Awesome American Names

Lory is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It can be a diminutive of Dolores (from Spanish, meaning 'sorrows'), Lorraine (a French place name), or Laura (from Latin, meaning 'laurel'). The name may also relate to the colorful lorikeet bird, giving it a bright, natural association. Lory has a light, playful quality with its simple two syllables and friendly sound. Though more common as a nickname, Lory can stand independently as a full given name. It enjoyed modest popularity in the mid-20th century but remains relatively uncommon today. The name has an approachable, unpretentious character that balances femininity with simplicity. Lory offers a vintage charm while still feeling contemporary enough for modern use.

Luanne is a feminine name that originated as a combination of the names Lou and Anne, or as a variant of Luann. The name has American roots, becoming particularly popular in the mid-20th century. Lou derives from Germanic elements meaning 'famous warrior,' while Anne has Hebrew origins meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' Luanne carries a sweet, Southern charm and achieved modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Its usage declined in subsequent decades, giving it a distinctive generational feel today. The name gained some recognition through fictional characters, including Luanne Platter from the animated series 'King of the Hill,' which showcased its association with Southern American culture.

The Lyla spelling variation has now superseded the original Lila — the former remains on the rise while the latter is consistently falling in popularity.

This version of Malia (as in Obama) peaked at Number 296 in 2009. Though Maliyah has lost ground since then, it's surprisingly enduring for a newly-fashion name whose pop culture connection was more than a decade ago.

Mallie is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may have originated as a diminutive of Mallory (meaning 'unfortunate' from Norman French), Malina (meaning 'raspberry' in Slavic languages), or Amalia (meaning 'work' from Germanic roots). Alternatively, it could be a variant of Molly, which is itself a diminutive of Mary. The name has a sweet, vintage charm characteristic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries when diminutive names ending in '-ie' were particularly fashionable. While not currently in the top rankings, Mallie has the appealing quality of being recognizable but uncommon. It carries a friendly, approachable sound that balances well between traditional and distinctive.

A Basque and Scandinavian form of Michael, pronounced MEE-kel. In the US, it is sometimes chosen as a modern alternative spelling of Michael.

Moesha gained notable recognition in the United States during the 1990s, primarily through the popular sitcom of the same name starring singer Brandy Norwood. The name appears to be a modern creation, possibly a variant of names like Marsha or Moisha, or a combination of elements from other names. It may incorporate the 'Mo-' prefix found in names like Monica or Monique with an '-esha' suffix that became popular in American naming patterns in the late 20th century. Usage data shows the name reached its peak popularity in the mid-1990s coinciding with the television show's success. While sometimes associated with contemporary American naming trends, its exact linguistic origin remains somewhat unclear, though it has established itself as a distinctive modern given name with its own identity.

Variation of Miley that is on the decline, thanks to its association with pop starlet Miley Cyrus.

Myranda is a feminine name that represents an alternative spelling of Miranda, which derives from Latin and means 'worthy of admiration' or 'wonderful.' This spelling variation emerged as parents sought to personalize the classic name while maintaining its familiar pronunciation. The name carries literary associations through Shakespeare's character in 'The Tempest,' lending it an air of sophistication and intelligence. Myranda peaked in popularity during the 1990s, influenced by the character Miranda from the HBO series 'Sex and the City.' The 'y' spelling gives the name a more distinctive, contemporary feel while preserving its elegant sound. While less common than the traditional spelling, Myranda offers a subtle uniqueness while remaining recognizable and pronounceable.

A name rarely heard outside the Latino community, but it was popular enough in the early 2000s to crack the Top 200. Since then, it's lost ground.

Nevaeh: an already bold word name with the unusual twist of being spelled backwards; a nightmare for those who love traditional, classic names; a divisive option on name forums across the internet; and a spelling and pronunciation that aren’t quite intuitive at first glance.

Paralee is a feminine given name that appears to have emerged in the United States primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name may be a compound formation combining elements like 'Para-' (possibly from Greek, meaning 'beside' or 'beyond') and '-lee' (a common suffix in American feminine names, possibly derived from the popular name Lee which has English origins meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'). Alternatively, it might be a variant of Paralie or Parley. Historical records show usage primarily in the Southern United States during the early 1900s. The name follows patterns of other melodic feminine names ending in '-lee' or '-lie' that were somewhat common during this period. Paralee has become quite rare in contemporary naming patterns, representing a style of naming that was more prevalent in earlier generations.

Reann is a feminine name that typically functions as a modern variation of names like Rhiannon, Riana, or as a combination of 'Re' and 'Ann.' With Celtic roots, it may connect to Rhiannon, the Welsh goddess of fertility and the moon. The name is concise yet melodic, with a contemporary feel that has gained modest popularity since the late 20th century. Often seen as a unique alternative to more common names like Rebecca or Reanna, it balances familiarity with distinctiveness. Reann projects strength and femininity simultaneously, and its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and spell while remaining relatively uncommon in most English-speaking countries.

Rheanna is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Rhianna or Rianna. These names have Celtic origins, particularly Welsh, where 'rhiain' means 'maiden' or 'goddess.' The name also bears similarity to Rhea, the Greek Titan goddess of fertility and motherhood. The spelling variation with 'h' adds a classical, elegant touch while maintaining the melodic sound. Rheanna gained some popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, though it remains less common than similar names like Rihanna or Brianna. The name conveys qualities of divine femininity, strength, and grace, offering a beautiful option that balances uniqueness with recognizability.

This unusual spelling was used by Johnny Knoxville for his son.

The Spanish form of popular Ruby is another addition to the list of attractive gem names for girls.

Though as a formal name Rusty is a little, well, rusty, it spent half a century among the Top 1000, departing only in 1995. Only 45 baby boys received the name in the US in one recent year and it's difficult to imagine it as the winning choice of many modern parents. Whether you want an informal name or a spin on a traditional name or even a word name or a name that means red, there are simply too many better options.

Ruthann is a feminine name that combines the classic biblical name Ruth with the suffix 'ann.' Ruth derives from Hebrew origins, meaning 'friend,' 'companion,' or 'vision of beauty.' This combination name gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s. Ruthann offers a slightly more elaborate alternative to the simpler Ruth, while maintaining its traditional roots and dignified sound. The name carries associations with loyalty and steadfastness, qualities attributed to the biblical Ruth. While less common today than in previous generations, Ruthann has a timeless quality that appeals to parents seeking a name with both classic roots and a distinctive character.