If I was brave enough...

Names I love but am not brave enough to pull off
  1. Alessandra
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish variation of Alexandra
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      This softened version is even prettier than the original.
  2. Gemma
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"
    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  3. Javier
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Xavier
    • Description:

      One of the most popular Spanish names for boys in the US, Javier is embodied for many Americans in the magnetic persona of Spanish-born Oscar-nominated actor Javier Bardem.
  4. Jett
    • Origin:

      Mineral or word name
    • Description:

      Short, sharp, and cool, Jett is a contemporary choice that connotes both gemstones and jet engines. Rarely used before the 90s, John Travolta, and then George Lucas, helped to put the name on the map by choosing it for their sons.
  5. Mateo
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      Mateo vaulted into the boys' Top 10 in 2023, ranking all the way up at Number 6. Counting Mateo and Teo along with Anglo equivalents Theodore and Theo make this by far the Number 1 boys' name in the US.
  6. Orianne
    • Pacific
      • Origin:

        Ocean name; from Latin
      • Meaning:

        "tranquil"
      • Description:

        Pacific is an adventurous kind of place-name, with the added bonus of the association with peace.
    • Waverly
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "meadow of quivering aspens"
      • Description:

        Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Its upper-crusty surname feel places it among the new stylish English names for girls, successors to Ashley and Whitney.