Popular Girls’ Names that Rose or Fell 100+ Ranks within the U.S. Top 1000 (2023)

May 14, 2024 ElizabethLeave a comment

It’s the Tuesday after Mother’s Day, which means it’s also the Tuesday after Data Release Day! The Social Security Administration released brand new American baby name data on Friday. We’ve already talked about the Top 10 and the Top 100, but what about names within the Top 1000? It’s worth looking at the names whose popularity changed drastically within the Top 1000 because many of those names describe ongoing trends. So, mainly out of curiosity, I’ve compiled a list of baby girls’ names whose popularity changed by at least 100 ranks between 2022 and 2023 in either direction! I will post a list of the boys’ names later. For these lists, I’m *not* including the names that entered or left the top 1000 (with one notable exception, which you’ll see in my notes); like the boys’ list, the new and exiting names will be part of a separate post.

Girls’ Names that Rose at least 100 Ranks within the U.S. Top 1000 from 2022 to 2023:

*Name*	*2023 Rank*	*2022 Rank*	*Rank Change*
Scottie	617	923	+306
Miley	452	703	+251
Inaya	736	971	+235
Halo	567	770	+203
Maisy	791	987	+196
Lakelynn	778	967	+189
Elowyn	693	880	+187
Tallulah*	817	999	+182
Lottie	775	950	+175
Lenora	763	931	+168
Jaylani	599	766	+167
Sariyah	577	733	+156
Whitley	733	885	+152
Antonella	287	436	+149
Murphy	519	667	+148
Sunny	406	553	+147
Giana	749	895	+146
Jovie	588	732	+144
Arlet	604	741	+137
Cielo	859	996	+137
Itzel	364	498	+134
Goldie	685	815	+130
Wrenlee	584	712	+128
Lainey	54	174	+120
Navy	363	483	+120
Amirah	458	577	+119
Aurelia	371	488	+117
Lacey	759	877	+118
Alanna	453	567	+114
Marigold	714	828	+114
Georgina	770	881	+111
Nyomi	811	922	+111
Aitana	217	327	+110
Emberlynn	798	908	+110
Wrenley	175	284	+109
Meilani	845	952	+107
Kaiya	797	903	+106
Mallory	429	533	+104
Anahi	462	565	+103
Araceli	803	905	+102
Emory	366	468	+102
Florence	580	623	+102
Kataleya	672	774	+102
Maxine	513	615	+102
Amoura	633	734	+101
Maddie	839	940	+101
Birdie	701	801	+100
Luz	843	943	+100

Data from the Social Security Administration

Honorable mentions go to Aliza, Calliope, Chana, Kaliyah, Paula, Taytum, Winona, and Xiomara for rising over 90 places!

So, what’s especially interesting to me are the names that rose at least 200 places: Scottie, Miley, Inaya, and Halo. Scottie has never been popular as a girls’ name until a few years ago, though it has some literary-adjacent cred as the nickname of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s daughter Frances Scott Fitzgerald. Miley’s popularity is volatile because it’s already dipped out of the Top 1000 once since the initial Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana craze and has a tendency to spike usage in either direction. Inaya is an international favorite originating from Arabic and Urdu, meaning “care” or “concern.” Halo has been trending upwards ever since the 2008 Beyonce song, though lately popularity is more tied to celebrity baby names (Nick Cannon and Halle Bailey both have young children named Halo).

Trendwise, I’m seeing a few different things here. International hits like Inaya, Amirah, and Antonella. Spanish-language and indigenous Latin-American names as a subcategory or adjacent to international names, i.e. Arlet, Araceli, Itzel, Aitana, Anahi, Luz. Sunny, golden, and generally happy-vibe names: Sunny, Goldie, Luz, Miley, Aurelia, Marigold, Jovie all fit. Vintage choices like Maxine, Goldie, Florence, Lenora, Lottie, and Birdie. Standalone nicknames with “ie” or similar endings: Scottie, Birdie, Lottie, Goldie, Maddie, Lainey, and Maisy. What I’m *not* seeing is as many names ending in “-Lynn,” an older trend that may be on its way downwards; Emberlynn and Lakelynn are two of the newest options in that category, but they’re late to the party.

Do keep in mind that names closer to the top of the charts are even trendier with significant rises than ones much lower in the charts, so names like Lainey, Aitana, Antonella, and Aurelia within the top 500 are trending harder than Maddie, Meilani, and Nyomi closer to the bottom.

Other notes:

Regarding Tallulah: SSA data edits made this new to the 2022 Top 1000, yet many namers on the web and social media (myself included) had Tallulah in their predictions for 2023. When SSA published the 2022 list last year, Tallulah wasn’t on there.
Arlet didn’t rise alone; variants Arlette and Arleth also grew more popular in between 2022 and 2023.
In conjunction with Itzel’s rise, Alitzel was new to the Top 1000 in 2023.
Maisy grew because Maisie got more popular; another spelling, Mazie, returned to the Top 1000 in 2023.
Lainey is likely the hottest name of 2023 thanks to country singer Lainey Wilson. It’s highly unusual for names to jump over 100 places into the Top 100!

What about the girls’ names that fell more than 100 spots between 2022 and 2023?

Girls’ Names that Fell at least 100 Ranks from 2022 to 2023 (and Stayed in the U.S. Top 1000):

*Name*	*2023 Rank*	*2022 Rank*	*Rank Change*
Marleigh	924	711	-213
Jayleen	788	610	-178
Addilyn	746	574	-172
Malaysia	776	608	-168
Madilynn	727	566	-161
Angelique	998	842	-156
Natasha	986	833	-153
Zendaya	834	681	–153
Joelle	936	785	–151
Kai	940	789	-151
Bria	910	760	–150
Kensley	755	614	–141
Hayley	972	832	–140
Malaya	847	708	-139
Kassidy	962	824	-138
Royalty	562	427	–135
Allyson	979	845	–134
Ashlynn	921	787	-134
Liberty	891	761	-130
Mikaela	819	689	–130
Malayah	969	839	–130
Waverly	880	751	-129
Ailani	593	467	-126
Scout	821	695	-126
Annika	956	835	–121
Avianna	561	441	–120
Ezra	762	643	–119
Zaylee	831	713	-118
Adley	765	648	-117
Jolie	906	792	–114
Elliot	898	786	-112
Nola	739	627	–112
Estella	610	499	–111
Bellamy	828	718	-110
Kimber	884	775	–109
Rylie	554	447	-107
Roselyn	926	821	–105
Cheyenne	790	686	-104
Anika	928	825	-103
Izabella	483	381	-102
Kayleigh	631	529	-102
Dani	779	678	-101

Data from the Social Security Administration

Names that fell between 90 and 100 places include Ainsley, Araya, Belen, Braelynn, Cadence, Raegan, Ryan, and Sariah.

The names that fell at least 100 ranks are a bit harder to classify within trend categories, though as I mentioned before I think we are starting to see the downturn of a lot of “-Lynn” names (Addilyn, Ashlynn, Roselyn) and some of the “-Leigh” names too (Kayleigh, Kensley, Marleigh, Zaylee). I think it’s interesting that Ezra fell so far on the girls’ side considering it jumped 10 places within the Top 25 on the boys’ side. Similarly, there’s no reason Ailani should have dropped because two of the newest entries to the Top 1000 are Ailany and Aylani, which are different spellings of that name.

What do you think of these names? What are some trends you’re seeing? Let me know and keep an eye out for the boys’ list!

The New Top 100 Most Popular Baby Names

May 10, 2024 ElizabethLeave a comment

The Social Security Administration just released its list of the Top 100 most popular baby names in the U.S. in 2023! While SSA publishes data for the Top 1000 and beyond, the Top 100 list is where you’ll find today’s most familiar names. From tried-and-true classics to the trendiest modern classics, these are the most common baby names on throughout the U.S. Your child will likely know many other children bearing these names!

Here are the 100 most popular names given to baby boys in 2023:

Rank	Name	# of Babies	Rank Change
1	Liam	20802	0
2	Noah	18995	0
3	Oliver	14741	0
4	James	11670	0
5	Elijah	11452	0
6	Mateo	11229	+5
7	Theodore	11041	+3
8	Henry	10941	-1
9	Lucas	10842	-1
10	William	10598	-4
11	Benjamin	10172	-2
12	Levi	9347	0
13	Sebastian	8865	0
14	Jack	8683	+1
15	Ezra	8437	+10
16	Michael	8383	0
17	Daniel	8356	-3
18	Leo	8120	+4
19	Owen	7985	-1
20	Samuel	7973	-1
21	Hudson	7935	+6
22	Alexander	7875	-5
23	Asher	7853	-3
24	Luca	7770	+4
25	Ethan	7763	-4
26	John	7750	0
27	David	7354	+4
28	Jackson	7284	-5
29	Joseph	7237	+1
30	Mason	7237	-6
31	Luke	7217	+3
32	Matthew	7190	+7
33	Julian	7078	+2
34	Dylan	7054	+8
35	Elias	6980	+8
36	Jacob	6976	-4
37	Maverick	6962	-3
38	Gabriel	6745	-2
39	Logan	6686	-6
40	Aiden	6675	-11
41	Thomas	6598	+4
42	Isaac	6581	-1
43	Miles	6558	+13
44	Grayson	6449	-7
45	Santiago	6328	+3
46	Anthony	6237	-2
47	Wyatt	6237	-9
48	Carter	5847	-1
49	Jayden	5627	-3
50	Ezekiel	5569	-1
51	Caleb	5488	+1
52	Cooper	5425	+1
53	Josiah	5404	-2
54	Charles	5395	-4
55	Christopher	5171	0
56	Isaiah	5121	+2
57	Nolan	5112	+8
58	Cameron	5069	+6
59	Nathan	5049	-2
60	Joshua	5035	0
61	Kai	4946	-2
62	Waylon	4881	+4
63	Angel	4865	-1
64	Lincoln	4842	-10
65	Andrew	4781	-4
66	Roman	4777	+2
67	Adrian	4646	-4
68	Aaron	4551	+3
69	Wesley	4539	+1
70	Ian	4538	+2
71	Thiago	4505	+36; NEW
72	Axel	4498	+5
73	Brooks	4469	+3
74	Bennett	4411	+9
75	Weston	4356	+7
76	Rowan	4195	+20
77	Christian	4125	-4
78	Theo	4122	+21
79	Beau	4090	+11
80	Eli	4081	-11
81	Silas	4070	+7
82	Jonathan	4066	-3
83	Ryan	4020	-9
84	Leonardo	4012	-9
85	Walker	4006	-7
86	Jaxon	3918	-19
87	Micah	3875	+2
88	Everett	3808	-7
89	Robert	3807	-5
90	Enzo	3796	+31; NEW
91	Parker	3792	+3
92	Jeremiah	3750	+1
93	Jose	3704	-7
94	Colton	3696	-3
95	Luka	3650	+22; NEW
96	Easton	3637	-16
97	Landon	3637	-10
98	Jordan	3632	-6
99	Amir	3620	+14; NEW
100	Gael	3616	+4; NEW

Data from the Social Security Administration

Here are the 100 most popular names given to baby girls in 2023:

Rank	Name	# of Babies	Change in Rank
1	Olivia	15270	0
2	Emma	13527	0
3	Charlotte	12596	0
4	Amelia	12311	0
5	Sophia	11944	0
6	Mia	10808	+2
7	Isabella	11359	-1
8	Ava	9682	-1
9	Evelyn	9082	0
10	Luna	7811	0
11	Harper	7769	0
12	Sofia	7641	+1
13	Camila	7565	-1
14	Eleanor	6739	+2
15	Elizabeth	6566	0
16	Violet	6342	+4
17	Scarlett	6288	-3
18	Emily	6154	-1
19	Hazel	6154	+8
20	Lily	6146	+10
21	Gianna	6129	+1
22	Aurora	6054	+9
23	Penelope	6041	-2
24	Aria	5996	-1
25	Nora	5994	+3
26	Chloe	5960	-7
27	Ellie	5951	+6
28	Mila	5895	-10
29	Avery	5859	-3
30	Layla	5678	-1
31	Abigail	5661	-7
32	Ella	5643	-7
33	Isla	5357	+2
34	Eliana	5329	+8
35	Nova	5248	-3
36	Madison	5160	-2
37	Zoe	5160	+1
38	Ivy	5036	+3
39	Grace	4886	-3
40	Lucy	4858	+8
41	Willow	4670	-4
42	Emilia	4670	+2
43	Riley	4617	-4
44	Naomi	4456	+2
45	Victoria	4434	-2
46	Stella	4357	-6
47	Elena	4261	+2
48	Hannah	4102	-1
49	Valentina	4075	+8
50	Maya	4067	+1
51	Zoey	4040	-6
52	Delilah	4031	+6
53	Leah	3953	-1
54	Lainey	3928	+120; NEW
55	Lillian	3927	-5
56	Paisley	3727	-3
57	Genesis	3651	+8
58	Madelyn	3632	+2
59	Sadie	3586	+9
60	Sophie	3578	+3
61	Leilani	3543	-2
62	Addison	3520	-8
63	Natalie	3418	-8
64	Josephine	3347	+6
65	Alice	3336	-1
66	Ruby	3333	-4
67	Claire	3195	-1
68	Kinsley	3188	-7
69	Everly	3159	-12
70	Emery	3104	-12
71	Adeline	3074	+22
72	Kennedy	3069	+2
73	Maeve	3046	+30; NEW
74	Audrey	3032	-7
75	Autumn	3001	-4
76	Athena	2984	+2
77	Eden	2924	+40; NEW
78	Iris	2921	+6
79	Anna	2918	+4
80	Eloise	2916	+6
81	Jade	2908	+7
82	Maria	2893	+9
83	Caroline	2859	-6
84	Brooklyn	2850	-12
85	Quinn	2846	-12
86	Aaliyah	2845	-17
87	Vivian	2801	+17; NEW
88	Liliana	2787	+9
89	Gabriella	2782	0
90	Hailey	2776	-10
91	Sarah	2749	+4
92	Savannah	2739	-16
93	Cora	2738	-18
94	Madeline	2726	+8; NEW
95	Natalia	2717	-16
96	Ariana	2716	-6
97	Lydia	2716	-4
98	Lyla	2651	+7; NEW
99	Clara	2648	+11; NEW
100	Allison	2641	+1; NEW

Data from the Social Security Administration

The newest names to the Top 100 are:

Boys: Thiago, Enzo, Luka, Amir, Gael
Girls: Lainey, Maeve, Eden, Vivian, Madeline, Lyla, Clara, Allison

The names that exited the Top 100 are:

Boys: Adam, Xavier, Nicholas, Greyson, Jameson
Girls: Aubrey, Bella, Skylar, Ayla, Serenity, Nevaeh, Everleigh, Raelynn

Thiago, Enzo, and Amir are all names I predicted would hit the boys’ Top 100. I’m kicking myself for not seeing Luka since Luca has been so trendy! For the girls, I correctly anticipated Maeve and Lyla. Another prediction, Millie, landed just outside the Top 100 at #102!

The name that absolutely shocks me is Lainey. I’m betting no name nerds had this one on their Top 100 predictions…she ranked #174 in 2022, which means she jumped #120 places (!!!) to fall in at #54 in 2023. Guys, that just doesn’t happen very often! Over 2,220 more girls were named Lainey in 2023 than in 2022, which is baby name insanity! Actually, usage more than doubled. I think Lainey wins the new “it name” award!

All 5 of the girls names I predicted would drop out of the Top 100 did: Aubrey, Bella, Skylar, Serenity, and Nevaeh. What I didn’t anticipate is that there would be 8 new girls’ names on the list, which seems like a lot! Everleigh surprises me a little because it’s been trendy for a few years. Maybe Everly/Everleigh’s a flash-in-the-pan? Nicholas and Greyson were my correctly predicted exits on the boys’ side.

Something else I’m noticing is that it seems like there’s more volatility in the charts this year. Maybe it’s normal and I just didn’t notice it last year, but a lot of names I’d expect to thrive are flagging. Here are some of the fasted rising names last year, in terms of rank:

Boys:

Thiago: +43; NEW
Enzo: +31; NEW
Luka: +22; NEW
Theo: +21
Rowan: +20
Amir: +14; NEW
Miles: +13
Beau: +11
Ezra: +10
Bennett: +9

Girls:

Lainey: +120; NEW
Eden: +40; NEW
Maeve: +30; NEW
Adeline: +22
Vivian: +17; NEW
Clara: +11; NEW
Lily: +10
Aurora: +9
Liliana: +9
Maria: +9
Sophie: +9

And here are the fastest falling names, in terms of rank and including names that left the Top 100:

Boys:

Greyson: – 22; OUT
Jaxon: – 19
Jameson: – 18; OUT
Easton: – 16
Aiden: – 11
Eli: – 11
Nicholas: – 11; OUT
Landon: – 10
Lincoln: – 10
Wyatt: – 9

Girls:

Everleigh: – 49; OUT
Nevaeh: -24; OUT
Bella: – 21; OUT
Aubrey: – 20; OUT
Skylar: -20; OUT
Cora: -18
Aaliyah: -17
Natalia: – 16
Savannah: – 16
Brooklyn: – 12
Emery: – 12
Everly: – 12
Quinn: – 12
Raelynn: – 12; OUT
Hailey: – 10
Mila: – 10

What do you think about 2023’s Top 100 most popular baby names? Would you use any of them? What surprises you? Let me know!

P.S. – It feels like we’re in the midst of a major style shift, but it’s hard to put my finger on what’s happening to cause it. The most popular names *are* getting more cosmopolitan, but in many ways they’re also getting more traditional. Vintage names have been “in” for awhile, but I’m wondering if the economy has anything to do with it.

American Names · Analysis

Baby Name Predictions for the New 2023 U.S. Popularity Charts

May 9, 2024 Elizabeth1 Comment

OK, we’re probably just one day away from the biggest day in the naming community – the U.S. annual baby name data release! Each year, the Social Security Administration releases American baby name popularity lists just in time for Mothers’ Day. The Top 10 (and especially the #1) names get the most hype and news attention, and with good reason: these are the names you’re most likely to encounter on the playground or preschool class. These are the names that are popular across the country, mostly independent of regional preferences. They, along with the rest of the Top 100 most popular names, set the tone for American baby naming across the board.

For name nerds, Baby Name Release Day is our big holiday, akin to running downstairs on Christmas morning to open a giant mound of presents left by Santa. We eagerly anticipate this date all year long and spend the weekend pouring over data, looking for trends and intriguing new names. We’re not *only* interested in the Top 10 or Top 100. Since the SSA actually releases the Top 1000, we’re excited to see what names are newly popular or unexpectedly trending. We may also mourn the growing or shrinking popularity of favorite names, while gleefully cackling when names we secretly hate take a tumble. Meanwhile, how many of our predictions came true? Name Release Day is the Super Bowl for geeks. To parents, this is the chance to check their favorite names and decide whether popularity or rarity will change choices.

This year, I’m rather late to posting my predictions. I got married less than a month ago (!!!) and until about a week or two ago, I could barely even think about names. Ultimately, it was a beautiful wedding and more perfect than we ever could have imagined. Now that the stressful planning is over and I’ve had a chance to relax…it’s back to the names, just in time for one of my favorite days of the year!

So, without further ado, here are my predictions for tomorrow!

Top 10 Predictions for 2023:

Olivia (0)
Charlotte (+1)
Emma (-1)
Amelia (0)
Isabella (+1)
Sophia (-1)
Evelyn (+2)
Luna (+2)
Ava (-2)
Violet (+10)

Charlotte and Violet are both Bridgerton names, and 2023 saw a major Netflix spin-off for Queen Charlotte. Admittedly Violet is a dark horse candidate since she ranked #20 in 2022 but she ranked #35 in 2021, and frankly, I’m hearing this one everywhere. It’s a fast riser, and floral names are in this decade! I do think Olivia will stay at #1, though it may be her last year before Charlotte becomes the new “it” name for girls. Further down the line, I expect Luna or Violet will eventually peak at #1. If my 2023 predictions come true, Mia will fall out of the Top 10. Violet may be wishful thinking for 2023, but if not this year, then maybe 2024 or 2025.

As for the boys’ Top 10, I personally expect the following:

Liam (0)
Noah (0)
Oliver (0)
James (0)
Theodore (+5)
Elijah (-1)
Henry (0)
William (-2)
Mateo (+2)
Sebastian (+3)

The current popular boys’ names are steady, and I don’t see Liam dropping out of the #1 spot anytime soon. The biggest gainers near the Top 10 in 2022 were Theodore (which kept its rank of 10 from 2021 but saw a large increase in raw numbers), Mateo, and Sebastian; hence, I’ve included all three in my predictions. In this scenario, Lucas and Benjamin would leave the Top 10. I do think Levi is a back-up contender for the Top 10 as well, since he’s also recently seen some gains. Considering the trendiest boys’ names in the Top 30, Leo, Ezra, and maybe Luca are potential dark horse candidates.

What about the Top 100? I have my eyes on the following names for entry into the Top 100:

Girls: Maeve, Lyla, Juniper, Millie, Freya
Boys: Thiago, August, Amir, Enzo, Atlas

Today’s trendiest girls’ names are often distinctly feminine (i.e. Lyla and Freya), vintage (Millie), mythological (Freya), and/or nature-based (Juniper). My predicted boys’ names are international (Thiago, Amir, and Enzo), vintage (August), and mythological (Atlas). Atlas is additionally a character in It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, and Amir taps into a wider (albeit waning) trend towards royalty and title names like Reign and King (Amir means “prince” in Arabic).

The ones I expect will leave the Top 100 are:

Girls: Serenity, Nevaeh, Skylar, Bella, Aubrey
Boys: Nicholas, Greyson, Colton, Landon, Jeremiah

Most of those have a vibe from 10-20 years ago.

Then there are the Top 1000 predictions, which are the most fun for me. They’re definitely the hardest to predict though! So much depends on trends, but there are always pop culture wildcards nobody expects. Here are some names I have my eye on this year.

Girls: Agnes, Ailany, Amyra, Arden, Arisbeth, Arizbeth, Ayra, Beverly, Colbie, Darcy, Eleanora, Elouise, Elowen, Essence, Evelina, Etta, Indy, Lettie, Maelynn, Mazie, Memphis, Miller, Ruthie, Solana, Tallulah, Tilly, Viola, Violette, Winifred, Wrenleigh, Xena, Yuna, Yusra
Boys: Aizen, Aspen, Beck, Blaise, Boaz, Brett, Campbell, Coen, Cristiano, Decker, Dereck, Dhruv, Gianluca, Gus, Hollis, Jahmir, Jireh, Laith, Lev, Link, Mariano, Massimo, Mike, Ollie, Rishi, Rowdy, Shai, Teddy, Tiago, Veer, Wren, Zabdiel

This year I’m not going to predict exits from the Top 1000. When you get that far down the charts, anything can happen! I’m sure there are a few names I haven’t even considered that will teeter back and forth for a couple years.

Do you have any name predictions? Check back tomorrow to see which names make the cut!

Name Lists

Unique Baby Names for Spooky Season

October 24, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

The older I get, the more I appreciate Halloween. Although I don’t yet have any children of my own and can’t go trick-or-treating anymore (to be honest, I’m not huge on sweet foods or candy anyway!), I love the whole “Spooky Season” vibe. Why limit enjoyment of horror movies and pumpkin spiced anything to just *one* day? Whether it’s September, October, or November, I’m going to enjoy my hot apple cider, fall foliage, and scary stories. Though who says you have to even watch horror movies to partake? Dark Academia scratches the itch too. There are many ways to enjoy some Fall fun.

I’ve been racking my brains for unique and unusual baby name options for fans of Spooky Season. None of these names are currently in the U.S. Top 1000 baby names, though a couple of them might take off soon. Some are more usable than others…there are definitely a few I think should remain character or pet names…but I’ll let expecting parents be the judge of that!

Vampires:

Alucard is Dracula backwards and the main character of Hellsing, an anime. Alucard is also a character in the Castlevania game series. 19 boys were named Alucard in 2022.

Barnabas: Barnabas Collins is the 18th-century-born vampire and patriarch of the Collins family in the Dark Shadows universe. 13 boys were named Barnabas in 2022.

Bram: In honor of Dracula’s author, Abraham “Bram” Stoker. Just 30 boys were named Bram in 2022!

Carmilla: Although Carmilla looks like a variation of even misspelling of Camilla, it’s really the name of a famous vampire horror novel by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu. Carmilla predates Dracula (and influences that book) by some 25 years. 8 girls were named Carmilla in 2022.

Stoker: Bram Stoker’s surname is unheard of as a baby name, and no known children received it in 2022. This could be a fun, super-unique way of celebrating Spooky Season. A stoker is someone who stokes (feeds) a fire, which is a lovely association for babies born in colder months.

The Addams Family (and friends):

Tell me you heard the jingle in your head. Every few decades, we get a new rendition of our favorite “spooky” and “kooky” yet oddly wholesome family and obscure names. And if you’re as excited for the second season of Wednesday as I am, check out my list of names from the show!

Enid: An Arthurian name that probably means “soul” in the original Welsh, Enid is Wednesday’s roommate in the eponymous recent Netflix series. 28 American girls were named Enid in 2022.

Gomez: A variation on the medieval Portuguese name Gomes, no known babies were named Gomez last year. I’m sure some children have it for their last name, though!

Morticia: Even though Morticia sounds like “mortician,” the parents of 13 baby girls picked this fandom name last year.

Wednesday: “Wednesday’s child is full of woe…” I don’t think this name will be rare for much longer, but for now Wednesday still reigns well beneath the Top 1000. 97 girls were named Wednesday in 2022.

Books, Poetry, Movies, & TV:

Desdemona: Besides its sad Shakespearean connotations and maximalist flair, elegant Desdemona literally contains the word “demon” – perfect for Halloween! No known girls were named Desdemona last year, but it has a certain aesthetic that appeals to some parents.

Draco: With all the dragons featuring in pop culture, it’s a wonder Draco (“dragon” in Ancient Greek) isn’t more popular. Most of us probably associate Draco with the Harry Potter character, Draco Malfoy. 132 boys were named Draco in the U.S. in 2022.

Elvira: This is a vintage Spanish name best known to Americans via Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. It’s been out of the Top 1000 since the early 1980s, so if you love this name don’t worry about running into another Elvira on the playground! Only 67 girls received the name last year.

Hannibal: The name of an ancient Carthaginian general, an American Vice President, a famous comedian/celebrity…and a cannibal. Silence of the Lambs shows its age, but Hannibal Lecter is an enduring villain and most people’s primary association for the name. No known babies were named Hannibal in 2022.

Hermione: Harry Potter is often cited as an early example of Dark Academia, so bookish Hermione Granger’s unusual first name fits the vibe for Spooky Season. Other famous characters named Hermione include a queen in Shakespeare and the daughter of Helen in Greek Mythology. 115 girls were named Hermione in 2022, which is the most popular the name has ever been in the USA (that’s still quite rare though).

Ichabod: Ichabod Crane is the main character in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, the story that gave us the Headless Horseman. Irving didn’t invent the name; it’s a rare Biblical option with the unusual meaning of “without glory.” You won’t find any modern babies with this name, but I think “Icky” could be a cute nickname!

Lenore: Eleanor is one of the most popular baby names right now, but variant has yet to be revived substantially as just 76 girls received the name in 2022. Lenore is the subject of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven.

Malvolio: The name of a Shakespeare character, this means “ill will.” You might also like Marvolo, a similar name from Harry Potter. Neither is known as a recent baby name.

Poe: If Edgar is still too popular for you and you’re a fan of the writer, consider gender-neutral Poe! 6 baby boys were named Poe in 2022, but it works well for anyone.

Prynne: Hester Prynne is the main subject of The Scarlet Letter, the classic Nathaniel Hawthorne tale of adultery and intolerance in Puritan New England. Hester is unique itself – no known babies were named this old-fashioned variation of Esther in 2022 – but Prynne is equally unusual, fresher, and more modern.

Thackery: Remember Hocus Pocus? I imagine I thought his name was Zachary Binx for the longest time, but no, it’s Thackery Binx! Neither Thackery nor Binx boasts any known usage as a baby name, so if you’re worried about whether anyone else has a name you’d like for your own child…name away!

Winifred: This one might not be that unique for much longer since it’s experiencing a revival, but for now you can still enjoy the rarity of your favorite Sanderson sister’s name. 227 girls were named Winifred in 2022, which seems like a lot but really isn’t considering that the least popular name in the U.S. Top 1000 (Kahlani) was given to 260 girls. Far more girls are simply named Winnie, which was given to 502 girls!

Puritan Virtues:

Wait, Puritan virtue names? Aren’t those better for Thanksgiving? Well…yes, but there’s a reason why Salem, MA traditionally receives so much tourism around Halloween. Some virtues give off Dark Academia or horror vibes, too. On that last note, please resist any temptation to name any children Fear, Anger, or Humiliation (even if they *are* historical Puritan names) and reserve them for characters in your historical fiction or gothic horror stories.

Amity: Though this name means “friendship” and is a unique alternative to Amy, most people will probably think about the Amityville Horror. 61 girls were named Amity in 2022.

Lament: “Grieve.” Fits into a category of names with negative or sad meanings without being wholly unusable like Fear or Humiliation, which suggest a certain rabid violence. I do think Lament is probably best left as a character name, though.

Silence: Benjamin Franklin famously wrote letters under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood,” though I wonder if more people will think about Silence of the Lambs.

Solace: Solace means “comfort,” usually in the context of grief or distress. This one actually does enjoy a little usage among modern babies and is gender-neutral: 18 boys and 10 girls were named Solace in the U.S. last year.

Miscellaneous:

Belladonna: An elaborate, elegant name appealing to the maximalist aesthetic that’s best known for being a poisonous plant. 17 girls were named Belladonna last year.

Hemlock: Also a poisonous plant, this is not a known baby name but keep an eye out for the spelling Hemlocke in the next couple of years; hemlocke springs (yes, lowercase) is a trending new singer. There’s also the horror series Hemlock Grove, which aired from 2013-2015.

Mourning: Although this sounds like a Puritan name, it appeared throughout 18th century British America. I actually have one in my family tree.

Proserpina: The Roman form of Persephone is much less common than its Greek counterpart and sounds a lot like the word “serpent.” I’m not saying you should name your child after the basilisk, but snakes are definitely spooky!

Posthumous: Traditionally, this name was only used for children born after the death of their fathers, i.e., posthumously. This is best reserved for fictional characters.

Pumpkin: Jack is a Top 100 baby name, so why not skip straight to the pumpkin? It’d sure be cute.

Sorrow – I’ve seen a few babies named Sparrow. Sorrow has a similar sound, but goth parents may appreciate it more!

Can you think of any other unusual baby names that are appropriate for Spooky Season? Do you have any favorites? What do you think of the ones on my list? Let me know!

(P.S. I created the featured image visible from the homepage via AI, which is my first time ever using that technology for creative purposes. I typed in something like “fall leaves pumpkins gothic dark academia” and this dreary autumnal illustration is what it came up with. Just the vibe I was looking for…impressive!).

Name Lists

Beach-Inspired Baby Names

July 13, 2023July 12, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

Summertime means beach time. Whether you enjoy sipping tropical drinks on the shore, catching some waves, or taking in the natural beauty, you probably associate hot, sunny weather with trips to the ocean. Perhaps you prefer hanging out on the banks of a river or diving into a cool, clear lake. As long as you love beaches, it doesn’t matter where you go to enjoy them. And if you take your naming inspiration from the world around you, you’re probably looking for options.

In honor of the season, here’s a selection of names inspired by the beach! These maritime monikers are sure to delight.

Amphitrite: Pronounced “am-phuh-TRY-tee,” this is a unique Ancient Greek girls’ name often given to ships in more modern times. In mythology, Amphitrite was the mother of Triton through her marriage to the sea god Poseidon and was herself a deity representing salt water or seawater. If she’s Triton’s mom…does that mean she’s Ariel’s grandmother?
Ariel: We’re all thinking about The Little Mermaid right now, and who doesn’t love mermaids? Thanks to the new movie, expect Ariel to spike in the 2023 charts from its current 2022 ranking of #237.
Bay: 12 girls were named Bay in 2022. Even at its peak in 2014, it’s never been given to more than 75 girls and a smaller handful of boys. Though if Bay is too similar to popular Bailey or Baylor for you, consider naming your child after your favorite bay directly. I personally like Chessie as a stand-in for Chesapeake. On that note, Old Bay seasoning makes for a pretty great food namesake…just leave out the “old” part.
Beach only charted in the U.S. birth data once for 5 men born in 1915. Try it as a nickname for Beecher or Beauchamp! Alternatively, you may prefer Beech if you enjoy tree names.
Coral is rare though familiar and less popular than Coraline. 116 girls were named Coral last year, though for something even more unique try Coralie (48 girls) or Coralia (fewer than 5 babies).
Cove: 132 boys and 80 girls were named Cove in 2022, a trendy minimalist option making the rounds on baby naming social media. Use it now before it really takes off!
Gal / Gali: You’ve probably heard of Gal through Gal Gadot, the actress who starred in Wonder Woman. Gal is a Hebrew name meaning “wave,” while Gali means “my wave.” 16 American girls were named Gal, 10 Gali, and 6 Galit in 2022.
Isla: When pronounced the Spanish way (EES-luh), this name means “island.” I’d wager most Anglophones pronounce it like “EYE-luh,” however. Isla ranks #35 as of 2022.
Kai: One translation for Kai (and there are many!) is “sea,” when derived from Hawaiian. Kai ranks #59 for baby boys and #790 for infant girls.
Key: Not currently in use. I’m thinking of the Florida Keys…and Kokomo!
Lake: When you can’t get to the ocean, the lake is probably your next best bet for a beach trip. Lake was given to 54 girls and 99 boys in 2022. It’s so similar to Blake that I’m surprised it’s not more popular! That said, inspired variants Lakelyn and Lakelynn were both new to the U.S. Top 1000 this year.
Marina: A marina is both a shoreline locale to dock your boats and an old Roman name meaning “of the sea.” Marius and Marinus are traditional men’s forms of Marina. .
Moana: The Disney character’s fitting name derives from Polynesian languages and refers to a “wide expanse of water,” namely the ocean! 44 girls were named Moana in 2022.
Navy: Also a color, this ranks #478 for girls in the U.S.
Ocean / Oceana / Oceane / Oceanus : Ocean is a popular gender-neutral choice for both boys (#604) and (#759) girls, but its longer alternatives are still unusual. Nor is Ocean necessarily strictly a modern name – it’s the English form of a Greek god’s name, Oceanus. Oceanus itself was the name of the only child born on the Mayflower voyage.
Reef: 61 boys and 7 girls were named Reef in 2022.
Rio: This Spanish and Portuguese form of River only recently became a trendy choice stateside, likely thanks to Money Heist. It ranks #561 for boys, though a decent number of babies (118 in 2022) named Rio are girls. I wonder how many of those are named after the Duran Duran song, however long ago it came out? And I’d bet quite a few children are named after Rio de Janeiro, considering the ongoing trendiness of place names.
River: This fantastic gender-neutral option is about to reach the U.S. Top 100 for boys, and it looks like it isn’t far behind for baby girls. Current rank: #105 for boys, #150 for girls.
Sailor: I can’t talk about beach names without mentioning Sailor! Sailboats might not be on the beach, but you can watch them glide by…or vice versa. This spelling is still fairly rare, but Saylor with a ‘y’ ranks #207 for girls. Could it be this generation’s Taylor?
Sandy: These days, Sandy is an uncommon unisex baby name. If you prefer it as a nickname, consider swoonworthy Lysander and Lysandra!
Shell: Not currently in use, and Shelly / Shelley is rare for new babies (just 28 and 6 girls, respectively). Michelle is a modern classic, making its place in the Top 1000 for nearly a century. For a boy, Shell is a good nickname for Dashiell, Sheldon, and Michael.
Shore: Not in use, which means it’s perfect for beach-loving parents who enjoy unique names that nobody else has. My only suggestion is to avoid using this name if you pronounce “shore” the same way as you say “sure.”
Thalassa: From a Greek word meaning “sea.” Thalassa only charted in the birth stats once in 1977 for 6 women. Fans of Romance novels may be familiar with author Laura Thalassa.
Undine comes from a Latin word meaning “wave.” This isn’t currently in use, though French variation Ondine was given to 9 baby girls in the U.S. last year.
Waverly: A popular choice for girls that nods to the sea while fitting perfectly on any playground without another thought. Waverly currently ranks #750 for girls nationally, but rare Wave was given to just 15 boys and 6 girls in 2022.

What are your favorite beach-inspired names?

American Names · Classic, Old, and Traditional Names · Name Lists

Unusual Names of Revolutionary War Veterans from Virginia

July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

Happy 4th of July!

Several months ago, I went into my favorite used bookstore and acquired a volume called “Revolutionary Soldiers and Sailors of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” which lists Virginia veterans who received “land bounty warrants” in the late 1700s after the American Revolution’s end. I love genealogical resources like this not just for the historical research potential but for the names! Books like this one are a goldmine for character and baby name inspiration…and to be completely honest, occasional snarking! Because of data limitations in the Social Security Administration birth database (which only extends to 1880) and the Census along with spotty records elsewhere and who knows what else, it’s challenging to conduct name research in certain eras and areas of the United States. And let’s face it, we don’t see very many widely-circulating lists of baby names before the Victorian era unless they’re poking fun at New England Puritans or (most recently) 18th-century Quakers.

Here is a list of unusual, unique, and occasionally weird or hilarious first names worn by Virginian veterans of the American Revolution! I don’t list surnames unless the full name is amusing (i.e., Hammer Tear) or tickles my fancy (i.e., Stapleton Crutchfield). I’ve kept spellings the same as listed in the book with one exception**, though I will note if another spelling is more standard and I do list variations. Anyway, If you’re looking for baby boys’ names from the 1700s, this list might just be for you!

Absalom (x3) / Absolom
Achilles – This one is only semi-unusual today, but it probably wasn’t too common for English-speakers in the 1700s.
Addison
Alben
Albion – he was a Jr
Albridgton
Alman
Anderson (x2)
Angus (x2)
Anselin
Appoles
Aquilla / Acquilla – Aquila is now the standard spelling. This is an ancient Roman name meaning ‘eagle,’ though the probable namesake is an Aquila in the New Testament.
Archelaus (x2) – Rare Biblical and Greek mythological name.
Aries / Aris
Armand
Armstead (x4) – Full name of one was Armstead Long.
Artaxerxes** – Transcribed as Artax’s in accordance with the original document. Interestingly, I found another 18th-century Artaxerxes in England!
Arton
Baker (x2) – One’s last name was Angel. He was a sailor – Baker Angel the sailor. Love it!
Ballard
Bardill
Barker – Full name Barker Minter. Sounds like a command: “Bark her! Mint her!” Like ‘take the bark off a tree and mint it into coinage,’ which is amusingly nonsensical.
Barnabas (x2) – Barnabas Mars was the delightful full name of one.
Barney – Even the past can’t escape the purple dinosaur.
Bartholomew (x3)
Bartlett (x2)
Bassil – Perhaps a variation of Basil, or maybe a surname?
Baxter
Bazaleel – Usual spelling is Bezaleel. Biblical.
Benone (x2) – Variation of Benoni, the birth name of Benjamin in the Bible.
Beriah – Biblical
Berry – Full name Berry Carroll, which sounds a lot like Chuck Berry reversed!
Beverley (x3) / Beverly
Bluett – Full name Bluett Pasteur.
Bolling / Bowling – Bolling’s last name was Bolton. Talk about alliteration!
Boswell (x2)
Bradock
Bucham
Buckner
Burdett
Burgess (x2) – Probably started as a surname, but the House of Burgesses was Colonial Virginia’s governing body
Burtus – Full name Burtus Ringo.
Burwell (x2) – One was evidently related to someone named Ludwell, both names intertwined with connections of the Bacon family.
Cadwallader – Full name Cadwallader Jones. Cadwalader / Cadwaladr is an old Welsh name that means “battle leader.”
Caley
Calis
Callohill – Add that to the list of names starting with Cal!
Calvert
Carey
Casper
Chiswell
Churchill (x2)
Clairborne (x4) / Clairbourn / Claiborne / Clairborn – Though Clairborne was the most frequent spelling, Claiborne is the standard spelling.
Clanders
Clem
Clement (x3)
Cleon
Clough
Coldrop – When you have a cold and you slur your words while asking for medicine.
Conrod – Could be a variation of Conrad, a surname, or both.
Conway
Cosby
Craven – This word means “cowardly.”
Custus
Dabney
Dade (x2)
Darby (x2)
Darmon
Dedrick
Demsy
Dinwiddi – The usual spelling is Dinwiddie, as in Robert Dinwiddie or Dinwiddie County.
Drury (x8) – This isn’t the first time I’ve seen multiple people named Drury in early Virginia records, which leads me to believe it was relatively common in the 18th century (at least regionally) and is simply one of those archaic, forgotten baby names that’s dwindled to extinction. Possible meanings, derived from Old French, are “sweetheart” (in the romantic sense), “love,” and “loved one.”
Dudley
Ebenezer
Eliazer
Eliphalet
Elkanah
Eneas – Variation of Aeneas, the titular character of The Aeneid.
Enoch / Enock
Epaphroditus – Full name Epaphroditus Rudder. This is another one of those Greek-derived obscure New Testament names!
Ephraim
Eppa – Elsewhere I see a woman Eppa listed as an heiress. I suspect in the man’s case it could be a nickname for Ephraim.
Erasmus
Euclid
Evans – Full name Evans Long.
Everard
Evert
Ewel
Falvey
Farral
Ferdinand
Ferguson
Fielding
Florence
Fortunatus (x2) – This time, we have a Roman-derived obscure New Testament namesake. These gentlemen’s full names were Fortunatus Pope (amazing!) and Fortunatus Sydnor!
Frizzel – Makes me think of the Magic School Bus
Gaines
Garrott – Garrett is a lovely-sounding name. Garrott looks like “garotte,” which is violent.
Giles
Gilson
Godfrey
Goodrich
Granville
Green – May be two
Griffith (x2)
Gustavus
Hack – Full name Hack Poplar. Hacking a tree is ill-advised.
Hamilton
Hamlin (x2)
Hammer – Full name Hammer Tear.
Hardy
Hardyman
Harmon
Haynes
Henly
Hensley
Herbert
Higgins
Hildry
Holland
Holman (x2)
Hopewell – Hopewell Hull
Horatio – Horatio Gates was a famous general during the war, and incidentally, the single Horatio listed. Horatio is the Shakespearean English version of an old Roman name.
Howson
Hughes
Hutchens
Humphrey (x2)
Ironmonger – Full name Ironmonger Major; he was a private. Ironmonger appears to be a family surname.
Isham (x7) – An old surname baby name related to the area of Isham, Northamptonshire in England. Pronounce this “ish-um,” no matter how tempted you may be to say “is-Ham.” Might make a good name for a pet pig!
Iverson
Javan
Jeduthin / Jidethan – Jeduthun is an obscure Bible name. I found an early Congressman from New England named Jeduthun Wilcox.
Job
Justinian – Justinian Cartwright
Larkin (x5)
Laughlin – Think Lachlan or McLaughlin, not “laugh line.”
Leander
Lemuel (x2)
Leven
Lindsay
Lipscomb – Not to be pronounced “lips comb,” the true “lips come” pronunciation sounds even worse! Once distinguished and now vaguely vulgar, I suspect this isn’t even suitable as a middle name now.
Littleberry (x5) – One may be related to someone named Poindexter!
Littleton – Full name Littleton Cockrell.
Lodwick (x2) / Lodowick (x2) – I’m actually familiar with this name as I have a Lodwick in my own family tree, but I’ve never figured out if it’s related to Ludwig or if it’s some kind of surname.
Lot – Full name Lot Harcum. The story of Lot in Genesis is, well, a lot. Thankfully, I think (and hope) today’s parents have better sense than to name their children after incest.
Low
Ludwell (x3) – One was related to Burwell Bacon. There may have been a third Ludwell in the form of Lud. Philip Huffman.
Mace
Machen – German verb meaning “to make” or “to do.”
Mackness – Full name Mackness Bowman, which sounds like a village archer. I wonder…is Mackness a surname, or perhaps a variation of Magnus?
Mag
Mahlon
Major (x5) – Four were privates. One was a Sergeant, known in full by Major Lipscomb.
Mallory
Manlove
Markham – Full name Markham Marshall
Marks / Markes
Marquis
Massey
Maximillion (x2)
Mayo – I also spotted this as a middle name later on.
Meredith (x2)
Micajah (x2) – Biblical name that sometimes shortens to Cage.
Millington
Moody – Hmm
Moore
Mordecai – could be 2
Mosby
Moss
Mourning (x3) – One’s full name was Mourning Hay. I’ve spotted this on women too, so Mourning may have been the 1700s equivalent of a gender-neutral baby name. I’ve often wondered if it was a name used in cases when the father died before the birth or in similar grief situations. Nameberry mentions that the name was also used among enslaved Americans in the 1800s.
Munacan
Nabas
Newton
Ning
Notley
Obedience – Virginia isn’t famous for Puritan names, but the locally-preferred religious names still occasionally got hardcore.
Opie
Osburn
Otway
Peregrine – Possibly the same person as Perregrine.
Peyton
Philemon
Phillison
Pitman
Pleasant – This would be more pleasant if his full name weren’t Pleasant Cocke. Yes, that was his name!
Pratt
Presley (x6) / Presly
Pridaux
Radford
Raley
Randolph
Rawleigh
Read
Reaps – Reaps Mitchell
Redman
Rhodius
Rice – Looks like food, but when derived from the surname it’s a variation on Rhys or Reese.
Richardson
Roberson
Rodham (x5)
Rowland (x2)
Royal – Ironic; he fought the royals.
Rush – Full name Rush Hudson, which sounds like a 1950s movie star!
Sabred – A sabre is a type of sword. Does this mean he had a brother named “Stabbed?”
Sacker
Sampson
Sanders
Sawney – Full name Sawney Whistlor
Seaton
Segismond
Severn
Shadrack (x4) / Shadrach – Biblical
Shapleigh – Full name Shapleigh Waddy. Shapleigh is probably phonetic, but it’s funnier if you say it like “shapely.”
Sherod
Sherwood
Silvanus – Full name Silvanus Stokes.
Simmons
Southy
Spillsby
Stacey
Stapleton – Full name Stapleton Crutchfield. Sounds like a literary romantic hero!
Strother (x2)
Swann
Sydnor
Taliaferro – Note: The traditional pronunciation for Taliaferro is Tolliver. It’s an old Italian surname that’s been in Virginia since the 1600s, and just as the English get “Chumley-Fanshaw” from Cholmondeley-Featherstonhaugh, Virginians got Tolliver from Taliaferro. Nowadays you hear two very distinct pronunciations.
Tandy
Tapley
Tarlton (x2)
Tarpley
Thaddely – Full name Thaddely Kelly…it rhymes?
Theodorick (x2) – In case Theodore gets too popular for you! Note that Theodorick and Theodore are completely different names; Theodorick is the English spelling of Theodoric, a Gothic name that means “ruler of the people,” while Theodore is a Greek name that means “gift from God.” Today, Derek and Terry are probably the most popular forms of Theodoric.
Thompson
Thornberry – Full name Thornberry Bowling, which sounds like a new sport. Alternatively, it makes me think of Nigel Thornberry!
Tilman (x2)
Underwood
Uriah
Valentine (x4)
Venct
Warner
Warrington
Watts
Weedon
Wellcome – Full name Wellcome Miller
West
Westerbrook
Whitehead – Like a pimple?
Whitfield
Williamson (x2)
Williby – We’re more familiar with Willoughby now.
Willis (x2) – including a Willis Wilson
Wilmore – Full name Wilmore Wail.
Windel
Windsor
Winslow
Womack (x2)
Wright
Yancy
Zaddock
Zebediah
Zenas
Zephaniah

These were almost certainly all men, though occasionally I’d spot a woman’s name when someone inherited from or represented the named soldier. Ephemia and Theodocia were interesting.

My favorite name combination here is Fortunatus Pope, but Pleasant Cocke is all kinds of (unfortunately) funny. There are some more “normal-sounding” names that also gave me a chuckle:

Austin Lawless – Makes me think of Texas cowboys or Wild West lawlessness.
Richard Long
Tucker Rest – “Tuck her rest?” “Tuck Arrest?”
John Conner
Robert Flippin – Shorten to “Bob” and you get “Bob Flippin,” like flipping one’s hair.
Richard Joy

Overall, most of the soldiers bore timeless names like William and James, while others frequently had semi-common names like Archibald, Obadiah, and Reuben. Biblical names were fairly popular, and occasionally parents combined religious learning with Classical Mythology to name their sons epic oddities like Epaphroditus. And if this list is anything to go by, the 18th century was a popular time for “last names as first names.” Some things never change!

What are your favorite names from this list? And once again, happy 4th!

Source: Wilson, Samuel M. 1913. Catalogue of Revolutionary Soldiers and Sailors of the Commonwealth of Virginia to whom Land Bounty Warrants Were Granted by Virginia for Military Services in the War for Independence. Originally published in Year Book of the Kentucky Society Sons of the Revolution in 1913 and last reprinted in 1993 for Clearfield Company, Inc., by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. of Baltimore, MD.

Name Lists

Unique Summer-Inspired Baby Names

June 21, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

Happy Summer! If you live in the Northern Hemisphere as I do, June 21st marks the Summer Solstice, a.k.a. the longest day of the year. I live for long days and short nights, so this solstice is always bittersweet. The days just get shorter from here!

Speaking of the word solstice – did you know that Solstice is a baby name? It’s incredibly rare, but according to U.S. baby name stats the parents of 17 baby girls and 9 infant boys chose Solstice as their child’s first name in 2022. Some parents may time the name according to the biannual event, though I know of at least one child named Solstice whose name does not exactly line up with the solstice.

Solstice is a unique seasonal choice for babies born in early summer (or winter!). What are some other unique summer-inspired baby names? For parents of June, July, August, and early September babies, this name list is for you!

Summer meanings:

Esta is similar to the Latin aestas (“summer”) and aestivalis (“related to summer”). Esti is an option for something slightly more familiar.
Somerled is an old English name of Norse origin meaning “summer wanderer.” You might also like one of its Scottish forms, Sorley.
Summerfield is a distinguished surname that literally means “summer field.”
Summerlyn: Names ending in -Lynn and -Lyn are all the rage, but most parents haven’t heard of Summerlyn! Just 8 girls received this name in the U.S. last year.
Suvi is a Finnish name meaning “summer.” This is a great option for fans of Lumi, another Finnish name that means “snow.”

June and August are popular baby names pertaining to the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, but here are some more unusual choices:

Junia: June is wildly trendy, but Junia (pronounced like June + EE-uh or June + EYE-uh) is a rare Roman name most associated with a mysterious early Christian mentioned in the New Testament.
July: Named after Julius Caesar, July is one of the few unusual “Jul-” names. July is a direct way to honor a Julia or Julian without banging into the the Top 100 or Top 1000. A gender-neutral option, July was given to just 22 boys and 14 girls last year.
Augusta: August is a popular gender-neutral baby name, but only a handful of children receive this stately Roman name each year. For something even rarer, try Augustina!
September: Though we associate September more with autumn, the first few weeks technically belong to the summer. If you don’t feel like naming a child after the month directly, consider the related Latin Septima or Septimus. Something to note, though: September, Septima, and Septimus come from a word meaning “seven” because it used to be the seventh month of the year!

Birth Flowers:

Rosaline: one of the birth flowers for June is the Rose, which is a much more popular baby name than rare, exquisite Rosaline. Rosalind and Rosamund are beautiful options too!
Honey: Honeysuckle is the other June birth flower, though it might be a little much compared to Honey.
Larkspur: July’s birth flower. It easily shortens to equally gorgeous Lark!
Delphine is a more approachable name than Delphinium, the Latin name for the Larkspur…though let’s be honest, I love the idea of a baby Delphinium!
Gladiolus: One of August’s birth flowers. Gladys and Claudia may be more accessible.
Poppaea: August’s other birth flower is the Poppy. Poppaea is an unrelated Roman name, though the name is far more unique.
Aster is a September birth flower. If maximalist baby names are more your thing, consider Astraea or Astoria.
Glory comes from Morning Glory, the other September birth flower. Gloriana is also an unusual choice. Just don’t name a real child Morning Glory in full!

Birthstones:

Pearline: Pearl is the birthstone for June. Pearline is an extinct vintage variation of the name that is ripe for revival! Other possibilities for rare names with “pearl” meanings include Spanish Perlina, Hebrew Margalit, and English Margalo.
Rubeus: Ruby is July’s birthstone. Also try Rubina!
Perry: Peridot is an August birthstone. You may also love Peregrine or Percival as formal options for Perry.
Dottie is another nod to Peridot! Dorothy and Dorothea are traditional long forms.
Sardonyx sounds rather like a Pokemon character, but in fact it’s an August birthstone. Onyx is the obvious nickname choice (Sardonyx is red Onyx), but it’s getting popular with a current national rank of #355 for baby boys. Sardonyx, on the other hand? Nobody’s using it!
Sapphira: Sapphire, September’s birthstone, was a brand new name to the American Top 1000 in 2022. Sapphira is still unusual though, and only 47 girls received the name last year (Sapphire was given to 300).

Do you have a favorite unique summer-inspired baby name? Is there another one you’d add to my list? Let me know! And if you’re wondering about aquatic or beach-themed names…those are next!

American Names · Analysis · Name Lists

New and Out: Changes to the U.S. Top 1000 in 2022

May 16, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

The United States baby name data-reveal arrived Friday, May 12th. Name writers, consultants, and enthusiasts everywhere are ecstatic! We have a whole new set of names to play with, and it gives us better a chance to predict the end results for the current year. Until next Mother’s Day weekend…

Last week, I published my list of predictions for the 2022 Top 1000. It’s always tricky to determine which names will rise or fall. There simply isn’t enough time in the day to engage with every possible pop culture phenomenon, for one! Names can also be surprisingly erratic and fickle at the bottom of the top. Multiple spellings may dampen the impact of the starter name. Some names fall faster than others, which means a name that isn’t getting more common usage-wise is getting more popular in the ranks. Then, you have all the names that are so close to the Top 1000 that they just, well, reenter! Finally, I didn’t account for the names that were new or returning to the Top 1000 in 2021 that fell out in 2022, since there’s simply little way to know what they’ll do in that scenario!

According to data from the Social Security Administration, the following names reached the Top 1000 most popular baby names in the U.S. in 2022. The bolded names are the names I correctly predicted would either arrive or go; name predictions are never an exact science. Anyways, here are the links for my boys’ names and girls’ names predictions if you’d like to see my thought processes and what didn’t make it!

New Boys’ Names:

Asaiah, Atharv, Aurelio, Cartier, Cedric, Chosen, Crue, Darwin, Dion, Duncan, Dutton, Eren, Ezrah, Imran, Ivaan, Jairo, Jrue, Kaisen, Kaizen, Kamryn, Kanan, Karim, Kayce, Khaza, Koen, Kolson, Kooper, London, Lux, Marlon, Meir, Murphy, Rhodes, Ryatt, Sevyn, Shmuel, Stone, Teo, Terry, Waylen, Westyn, Yael, Yahya, Zen, Zamir

New Girls’ Names:

Aadhya, Amayah, Amiri, Araya, Arlet, Belle, Carla, Casey, Cielo, Elisabeth, Elowyn, Emiliana, Georgina, Inaya, Jream, Keily, Kenia, Lakelyn, Lakelynn, Laylani, Lenora, Lisa, Lottie, Love, Luz, Maddie, Maisy, Marigold, Meilani, Nathalia, Neriah, Nori, Rosalina, Rowyn, Saanvi, Sapphire, Sarahi, Scottie, Sol, Tru, Winona, Wrenlee, Xyla, Yamileth, Yasmin, Zhuri

Some (possible) explanations for the new names:

Dutton and Kayce are heavily associated with Yellowstone. I believe Kayce is pronounced like “Casey.” Interestingly, Casey is back for girls and Kacey is out for boys.
Zen, Rhodes, Love, and Nori are celebrity baby names. Now that I think about it, I think Dutton may be too…
Jrue Holiday is a basketball player who has a daughter named Jrue too.
Sevyn is a character in The Hate U Give.
Waylen, Westyn, Ezrah, and Koen are (respectively) used as alternate spellings to the trending names Waylon, Weston, Ezra and Cohen, though Koen is technically a Dutch nickname for Conrad/Koenraad.
I’m not sure what’s causing the simultaneous popularity of Kaizen and Kaisen, but two things come to mind: a manga/anime called Jujutsu Kaisen and the word kaizen.
Elowyn is the most common spelling of Elowen, a Cornish nature name that’s been internet popular for years now. Elowen is still technically rare, though it feels a lot more common when you combine all the spelling variants together. 315 girls were named Elowyn, while 211 were named Elowen, and there are more alternates.
Laylani is a variation of Leilani, a popular Hawaiian name that ranks #59 nationally. Names ending in -Lani are ultratrendy thanks not just to Leilani but Kehlani, a musician’s eponym.
Maisy, Rowyn, Wrenlee, and Zhuri are variants of Maisie, Rowan, Wrenley, and Zuri.
Winona was revived by Winona Ryder and her role in Stranger Things.
Lottie and Scottie are part of a wider trend towards nicknames, though Lottie also has Charlotte’s popularity (#3 in the country!) to thank.
Marigold was a baby name in Downton Abbey that’s become trendy at just the right time.

Something I do want to note about a few of the names I just mentioned is the potential for offense when used outside of their original cultures (a.k.a. cultural appropriation, which especially impacts historically marginalized peoples). Winona and Leilani are indigenous names (Winona is Native American of Dakota or Sioux origin), while Cohen is a sacred Jewish surname. I personally can’t speak to how people feel about others using the first two names, but as someone converting to Judaism, I can tell you that many Jewish people are deeply offended about the wide non-Jewish use of Cohen, Kohen, and even Koen as baby names. Cohen/Kohen is a priestly title referring to a very specific group of people who sometimes (depending on the religious branch) still have important roles and rules within the community. Some people also consider gentiles naming a child Ezra as cultural appropriation, though I think that has more to do with baby names that are traditional and popular within the Jewish community; compared and contrasted, almost no Jewish person would ever name their own child Cohen.

Here are the names that left the Top 1000:

Exiting Boys’ Names:

Adrien, Aydin, Bishop, Blaine, Bowie, Branson, Carl, Cory, Crosby, Davion, Deandre, Dimitri, Dominik, Elon, Ephraim, Fox, Granger, Graysen, Genesis, Howard, Jabari, Jacoby, Jair, Jakobe, Jamal, Jaxtyn, Jesiah, Juelz, Kace, Kacey, Kamdyn, Karsyn, Kody, Kole, Kristopher, Kyng, Landry, Maurice, Mordechai, Palmer, Ronnie, Turner, Ulises, Yaakov, Yadiel

Exiting Girls’ Names:

Aarna, Aarya, Addisyn, Addyson, Aiyana, Aniya, Austyn, Braylee, Clare, Clarissa, Crystal, Ellen, Ellison, Etta, Frida, Giavanna, Haylee, Ingrid, Jaycee, Jaylee, Jaylene, Jaylin, Kailey, Kaisley, Kathleen, Kiera, Kimora, Kyleigh, Kynlee, Landry, Loyalty, Lyanna, Mazikeen, Meghan, Micah, Nataly, Paisleigh, Paityn, Raquel, Ryder, Sandra, Soraya, Tatiana, Tori, Zoie, Zola

What are some explanations these names leaving the Top 1000? Here are some of my thoughts:

Kacey is interesting because I actually predicted it to *enter* the Top 1000, but here we see it leaving. The SSA data always changes slightly each year, which lends me to believe either we’re seeing the results of delayed birth certificates or name changes. I’m also surprised it didn’t reach higher in conjunction with Kayce, which is usually pronounced the same assuming a Yellowstone influence.
Jakobe is coming off a boost in conjunction with Kobe and similar names. Jacoby might also be part of this specific downswing.
Elon is closely associated with Elon Musk.
Howard, Maurice, Ingrid, Kathleen, and Sandra are generally considered classics but dated.
Landry fell out for both boys and girls! A few athletes are named Landry, though I think the main pop culture influence is probably Friday Night Lights, which is several years out since release.
Mazikeen is a character on Lucifer, which concluded in 2021.
Lyanna is from Game of Thrones. Some other names from the series actually got more popular in 2022 though, including Khaleesi and Yara. The new spin-off may be influencing some names in the main saga by keeping them fresh. We do know that Rhaenyra entered the SSA birth data for the first time this year!
Meghan is falling after a brief boost to this and Megan via Meghan Markle.

Do you have any favorite names in this list? Are there any other reasons you can think of why some names rose or fell? As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

American Names · Analysis

The Top 100 Baby Names in the United States

May 13, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

If you’re based in the United States, yesterday (Friday, May 12th) was the country’s baby name data release day! It’s a huge deal for namenerds and expecting parents alike, giving us a chance to learn the most up-to-date information about popular baby names. Parents who worry that their child will share their name with too many classmates sprint to these lists, while enthusiasts giddily check their predictions and look for major shifts in the data.

While I didn’t end up writing predictions for the Top 100, I still find them very interesting to review. These are names that are universally considered popular, even outside of the top 10. Literally thousands of babies each year receive Top 100 names; in 2022, the names ranking #100 were given (respectively) to 3580 boys and 2702 girls, while the names ranking #1 were given to 20,456 boys and 16,573 girls. Many Top 100 names are some degree of classic, while others are either modern standards or ultra-trendy. And generally, these are baby names that are popular throughout the country, even if most of them aren’t popular in every single state.

Here are the Top 100 baby boys’ names in 2022, including rank changes from 2021:

Rank	Name	Babies	Rank Change
1	Liam	20456	0
2	Noah	18621	0
3	Oliver	15076	0
4	James	12028	+1
5	Elijah	11979	-1
6	William	11282	0
7	Henry	11221	+2
8	Lucas	10909	0
9	Benjamin	10842	-2
10	Theodore	10754	0
11	Mateo	10321	+4
12	Levi	9786	0
13	Sebastian	9341	+6
14	Daniel	9047	+2
15	Jack	8889	-4
16	Michael	8829	+1
17	Alexander	8673	-4
18	Owen	8546	+4
19	Asher	8350	+6
20	Samuel	8342	+3
21	Ethan	8271	-1
22	Leo	8250	+9
23	Jackson	8070	-9
24	Mason	7988	-6
25	Ezra	7943	+12
26	John	7930	+1
27	Hudson	7883	+7
28	Luca	7803	+14
29	Aiden	7799	-3
30	Joseph	7771	-2
31	David	7741	-1
32	Jacob	7603	-8
33	Logan	7575	-12
34	Luke	7344	-2
35	Julian	7268	-2
36	Gabriel	7186	+2
37	Grayson	7148	-2
38	Wyatt	7144	-9
39	Matthew	7025	-3
40	Maverick	6991	+7
41	Dylan	6698	+3
42	Isaac	6691	-2
43	Elias	6684	+5
44	Anthony	6554	-1
45	Thomas	6465	+1
46	Jayden	6462	-5
47	Carter	6326	-8
48	Santiago	6017	+15
49	Ezekiel	5993	+4
50	Charles	5889	0
51	Josiah	5763	-2
52	Caleb	5739	-1
53	Cooper	5609	+15
54	Lincoln	5599	-9
55	Miles	5540	0
56	Christopher	5535	-4
57	Nathan	5520	+2
58	Isaiah	5360	-2
59	Kai	5343	+11
60	Joshua	5146	-2
61	Andrew	5124	-4
62	Angel	5065	+5
63	Adrian	5018	-2
64	Cameron	4939	-2
65	Nolan	4910	-5
66	Waylon	4897	+3
67	Jaxon	4828	-13
68	Roman	4706	+7
69	Eli	4664	-5
70	Wesley	4644	+15
71	Aaron	4496	-6
72	Ian	4473	+9
73	Christian	4442	-1
74	Ryan	4372	-8
75	Leonardo	4347	+12
76	Brooks	4336	+2
77	Axel	4318	+1
78	Walker	4232	+51 (NEW)
79	Jonathan	4175	-2
80	Easton	4143	-9
81	Everett	4100	+1
82	Weston	4090	+13
83	Bennett	4082	+7
84	Robert	4051	-5
85	Jameson	4050	-5
86	Landon	4007	-13
87	Silas	3996	+4
88	Jose	3990	+1
89	Beau	3939	+5
90	Micah	3933	+17 (NEW)
91	Colton	3906	-17
92	Jordan	3878	-4
93	Jeremiah	3842	-10
94	Parker	3840	-1
95	Greyson	3750	-11
96	Rowan	3742	+10 (NEW)
97	Adam	3625	+7 (NEW)
98	Nicholas	3623	-6
99	Theo	3614	+43 (NEW)
100	Xavier	3580	0

Data from the Social Security Administration

The newest boys’ names in the 2022 Top 100 are Walker, Micah, Rowan, Adam, and Theo. The names that left the Top 100 are Hunter, Dominic, Carson, Austin, and Connor.

And here are the girls’ names:

Rank	Name	Babies	Rank Change
1	Olivia	16573	0
2	Emma	14435	0
3	Charlotte	12891	0
4	Amelia	12333	0
5	Sophia	12310	+1
6	Isabella	11662	+1
7	Ava	11039	-2
8	Mia	11018	0
9	Evelyn	9289	0
10	Luna	8922	+1
11	Harper	8191	-1
12	Camila	7965	0
13	Sofia	7254	+5
14	Scarlett	7224	+6
15	Elizabeth	6964	-1
16	Eleanor	6881	-1
17	Emily	6461	+4
18	Chloe	6445	+7
19	Mila	6445	+7
20	Violet	6434	+15
21	Penelope	6388	+2
22	Gianna	6385	-9
23	Aria	6368	-1
24	Abigail	6254	-7
25	Ella	6243	-9
26	Avery	6230	-7
27	Hazel	6125	+1
28	Nora	6119	-1
29	Layla	6058	-5
30	Lily	5966	+1
31	Aurora	5956	+5
32	Nova	5885	0
33	Ellie	5761	-3
34	Madison	5479	-5
35	Grace	5255	-1
36	Isla	5255	-3
37	Willow	5025	+2
38	Zoe	4984	+4
39	Riley	4886	-2
40	Stella	4830	+1
41	Eliana	4780	+7
42	Ivy	4772	+7
43	Victoria	4763	0
44	Emilia	4664	-4
45	Zoey	4488	-7
46	Naomi	4463	+8
47	Hannah	4451	-3
48	Lucy	4411	-1
49	Elena	4274	+4
50	Lillian	4226	+1
51	Maya	4208	+4
52	Leah	4169	-6
53	Paisley	4026	-1
54	Addison	3945	-9
55	Natalie	3932	+1
56	Valentina	3881	+13
57	Everly	3880	-7
58	Delilah	3853	0
59	Leilani	3834	+8
60	Madelyn	3709	+11
61	Kinsley	3679	-4
62	Ruby	3593	0
63	Sophie	3512	+13
64	Alice	3498	+1
65	Genesis	3427	+10
66	Claire	3365	-7
67	Audrey	3329	-7
68	Sadie	3278	+10
69	Aaliyah	3270	-8
70	Josephine	3236	+2
71	Autumn	3214	-5
72	Brooklyn	3191	-9
73	Quinn	3091	+7
74	Kennedy	3060	-4
75	Cora	3049	+12
76	Savannah	3034	-8
77	Caroline	3015	+4
78	Athena	3008	+20
79	Natalia	2995	0
80	Hailey	2993	-3
81	Aubrey	2982	-17
82	Emery	2961	+8
83	Anna	2944	+1
84	Iris	2922	+23 (NEW)
85	Bella	2888	-12
86	Eloise	2888	+23 (NEW)
87	Skylar	2881	-13
88	Jade	2871	+3
89	Gabriella	2858	-6
90	Ariana	2840	-2
91	Maria	2831	+14 (NEW)
92	Adeline	2812	+2
93	Lydia	2794	-4
94	Sarah	2780	-2
95	Nevaeh	2778	-9
96	Serenity	2775	-11
97	Liliana	2768	+7 (NEW)
98	Ayla	2735	+10 (NEW)
99	Everleigh	2708	+1
100	Raelynn	2702	+3 (NEW)

Data from the Social Security Administration

The newest names to the top 100 are Iris, Eloise, Maria, Liliana, Ayla, and Raelynn. The exiting names are Allison, Madeline, Rylee, Eva, Piper, and Peyton.

To break things down further:

Luna entered the Top 10, expelling Harper.
Leo, Ezra, Violet, and Mila entered the Top 25. These are the names we’re closely eyeing for Top 10 entry within a few years.
Logan, Jacob, Avery, and Layla exited the Top 25. While they are still very popular, they are no longer as trendy.
Santiago, Ezekiel, Lillian, Elena, and Naomi reached the Top 50. Lillian’s popularity peaked in 2010-11, but the rest are rather trendy.
Josiah, Lincoln, Leah, Addison, and Everly exited the Top 50.
Leonardo, Ian, Wesley, Cora, Quinn, Sophie, and Sadie reached the Top 75.
Easton, Landon, Colton, Savannah, Aubrey, Bella, and Skylar exited the Top 75.

We can see a few pop culture influences hitting the Top 100! Violet and Eloise, which were already trending, likely were boosted even further by Bridgerton. Meanwhile, the biggest debut is Walker, which was boosted by Walker, the recent Walker: Texas Ranger reboot.

Within the set, we can also get a better sense of current trends by highlighting the names that rose or dropped at least 5 rankings. They are:

Rising:

Boys: Sebastian, Asher, Leo, Ezra, Luca, Maverick, Elias, Santiago, Cooper, Kai, Angel, Wesley, Ian, Leonardo, Walker, Weston, Bennett, Beau, Micah, Rowan, Adam, Theo
Girls: Sofia, Scarlett, Chloe, Mila, Violet, Aurora, Eliana, Ivy, Naomi, Valentina, Madelyn, Sophie, Genesis, Sadie, Quinn, Cora, Athena, Emery, Iris, Eloise, Maria, Liliana, Ayla

Falling:

Boys: Jackson, Mason, Jacob, Logan, Wyatt, Jayden, Carter, Lincoln, Nolan, Jaxon, Eli, Aaron, Easton, Robert, Jameson, Landon, Colton, Jeremiah, Greyson, Nicholas, Hunter, Carson, Austin, Connor
Girls: Gianna, Abigail, Ella, Layla, Madison, Zoey, Leah, Addison, Everly, Claire, Aaliyah, Autumn, Brooklyn, Savannah, Aubrey, Bella, Skylar, Gabriella, Nevaeh, Serenity, Allison, Madeline, Rylee, Eva, Piper, Peyton

Upwards trends for boys here include International, Biblical, and Western. For girls, some popular trends include International, Vintage, Nature/Floral, and Feminine. Vowel-heavy names are increasingly trendy for all children.

“Names ending in ‘-n'” is a widely popular trend that’s mostly declining within the Top 100, which also affects Last-Names-as-First-Names like Jackson, Mason, and Landon. Madison and Addison have passed their heyday, and Zoey is now less popular than the classic spelling, Zoe. Though names like Abigail, Leah, and Claire are losing popularity, as a whole popular girls’ names are getting more traditional as “Grandma names” take off. As always, some names buck trends.

Do you have any thoughts about the new 2022 U.S. Top 100? Are there any names you’re intrigued by? Let me know!

Name Lists

200+ Isogram Names Starting with ‘L’

May 10, 2023 ElizabethLeave a comment

I love language. Whether I’m trying to learning new tongues, discover unusual words to describe oddly specific situations, or simply play with the bounds of English, I have fun exploring verbal and written communication. Word and name games count among my many hobbies, and one of my latest obsessions is tracking down isogram names. Isograms are names or words with no repeating letters*, and depending on the initial certain letters boast more or fewer examples. ‘L’ doesn’t have nearly as many isogram options as other letters which, based on my observations, seems to have to do with the vowel-heavy nature of ‘L’ names. I was lucky to find 200! While this list doesn’t contain all the isogram names starting with ‘L’ that I found, it’s most of the unique ones. Most of the names come from recent U.S. baby name data as published by the Social Security Administration, which typically releases a new list just before Mother’s Day.

3 Letters:

4 Letters:

Lacy
Lady
Lake
Lane
Lani
Lark
Lars
Leah
Leda
Leia
Leif
Lena
Leno
Leto
Levi

Lexa
Lexi
Liam
Lian
Liba
Lida
Life
Lima
Lina
Linh
Link
Lino
Lion
Lior
Lipa

Lisa
Livy
Liza
Loch
Loic
Lois
Loki
Lona
Long
Lora
Lord
Lore
Lori
Love
Lowe

Luba
Luca
Lucy
Ludo
Lugh
Luke
Luma
Lumi
Luna
Lupe
Lura
Lyfe
Lyon
Lynx
Lyra

5 letters:

Laird
Laith
Lajoy
Laken
Laker
Laksh
Lamir
Lance
Lando
Laron
Larue
Latif
Lauro
Laxmi
Layne
Lazer

Legna
Lehua
Leigh
Lemon
Lenox
Leona
Leora
Leota
Leroy
Levon
Lewis
Lexia
Lexus
Liane
Light
Linda

Lindy
Linus
Linux
Liora
Litzy
Locke
Logan
Logic
Lorde
Lorna
Lorne
Lotus
Louis
Lovie
Lowen
Lowry

Lubna
Lucas
Lucia
Lucio
Lucky
Lukas
Lumen
Lupin
Luwam
Luzer
Luzma
Lycan
Lydia
Lyman
Lyria
Lyric

6 Letters:

Lainey
Lamoni
Lamont
Lander
Landis
Landry
Lanier
Larkin
Larsen
Larose
Lathen
Lauren
Laurie

Lavern
Lawren
Lawson
Lawton
Lawyer
Layton
Lebron
Legacy
Legion
Leigha
Lenora
Leonid
Levity

Levius
Lexani
Lexton
Lorcan
Lorena
Lorenz
Lorien
Lothar
Louden
Louisa
Louise
Lovisa
Lucero

Lucian
Lucina
Ludwig
Ludwin
Lujain
Lumina
Lupine
Lupita
Luqman
Luther
Luxton
Lydian
Lyrica

7 Letters:

Lakshmi
Lambert
Laurent
Leandro
Leniyah

Leonard
Leriyah
Leshawn
Liberty
Lindsey

Loraine
Lorenza
Lourdes
Lubomir
Luciano

Lucifer
Luthien
Lynford
Lucario
Lucinda

8 Letters:

Ledarius
Lemarcus

Leighton
Leonidas

Lisandro
Lucrezia

Ludovica
Lysander

*There is an exceedingly rare isogram form that repeats all letters evenly across names. Lulu, Lala, and Leelee are all examples of this kind (as are Anna, Otto, Jojo, Mimi, etc.).

As always, my isogram lists run the gamut in terms of style and origin. Do you have any favorites? Are you surprised by any? Would you add any to my list? Let me know! On a side note, the new U.S. data arrives Friday, May 12th, 2023 – just a couple of days away! I’m so excited.

If you want to read the rest of my isogram name lists up to this date, you can read them here. Stay tuned for the ‘M’ names!

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