Favorite Names 2015
- Madeline
Origin:
English variation of MagdalenMeaning:
"high tower or woman from Magdala"Description:
Madeline, a lovely name with a soft and delicate image, is an old-fashioned favorite that returned to favor in the 1990's, combining a classic pedigree with a cute nickname option: Maddy.
- Mallory
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"unfortunate"Description:
Early 1980s sitcom (Family Ties) name that has been well used ever since, with an upbeat three-syllable sound and a slightly tomboyish edge.
- Marissa
Origin:
Variation of Maris or a combination of Maria + LouisaMeaning:
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"Description:
Pretty feminissima name that never became as overused as cousin Melissa. The more streamlined Maris is a more modern sounding option.
- Meredith
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"great ruler"Description:
Meredith is a soft, gentle-sounding name with subtle Welsh roots. Although originally a boys’ name , Meredith is used mainly for girls now.
- Micah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"who is like the Lord"Description:
The bright, playful Micah feels like the middle ground between the safe, solid qualities of Michael and the flair and energy of Luca. Both Biblical and stylish, Micah is proving popular among parents today.
- Michaela
Origin:
Feminine variation of MichaelMeaning:
"who is like God"Description:
This most proper form of the name shot up the charts in the nineties, only to sink just as precipitously, supplanted by upstarts Makayla and McKayla ad infinitum.
- Molly
Origin:
Diminutive of Mary, HebrewMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Molly is one of the original nickname names, ALWAYS ranking among the US Top 500 girl names since statistics began, in 1880. Molly peaked in 1991 only to rise just as high again in 2011, and though softening retains a good measure of popularity and charm.
- Nathaniel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
Nathaniel was derived from the Hebrew name Netan’el, meaning "gift of God," composed of the elements natan, meaning "to give," and ’el, in reference to God. The name is featured several times in the Old and New Testaments, typically spelled Nathanael. In the New Testament, Nathanael is also known by his other name, Bartholomew.
- Niall
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"cloud"Description:
Niall is pronounced nye-al--something like Neil, but this Irish spelling of the name makes it much more current and cool.
- Noah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"rest, repose"Description:
Noah is nearly a patriarch of popular baby names at this point, going from Old Testament graybeard to Top 10 name in 2009, hitting Number 1 in 2013, and now settled into second place in the US for the past seven years.
- Noelle
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Christmas"Description:
Noelle is the feminine variation of Noël, a masculine given name derived from the French word for "Christmas." As a word, Noël originated as a variant of nael, which evolved from the Latin natalis, meaning "birth." Noelle and Noel have traditionally been given to children born around Christmastime, particularly in the Middle ages.