Current favs

Not DH approved, but he won't play the name game until we are officially pregnant! Collection of names I like, would seriously consider, or just don't want to forget. :)
  1. Aksel
    • Origin:

      Danish, version of Hebrew Absalom
    • Meaning:

      "the father is peace"
    • Description:

      Most American parents would choose to use the more commonly seen variant, AXEL.
  2. Anneliese
    • Origin:

      German, Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "grace + oath"
    • Description:

      Anneliese is a German and Dutch combination of Anna and Liese (a form of Elizabeth) with an Old World feel but modern appeal. The Anglicized Annalise spelling in in the US Top 500, but this authentic German version has only ever broken into the US Top 1000 once, back in 2005.
  3. Audra
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Adric
    • Atley
      • Brinna
        • Blaer
          • Caius
            • Origin:

              Variation of Gaius, Latin
            • Meaning:

              "rejoice"
            • Description:

              Caius is classical and serious but also has a simple, joyful quality. There was a third century pope named Caius, as well as an early Christian writer, several Shakespearean characters, and a Twilight vampire. We would pronounce the name to rhyme with eye-us though at Cambridge University in England, where it's the name of a college, it's pronounced keys.
          • Carrigan
            • Demi
              • Origin:

                Diminutive of Demetria or Greek
              • Meaning:

                "half"
              • Description:

                Demi appeared in the US as a baby name thanks to a single celebrity, actress Demi Moore, who put it on the Top 1000 throughout the 1990s. As her star faded, so did the visibility of the name, though now it is rising again on its own steam. It's popular in Europe, too, especially in The Netherlands. Demi may be that unusual name that's launched by a celebrity and then maintains its visibility all by itself.
            • Deryn
              • Origin:

                Welsh
              • Meaning:

                "bird"
              • Description:

                This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.
            • Devi
              • Origin:

                Sanskrit
              • Meaning:

                "divine"
              • Description:

                This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in the playground, consider Devi.
            • Drea
              • Origin:

                Diminutive of Alexandrea or Andrea
              • Description:

                Introduced via Sopranos star Drea (born Andrea) de Matteo, and catching on with a wider audience.
            • Davie
              • Edison
                • Origin:

                  English
                • Meaning:

                  "son of Edith or Adam"
                • Description:

                  This rhythmic last-name-first-name projects the creativity and inventiveness of Thomas Edison. It's an English surname deriving from either Adam or Eda, a medieval diminutive of Edith.
              • Eleni
                • Origin:

                  Greek variation of Helen
                • Description:

                  A common choice in Greece, Eleni is starting to rise in the US thanks to its bouncy rhythm and trendy I ending.
              • Eline
                • Ellerie
                  • Elodie
                    • Origin:

                      French, variation of Alodia, German
                    • Meaning:

                      "foreign riches"
                    • Description:

                      The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. It's a uncommon member of the trending El- family of names, which includes Ella, Eloise, and Eleanor.
                  • Elsa
                    • Origin:

                      German diminutive of Elisabeth
                    • Meaning:

                      "pledged to God"
                    • Description:

                      Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.