Alternatives to Addison
- Adina
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"slender, delicate"Description:
Name of an Old Testament soldier that's been also used as a girls' name in modern Israel. An alternate spelling is Adinah. Some mistake Adina and Adinah to be the root of Dinah, but the Biblical name Dinah is borne by a different figure and has a different meaning. You can consider the modern short forms Dena and Dina as stemming from either Adina or Dinah.
- Adrian
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"man from Adria"Description:
Adrian is an ancient gender-neutral name off its peak for girls but increasing in popularity for boys throughout Europe. The most popular female form in the US is Adriana, followed by Adrianna, then the French Adrienne, and finally the unisex Adrian.
- Adrienne
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of AdrianMeaning:
"man from Adria"Description:
A long-integrated French feminine form of Adrian, now overshadowed by the a-ending version, but still a valid option, with considerable substance and dignity—though these days more parents would probably choose Adriana.
- Aiden
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little and fiery"Description:
Aiden/Aidan is just beginning to wander into the girls' side of the name popularity list, but it's so huge for boys in all its spellings that it will be a long time before it can be called a unisex name.
- Ainsley
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"one's own meadow"Description:
While theoretically unisex, this surname name has been edging up the girls’ names list, perhaps originally as an Ashley substitute. One quality in Ainsley's favor: It's remained steadily popular -- but not TOO popular -- for more than 20 years now, ranking consistently around Number 400. That makes it stylish and familiar without showing up everywhere.
- Allison
Origin:
Scottish, diminutive of AliceMeaning:
"noble"Description:
Widely used here since the fifties, Allison -- a derivative of Alice -- has now been once again surpassed by the original Alice as parents embrace vintage revivals. Despite this, Allison's popularity has slipped only slightly.
- Anderson
Origin:
English from ScandinavianMeaning:
"son of Anders"Description:
Another masculine surname that's gaining followers in the female camp. About 6 percent of the babies named Anderson today are girls. The son ending confers a meaning that's literally masculine, but that didn't stop Allison, Addison, and Madison from feeling right for girls.
- Aniston
Origin:
English SurnameDescription:
Actor couple Chyler Leigh and Nathan West added this one to the lexicon when they adapted the surname of actress Jennifer Aniston as their daughter's first name, Anniston. Aniston, which theoretically might mean "Agnes town," was actually Anglicized from the Greek Anastasopoulos. With its similarity to both Addison and Anna and its relationship to the attractive star, Anniston is taking off a la Jolie.
- Anniston
Origin:
English surname and American place nameMeaning:
"Anis' town"Description:
Actor couple Chyler Leigh and Nathan West added this one to the lexicon when they adapted the surname of actress Jennifer Aniston as their daughter's first name. Aniston, which theoretically might mean "Anis' town," (Anis is a medieval form of Agnes) was actually Anglicized from the Greek Anastasopoulos. With its similarity to both Addison and Anna and its relationship to the attractive star, Anniston is taking off a la Jolie.
- Aubrey
Origin:
English from French version of German AlbericMeaning:
"elf ruler"Description:
Almost like a fusion between vintage Audrey, bubbly Ruby, and unisex Avery, Aubrey has been a popular choice for girls since the mid 2000’s.
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
- Audra
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"noble strength"Description:
Used primarily in Scotland, and represented here by singer Audra McDonald, the girls' name Audra has been overshadowed by the return of the classic Audrey. Audra may be to Audrey what Jenna is to Jennifer and Jessa is to Jessica: A variation that will rise as the original falls from favor, which may take another decade.
- Audyn
Origin:
English, variation of AudenMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
Auden is increasing in use for girls each year, and the feminized spelling Audyn is beginning to follow along. Parents are loving the gentle but unisex sound of this surname, associated with poet W.H., Auden.
- Adelayne
- Adelea
- Anson
- Blair
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"dweller on the plain"Description:
In the USA, Blair is gaining momentum, rising quickly for the last 10 years and likely to continue to climb. In England and Wales, where Blair has political connotations – calling to mind former prime minister Tony Blair – it is much less common, although it is in use for boys in its native Scotland.
- Blaire
Origin:
Spelling variation of BlairDescription:
Blair with a little something extra, though that's hardly needed.
- Benson
- 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.