Names that Sound Trendy, but Really Aren't

  1. Morley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "moor, meadow clearing"
    • Description:

      Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.
  2. Nava
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pretty, pleasant, desirable"
    • Description:

      Hebrew name heard more frequently in Israel than here.
  3. Olwyn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white footprint"
    • Description:

      Olwyn is a popular Welsh name that might be an alternative to the more familiar Bronwen or Rhonwen -- though in Wales the female form is usually spelled -wen and the male one -wyn.
  4. Parson
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "clergyman"
    • Description:

      The name Parson might have seemed ridiculous even a few years ago, but when Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe named their son Deacon, they opened up a whole new field of ecclesiastical cool. Bishop, Priest, and Pastor are other possibilities.
  5. Romilly
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "citizen of Rome"
    • Description:

      Originally a surname deriving from the Roman twin Romulus, this attractive name was introduced to the English-speaking world as a first name by painter Augustus John who used it for his son. Romilly John became Admiral of the Fleet in England.
  6. Seeley
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "blessed, happy"
    • Description:

      Surname name with an uplifting meaning. Just beware that this is a well-known mattress brand.
  7. Sidonie
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "from Sidon "
    • Description:

      Sidonie is an appealing and chic French favorite that is starting to attract some American fans as a fresher alternative to Sydney. Also spelled Sidony, Sidonie was the birth name of the French novelist Colette.
  8. Tilden
    • Origin:

      English place-name
    • Meaning:

      "fertile valley"
    • Description:

      Though it has some distinguished political and tennis world associations, most modern parents would go for the more contemporary sounding Holden. Tilden Park is a beautiful hillside wilderness in the San Francisco Bay Area.