Trends come and go, whether it’s fashion, food, or baby names. This is because, once you get to the point of having and naming babies, a generation has passed and new trends have emerged and cultures explored,
One way to find a new name is to check out the trending charts. While the top ones are usually very attractive, like Harper and Mila (they’re popular choices for a reason), they are also less unique. You can get plenty of great ideas and still find a unique name if you look a little further down the list.
To get away from the popular names, modern parents are taking to creating their own by combining two names to make a new, unique one, like mixing Belle and Amy to get Bellamy.
And in today’s age of gender norms being challenged, many parents are opting for gender-neutral names like Ellis to allow their kids to choose their own way.
Another great option is looking to older names for inspiration, as the British royal family has done over the last few years. Millicent, for example, is a sweet girl’s name, with great nickname options like Millie or Em. While they have been around for a while, these names tend to be rare as they haven’t been used much for several decades.
Whichever route you prefer to follow, you’re sure to find a modern name for your baby.
Andrian
Meaning: Manly; brave
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Arlinda
Meaning: Combination of Arlene and Linda
Origin: American
Gender: Girl
Arlo
Meaning: Fortified hill
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Averil
Meaning: From the Old English Everild, which is derived from words meaning boar-battle
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Aviana
Meaning: Modern blend of Ava and Ana
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Bartle
Meaning: Diminutive of Bartholomew dating to the 13th century; most used commonly as a surname in modern times
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Bellamy
Meaning: Handsome friend
Origin: Old French
Gender: Boy
Bobbi
Meaning: Modern diminutive of Roberta and Barbara
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Brees
Meaning: Popularity
Origin: Dutch
Gender: Boy
Brooks
Meaning: Dweller by the brooks
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Caryn
Meaning: Modern variant of Karen
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Catrice
Meaning: Modern blend of Catrina and Patrice
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Cedra
Meaning: Modern feminine of Cedric
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Charlee
Meaning: Modern form of Charles: manly
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Clementia
Meaning: Mildness. The name Clementia was borne by the Roman goddess of mercy
Origin: Latin
Gender: Girl
Diantha
Meaning: Modern blend of Diana (divine huntress) and Anthea (flower)
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Drew
Meaning: Abbreviation of Andrew
Origin: Scottish
Gender: Girl
Ellis
Meaning: Jehovah is God
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Unisex
Elora
Meaning: Modern blend of ‘El-‘ and Lora meaning God gives the Laurel; the crown of victory
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Ember
Meaning: Anniversary. Ember day is a day in Lent devoted to fasting and prayer. Also modern usage as rhyming variant of Amber.
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Evelyn
Meaning: Life. Variant of Evelina: From the Old French ‘aveline’ meaning hazelnut. A male surname in modern use as a given name
Origin: French
Gender: Girl
Franci
Meaning: Modern variants of Frances meaning From France or free one
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Harper
Meaning: Harpist, minstrel
Origin: English
Gender: Unisex
Hudson
Meaning: Derived from the Saxon word Huge, meaning hug
Origin: Anglo-Scottish
Gender: Boy
Grant
Meaning: Tall or great
Origin: Scottish
Gender: Boy
Gunner
Meaning: War
Origin: Norse
Gender: Boy
Janae
Meaning: Modern name based on Jane or Jean or Janai meaning ‘God has answered.’
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Jaren
Meaning: Modern variant of Israeli Jaron ‘cry of rejoicing.’
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Jenaya
Meaning: Modern name based on Jane or Jean; Based on Janai meaning ‘God has answered.’
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Johnna
Meaning: Modern feminine of John and Jon
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Jorell
Meaning: Modern. The fictional character Jorel father of Superman
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Kamrin
Meaning: Modern variant of Cameron used for girls
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Kandi
Meaning: Modern variant of Candace – ancient hereditary title used by Ethiopian queens
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Karena
Meaning: Modern variant of Katherine. Pure
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Karson
Meaning: Son of the marsh dweller
Origin: Irish and Scottish
Gender: Boy
Kit
Meaning: Pure; follower of Christ
Origin: Greek
Gender: Boy
Larnell
Meaning: Modern blend of the English names Larry and Darnell
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Latesha
Meaning: Modern form of medieval name Letitia. Joyful;happy
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Lennox
Meaning: With many elm trees
Origin: Scottish and Gaelic
Gender: Boy
Licia
Meaning: Modern abbreviation of Alicia: sweet;honest
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Lizandra
Meaning: Modern blend of Liz and Alexandra
Origin: English
Gender: Girl
Lorance
Meaning: Modern usage. ‘From the place of the laurel trees.’
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Loria
Meaning: Modern variant of Lora and Laurie referring to the laurel tree or sweet bay tree symbolic of honor and victory
Origin: English
Gender: Unisex
Mila
Meaning: Miracles; favored
Origin: Spanish
Gender: Girl
Millicent
Meaning: Brave strength
Origin: Old French
Gender: Girl
Porter
Meaning: Doorkeeper of a great house, or wall-keeper of a town
Origin: English and Scottish
Gender: Boy
Thierry
Meaning: Power and mighty ruler of the people
Origin: French
Gender: Boy
Tyrus
Meaning: Modern blend of Tyrone and Cyrus; or a reference to the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Waylan
Meaning: Variant of Wayland. The mythological Scandinavian Wayland was a blacksmith with supernatural powers
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Zachary
Meaning: Variant of Zachariah ‘Jehovah has remembered.’ Has experienced a revival in modern times
Origin: English
Gender: Boy
Zayden
Meaning: Growth
Origin: Arabic
Gender: Boy
