6000+ Dog Names

Ancient martyr name that sounds totally modern, but perhaps too close to rumor.

Dark.

This Anglo-Saxon gem was borne by a few medieval women including Saint Merewen, Abbess of Romsey Abbey. It has also been used in literature, for example in Kit Berry's Stonewylde series. Merewen has the mellifluous vowels and Celtic charm of other current favorites like Elowen and Meredith.

Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations.

Zainab—the name of a flowering tree and of a granddaughter, daughter, and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed—was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2013. While simplified variations Zaina or Zayna are more Western-friendly, neither makes the US list.

Rayden is yet another example of the dozens of new boys' names with the 'aden' sound.

Lovejoy's use as a surname follows that as a nickname. In Medieval times, when many people shared names, nicknames were relied upon to distinguish individuals. Many of these nicknames later became surnames. Lovejoy, from the Middle English love(n) and joie, referred to someone who was affectionate and joyful — although the Oxford Dictionary of American Family Names notes that Lovejoy may have been bestowed ironically, at times.

Japanese-born fashion designer Issey Miyake, known for his techno-clothes, could provide baby naming inspiration.

This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.

Though this may be thought of as a short form of the legitimate name Jetta, that one's gone to the cars. This sounds more modern if a bit supersonic. In the Netherlands, it's in the Top 100, originating as a short form of -ette ending names such as Henriette and Mariette.

While this is an ancient male name, it's too similar to modern girls' choices like Mia and Pia to work for a boy today.

Jasiri is the Swahili word for "brave," and a unisex name primarily used in eastern Africa. Despite all it has going for it — a resonant meaning, on-trend I ending, and gender-neutral style — Jasiri has never been given to more than 30 American babies in a single year.

This kind of plainspoken nature name (think River and Sunshine) may still carry a whiff of the hippie, but this one has a nice, airy feel.

One art name that sounds distinctly more masculine. Unless you're a big mobile fan, keep thinking.

Cabot is an attractive English surname associated with the daring early Italian-born British explorer known as John Cabot; his birth name was Giovanni Caboto.

Part of the next generation of preppy H-beginning surnames. Once Harrison, Hudson, and Holden are no longer fresh, expect to hear more little boys being called Hughes, Hutch, and Henderson on the playground.

The fashion for elaborate girly-girl names, especially those that end with -ella or -ana, has put this distinctive Latin favorite into play.

Brayden meets Jalen to make Braylen, another entry in this trendy group of names.

Short for Samuel or long for Sam, Sammy is a sweet midcentury nickname name that we can see coming back.

Popular name in Israel, worth considering for a dark-haired daughter with a bit of a bohemian cast.