sunkernplus's list of names

Your zany neighbor, the one who's a potter and has five cats.

Marguerite is a classic French name with a remnant of old-fashioned Gallic charm; and is also a variety of daisy. Chic again in Paris, it's definitely ripe for revival here.

Marigold, once found almost exclusively in English novels and aristocratic nurseries, is beginning to be talked about and considered here. It has a sweet, sunny, quirky feel. The marigold was the symbol of the Virgin Mary.

Marlow is a suave, unusual surname-name that was chosen by Celine designer Phoebe Philo for her older son. Caveat: it sounds just like the feminine Marlo and, with the addition of a final 'e', has begun to be used for girls.

An old English surname name that sounds just like the invented Marlo. Though the final w places it among the more buttoned-up androgynous baby names, all spellings of the name, which also include Marlowe, are gaining in popularity for girls.

While Marlowe (and Marlow and Marlo) are surname names that are not intrinsically or traditionally gendered and so in theory work equally well for boys and girls, only about 5 percent of the babies given these attractive names are male.

Is it Marlo, Marlow, or Marlowe? Suddenly they all seem very much in the air, in tune with rhyming cousins Harlow and Arlo. It all started when Margaret Julia Thomas began being known as Marlo (after being previously nicknamed Margie and Marlow). More recently, Jason Schwartzman used the e-ending version for his young daughter, Marlowe Rivers, as did Sienna Miller for her baby girl Marlowe Ottoline.

Some definite downsides: Massive, Messy.

Massey is a feminine name derived from a French surname with Norman origins. Historically, it referred to someone from the town of Macé in Normandy or various places called Massay in France. The surname has been anglicized over centuries and eventually found its way into use as a first name. While relatively uncommon as a given name, Massey has the contemporary appeal of surname-style first names that became fashionable in recent decades. With its simple two-syllable structure, the name is straightforward yet distinctive. Massey projects a modern, slightly androgynous quality while maintaining accessibility. The name has connections to land ownership and established family lines through its surname origins, giving it subtle associations with heritage and tradition despite its contemporary feel as a first name.

This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.

Meadow's upward popularity trajectory certainly suggests that the name has transcended its connection to The Sopranos.. In the US, more than 750 baby girls were named Meadow last year, a number we expect to keep rising.

This is a rich, melodic shortening of the popular girls' name Amelia that can stand on its own. There are several figures in Greek myth named Melia, most notably a daughter of Oceanus. The Meliae are nymphs associated with trees.

Mellie is not Millie and it's not Nellie, though it will forever be confused with those too more familiar nicknames. It's cute, too, and while some of the names it's usually short for may be sailing into the sunset (so long, Melody!), others like Amelia are rising through the ranks and may give Mellie a new chance to shine as a cute girls' nickname. Just be prepared for endless confusion.

Melly is a charming feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive of names like Melissa (meaning 'honey bee' in Greek), Melanie (meaning 'dark' or 'black' in Greek), or Amelia (of Germanic origin meaning 'work'). This sweet, approachable nickname has occasionally been used as a given name in its own right, particularly since the mid-20th century. Melly has a friendly, unpretentious quality that makes it appealing for parents seeking something familiar yet not overused. The name carries a youthful energy while still being suitable for all ages. Though never ranking among the most popular names, Melly maintains steady usage and fits with the trend toward shorter, relaxed names with vintage charm.

A lyrical, and very rare, hidden flower name.

Tied to the bluesy southern city and to the world heritage cite in Egypt after which it was named, Memphis is a modern choice with ancient history. Currently significantly more popular for boys in the US, as a place name with sounds reminiscent of Paris, Meredith and Emma, it has plenty of potential as a unisex choice.

Conan Meriadeg was the legnedary founder of Brittany. The Welsh variant Meriadoc was borrowed by J. R. R. Tolkien for the hobbit Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck.

This Tolkein name is a variation on Meriadeg, a Breton name derived from Conan Meriadeg who was the legendary founder of Brittany. In Tolkein's novel, Meriadoc (shortened to the charming "Merry") is one of the hobbits who accompanies Frodo on his quest.

Cornish variation on Meriadoc and Meriadeg.

An unusal alternative to June or Junia.