Potential Character Surnames

Since girls have already coopted Tyson (singer Nenah Cherry's daughter, for one), no need to go to these lengths to feminize it.

Though it lends itself well to the pleasant nickname Ty, it's also the name of an antibiotic powder for animals.

Immigrated into American pop culture in the person of 1940s superstar Tyrone Power, Jr. It has been on a steady decline since the 1970s.

A possible alternative to the more popular (and attractive) Omar.

Aspen's sibling.

Variation of Valentina with the same pared-down appeal as Maren.

Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.

Pleasant-sounding French surname.

Vaughn, also commonly spelled Vaughan, has been used quietly over the years, reaching a peak of Number 349 in 1949. It is now in the process of rediscovery, being seen as a good Sean alternative or an updated way to honor an ancestral Paul (which also means small).

One of the fastest-rising Indian boy names of the past few years, Veer is a straightforward choice with visual appeal and a striking V initial.

One of the major American city names that's very unlikely to catch on as a baby name, although a small number of children are given the name each year.

Until recently, Vernon and its short form Vern seemed like grandpa names not ready for revival, but now we can see it happening. Never the popular, Vern works particularly well as a middle name.

The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.

Long-time connection to the movie biz doesn't lend it any pizzazz.

Country singer Waylon Jennings bestowed a kind of outlaw image on his name, and parents have been loving the suave cowboy name Waylon in recent years — enough to crack to Top 100 in 2021. Alternative spelling Waylen is beginning to climb as well, entering the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022.