Zillennial Names
- Brendan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"prince"Description:
According to Irish legend, Saint Brendan the Voyager was the first European to touch American soil, and his name has been established here for decades, peaking in the late 1990s.
- Brendon
Origin:
Spelling variation of Brendan
- Brenna
Origin:
Feminine form of BrennanMeaning:
"descendant of the sad one"Description:
Brenna is a feminine form of the Irish surname Brennan, or perhaps a variation of Brenda or Brendan—all of which have different meanings. Whatever its derivation or authenticity, it's a modern sounding name which has steadily decreased in popularity since 1995 when it peaked at Number 235 in the United States.
- Brianna
Origin:
Feminine variation of BrianMeaning:
"strong, virtuous and honorable"Description:
Brianna's popularity in the US came later than father name Brian's, peaking in the 1990s, two decades after Brian's Top 10 reign of the 1970s.
- Brooke
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"small stream"Description:
Brooke has long projected an aura of sleek sophistication, and can also be seen as a stylish water name.
- Bryce
Origin:
Variation of Brice, Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
This spelling of Brice relates the name to Utah's spectacular Bryce Canyon -- and is much more popular for both genders than the original Brice. Basketball's LeBron James named his son Bryce Maximus James, and in one of his early movies, John Cusack played a Bryce in Sixteen Candles.
- Bryce
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
Bryce is the preferred spelling over Brice for both genders, with nearly 70 girls named Bryce in one recent year vs. only five called Brice. But note that there were over 3000 boys named Bryce and 240 named Brice, making this a predominantly male name. Actress Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of director Ron, is the most notable female bearer of this name.
- Cameron
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
With its friendly, sensitive, and approachable feel, Cameron is a 90’s favorite that remains popular today. It has a pleasing balance of soft and strong sounds, and holds unisex appeal, thanks to Cameron Diaz. Still, ten times more boys than girls are named Cameron in the US.
- Cameron
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
Camerson was once a rising star for boys only, but Cameron Diaz almost single-handedly transported it into the unisex camp, though there are still ten times as many boy babies named Cameron as girls.
- Camryn
Origin:
Spelling variation of CameronMeaning:
"crooked nose"Description:
This Cameron variation was popularized by actress Camryn Manheim and Twitches character Camryn. But why choose Camryn over Cameron? In most cases, the classic spelling is preferable.
- Carly
Origin:
Feminine diminutive of CarlMeaning:
"free man"Description:
Though a couple of its more "creative" spellings—Carli and Karlee, for example—are still on the rise, this feminine form of Carl, popularized by singer Carly Simon in the 1970s, could by no stretch be considered fashionable. Despite its decline, the name has still seen some use in the entertainment industry, from Nickelodeon's iCarly to Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
- Carson
Origin:
English and Scottish surnameMeaning:
"son of the marsh dwellers"Description:
Very popular surname choice — it's in the Boys' Top 100 — beginning to catch on for girls. First female association: novelist Carson McCullers.
- Cassidy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"curly-haired"Description:
Has fallen off its Kathie Lee Gifford inspired peak in the 1990s, but since that notably celebrity baby is now a grownup and out of the limelight, Cassidy may once again reclaim its own Irish charm.
- Celine
Origin:
French variation of CelesteMeaning:
"heavenly"Description:
French-Canadian singer Dion made us notice this variation. Although many parents would prefer the homonym Selene, which has a different derivation and means "moon," Celine has been a Top 1000 name every year since 2012, and was also on the list each year from 1994 to 2005. Celine is also a newly-chic French fashion label.
- Chance
Origin:
French variation of ChaunceyDescription:
Once a cavalier Mississippi gambler type name, Chance has entered the mainstream since being endorsed by such celebrity dads as Larry King and Paul Hogan. Chance the Rapper has also boosted the name's popularity.
- Chandler
Origin:
English from French occupational nameMeaning:
"candle maker"Description:
For a generation, this name will always be linked to 1990s hit TV series Friends. Whether this is a positive or a negative will depend on your fondness for the show, and character Chandler Bing, but this name deserves consideration beyond these connotations: Chandler is a fresh take on the professional surname names.
- Cheyenne
Origin:
SiouxMeaning:
"people of a different language"Description:
The name of a courageous tribe, Cheyenne became quite popular in the 1990s, inspiring a wide range of spelling variations—Shyanne is one example that's still on the rise.
- Christian
Origin:
Greek or English from LatinMeaning:
"anointed one or follower of Christ"Description:
The name Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others, perhaps influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.
- Christiana
Origin:
Feminine variation of ChristianMeaning:
"follower of Christ"Description:
Not cutting edge, but still graceful and feminine.
- Clayton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"place with good clay"Description:
Clayton is one of those names that feels like it could be recently popular but does in fact have a long history of use. It has made the US Top 400 every year since the records began, and though more recently it has been in decline, it is still given to more than 1000 babies every year