Aries inspired names

"Help Me, Rhonda. sang the Beach Boys -- help me convince my parents not to give me this sixties name.

If you think there are too many Zachs around, you can use this historic nickname for Zachariah instead, though it does have a somewhat feminine feel.

Most modern parents would prefer the more straightforward Ryan.

Marginally better than Richardette or Richardina.

Last cool when Bogie roamed Casablanca.

One of the earliest of the relaxed, unisex names, now relegated to oldies rock stations.

Gone with Richard and Rick, Ricky has been falling since the turn of the 21st century. Probably still suffering from overuse in the 1990s.

Variation of Reddick, recognizable as the name of Vin Diesel's character in the Riddick film series, based on the Chronicles of Riddick books.

Ridger isn't particularly common as a surname but we expect it to pick up in popularity as a first name, a la rising names Bridger and Ridge.

Director Ridley Scott and actress Daisy Ridley made this surname-style name familiar, and with its outdoorsy meaning and rugged yet preppy sound, it could blend in with Oakley, Reid, Riley, and Ridge. Some parents might be put of by the first syllable (as in, "get rid of" or "horrid" or "riddles"), but since Scarlett (scar), Colton (cult), and Titus all rank in the Top 400, it could still work for those looking for a standout last-name first name.

Can one prominent character affect the gender identity of a name? Definitely, as has supernatural bad girl Ridley Duchannes of the Beautiful Creatures series-turned-movie, played by the gorgeous Emmy Rossum.

Ricki has also been used, but like Vikki and Nikki, Rikki has also had its day.

Warm-hued spelling spin on Rowan that was chosen by Sharon Stone for one of her three young sons.

This variation of Rowan, which is also a color name rhyming with Joan, is more popular for boys than girls, as are the other variations of the name. Rowan is the most popular spelling of the name for both genders, followed by Rowen, and then there's Rohan, Rohen, and so on.

Roberta has been one of the most successful feminization names, up at #64 in 1936. It's a name that's found all over children's lit, often nicknamed Bobbie or Robbie, though Bertie is another possibility. Notable bearers have included singers Roberta Flack and Roberta Peters--plus it's the birth name of Joni Mitchell.

Heard in Scotland, not in Schenectady.

Rochester was Jack Benny's famous valet and sidekick, played by early African-American comic Eddie Anderson.

Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan. 

Colorful middle name choice.

Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.