Humiliating names

Pansy is an early floral name that lost credibility when it became a derogatory slang term for gay people. Better these days: Posy or Poppy.

A word name with religious and secular significance.

Unlike the other fruit names that are just coming onto the baby name menu, Peaches is an old-timey nickname previously reserved for spangled showgirls, and now would be considered an outrageous -- verging on hip -- choice. Or perhaps it was, until 2023, when it entered the UK Top 1000, not sounding too out of place beside other 2023 favorites, Honey, Blossom, Sage, Halo, and Dolly.

A surefire way to give your child a perfectionism complex.

Spanish speakers use this name for Jesus Christ only. Probably a good policy.

Far-fetched, but friends can always call him Phil.

Plummer might be an occupational name for someone who works with pipes -- yes, like a plumber -- or with feathers, from the Olde English (from the French) plume. Or it could indicate someone who lived near a plum tree.

For more exciting options with the same meaning, try Jolie, Marini, or Reiko.

Part of the trend for formerly canine royal names; this is one a little girl might love—up till the age of eight.

With the new fashion for occupational names, we may hear more of this one.

A common name in Indonesia that would not work well in English-speaking countries, being too close to putrid or putty.

Used almost exclusively in England; would make an equally amiable short form here for Raphael or Rafferty -- and could also stand on its own. If you're looking for boys' names starting with R, this is one of your cooler choices.

Modern respelling of Rainbow

A spelling alternative of Ruby that ranked in the US Top 1000 in the early 20th century. It peaked in 1909 when it reached #372 on the charts. It mostly dropped out of use in the 50s, though at least 8 girls were given this spelling in 2023. Notably borne by actress Ruby De Remer, there's a good chance those unfamiliar with it would pronounce it roo-BYE instead of ROO-bee.

A traditional name in the Arabic world.

If you live in a state where marijuana is legal (or maybe even if you don't), you might know that Sativa is one of the major strains of weed.