Isogram Names Starting with 'B.' 250+ Isogram Names Starting with ‘B’
Name Lists

250+ Isogram Names Starting with ‘B’

ElizabethLeave a comment

Isograms are a great new way to consider baby names. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, an “isogram” is usually a word or name with no repeating letters. Plenty of baby names are isogrammic, but it creates a challenge for namers because many of our most popular options like Isabella, Elizabeth, and William repeat a letter somewhere. The longer the name, the more likely it is that a letter will reappear. There are, after all, only 26 letters in the English alphabet and even fewer are commonly used.

Here is a list of isogram names starting with ‘B!’ Most (but not all) of the names on this list can be found in recent U.S. baby name data.

2 Letters:

  • Ba
  • Bb
  • Bj
  • Bo

3 Letters:

  • Bam
  • Bao
  • Bay
  • Baz
  • Bea
  • Ben
  • Bex
  • Bia
  • Bly
  • Bow
  • Bri
  • Bud

4 Letters:

  • Badr
  • Bali
  • Bakr
  • Bane
  • Bani
  • Bard
  • Bari
  • Bash
  • Bast
  • Batu
  • Bawi
  • Bear
  • Beau
  • Beck
  • Behr
  • Bela
  • Beli
  • Berk
  • Benz
  • Bert
  • Beth
  • Beto
  • Beza
  • Biel
  • Bina
  • Bing
  • Binh
  • Blue
  • Boaz
  • Bode
  • Bond
  • Bora
  • Boyd
  • Brad
  • Brae
  • Bram
  • Bran
  • Bria
  • Brie
  • Brig
  • Brio
  • Bryn
  • Buck
  • Buna

5 Letters:

  • Babur
  • Baden
  • Baird
  • Baker
  • Balin
  • Banks
  • Baron
  • Basil
  • Basin
  • Bates
  • Bauer
  • Becky
  • Bekah
  • Belma
  • Belva
  • Bengt
  • Benji
  • Bento
  • Beorn
  • Berit
  • Besan
  • Betsy
  • Bevan
  • Beyla
  • Bhumi
  • Bhuvi
  • Biden
  • Bihan
  • Bijou
  • Bilan
  • Binta
  • Birch
  • Birdy
  • Biruk
  • Bjork
  • Bjorn
  • Blair
  • Blade
  • Blake
  • Blaze
  • Blima
  • Bluma
  • Bodhi
  • Boris
  • Borna
  • Bowen
  • Bowie
  • Boyce
  • Brady
  • Brand
  • Brave
  • Breck
  • Brent
  • Brick
  • Brida
  • Brisa
  • Brita
  • Brock
  • Brody
  • Bronx
  • Brown
  • Bruce
  • Bruin
  • Bruno
  • Bryan
  • Bryce
  • Bryla
  • Bryna
  • Bucky
  • Burke
  • Byrne
  • Byron

6 Letters:

  • Bahija
  • Bailey
  • Baldur
  • Banksy
  • Barima
  • Barkot
  • Barley
  • Barnes
  • Bartol
  • Barton
  • Baruch
  • Bashir
  • Batoul
  • Baxter
  • Baylor
  • Beatus
  • Beauty
  • Becket
  • Bedwyr
  • Behati
  • Belkis
  • Berlin
  • Bertha
  • Berwyn
  • Bethan
  • Betony
  • Beulah
  • Bintou
  • Bishop
  • Blaine
  • Blaise
  • Blythe
  • Bogdan
  • Bonham
  • Bonita
  • Bostyn
  • Bowman
  • Brahms
  • Branch
  • Brandi
  • Brando
  • Braven
  • Brazen
  • Brazil
  • Brazos
  • Brenda
  • Breton
  • Bridge
  • Bright
  • Briony
  • Brogan
  • Brolin
  • Bronte
  • Bronze
  • Brucha
  • Bryant
  • Brynja
  • Bryson
  • Burhan
  • Burton
  • Bushra
  • Buster
  • Buxton
  • Byrdie

7 Letters:

  • Baisley
  • Baldwin
  • Balenci
  • Bandile
  • Bartley
  • Bashton
  • Bastien
  • Beatrix
  • Beckham
  • Becklyn
  • Begonia
  • Belinda
  • Benjiro
  • Beowulf
  • Bethany
  • Bingham
  • Blanche
  • Blodwen
  • Bogumil
  • Botwulf
  • Bradley
  • Braelyn
  • Braxton
  • Braulio
  • Brawley
  • Brayden
  • Breckyn
  • Breindy
  • Breland
  • Breslin
  • Bridget
  • Brigham
  • Brinley
  • Briscoe
  • Bristol
  • Britley
  • Britney
  • Brixley
  • Brixton
  • Brychan
  • Bryland
  • Bryndle
  • Buckley
  • Bulmaro

8 Letters:

  • Bankston
  • Beaumont
  • Bocephus
  • Boniface
  • Branston
  • Brantley
  • Brighten
  • Brighton
  • Brinsley
  • Briseyda
  • Bryleigh
  • Brynhild

9+ Letters:

  • Brayleigh
  • Brochfael
  • Brynleigh
  • Boluwatife

Boluwatife was the longest ‘B’ isogram name I could find, clocking in at a whopping 10 letters! This gorgeous Yoruba name was given to 6 girls and 8 boys in 2021.

Do you have any favorite isogram names starting with ‘B’? Let me know! In the meantime, I’m turning isogram name lists into a post series. You can read my list of ‘A’ names here and stay tuned for what is sure to be a marvelous list of ‘C’ names! I truly feel this is a unique way to view names. How many isogram names are modern or utilize unusual spellings? A lot, it seems. Anyway, I hope you love name lists as much as I do! And yes, for those of you that saw the featured image…James Bond has two isogram names!

190+ Isogram Names Starting With ‘A’
Name Lists

190+ Isogram Names Starting With ‘A’

ElizabethLeave a comment

Who else loves name games? I recently heard about a linguistic concept known as “isograms.” When talking about baby names specifically, an isogram is a name containing no repeating letters. Nicknames like Alex and Eliza are good examples of isograms because you only see each letter once, but their traditional formal versions, Alexander and Elizabeth, are not isograms because at least one letter repeats (there are two a’s and e’s in Alexander, and two e’s in Elizabeth). Plenty of other names are isograms too, and while they’re usually short or average-length, you can find some long options too. Isogrammic names are a fun way to play with the bounds of language and naming, and parents of babies with isogram names may love adding a fun tidbit to their child’s name story.

Here is a long selection of isogram names starting with ‘a,’ most of which can be found in U.S. baby name data!

2 Letters:

  • Ab
  • Ai
  • Al

3 Letters:

  • Abe
  • Ace
  • Aki
  • Amy
  • Ali
  • Alp
  • Ari
  • Ark
  • Anh
  • Ash
  • Avi
  • Ayo

4 Letters:

  • Abel
  • Abdi
  • Acre
  • Adel
  • Aero
  • Aiko
  • Aine
  • Ajit
  • Amel
  • Ames
  • Amir
  • Amon
  • Amor
  • Amos
  • Aldo
  • Alyx
  • Anya
  • Avis
  • Ares
  • Arlo
  • Army
  • Arno
  • Arun
  • Atom
  • Aven
  • Avni
  • Atzi
  • Audi
  • Axel
  • Axen
  • Ayub
  • Azul

5 Letters:

  • Abcde
  • Abdul
  • Abner
  • Adiel
  • Adler
  • Adley
  • Adore
  • Advik
  • Aelyn
  • Aerys
  • Aesop
  • Afeni
  • Afton
  • Agnes
  • Akhil
  • Aiden
  • Ailey
  • Akemi
  • Albie
  • Albus
  • Alden
  • Alder
  • Aleph
  • Alfie
  • Alice
  • Aloni
  • Alric
  • Alton
  • Alvin
  • Amber
  • Amice
  • Amity
  • Amory
  • Andre
  • Angus
  • Anice
  • Aniko
  • Anouk
  • Ansel
  • Aoife
  • April
  • Arden
  • Areni
  • Ariel
  • Aries
  • Arjun
  • Arlet
  • Arnie
  • Arohi
  • Arwen
  • Aryeh
  • Ashby
  • Asher
  • Ashot
  • Aspen
  • Aster
  • Aston
  • Astro
  • Atley
  • Auden
  • Augie
  • Avery
  • Avion
  • Axley
  • Axton
  • Aylin
  • Aysel
  • Ayumi
  • Aziel
  • Azlyn
  • Azori
  • Azure

6 Letters:

  • Abdiel
  • Acelyn
  • Acesyn
  • Action
  • Adelyn
  • Admire
  • Adonis
  • Adriel
  • Adrien
  • Aelius
  • Aerith
  • Albert
  • Albion
  • Aldous
  • Aldwin
  • Alexis
  • Alfred
  • Alison
  • Alston
  • Amoret
  • Amunet
  • Anchor
  • Andrew
  • Anjuli
  • Anselm
  • Ansley
  • Anthem
  • Anubis
  • Archie
  • Aretzi
  • Arnold
  • Artyom
  • Arushi
  • Arzoyi
  • Ashley
  • Ashwin
  • Astrid
  • Atreus
  • Atreyu
  • Atziry
  • Augden
  • Austin
  • Aubrey
  • Audrey
  • Avecyn
  • Avenir
  • Averly
  • Avetis
  • Avyukt
  • Ayinde
  • Ayrton
  • Azriel

7 Letters:

  • Acheron
  • Aimsley
  • Ainsley
  • Alchemy
  • Alcides
  • Aldrich
  • Alister
  • Amberly
  • Ambrose
  • Artemis
  • Artemus
  • Axelrod
  • Auberon
  • Aunesty
  • Aurelio
  • Avelino
  • Avigdor
  • Avondre
  • Ayodeji
  • Ayomide

8 Letters:

  • Alphonse
  • Arizbeth
  • Asphodel
  • Astrophel
  • Aurelius
  • Ayomikun

I thought of just one 9-letter isogram that begins with ‘A,’ Ambrosine. At least for the first letter of the alphabet, 5 letters seems to be the sweet spot if you don’t want to repeat letters. There is another type of isogram with repeating letters, but it applies to words or names that have the same number of repeating letters throughout. These are a lot harder to find, but Anna and Vivienne are both examples of second-degree isograms. One thing I’ll note with ‘A’ names is that many women’s names are automatically disqualified from isogram lists because of feminizing ‘A’ endings, like Alicia and Aria. So many names (and words) rely on the letter ‘A!’ For some parents, I suspect finding a girls’ name with an uncommon ending would be a boost.

By the way, I found a couple of great isogram name quizzes for girls’ names from 1987 and 2001. They gave me a run for my money!

Do you have a favorite isogram name starting with ‘A?’ Are there any you would add to this list? Let me know!

"" Name Profile: Myrtle
American Names · Classic, Old, and Traditional Names

Name Profile: Myrtle

ElizabethLeave a comment

What’s the deal with Myrtle? Myrtle is one of those super rare baby names that literally nobody is using, which surprises me for a few reasons. Firstly, “Old Lady names” are highly fashionable, and it’s not uncommon to find young girls with gloriously vintage names like Olive and Maxine that you’d expect a grandmother or great-grandmother to wear. Secondly, “myrtle” is a type of plant, tree, and flower, setting the name firmly in the “nature names” category that is so wildly popular right now. Everywhere you look, today’s children are named River, Sage, and all manner of words taken from the world and environment around us. Then, it’s a color name, which is mildly trendy considering options like Ruby and Indigo. Finally, its sheer rarity makes it an actual unique baby name. Myrtle has a lot going for it!

Derived from the Greek μύρτος or myrtos, Myrtle was a popular women’s name through the end of the 19th century and much of the 20th century. The Social Security Administration tracks U.S. birth data back to 1880, and while those early years before 1937 or so weren’t the most accurate counts, if a name is in the top 100 for that year you’d best believe it was popular or at least some kind of fashionable. Myrtle was already firmly in the top 100 by then, with its popularity remaining relatively steady for quite a while. It wasn’t until 1926 that Myrtle left the top 100, and 1965 when it finally dropped out of the top 1000. From then, it withered into obscurity. Myrtle doesn’t even chart in the SSA’s extended data most years after the mid-90s; there was a tiny spike in 2013-2014 after the 3rd season of American Horror Story, and another small spike in 2019 when just 12 girls were named Myrtle, but that we know of, no children were named Myrtle in 2021 (the most recent year we have data for). When I said earlier that literally nobody is naming their kids Myrtle, I meant it. Myrtle is an extinct baby name.

As far as baby names go, and like most baby names, Myrtle has its pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros!

Myrtus Communis, or the Common Myrtle

This old-fashioned name is usually taken from the plant, a beautiful flowering shrub with powerful historical meaning. The Greeks and Romans associated myrtle with the goddesses Demeter (Ceres) and Aphrodite (Venus), the latter important deity representing love and fertility. With the popularity and trendiness of mythological baby names, perhaps Myrtle (or Ancient Greek Myrto) is a viable name option for a child born around Valentine’s Day? In Judaism, the myrtle is associated with the Sukkot holiday and takes the name Hadassah after brave Queen Esther, who saved her people (incidentally, Hadassah, her original name, derives from a Hebrew word that means “myrtle” or “myrtle tree”). British Royal Weddings have included sprigs of myrtle in bridal bouquets since the Victorian era – I wonder if that’s how the name became popular? Besides its historical and mythical connections, Myrtle is also a lovely shade of dark green. Families who spend a lot of time in Myrtle Beach may love associations with the ocean, summer vacation, and the beach. There’s even a book series for middle grade (grades 4th-8th) readers called the Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries, set in the Victorian era like Enola Holmes.

Those are a lot of things to love, but let’s create balance and discuss any possible negativity (this website is, after all, the “Well-Informed Namer”). The first con I can think of is Myrtle’s sound, which is consonant-heavy. Myrtle belongs in the same auditory realm as names like Bertha and Gertrude, names with an “er” sound that also haven’t returned into widespread usage. I don’t think that’s a major con though, and I can see some options (i.e., Gertrude) becoming fashionable again. I think the biggest issue with Myrtle is the potential for disgusting “Moaning Myrtle” jokes that some adults and teenagers of the Harry Potter generation unfortunately might make about a person bearing the name. Need I say more about that?

Ultimately, I think Myrtle has promising potential in the coming decades, but I don’t know if we’re ready for it now. As a vintage flower and plant name, I think we’ll see a few pop up now and again. Parents who want to be absolutely sure they will give their child a truly unique, one-of-a-kind baby name may want to consider this option. What do you think of Myrtle?

Sources:

  1. Social Security Administration
  2. Myrtle: The Provenance and Meaning of a Plant, by Julia Blakely, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives.
  3. Nancy’s Baby Names
Baby Names Inspired by Roots, Grains, and Vegetables. Baby Names Inspired by Roots, Grains, Beans, and Vegetables
Name Lists

Baby Names Inspired by Roots, Grains, Beans, and Vegetables

ElizabethLeave a comment

When it comes to food names, the options that best adapt to baby names are herbs, edible flowers, and spices…you know, plant names! Fruits as names are more challenging, and vegetables are usually difficult to pair with baby names. That said, it’s 2023, and practically anything can be a name. Parents are seeking new baby names from all kinds of sources, whether to find ones that align with their values or that will be too rare and uncommon to duplicate in a classroom or on the playground. The sky is the limit!

Here is a curated selection of baby names inspired by roots, grains, beans, and vegetables, including many of the earthy things themselves. For the crunchy, eco-conscious parent or the foodie who wants something completely different and unexpected for their child, this unique garden salad of nature names is for you.

Let’s start with the vegetables that *do* work as baby names, shall we?

  • Amaranth is a fine standalone name, but it also gives us Amarantha, Amara, and maybe even Amaryllis. Amaranth is a type of grain.
  • Barley – 6 boys were named Barley in 2021. I’m just going to insert a pun about barley counting in the Social Security Administration’s baby name data (the minimum is 5 children)…
  • Bean’s name fame comes from the middle spot of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s daughter Frances Bean Cobain. Parents with young children may be more familiar with the Ivy and Bean chapter book series, and adults with a dark sense of humor and Matt Groening shows may be fans of Princess Bean in the Netflix cartoon Disenchantment. Either way, Bean is a cute veggie name on its own! For a longer, formal version, consider Beatrice or Albina. Bean would also make a unique alternative to Birdie as a nickname for Bernadette. The aforementioned Princess Bean’s name is short for Tiabeanie.
  • Calabash – I included Calabash in my list of names beginning with “Cal,” and I’m still convinced that it’s a cool-sounding name even if nobody is using it. Squash, a more common word for the produce, does not sound cool. There’s also Spanish Calabaza, which applies to both squash and pumpkins.
  • Cress makes for a great nature-inspired nickname of Cressida, Christina, Christopher, or Chrysanthemum.
  • Fennel – Need a rare ‘F’ name that’s also gender-neutral? Fennel has you covered.
  • Hyacinth isn’t just a flower…it’s also the name of an edible bean! Just 16 American girls were named Hyacinth in 2021, but expect that number to rise thanks to Bridgerton.
  • Kale – 28 boys. As a men’s name in the U.S., Kale is often treated as the Hawaiian version of Charles, though this is not the only possible origin. It can also be a variant on a German surname relating to cabbages, a variant on a Dutch nickname meaning “bald,” and a Hindi nickname meaning “black” (compare to the Sanskrit name Kali, referring to the powerful Hindu goddess). Additionally, as a women’s name, Kale was one of the three Graces or Charites in Greek Mythology along with her sisters Charis and Aglaia. That version means “beauty,” and today we see the Greek Kale transformed into names like Callidora, Calliope, and Calanthe that ultimately derive from the same root.
  • Lotus – Like Hyacinth, Lotus is both a flower and vegetable…in this case, via lotus root. It’s also the name of a sports car brand. 137 girls and 24 boys were named Lotus in 2021.
  • Lima – In addition to the bean, Lima refers to the Peruvian capital city and possibly to an obscure Ancient Roman goddess of doorways. I’d only recommend not making Bean the middle name since that’s a little on the nose. 7 girls were named Lima in 2021.
  • Maize – This international word for “corn” was given to 23 girls and 10 boys in 2021. Some of those children probably have a unique spelling of Maisie, a Scottish nickname for Margaret that’s picking up steam in the U.S. There are also a few girls named Maizelynn.
  • Navy is another kind of legume and a trendy baby name, ranking #452 for girls and rapidly rising. Unisex, it was given to 688 girls and 74 boys in 2021.
  • Pearl is a small, sweet type of onion found on Thanksgiving tables. Pearl ranked #751 in 2021.
  • Pepper boasts a bright, peppery sound that makes for a great baby name; plus, it’s a surname, so maybe it’s new on your radar of last-names-as-first-names. Or who knows, maybe you love Iron Man’s Pepper Potts? 155 girls and 8 boys were named Pepper in 2021, and 7 girls were named Bell.
  • Rhubarb – I feel like this could work as a standalone name, but Rue and Barb are cute too.
  • Rye – 53 boys and 17 girls were named Rye in 2021. I wonder how many are named after the bread, the whiskey, or as a variation on Ryan and related names?
  • Taro – Taro is both a widely-consumed root vegetable (for example, it’s the main ingredient in poi and a major component of laulau) and a Japanese boys’ name. Like most other Japanese names, Taro’s meaning depends on the Kanji used to write it. Taro is one of Sean Lennon’s middle names. 
  • Vidalia – While “onion” is a terrible idea for a baby name, a few adventurous parents name their daughters Vidalia each year. Vidalia’s meaning likely relates to names meaning “life, vital” (i.e. Vidal, Vitale, Vitalis), but, as Nancy points out, at least some recent usage is related to a song. 18 girls received the name in 2021.

A few vegetables that might not work as standalone baby names but do inspire some great options include:

  • Arugula transforms into Aria, Rue, and Aruna. Avoid Caligula for a person.
  • Asparagus doesn’t make a great baby name, but you can name a little Gus, August, or Augusta after your favorite veggie. Other alternatives inspired by asparagus are Aspen, Casper, Jasper, Aster, Aspasia, and Hesper.
  • Broccoli – Brock is the most obvious choice for a baby name inspired by Broccoli, though James Bond fans may also consider Barbara or Albert after the producers.
  • Brussels – Brussels Sprouts taste a lot better than they used to. If anyone asks, Brussels is a place name too. It’s hard to go wrong with Russell, though.
  • Fava derives from the same root that gives us Fabian and Fabiana.
  • Lettuce is not a usable baby name, but it’s similar to antique Lettice (pronounced Leh-TEECE), an English name from the Tudor era (1500s). The most famous bearer is Lettice Knollys, a noblewoman and possible secret grandchild of Henry VIII. Sadly, I don’t think Lettice can be salvaged, but there’s always Lettie and Leticia.
  • Parsnip – I feel like Parsnip is cute enough for the right child to rock it, but maybe it belongs in the middle spot. That said, for first names Parsnip evokes Parthenia, Parvati, Parthenope, and Percy.
  • Pea – This doesn’t work outside the middle name spot for obvious reasons, and unfortunately Sweetpea can sound condescending depending on who says it. However, Cicero is an option which derives from a Latin word meaning “chickpea!”
  • Rutabaga – Ruth or Ruthie for short? How about Baker?

I love how Pumpkin sounds, but unfortunately I think it would fall victim to condescension and sexism on a human baby. It’s a great name for a pet!

Do you have any favorite names from this list? Are there any you would add?

Fruit Names for Babies
Name Lists

Fruit Names for Babies

Elizabeth2 Comments

They say “you are what you eat.” When your name is a food, that’s even more true!

Lately, I’ve been pondering baby names related to food. Food names aren’t usually popular for babies, but sometimes they break through. Remember when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their daughter Apple? That was all over the news, even if the name itself never became popular. Meanwhile, certain types of culinary herbs are popular baby names, and so is Olive! What *is* a big trend currently is nature names, and depending on the type of food I think some food names can double up as nature names.

Here’s a list of baby names inspired by fruit to kick off an exploration into food names! Note that for this post, I treat some produce that technically count as fruit (i.e., pumpkins) like they’re vegetables and plan to include them in a separate list.

  • Apple – A certain former celebrity couple weren’t the first to name their child Apple, but they are almost certainly responsible for the spike in usage we saw after 2004 (and maybe for a few baby girls named Apples too). If you’re looking for a formal name that shortens to Apple, Apollonia is a beautiful option. According to the Social Security Administration, 13 baby girls were named Apple in 2021.
  • Apricot – This name might be a little harder to swallow on its own, but it’s a cute nickname idea for an April or Apricity.
  • Banana is the nom de plume of Japanese author Banana Yoshimoto.
  • Berry – 8 boys were named Berry in 2021. The question is, were they named after the fruit, the surname, or maybe even Chuck Berry?
  • Cherry has a longer usage history than many other fruit names, probably due to its similarity to names like Sherry, Cheryl, and Charity. Only 23 girls were named Cherry in 2021, but it was mildly popular in the mid-20th century.
  • Clementine is one of the most popular fruit names that people commonly associate with the fruit. I wager it’s also popular because it’s vintage, ends in a bright bell-sound, and vaguely Southern. Trendy Clementine currently ranks #549 in the U.S.
  • Huckleberry – Berry names rarely work well as people’s names, but some literary parents have named their children after Huckleberry Finn. 25 boys were named Huckleberry in 2021.
  • Jack – Jackfruit is a popular plant-based alternative to pork for BBQ, since it can be served pulled. Timeless, Jack currently ranks #11 in the U.S.
  • Juneberry is a great option for parents who want something longer than June and rarer than Juniper!
  • Juniper – I reckon many baby Junipers are named after the tree and not the berry, but you can find juniper berries as a main component of gin or (sometimes) paired with venison. Juniper ranks #138 for girls nationally.
  • Lemon is still quite rare as a baby name, but it’s a lot more popular than it was a few years ago. I wonder if that’s at all thanks to the character on the TV show Hart of Dixie, but the name only began reappearing towards the series end in the mid 2010s. The most recent pop culture influence I can think of is the character on Bullet Train, which only came out in 2022 and wouldn’t have affected the 2021 stats. These days, Lemon only appears as a girls’ name (though it didn’t always), though that may change after Bullet Train. 50 girls were named Lemon in 2021.
  • Loganberry – like Juneberry, Loganberry is an intriguing way to elaborate Logan.
  • Mulberry – A berry name that sounds like a people name, probably because it’s an actual surname! Unfortunately, it seems the primary association as a human name is a rather nasty Charles Dickens character from Nicholas Nickleby, a Sir Mulberry Hawk.
  • Olive – Olives are more savory than the other fruits here, but it is the fruit of a tree. Olive currently ranks #182 for girls in the U.S., also benefiting from vintage and nature associations.
  • Papaya boasts such a bright, beautiful sound and rhymes with Maya. I would love to encounter a baby named Papaya.
  • Passion – I’d wager most people named Passion aren’t named after the fruit, but the Hawaiian word name Lilikoi does mean passion fruit (apparently that’s where it was first planted in Hawaii, hence the name). 44 girls were named Passion in 2021, while 9 were named Lilikoi.
  • Peach is an option for fans of Princess Peach, though I wonder if the emoji makes this name a bad idea for a baby in 2023. Alternatively, Peaches hit the naming scene because of Peaches Geldof. 17 American baby girls were named Peach in 2021, and 8 were named Peaches.
  • Pear – I have a hard time seeing Pear as a name on its own, but the pear equivalent of hard cider is called Perry, which works great! There’s also Pearson for fans of last names as baby names. 
  • Persimmon sounds more like a name than a lot of other fruits, and indeed, the following names come to mind: Perseus, Percy, Simon, Simmons, Perry, Perpetua, and Primrose. I’d love to see Persimmon take off.
  • Plum is just plain adorable, especially in the middle name spot…and hey, Moon Unit Zappa named her daughter Mathilda Plum! Damson is a handsome alternative for baby boys. I’m shocked that Plum is too rare to appear in the U.S. baby name data (it did once, when 5 girls were named Plum in 2011). 
  • Rowan is a type of berry commonly used in jams and jellies. Like Juniper, I think more parents associate Rowan with the tree or the wood. Rowan ranks #106 for boys and #241 for girls, making it an excellent gender-neutral choice.
  • Quince sounds a lot like Quintin or Quinta. Perhaps this is a gender-neutral option for parents who want something rarer than Quinn?
  • Star, as in starfruit. 126 girls and 5 boys were named Star in 2021. 104 girls were named Starr, and you can find a slew of related names like Starla and Starlyn in the 2021 data.
  • Strawberry is beyond adorable, evoking the character Strawberry Shortcake. I did discover that there’s a writer named Strawberry.
  • Tangerine is the code-name of a major character in Bullet Train; his brother’s code name is Lemon.

Another fantastic fruit-related name to consider for baby girls is Pomeline, a variant of Pomelline or Pomellina that’s associated with the royal family of Monaco. Then you have the name Pomona, which belonged to the Roman goddess of fruit trees – another great option for parents who love names from mythology.

Do you have a favorite fruit name for babies? Are there any you would add to my list? Let me know in the comments!

American Names · Analysis · Classic, Old, and Traditional Names · Modern names

Name Profile: Beverly

ElizabethLeave a comment

Do you like the sound of Everly but prefer something vintage? Is Evelyn, which ranks #9 in the U.S., too popular for you? You may love Beverly, an old English place name meaning something akin to “beaver stream” or “beaver meadow.”

Beverly: Surname, Place Name; Likely Meaning: "Beaver Stream" or "Beaver Meadow," or someone who lives near there; popular baby name from 1905 to 1999 for girls, until the 1950s for boys; Rare alternative to Evelyn and Everly; Vintage and Modern.

Beverly was one of the very first last-names-as-baby-names to become popular for girls. We’ve come a long way in that naming genre! I wager that most preschools have students named Harper and Avery, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if their moms or teachers are named Ashley or Taylor. Their grandmothers might be Leslie and Kelly, and their great-grandmothers could be Shirley or Beverly. The names change, but the style remains the same. Beverly was a part of the vanguard that made it cool to name a baby girl with a surname, or to name a baby girl with a boys’ name. Beverly’s old-fashioned now, but I think it’s one of the first truly modern baby names.

Beverly, like Shirley and other surname baby names, originally began as a men’s name. Indeed, Beverly became conventionally unisex for nearly 50 years before the 1950s, when it dropped out of the U.S. top 1000 for boys. I dare say that when Beverly first became popular for girls, for a brief period it was even gender neutral…as gender neutral as a name could be while trending before World War I! Even so, once it really took off for girls, there was no turning back. It was officially feminine.

What made Beverly popular to begin with? Those first names in that style didn’t come from nowhere; we know the concept of Shirley as a girls’ name came from a Bronte character . As it turns out, Beverly became popular because of a hit 1904 book, Beverly of Graustark, and a later 1920s movie based on the story. The timing is just right to imagine Beverly as a flapper or the baby of one. Beverly has a certain glamorous old-lady feel to it, making it a great choice for parents who want their daughters to sparkle and shine with confidence. There’s even the associations with Beverly Hills, California – for parents who want to evoke a sense of glitz, wealth, and celebrity – and Star Trek, for nerdy parents who love Beverly Crusher. Of course, the book that started it all isn’t even the most important literary connection to Beverly, at least not for modern parents. Today’s parents may wish to honor beloved children’s author Beverly Cleary, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 104.

Like Everly, there’s well more than one way to spell Beverly. The most traditional alternate spelling is probably Beverley, which can be attested as a men’s name by the mid-18th century via Beverley Randolph (whose name came from a family surname). Other old spellings that aren’t currently in use for babies include Beverlee, Beverli, and Beverlye, though maybe surprisingly there’s no history of Beverleigh. There’s also Beverlyn, a rare name which peaked in the 50s but has the potential for trendiness in the 2020s and going into the 2030s thanks to the “Lyn” and “Lynn” endings that are so popular for baby girls’ names. Currently, the only two spellings parents are using are Beverly and Beverley.

Exactly how trendy is Beverly these days? Well, I think things are looking up. Beverly peaked in the 1930s and 40s before falling into near oblivion by the new millennium, eventually dipping reaching an almost 100-year-low in 2010 at just 99 girls in a year. Since then, it’s been creeping slowly back upwards – probably thanks to Everly, which started taking off right around then. Everly has actually dropped a little since its 2019 peak, but Beverly is still rising and was given to as many as 188 girls in 2021. Did Everly rise too quickly? Are parents already looking for something fresh but familiar with Beverly? Is it the vintage vibes? The nature meanings? If Beverly doesn’t take off now, I think it’s primed for the 2030s and 40s in a kind of 100-year-cycle.

What do you think of Beverly? Do you see it coming back soon? Let me know! 

Baby Name Mash-Ups: Boys Edition. Baby Name Mash-Ups: Boys Edition!
American Names · Modern names · Name Lists

Baby Name Mash-Ups: Boys Edition!

Elizabeth1 Comment

Do you enjoy mashing two names together to create a third? Whether you love name games, want an unconventional honoring name, or simply like rare baby names, name mashes are a fantastic way to explore the outer bounds of language.

Yesterday, I posted a list of real girls’ names that qualify as baby name mash-ups. Today, I publish the boys’ names! All of the mash-ups listed are legitimate baby names found within the Social Security Administration‘s data set for U.S. babies born in 2021. I also list how many times they were used that year to get a sense of rarity or popularity (For context, the SSA publishes all names used at least 5 times in a year. The most popular name in the country, Liam, was given to over 20,000 babies. To be considered popular, it needs to rank in the Top 1000…which started at 217 boys for the names Atharv, Bishop, Blaise, and Davian. Sense of scale!).

  • Adrius = Adrian + Atreus. 7 boys were named Adrius in the U.S. in 2021.
  • Aidric = Aidan + Godric. 6 boys were named Aidric in the U.S. in 2021.
  • Alexiel = Alex + Daniel. 6 boys.
  • Amarion = Amari + Marion. 136 boys.
  • Augden = August + Ogden. 5 boys.
  • Axcel = Axel + Excel. 10 boys. Hey, some people love spreadsheets!
  • Azaiah = Azariah + Isaiah. 166 boys.
  • Azarious = Azariah + Julius. 6 boys.
  • Baxton = Baxter + Paxton. 5 boys.
  • Braven = Brave + Draven. 94 boys.
  • Breyson = Brayson + Greyson. 12 boys.
  • Briceson = Brice + Bryson. 11 boys.
  • Briggston = Briggs + Brixton. 26 boys.
  • Broxton = Brock + Brixton. 7 boys
  • Chrisean = Chris + Sean. 6 boys.
  • Dylangael = Dylan + Angel, Dylan + Gael. 6 boys
  • Eliam = Eli + Liam. This is actually a Biblical name, but it’s a great mash option. Rank: #736, and was given to 345 boys in 2021.
  • Emmerick = Emery + Merrick, Emery + Eric, Emeric + Merrick. 5 boys.
  • Ethaniel = Ethan + Nathaniel. 20 boys.
  • Faustin = Faustino + Austin. 5 boys.
  • Geremy = Gerald + Jeremy. 9 boys.
  • Gianluca = Giovanni + Luca. 180 boys.
  • Graceson = Grace + Grayson. 47 boys. This is an interesting option for parents who want to honor a woman named Grace with their son’s name.
  • Hughston = Hugh + Houston. 7 boys.
  • Iangael = Ian + Angel, Ian + Gael. 5 boys.
  • Jakayden = Jake + Kayden. 28 boys.
  • Jamichael = James + Michael. 22 boys.
  • Jaren = Jason + Daren, Jason + Karen. 34 boys.
  • Jayco = Jayden + Draco. 9 boys.
  • Jeaven = Jeremy + Heaven. 5 boys.
  • Jebediah = Jeb + Jedediah. 27 boys. This is one of the older mash-ups and one of the older psuedo-Biblical names on the block.
  • Jessiah = Jesse + Josiah. 142 boys.
  • Joevan = Joe + Evan. 5 boys.
  • Juliam = Julian + Liam. 5 boys.
  • Kaydrian = Kayden + Adrian. 11 boys.
  • Kendarius = Kendrick + Darius. 13 boys.
  • Kendrix = Kendrick + Hendrix. 98 boys.
  • Lesther = Lester + Esther. 8 boys.
  • Lloyal = Llewelyn + Loyal, Llewyn + Loyal, Lloyd + Loyal. 9 boys.
  • Maxson = Max + Jaxson. 45 boys.
  • Maxton = Max + Paxton. Rank: #994 for 218 boys.
  • Miking = Mike + King. 22 boys.
  • Nashton = Nash + Cashton. 14 boys.
  • Rhyson = Rhys + Bryson. 7 boys.
  • Rorick = Rory + Rick. 10 boys.
  • Samaj = Sam + Semaj. Semaj is backwards for James. 11 boys.
  • Santonio = Santiago + Antonio. Of course, I also thought about a smoosh of San Antonio. 12 boys.
  • Thobias = Thomas + Tobias. This spelling looks a lot like the word “phobias.” 5 boys.
  • Xaviel = Xavier + Daniel. 6 boys.
  • Zebastian = Zebedee + Sebastian. 9 boys.

What do you think of these? Several of them are Bible-inspired without actually being Biblical, which is a really interesting trend I’ve been noticing.

What baby name mash-ups can you come up with for boys? I spotted Apollo and Pablo together in the boys’ data and misread together them as Apablo, so there’s an option!

Baby Name Mash-Ups: Girls Edition! Baby Name Mash-Ups: Girls Edition
American Names · Modern names · Name Lists

Baby Name Mash-Ups: Girls Edition

Elizabeth4 Comments

Whether you like to call them mash-ups, smooshes, compound names, or something else, it’s always fun to find or create names that mash two names together into one. It’s a great way to explore language, and sometimes you can find a new and unexpected appellation that way. Here is a list of real girls’ names for the creative mind to construct and deconstruct from two other names! Most of these probably aren’t meant to be mash-ups (indeed, many are unique and unconventional spellings), but who doesn’t love name games? All the mash-ups are listed with the number of baby girls who received the name in 2021, according to data from the Social Security Administration. If rare and uncommon baby names are your thing, I think you’ll enjoy these mashes too – only one of them is in the top 1000.

  • Adaleine = Adeline + Madeleine. 8 girls were named Adaleine in 2021.
  • Adamari = Ada + Amari. 32 girls were named Adamari in 2021.
  • Adamaris = Ada + Stellamaris, Adam + Damaris. 37 girls.
  • Alyssandra = Alyssa + Alessandra. 20 girls. This may be a genuine mashup in some cases.
  • Amberley = Amber + Emberly. 28 girls.
  • Ameliana = Amelia + Emiliana. This maximalist version of Amelia was used 40 times.
  • Ariellie = Aria + Ellie, Ariel + Ellie. 6 girls.
  • Arianelly = Ariana + Nelly, Ariana + Annalee, Ariana + Nayeli. 26 girls.
  • Avangeline = Ava + Evangeline. 23 girls.
  • Baisley = Bailey + Paisley, Bailey + Haisley. 12 girls
  • Bellanie = Bellamy + Melanie. 8 girls.
  • Brystal = Bristol + Crystal. 14 girls.
  • Callaway = Calla + Calloway. 41 girls.
  • Delaila = Delilah + Laila. 9 girls.
  • Delayah = Delaney + Malaya, Delaney + Leia. 9 girls
  • Elizabella = Elizabeth + Isabella, Elizabeth + Arabella. 21 girls.
  • Elliotte = Elliot + Charlotte. 53 girls.
  • Elouise = Eloise + Louise. 216 girls.
  • Embersyn = Ember + Emersyn. 6 girls.
  • Emmarie = Emma + Marie, Emily + Marie. 174 girls.
  • Eunique = Eunice + Unique. 10 girls.
  • Francely = Frances + Aracely. 10 girls.
  • Giabella = Gianna + Isabella. 24 girls.
  • Gwendalynn = Gwendolyn + Adalynn. 10 girls.
  • Havanna = Havana + Savannah, Haven + Savanna. 15 girls.
  • Hayeslee = Hayes + Haisley, Hayes + Paislee. 5 girls.
  • Hazeley = Hazel + Haisley, Hazel + Paisley. 9 girls
  • Janellie = Jane + Ellie. In reality, probably a variant of Yaneli? 8 girls.
  • Jenesis = Jennifer + Genesis. 379 girls with a national rank of #745. This is the only popular mashup baby name I list here.
  • Jeweliana = Jewel + Juliana. 5 girls.
  • Lauralai + Laura + Lorelai. 5 girls.
  • Lehlani = Leilani + Kehlani. 43 girls. Like Alyssandra, I suspect this is a genuine mashup.
  • Lydiann = Lydia + Ann. 11 girls.
  • Maevery = Maeve + Avery. 17 girls.
  • Maisley = Maisie + Haisley, Maisie + Paisley. 35 girls.
  • Makinsley = Makayla + Kinsley, Makenzie + Kinsley. 19 girls.
  • Marilena = Maria + Elena, Maria + Helena. 21 girls.
  • Marleaux = Marlowe + Beaux, Marlowe + Devereaux. 5 girls.
  • Melaney = Melanie + Delaney. In reality, the pronunciation is probably identical to Melanie. 8 girls.
  • Myrcella = Myrtle + Marcella. I know, I know…Myrcella comes from Game of Thrones, but I can dream! 5 girls.
  • Parys = Paris + Carys. 9 girls.
  • Pauleth = Paulette + Arleth, Paula + Arleth. 13 girls.
  • Persephanie = Persephone + Stephanie. 6 girls.
  • Reigna = Reign + Rayna. 33 girls.
  • Renesmee = Renee + Esme. The original name smoosh! 161 girls.
  • Roselani = Rose + Leilani, Rose + Kehlani. 9 girls.
  • Serinity = Serenity + Trinity. 19 girls.
  • Sophonie = Sophie + Stephanie. 5 girls.
  • Taylani = Taylor + Leilani, Taylor + Kehlani. 16 girls. 
  • Tayleigh = Taylor + Kayleigh. 12 girls.
  • Zoella = Zoe + Ella. 28 girls.

One of my favorite name mash-ups didn’t even make the 2021 data. Gwenevieve (Guinevere + Genevieve) has popped up a few times starting in 2008. You could also mix Gwendolyn and Lillian to get Gwenllian, which is a Welsh name…however, the double ‘l’ sounds different in Welsh than in English, so just be mindful. Other possible mash-ups include Hermione (from Hermia and Ione), Isadora (Isabella + Theodora), Tallulah (Talia + Lula), Jaylannie (Jayla + Annie), and Davinity (Davina + Divinity).

What are some of your favorite baby name mash-ups? Would you ever consider using one? Let me know and read the boys’ list!

American Names · Modern names

Name Profile: Xyla

ElizabethLeave a comment

Xyla is a name nobody seems to know much about. It’s so ultramodern it looks futuristic. It’s rare yet trendy. And when the Social Security Administration releases their list of America’s most popular baby names of 2022 in May, it’s likely to debut in the top 1000. Given to 233 girls in 2021, Xyla teeters on the edge of popularity.

There is so much to love about Xyla:

  • Names beginning with ‘x’ are unusual, to the point that only 4 names (Xavier, Xander, Ximena, and Xiomara) currently rank in the top 1000. Names combining the letters ‘x’ and ‘y’ are even rarer; in the 2021 SSA extended data that goes down to 5 uses, only 3 names begin with ‘Xy.’ One of the other two is Xylah, a variation of Xyla.
  • It’s short and sweet. Today’s parents love names like Max and Ava – names that are easy to spell, easy to say, and don’t have nicknames. Xyla is a little trickier to spell than those names, but it’s uncomplicated. You get the point as soon as you see it.
  • Xyla works as a nature name! One possible derivation is Xylon, the Latinized spelling of an Ancient Greek word meaning “wood.” Plants contain something called a “xylem,” and mycologists (people who study fungi/mushrooms) might appreciate Xyla as a short form of Xylaria. Xyla is an unconventional choice for parents who love plant names and more general nature names, but it fits nicely with other modern nature baby name options like Indigo and Azalea.
  • Xyla can have musical associations. A musician or music-lover may choose Xyla to reference the xylophone.
  • Did I mention it’s futuristic? Xyla is visually satisfying in the way that Xerox sounds. I don’t know about you, but it makes me think about spaceships and people living in a century beyond our own. And to top that, 1999 was the first year it ever appeared in the SSA birth data…Xyla definitely has a hopeful, space-age new-millennium vibe, something we sorely need right now.
  • It sounds like a bell. Move over Tyler and Kyla; Xyla is here to play!
  • Speaking of Kyla: if you don’t like the ‘Z’ sound of Xyla, you could always Hellenize the pronunciation and treat the ‘x’ like a ‘kh,’ in the way that Khloe is a legitimate spelling of Chloe because of the original Greek ‘chi.’
  • There aren’t many ways to spell it yet. Of course the most popular version is Xyla, but Zyla trails in hot pursuit at 211 girls (don’t be surprised if both Xyla and Zyla are in the 2022 Top 1000). Zylah and Xylah are less common options.

As far as middle names go, I recommend avoiding anything that starts with a vowel so the names don’t bleed into each other (Xyla Ann is going to sound like Xylann, which is a cool name idea but probably not what you’re looking for). You want contrast between sounds, which means hard consonants in this case. My recommendations for middle names include Bee, Rose, Bronte, Frances, Monet, Cove, and Robin.

What do you think of Xyla? Would you use this modern moniker? What’s your favorite spelling? Let me know!

Names Beginning With Cal. Names Beginning with Cal
American Names · Name Lists

Names Beginning with Cal

Elizabeth4 Comments

Do you want to honor a Cal in your life? Maybe you just love Cal as a nickname and want a formal version. If you don’t know where to start, here’s a long name list of names beginning with “Cal” to kickstart your baby name inspiration! I’ve ordered them from most popular to rarest based on publicly available data from the Social Security Administration, which publishes the previous year’s popular baby names every May (the latest data we have is from 2021). A few of the names don’t rank at all! If you’re looking for a classic or an undiscovered gem, you may find it here.

  • Caleb, a Biblical name that probably means “dog,” is the most popular “Cal” name. Current rank: #51.
  • Calvin – When people think of formal names for Cal, Calvin is probably the first name that comes to mind. A timeless name, Calvin has never been out of the U.S. Top 1000. Current rank: #145. \
  • Callie – Rank: #177. Other spellings include Calli (42 girls), Calleigh (36 girls), Cally (14 girls), Callee (13 girls), and Calley (7 girls).
  • Cali is a variation of Callie with summery California beach vibes. Current rank: #337.
  • Callan is an Irish surname baby name that might just be the new Ryan. It ranked #375, and variant Callen ranked at #458. Other spellings include Calen (43 boys) and Callyn (19 girls). 
  • Callum is an increasingly popular Scottish name derived from Columba, a saint’s name which means “dove.” Callum currently ranks #273, while variant Calum ranks #838.
  • Calliope – Rapidly rising Calliope comes to us from Greek Mythology, a major source of trendy baby names in the 2020s. Besides its origins and a beautiful sound, its 4 syllables give it a maximalist vibe. Current rank: #603.
  • Callahan is an Irish surname. Current rank: #659 for boys, but don’t be surprised if it eventually takes off for girls too. Alternative spellings include Calihan (40 boys, 6 girls) and Callaghan (25 boys, 5 girls).
  • Cal itself is a popular baby name, firmly fitting in with other rising vintage standalone nicknames like Millie and Charlie. Current rank: #876.
  • Calista – 137 girls. Additionally, 43 girls were named Callista, 8 girls received the spelling Calixta, and 6 were named Calysta.
  • Calla is a rare floral name related to lilies, making it a wonderful choice parents seeking flower names. 134 girls were named Calla at last count, and a few baby girls (just 9!) were named Cala.
  • Caliyah rhymes with Aaliyah, creating an intriguing pairing option for twins. 96 girls were named Caliyah in 2021.
  • Caleigh is an unusual spelling of Kaylee given to 84 girls in 2021. Calee and Calie (20 girls) are other versions, though they could also be versions of Callie depending on how parents say them. You can also find Caley, which was given to 10 girls, and Calii, which was given to 5 girls.
  • Calder falls firmly into the “last names as baby names” category! 80 boys were named Calder in 2021.
  • Calian looks like it could be a mash-up of Callan and Killian. 71 boys.
  • Calix is an English form of Calixtus or Callistus given to 54 boys. 18 boys were named Calyx, which I think is an even more stylish option with the ‘y.’
  • Calia – 51 girls. 40 girls were also name Caleah, 16 were named Callia, 15 were named Caliah, 12 named Caleigha, 10 Caleya, 7 Calea, 7 Caliya, and 6 Caleyah.
  • Calani appears to be an alternate spelling of the Hawaiian name Kalani or a unique spelling of Kehlani, which is a pop musician’s name. 49 girls were given this spelling, and 11 were named Caloni.
  • Caliana looks like a maximalist version of Cali, Callie, or Kaylee. 48 girls were given this spelling, another 18 were named Calianna, and 5 were called Calliana.
  • Calloway – Fans of Cab Calloway and surnames as baby names are sure to love Calloway! A unisex option, 47 boys and 7 girls were named Calloway in 2021. Callaway is a gender-neutral spelling that was given to 41 girls and 41 boys that year.
  • Calina was given to 33 girls. 5 girls were named Caleena, additionally.
  • Cale can be short for Caleb or a variation on Kale. 33 boys.
  • Calynn is a form of Kaylin given to 25 girls. Another 9 girls were named Calyn. 
  • Calogero is an Italian name given to 22 boys.
  • Caliber is trendy (if rare) because it belongs to the same category of gun-related baby names as Remington, Colt, and Gunner. Of course, there’s always the possibility someone had an out-of-world experience at a Caliber Collision center. 20 boys and 6 girls were named Caliber in 2021.
  • Calil appears to be a variation of Khalil. It was given to 18 boys. Other variations are Caliel (8 boys) and Caleel (6 boys).
  • Calypso – An ultra-rare girls’ name from Greek Mythology, Calypso also has musical associations via the Caribbean music genre. 17 girls were named Calypso in 2021.
  • Calayah could be a variation of Caliyah or Malaya. Either way, it’s absolutely beautiful! 16 girls were named Calayah, while 15 girls were called Calaya.
  • Caleesi is an uncommon spelling of Khaleesi that was given to 13 girls.
  • Calise – I imagine this rhymes with Elise, not Alice. 13 girls.
  • Calissa looks like a name mash of Melissa and Calista. It was given to 12 girls.
  • Calais – 11 boys, 6 girls. Calais is a place in France that belonged to the English for centuries. As a boys’ name, Calais ties into Greek Mythology. It’s also the name of a football player, Calais Campbell.
  • Calcifer – 10 boys. Calcifer is the name of the demon in Howl’s Moving Castle.
  • Caledon appears to be a masculine form of Caledonia (see below). A possible namesake here is Caledon “Cal” Hockley, Rose’s jerk fiance in the Titanic. 10 boys.
  • Calel looks like a variation of Kal-El, i.e. Superman. 10 boys.
  • Caliann – This could be a variation of Kaylee-Ann or Callie-Ann, and I’m not sure how to pronounce it. 10 girls.
  • California is pretty self-explanatory. 10 girls.
  • Calixto is a form of Calixtus or Callistus given to 10 boys.
  • Caled – Could this be a typo of Caleb? 9 boys.
  • Caladin – I think Caladin is a variation of Kaladin, which is a Brandon Sanderson character’s name given to 80 boys. Caladin was given to 7 boys.
  • Caldwell is a surname baby name. 7 boys.
  • Calhoun is a surname baby name. 7 boys were named Calhoun in 2021, and I sincerely hope none of them have John C. Calhoun as their intended namesake.
  • Calvary is a gender-neutral option for parents who want to reference the site of the Crucifixion. 7 girls and 7 boys were named Calvary in 2021.
  • Caledonia is the old Latin name for Scotland. It was given to 6 girls in 2021.
  • Calliejo is a double-barrel first name that probably looks like Callie-Jo on paper! 6 girls.
  • Callisto has two different origins. The men’s version is related to Callistus, while the women’s version is from Greek Mythology. Either way, the apparent result is a gender-neutral baby name! 6 girls and 6 boys were named Callisto in 2021.
  • Calila looks like a feminine form of Khalil and, ergo, a variation of Khalila. 5 girls.
  • Callidora, which means “beautiful gift” in Greek, was given to 5 girls in 2021. I recently included this name in a longer list of names ending in “Dora.”
  • Callister appears to be a short form of McAllister. 5 boys.
  • Calvert is strongly associated with colonial Maryland, and today there’s even a Calvert County. 5 boys.
  • Calabash is a type of gourd that would make an intriguing option for parents who love baby names from nature and plants.
  • Calamity offers Western and Neo-Cowboy vibes thanks to Calamity Jane, who’s kind of a less famous Annie Oakley.
  • Calanthe is a rare flower name for orchids that derives from Greek words meaning “beautiful” and “flower.” Calanthia is a longer version. 
  • Calfuray is a rare flower name of Mapuche origin associated with violets or purple-colored flowers.
  • Calgary fits in with place name baby names.
  • Caligula – I don’t recommend naming your child Caligula, but it’s a great pet name!
  • Calm could be a fantastic virtue name.
  • Calpurnia is an Ancient Roman name that sometimes pops up in literature. The most recent namesake is a children’s book character called Calpurnia Tate.
  • Calrose – I think this is a brand of rice, but it works surprisingly well as a baby name!

There are a few other names that include “Cal” in the middle of the name. Some highlights from the 2021 data-set include Lyrical, Accalia, Deucalion, and Macallan.

Do you have a favorite name beginning with Cal? Is there another name you think I should add to this list? Let me know!