallen down to Number 882.
- Cristóbal
- Danilo
Origin:
Ukrainian variation of DanielMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Makes a Biblical favorite new and interesting.
- Dante
Origin:
Latin diminutive of DurantMeaning:
"enduring"Description:
Though closely associated with the great medieval Florentine poet Dante Alighieri -- who's so famous most people skip the last name -- it's not as much of a one-man name as you might think. Heck, it's not even a one-poet name, thanks to British pre-Rapahaelite Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Though especially well used in the Italian-American community, it would make a striking name for any little boy.
- David
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
David is an enduring worldwide classic, used from ancient times to the present day.
- Dayanara
Origin:
Modern invented nameDescription:
Former Miss Universe and former Mrs. Marc Anthony, Dayanara Torres has made a more lasting success of her name.
- Diana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"divine"Description:
Diana, the tragic British princess, inspired many fashions, but strangely, not one for her name. For us, Diana is a gorgeous and still-underused choice.
- Diego
Origin:
Spanish variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
The energetic Diego is rising rapidly along with a lot of other authentically Spanish baby names that work perfectly well with surnames of any origin.