The Art of Naming

 

🌟 Unusual and Quirky Middle Names for Girls: The 2025 Edition (An Update to a 2013 Article by The Art of Naming)

In 2013, we published a list of "quirky" names that we thought were daring. Looking back now, it’s amazing to see how many of those "unusual" picks—like Maeve, Ember, and Iris—have become the new classics. Modern parents continue to push boundaries, seeking names that feel like a discovery rather than a repeat.   

Check out my YouTube video on this topic here:

I Found My 2013 "Quirky Girl Names" List... And It’s Shocking! (12 Years Later What Changed?)

📈 2013 Names That Are No Longer Uncommon

According to the latest Social Security Administration (SSA) data and current 2025 naming trends, these names have surged in popularity and are frequently found on playgrounds today:

• Maeve: Now a Top 100 name and a massive favorite for the "vintage-cool" aesthetic.

• Iris: A firmly established Top 100 classic; no longer unusual.

• Juniper: One of the most popular nature names of the 2020s, often appearing in the Top 150.

• Amaya: Very common across various demographics and has been a staple in the Top 200 for years.

• Ember: A leading "fire" name that is now well within the Top 250.

• Poppy: Extremely popular in the UK and now a trendy, recognizable choice in the US (Top 350).

• Maisie: Rising rapidly due to the trend of "grandma-chic" nicknames.

• Aurora & Luna: While not on the exact text list but within that "quirky 2013" genre, these are now Top 10 names.

• Briar: A mainstream nature choice, often used for its "fairytale" association.

• Artemis: No longer niche due to the rise of Greek mythology in pop culture.

• Bellamy: Popularized by TV shows like The 100, it's now a common surname-as-first-name choice.

• Coraline: While it felt unusual in 2013, the film and book have made this a familiar, top-700 name.

• Evergreen & Meadow: These nature names have followed the "Juniper" path and are no longer considered "out there."

• Raven & Jada: These have been established in the Top 500 for over a decade.

Below is our updated list of quirky and unusual names for 2025. These are for the parents looking for a spunky middle name or a truly standout first name that hasn't hit the mainstream yet.

✨ 20 New "Quirky" Names for 2025

If you are looking for names that carry that same "unusual" energy your 2013 list once had, these 20 names are currently on the fringe but trending upward for parents seeking something truly distinct:

1. Astraea (Greek goddess of justice; celestial and powerful)

2. Zephyra (A feminine twist on the west wind)

3. Elowen (Cornish for "elm tree"; mystical and "elven")

4. Ottilie (A French vintage revival that still feels very rare in the US)

5. Solstice (The ultimate nature-concept name)

6. Nyx (The Greek personification of the night; short and edgy)

7. Marigold (The "new" Juniper—vintage, floral, and bright)

8. Revel (A celebratory, gender-neutral verb name)

9. Thessaly (A lyrical geographic name from Greece)

10. Aviora (Modern Hebrew for "airy" or "luminous")

11. Cyrilla (Meaning "noble"; feels like a forgotten vintage gem)

12. Zinnia (A bold, architectural flower name)

13. Pneuma (An ancient Greek word for "breath" or "spirit")

14. Hestia (Goddess of the hearth; a softer mythological alternative)

15. Veda (Meaning "knowledge"; ancient but feels modern and sleek)

16. Isabeau (A medieval French variant of Isabelle that feels regal but rare)

17. Lucina (The Roman goddess of childbirth/light; a quirkier alternative to Lucy)

18. Moon (Once just a middle name, now moving to the first name slot)

19. Virelle (A nature-inspired, "fresh life" sounding name)

20. Thalira (A seafaring, "sea queen" energy name)

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My Top 10 Favorites for 2025

1. Astraea

The "Goddess of Justice." A celestial powerhouse that feels more distinct than the now-common Aurora.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Lyra, Vesper, Juno | (B) Orion, Cassian, Zenith

• Middle Name Pairings: Astraea Blue, Astraea Fern, Astraea Lux

• As a Middle Name: Penelope Astraea, Margot Astraea, Chloe Astraea

2. Solstice

The ultimate "nature-concept" name. It’s rhythmic, gender-neutral, and feels deeply grounded.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Meadow, Indigo, Story | (B) Archer, Wilder, River

• Middle Name Pairings: Solstice Rain, Solstice Eve, Solstice Pearl

• As a Middle Name: Matilda Solstice, Clara Solstice, Ivy Solstice

3. Elowen

This Cornish name meaning "elm tree" has a mystical, elven quality that sounds like a vintage classic but remains rare.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Arwen, Freya, Hazel | (B) Stellan, Ronan, Alaric

• Middle Name Pairings: Elowen Grace, Elowen Sage, Elowen Blair

• As a Middle Name: Beatrice Elowen, Flora Elowen, Alice Elowen

4. Revel

A "word name" that feels celebratory and spunky. It’s short, punchy, and modern.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Echo, Pax, Jovie | (B) Dash, Crew, Merit

• Middle Name Pairings: Revel Elizabeth, Revel Sunday, Revel Rose

• As a Middle Name: Gianna Revel, Sienna Revel, Naomi Revel

5. Nyx

In Greek mythology, Nyx was the powerful personification of Night. It’s edgy, chic, and fits the "short name" trend.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Lux, Zora, Cleo | (B) Jax, Onyx, Wolf

• Middle Name Pairings: Nyx Aurelia, Nyx Valentine, Nyx Isolde

• As a Middle Name: Seraphina Nyx, Elena Nyx, Alexandra Nyx

6. Hestia

While Artemis and Athena have gone mainstream, Hestia (Goddess of the Hearth) feels warm, cozy, and untouched.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Rhea, Vesta, Flora | (B) Apollo, Silas, Jude

• Middle Name Pairings: Hestia June, Hestia Noelle, Hestia Moon

• As a Middle Name: Imogen Hestia, Opal Hestia, Phoebe Hestia

7. Ottilie

A French vintage revival. It’s quirky because of its unique "T" sound and delicate, lace-like feel.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Elodie, Sylvie, Margot | (B) Hugo, Casper, Leopold

• Middle Name Pairings: Ottilie Maude, Ottilie Jane, Ottilie Kate

• As a Middle Name: Rosalind Ottilie, Mabel Ottilie, Josephine Ottilie

8. Veda

Meaning "knowledge," this name is ancient but feels incredibly sleek and modern in 2025.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Lyra, Thea, Niamh | (B) Ezra, Soren, Arlo

• Middle Name Pairings: Veda Marigold, Veda Solis, Veda Briar

• As a Middle Name: Evelyn Veda, Juliet Veda, Hazel Veda

9. Zinnia

With Lily, Rose, and Daisy being so common, Zinnia offers a bold, architectural floral alternative.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Dahlia, Juniper, Poppy | (B) Hawthorne, Birch, Reed

• Middle Name Pairings: Zinnia Mae, Zinnia Florence, Zinnia Colette

• As a Middle Name: Violet Zinnia, Eleanor Zinnia, Georgia Zinnia

10. Marigold

The "new" vintage darling. It’s sunny, golden, and carries a wonderful "shabby-chic" energy.

• Sibling Ideas: (S) Clementine, Tallulah, Birdie | (B) Arthur, Theodore, Otis

• Middle Name Pairings: Marigold Alice, Marigold Scout, Marigold Faye

• As a Middle Name: Louisa Marigold, Sophie Marigold, Ada Marigold

Jones, Smith, Miller, Davis, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Moore, Taylor, Anderson... At least in America, these are some of the most common surnames.  There's no right or wrong in naming, but you definitely have a variety of options. In fact, you could choose anywhere from an incredibly popular name, to something nobody's ever heard of.  That's up to you!

But here are some ideas for each of the surnames I listed above.  I am basing this on the presumption that we are naming a baby in 2020 and want to follow modern styles and popularity.

Popular Names:

Your surname is super popular, might as well go the whole nine yards and choose a super popular first name, too. There's nothing wrong with that. It happens often. There's something about the anonymity of being one of many if you value your privacy.  Here's some ideas for the ten surnames I listed.

Modern Choices:

These names are at the top of the charts. They're sort of a new wave of popular, not including traditional names or biblical names. They are rising fast and people seem to love them. These names are newly popular enough to be considered unique in the sense that it's mostly the younger generations will have these names. These weren't used as often in the past.

Traditional Names:

These are names that have stood the test of time. Everyone knows someone with these names. They're everywhere and cross all generations, they even have many international variants and work well in other languages. Even with a common surname, you can't go wrong with these solid firsts.

Biblical Names:

This is a whole genre of its own. The names below are common and familiar, and translate well in other languages. These are all handsome, solid picks.

Trendy, Bold Names:

This is a bit subjective, but based on what is currently stylish and somewhat on the unexpected side, here are some names that are hot and interesting, and speeding up the charts:

Uncommon Choices:

Nature Names:

A little outside of the box, nature names are a great way to contrast against a common surname. If you want something different, try one of the names below:

Obscure and Unique:

These names all rank outside of the US Top 1000 names in 2018, meaning there were fewer than 250 births per name total throughout the country. Coming across another person with this first name is rare; coming across someone else with the same first and [common] surname as you is even more rare. These are great options if you want your kid to really stand out in contrast to the common surname.


There are plenty of other options, but the most important thing is to choose something you love, no matter how common or unusual it is.

Today I want to take a closer name at a very rare and fantastical-esque name. I recently had the opportunity to recommend it to someone who had never heard of it before. They instantly fell in love with it and decided it might just be THE name they have been searching for. Perhaps you will enjoy it too!



It is a rare feminine name of Scottish and English origin. It comes from the Medieval Gaelic name Forbflaith which means "overlord, ruler, or sovereign". There was an heiress in 13th-century Scotland who was named Ferelith. Aside from that, this name is very rare.

According to the US record, there has never been at least 5 babies given this name in a single year. That means that the chances of you running into someone with this name are slim to none.  If you are looking for a beautiful, rare name, this would make your child truly one-of-a-kind! With its Medieval origins, it has a Renaissance vibe, and also feels fantastical.

There are some other names that have a similar feel to them such as:  Aerith, Allifair, Caisséne and more.  If you're a fan of Ferelith, here are a variety of middle name ideas:

Ferelith Maeve
Ivy Ferelith
Ferelith Rose
Nola Ferelith
Ferelith Riley
Tieve Ferelith
Ferelith Rhiannon
Kathleen Ferelith

What would you pair with Ferelith? I do like mainstream Irish names like Maeve to go with it. Is this a name you might add to your list?

We have recently started watching Netflix's The Witcher and I was instantly mesmerized by the names of the characters. I'm a sucker for the unusual. I may not use most of these for a real life child, but I do appreciate them in a fantastical fiction.  I made a list of them for your browsing pleasure:


Male:
Geralt
Jaskier
Istredd
Cahir
Dara
Eist
Lazlo
Filavandrel
Torque
Foltest
Danek
Artorius
Korin
Fletcher
Anton
Nettly
Yurga
Eyck
Chireadan
Zigrin
Adonis
Hemet
Remus
Tsoka
Filip
Yannick
Atlan
Mikal
Peregrine
Nonim
Vyr

Female:
Ciri
Yennefer
Triss
Calanthe
Fringilla
Tissaia
Sabrina
Vanielle
Danica
Renfri
Eithne
Zola
Tiffania
Pavetta
Toruviel
Anica
Marilka
Téa
Véa
Kalis
Fola
Glacella
Marites
Sancia
Isadora
Adda
Lilja
Coral
Kaveri
Aridea

There's definitely a few in there that would be suitable for a child, but the rest are truly just fun. Which do you like?

Charity comes from the word charity meaning "generous love" from the Late Latin caritas, or "dear, beloved" from the Latin carus. It's known as a virtue name and was used by the Puritans. Surprisingly, Charity has been consistently -- albeit uncommonly -- used since records began in the US in 1880. It peaked from 1974-1980 or so, ranking as high as #183 in 1975. It left the Top 1000 in 2013. In 2017, there were 192 girls named Charity.

Andrea is the Italian form of Andreas, which comes from the Greek name Ανδρεας (Andreas), meaning "manly", and related to Andrew. Andrea can be both masculine and feminine. As a female name, it gained usage in the 17th century before becoming common more recently. It started climbing the charts in the 1940s for girls and continued to steadily climb, peaking in 1981 at #24 and over 11,600 births. Today it ranks at #128.

Rose may seem like a filler name now but it is truly an underrated classic with many longer variations and related names from Rosalie and Róisín to Rosabella and Rosette. It comes from Germanic elements referring to a kind of fame. Of course it is also derived from the Latin rosa in association with the flower. Always popular, Rose peaked in 1917 with 9,783 births. It declined after the 1950s, but is currently upticking again, ranking at #141 with 2,059 births in 2017.

Bridget is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Brighid meaning "exalted one". It has usage in Irish mythology as the goddess of fire, poetry and wisdom. It has also been used by several saints. Bridget has been used in the US since the 1880s on record, and has always ranked within the Top 1000. It wasn't until the 1960s that it began rising in popularity. It peaked in 1973 with 2,765 births for the year. It has slowly declined since then, receiving 432 births in 2017 for a rank of #674.

Aberdeen is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning "mouth of the Don" which is a river. It's a nature name and also a city in Scotland. This could be both masculine and feminine, but it only has US usage for females. However, births are very rare. There were two listings way back in 1919 and 1923 for a handful of births, but it wasn't heard from again until 1997. It has had regular usage since 2010, even as many as 25 births in 2017!

Aurora is a triple threat. She was the Roman goddess of the morning, meaning "dawn" in Latin; she is a Disney Princess; and is also relevant to the Northern Lights from the term "Aurora Borealis", which makes her a celestial phenomenon. This name gives you a lot of bang for your buck! No wonder it is skyrocketing in popularity! It has always managed to remain within the Top 1000 since the 1880s, but it has been climbing mostly since 2006, joining the Top 100 in 2015 and ranking at a high of #51 in 2017!

Ellie dates back in standalone usage to the 1880s, but it wasn't until the 2000s rolled in that it really started to shine! It joined the Top 1000 in 1992, and made it into the Top 100 by 2011, which is a pretty fast pace. Now it ranks as the 44th most popular name in the country in 2017. This is quite impressive for a diminutive, nickname name whose modest beginnings come longer names such as Eleanor, Elizabeth and Ellen.

Tracy comes from an English surname meaning "domain belonging to Thracius", originally from a Norman French place name. It is also sometimes used as a nickname for Theresa. It has always been unisex, starting near the same time in the US for both genders in the 1880s. However, this name skyrocketed for females in the 1960s, peaking in 1970 with 18,467 births and a high ranking of #10 in the country. At the same time there were 1,774 male births.

Madeline is the English form of Magdalene, which comes from a title referring to someone from Magdala. Madeline had a nice popularity boost in the 1910s, then peaked at its highest in 1998 at #50. While Madeline with this spelling has always been around since the 1880s, Madelyn is currently more popular. Madelyn surpassed Madeline between 2008 and 2009. Both spellings remain popular in 2017 with Madeline at #100 and Madelyn at #63.

Maria is related to Mary from the Greek Μαρια and the Hebrew מִרְיָם. Mary's meaning isn't certain, but it could be either "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", or "wished for child". While Mary has obviously been extremely popular, perhaps the most-used female name over time, Maria is slightly less popular. It still ranks well, peaking in 1964 with 10,140 births; and as of 2017, it still received 2,700 births for a rank of #111.

Penelope may come from the Greek πηνελοψ (penelops) which is actually a kind of duck. Another possibility is that pene means "threads" and ops means "face, eye" which could refer to a weaver. Penelope was famously the name of the wife of Odysseus from Homer's epic The Odyssey. This name wasn't consistently used until the 1910s in the US, and it had a small peak in usage in the 1940s. By the new millennium, Penelope was on her way up. It entered the Top 1000 in 2001 and the Top 100 in 2013. It was #24 in 2017.

Daisy is directly related to the flower. However, it also derives from the Old English word dægeseage meaning "day eye". Sometimes Daisy is used as a nickname for Margaret due to the French name Marguerite becoming associated with the daisy in French. Margaret means "pearl" in Greek, and daisies were considered "pearls of the field" or "marguerites". In the US, Daisy has been used as a given name since records began in the 1880s. It was well used around the 1920s before declining to its lowest point in the 1970s. It rose again after that, reaching a popularity peak in 1996 with 2,514 female births for the year and a rank of #124. It ranked at #170 in 2017.

Vivienne is the French feminine form of the Latin Vivianus, which comes from the word vivus meaning "alive". The spelling "Vivian" has always been much more common. It peaked in 1920 with over 4,100 births for the year. It declined between the 1960s and the 1990s, but it is climbing again in recent years, ranking as high as #97 in 2017. Whereas, Vivienne didn't pop up until 1895 in the US. It remained rare and ranked outside the Top 1000 until it suddenly leapt on the scene in 2009 with a ranking of #531. In 2017, it climbed up to #252.

Elodie is the French form of Alodia which may be derived from a Visigothic name with Germanic elements such as alja meaning "foreign" and aud meaning "wealth". Talk about a name plucked from obscurity! It only ever received handfuls of births over the years since the 1880s, (anywhere from 5 to a high of 19 births in 1917); it wasn't used at all from the 1960s up until 1987 when it regained usage. It hasn't cracked the Top 1000 yet, but it is certainly on its way up the charts! It scored 251 births in 2017 for a rank of #1,025.

Juniper is derived from the Latin word iuniperus or juniperus which is a combination of the word junio which means "young" and parere which means "to produce". These put together equal "youth producing" or "evergreen". Of course, a Juniper is a type of evergreen tree. Beyond this, Juniper could also be a derivation of the Welsh name Guinevere. Juniper was unused in the US until 1969, and it wasn't until 2011 that it entered the Top 1000. By 2017, it reached new heights of #314 for the year.

Veronica is taken from the name Berenice which comes from the Greek name Φερενικη (Pherenike) meaning "bringing victory". Veronica was also influenced by the Latin phrase vera icon which gives it the alternate meaning "true image". Even dating back to 1880, Veronica has always ranked within the Top 500.  It was most popular between the 1960s and the 1990s. It's on the downslope now, but still ranked at #378 in 2017.

Lillian is likely a diminutive of Elizabeth, which means "my God is an oath" in Hebrew. Lillian is also considered an elongation of Lily, which comes from the flower and the Latin lilium. Lillian has always been common but it was super popular 100 years ago. In 1920, it received a peak of 10,049 female births for the year. By the 1960s it declined again to receiving 1000 or less births a year. However, starting around the early 1990s, it regained popularity, hitting a modern high of 7,156 births in 2012 for a rank of #26. It now ranks at #27 in 2017.

Meredith comes from the Welsh name Maredudd or Meredydd which may mean "great lord" or "sea lord". It was originally a masculine name, but sometime around the 1920s it gained more usage for females, however, it remains masculine in Wales. In the US, it continued to have male usage as recently as 2011. Overall, it is most common for girls, especially peaking between the 1970s and 1990s. In 2017, there were 626 girls named Meredith for a ranking of #496.

Adelaide  has been around since the SSA began recording names in 1880. It comes from the German Adalheidis which is composed of the elements adal meaning "noble" and heid meaning "kind, sort, type." Before the name's modern spike in popularity, the year with the most number of births was 1917 with 537.  Adelaide has only had two popularity spikes, the first starting around 1912 and lasting until it declined in the mid 1920s. From the 1950's to the 1990's, Adelaide was rarely used. However, starting just before the year 2000, Adelaide gained more usage. In 2005, it landed in the top 1000 and has been climbing in popularity. It ranked at #276 in 2017.

Which of these names do you like the most? Would you use any?

• Nolan Maverick
• Nolan Marvel
• Nolan Colbalt
• Nolan Escher
• Nolan Ramsey
• Nolan Hawthorn
• Nolan Cordovan
• Nolan Sterling
• Nolan Quade
• Nolan Bingham
• Nolan Thackeray
• Nolan Wiley
• Nolan Lysander
• Nolan Huckleberry
• Nolan Peregrine

• Theodore Weaver
• Theodore Quill
• Theodore Bloom
• Theodore Reeve
• Theodore Seven
• Theodore Merlin
• Theodore Quenby
• Theodore Crosby
• Theodore Dresden
• Theodore Hayes
• Theodore Atlas
• Theodore Rigby
• Theodore Rohan
• Theodore Rafferty
• Theodore Bromley

• Nathaniel Crimson
• Nathaniel Cloud
• Nathaniel River
• Nathaniel Danger
• Nathaniel Frost
• Nathaniel Rune
• Nathaniel Tatum
• Nathaniel Tolliver
• Nathaniel Bane
• Nathaniel Kit
• Nathaniel Finch
• Nathaniel Wilder
• Nathaniel Madden
• Nathaniel Indigo
• Nathaniel Wolf

Behind the scenes, I am able to view the search terms, or keywords, that are entered into search engines that lead viewers here to my site. Often, people are searching for specific names. Some of these names I have already covered previously on other articles, but some of them are new. I thought it was about time that I addressed the names that people are actually looking for.

This series will pull names directly from that Name Search Report and investigate closer. The current data that I am using to evaluate a name's popularity comes straight from the Social Security Administration's 2017 popular name database. And I will also include name meanings found via BehindtheName.com.

Here's our first group of boy names that you wanted more information about.

Asa  - Short, Biblical, Interesting... Asa is both bold but familiar for a boy today. It has always been in use, dating back on record to 1880, but it didn't truly catch on until a hundred years later. Since 1980, Asa has been trending upward, and it currently ranks at its highest modern peak of #490 in the US in 2017! This name possibly means "healer" in Hebrew.

Jarvis - This name is somewhat old-fashioned and proper sounding, but it has potential to be a modern, trendy choice similar to Jasper. Jarvis has been regularly used since the 1910s and entered the Top 1000 in 1950, but it has never been popular. Its highest peak was in 1988 at #347. Today, it ranks below the Top 1000 at #1438. It comes from a surname which was derived from the given name Gervais meaning "spear".

Wilder - Part surname, part word name, Wilder is very trendy right now. While it has made a handful of appearances dating back to 1914, Wilder was rare up until recently.  It has skyrocketed, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015, it ranked at #573 in 2017. It should continue to rise over the next few years.

Herbert comes from Germanic elements meaning "army" and "bright". Of course, Herbert isn't the first name you'd list as a modern choice for a boy, but it has an old-fashioned charm about it. So old-fashioned, in fact, that it had its most usage in 1928 before nearly flat-lining today. As of 2017, there were only 77 boys named Herbert for a rank of #1880.

Carlile - Carlile, along with the original spelling Carlisle, come from the name of a city in England, originally called Lugavalium by the Romans. It means "stronghold of Lugus". It was only later that "ker" was added to the name meaning "fort." Interestingly, Carlile has a total of 15 total births ever on record from 1880 to now. Carlisle has more usage over the years but remains rare. Its highest peak occurred in 2012 with a high of 47 births. In 2017, there were 40 boys and 12 girls named Carlisle.

Milo is an Old Germanic form of the name Miles. It is also the Latinized form. It could come from the Slavic element milu meaning "gracious", or perhaps it is associated with the Latin miles meaning "soldier." Either way, Milo has always been in use, but it has really skyrocketed into popularity since the year 2001 when it first entered the Top 1000. It currently ranks at #224 for boys and probably continue to climb.

Nolan is derived from an Irish surname Ó Nualláin meaning "descendant of Nuallán", which itself came from nuall meaning "noble, famous". Nolan dates back on record to the 1880s, but held steady for decades at a similar popularity. It started increasing in the 1990s, and entered the Top 100 in 2011. As of 2017, it ranked at #67.

Everett is a surname that comes from the given name Everard meaning "brave boar" in German. Its Old English equivalent was Eoforheard. Everett dates back to 1880 on record and enjoyed a popularity peak from 1914 to 1935. It maintained a similar number of births for decades after that until it began climbing in the mid-2000s.  As of 2017, it ranked #104 and could burst into the Top 100 soon!

Fisher comes from a German occupational surname literally referring to "fishermen", and often used by English and Jewish people. As a boys name in history, it hasn't been consistently used. It had a stretch from 1914 to 1933 and then disappeared until 1992. It entered the Top 1000 in 2004 and has slowly inched its way up to #765 in 2017. It could definitely have appeal as a rugged, outdoorsy surname name possibility.

Oswin comes from Old English elements meaning "god" and "friend". It was also the name of a 7th-century king of Northumbria before ultimately losing usage after the 14th century. It was somewhat revived in the 19th century, but has laid dormant until it regained usage in 2000. While still extremely rare, there were 25 boys named Oswin in 2017, (and 6 girls).

Daniel comes from the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel) meaning "God is my judge", and was the name of a biblical character. This name has been very popular throughout history, including England in the Middle Ages, but became rare in the 15th century. Today, of course, it is a classic. It peaked the highest in 1985 with 38,541 male births in the US, which ranked it at #5 for that year. In 2017, it ranks at #15 with 11,650 births.

Finn could come from the Irish Fionn, meaning "fair" or "white"; or from the Old Norse name Finnr which refers to a "person from Finland". Either way, Finn was relatively unused as a boy's name until 1953. It entered the Top 1000 in the year 2000, and has been climbing fast ever since! As of 2017, it ranks #167. Along with longer forms of the name like Finley, Finnegan or Finnian, Finn is definitely a rising nickname too.

Elijah is from the Hebrew name אֱלִיָּהוּ ('Eliyyahu) meaning "my God is YAHWEH". While Elijah has always been used in the US, it really started gaining popularity in the 1990s before skyrocketing recently. It entered the Top 100 in 1995 and now ranks at #8 in 2017. It's poised to be a classic.

Vince, as you may know, comes from Vincent, which comes from the Roman name Vincentius, which was from Latin vincere meaning "to conquer". Along with being the name of many saints, it has been in use since the Middle Ages. It has also been consistently well-used over the years, hovering around the Top 100 rank. In 2017, it ranked at #108 for boys.

Markus is the German and Scandinavian form of Mark, a form of Marcus. Marcus is probably derived from the Roman god Mars, the god of war. Marcus dates back to the 1880s in the US, growing most popular during the 1980s. Markus has been in the Top 1000 since the 1960s, ranking at #933 in 2017.

Gael may refer to speakers of Gaelic languages. It could also be a variant of the French/Breton name Gwenaël meaning "blessed and generous". As a boy name, Gael has been rare, popping up occasionally between 1919 and 1952, but it wasn't in regular usage until 1992. It joined the Top 1000 in 2002 and is now up to #178 in 2017.

Remy may be the French form of the Latin Remigius, which comes the remigis meaning "oarsman, rower". It could also be short for Remington, which is an Old English surname and place name meaning "boundary stream" and "settlement". Remy began as a boys name as far back as 1914, but it is rapidly raising for both genders. It entered the Top 1000 for boys in 2009, followed by 2014 for girls. It ranks #449 for boys and #605 for girls in 2017.

Elias is a cognate of the name Elijah, which we already mentioned is very popular today. Elias has the same meaning and origin, and is similarly gaining popularity today in the US. It dates back to 1880 and maintained a steady amount of usage over the decades leading up to an increase beginning around the 1990s. Elias entered the Top 100 in 2015 and now ranks at #78 and climbing!

Lennox comes from a Scottish surname which came from the name of a district in Scotland called Leamhnachd in Gaelic, possibly meaning "place of elms". As a boy name, it had a handful of sightings as far back as 1918, but it didn't gain speed until the 1990s. It has quickly escaped obscurity, joining the Top 1000 in 2010 and reaching as high as #408 for boys in 2017. It also gained usage for girls in 2005, skyrocketing from beyond the Top 1000 in 2014, to ranking at #665 in 2017.

Which of these names do you like best? What middle names would you pair with them? Share your favorites in the comments below!

Are you looking for something slightly different than the norm? Just a little unusual with a touch of classic? Familiar but not weird? Here are some great name ideas for you! Some are more daring than others, and there is a variety of styles here. Feel free to mix and match or suggest even more great names in the comments!

Cassia Emmeline
Briar Genevieve
Felicity Lane
Ella Tempest
Sonnet Jane
Amaya Journey
Lillia Myrtle
Rowena Evening
Anna Whisper
Electra Maeve
Avalon Belle
Raven Serenity
Victoria Echo
Magnolia Eve
Hazel Valentina
Molly Cadence
Augusta Reverie
Nora Liberty
Harmony Moon
Liv Bellatrix
Jessamine Skye
Lucy Genesis
Sable Quintessa
Astoria Raine
Juno Caroline
Leona Sparrow
Alethea Coral
Lulu Florence
Eveline Caithe
Blythe Magdalena
Nova Rosabel
Elodie Wynne
Poppy Gwenora
Gemma Destiny
Laureline Fable
Thea Hermione
Mavis Octavia
Fleur Penelope
Verity Lark
Amabel June
Wren Melisande
Ivy Lorelei
Brynn Eloise
Iris Bellamy
Alice Viola
Thora Delphine
Willa Kennedy
Marley Saffron
Jordana Snow
Kinsley Darling
Aria Lavender
Esmarie Velvet
Joss Bernadette
Amaryllis Rey
Darcy Luna
January Grace
Millie Temperance
Jovie Lenora
Dorothea Maxine
Nova Romilly
Imogen Storm
Ada Hyacinth
Lavinia Dell
Remy Celeste
Clarity Simone
Zelda Roseline
Ophelia Blair
Neve Clementine
Pearl Gwendolen
Gesine Claire
Eudora Faith
Delta Camille
Esme September
Vienna Heloise
Cyra Octavie
Antonia Meadow
Marcella Reese
Tabitha Sybil

What do you think of these combinations I assembled? Share even more ideas in the comments!  Don't forget to check out the list of Interesting and Uncommon Boy Name Combinations, too.

Are you looking for something slightly different than the norm? Just a little unusual with a touch of classic? Familiar but not weird? Here are some great name ideas for you! Some are more unusual than others, and there is a variety of styles here. Feel free to mix and match or suggest even more great names in the comments!

Silas Merrill
Truett James
Beau Jameson
Watson Lucas
Ellison Burke
Huxley Wyatt
Brom Harrison
Maxwell Ranger
Eli Bennington
Harley Reid
Fletcher Henry
Graham Bennett
Merritt Ross
Tilden Sumner
Hayden Gabriel
Zayne Upton
Thorne Elijah
Jasper Emmett
Colton Lemuel
Bridger James
Branson Reid
Archer Daniel
Kingston Jack
Lincoln Bradley
Zane Percival
Drake Richmond
Thane Oliver
Emery York
Ryder Ellis
Flynn Arrow
Nolan Reid
Greyson Tobias
Landon Monroe
Harley Roarke
Rollin Foster
Griffin Lark
Sawyer Quill
Emerson Gray
Duncan Reid
Rafe Archer
Blaine Upton
Phoenix Rourke
Victor Armand
Eleazar Forrest
Viggo Henrik
Milo Konrad
Bryant Karter
Landry Merle
Arden Fox
Garrett Maxwell
Dominic Elias
Zephyr Clark
Atlas Hawthorne
Beckett Wilder
Hershel Kai
Julian Maximus
Toby Cordell
Marius Wolf
Cyril Bodhi
Atreyu Stone
Dashiell Todd
Soren Thatcher
Hendrix Hayes
Quill Indigo
Hugo Zaffre
Auden Guthrie
Theo Valor
Leif Emmerich
Kit Henning
Nash Benedict
Caspian Noble
Albin Justice
Rolf Gregor
Alvar Leopold
Fabian Gunnar
Stellan Otto
Dante Revere
Calix Augustin

Which is your favorite?

This series explores different names ending with -y. We've already seen quite a few. Today we'll look at the many interesting and unusual names that end with the letters "-ny".

Girls:

Adrianny
Albany
Aleny
Anny
Aubuiny
Audny
Bethany
Betony
Bonny
Borgny
Briony
Britany
Britny
Brittany
Brittny
Bryony
Bunny
Christany
Dagny
Delany
Destiny
Devany
Devony
Ebony
Elleny
Epiphany
Estefany
Evany
Evony
Fanny
Franny
Genny
Ginny
Giverny
Harmony
Henny
Idony
Janny
Jenny
Jessany
Jinny
Khyany
Kiffany
Kilmeny
Linny
Mahogany
Marigny
Marny
Melany
Melony
Oddny
Penny
Peony
Rainy
Romany
Sidony
Signy
Steffany
Stephany
Sunny
Symphony
Tawny
Tiffany
Tiffiny
Tinny
Tiny
Tiphany
Yolany

Boys:

Anthony
Antony
Benny
Berthony
Danny
Denny
Donny
Giovanny
Johnny
Jonny
Jovanny
Jovany
Kenny
Lanny
Lemony
Lenny
Lonny
Manny
Ronny
Sonny
Sunny
Tony
Vinny

Are there any names on this list that you would consider using? Which are your favorites?

I occasionally play video games with my husband. We enjoy what's called "massively multiplayer online role-playing games" or MMORPGs. These games connect us with thousands of other players across the country (and sometimes around the world).

If you aren't familiar with these kinds of games, that's fine, it isn't super important for the point of this post. Basically, you create a character, design them from their hair and eyes to what sort of armor they wear. You choose what kind of class or profession you want them to have, even what race or species you prefer. Then the best part comes next: choosing an interesting name for them.

Some games will even offer guidelines that follow the lore behind the characters to help you decide on an appropriate name for them based on their story. Not everyone follows this, but I always do. Some people don't put any thought into it and come up with random words or phrases (like "Thats Odd") rather than an actual name. However, other times people put a lot of thought into it and come up with some very intriguing monikers.

I have to admit that I tend to get very distracted by the names, so much so that I started writing down some of the best ones that I've spotted. And of course, that means I must make a post about it and share them with you. Below is a list of names created by other people, real people, for their characters within one of the games I play.

Small disclaimer: these names are meant to be interesting. They are names of fictional video game characters. I am in no way suggesting usage on real life children; however there are some that are real names and could be used, like Lily or Phaedra or Audrey. Use your own discretion.

Kára Aonghuis
Daenea
Maladie Ardente
Raeine Kotto
Solith Elensar
Brassicace Olercea
Aurae Lenis
Ilya Kuriyakin
Kessa Star
Euphemia Stone
Phaedra Blackstaff
Akahana Sayomi
Ivo Julian Kinobar
Boudica Dragon
Aldro Vanda
Magna Turr
Sabre Vizaerios
Corvus
Sylavaine Froste
Kivan
Elma Skere
Bequa  Silverwind
Melayna
Beladona Lugosi
Osric Stark
Ciara Sativola
Grigor Stovanovich
Dmitry Rioux
Dietri
Freya Ryselmon
Amurcora
Zarri
Grizabella
Solara Treestar
Reyna Frost
Lily Rockstorm
Malo Octavius
Kagerou Rin
Ginger Vietas
Rosana Viola
Neblina Oscura
Shanti Priya
Rose Dupre
Mona Vanille
Amira Daemon
Thasserian Wyrnn
Montague Ashton
Ichaival Black
Lilith Thorne
Grace Northstar
Vesper Tavarius
Valfreyja Njordkin
Audrey Minerva
Caelanderferasnen
Axel Valdemar
Nicolai Benedikt

Do you play any games? What names have you chosen for your characters? Share your thoughts in the comments below! :)

If you are searching for a less-than-common name for a boy, this list has plenty of interesting and wearable options. We previously explored similar names from A-M.  The list below continues with the letters N-Z.

If you're willing, choose 5 names from this list and pair them with a middle name of your choice to create an interesting sibling set! Post the results in the comment section below.


Nash
Nemo
Nero
Nico
Niles
Noam
Noble
Nova
Nye
Oberon
Odin
Olivander
Orion
Oslo
Otto
Ozias
Pace
Pasqual
Pavel
Pearce
Penn
Peregrine
Philo
Pippin
Ptolemy
Quade
Quarry
Quest
Quill
Quimby
Quixley
Rafael
Ragnar
Rasmus
Remi
Revere
Rocco
Rockwell
Rolf
Rune
Sanders
Sayer
Severin
Skandar
Slater
Soren
Stark
Stellan
Sutton
Tate
Tavish
Teague
Thanos
Thayer
Theoden
Thorsten
Tobias
Tomas
Tyrion
Ulrich
Ulysses
Upton
Urban
Usher
Uziah
Valentin
Valor
Vance
Viggo
Vulcan
Ward
Weston
Whittier
Wilder
Wim
Wolfe
Wray
Xanthus
Xerxes
Yale
Yannick
Yardley
York
Zaid
Zaffre
Zebulon
Zen
Zenith
Zeppelin
Zoltan

Which of these names stands out to you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And don't forget to check out Part One by clicking to the previous page.

If you're looking for a name for a boy but you want something more unusual than most, try these for inspiration. Here you'll find 90 interesting names that are a bit outside the typical set of popular choices you hear everywhere today.

Adler
Alvar
Andre
Aramis
Arlo
Armin
Arno
Auden
Augustin
Axel
Basil
Bastian
Benedict
Benno
Bram
Brom
Bruno
Calix
Casper
Caspian
Cato
Conrad
Constantine
Corin
Cosimo
Cyan
Cyril
Dante
Dashiell
Diederick
Dominic
Dorian
Eamon
Edwin
Elian
Emery
Emmerich
Evander
Fabian
Felix
Fergus
Fletcher
Fox
Fritz
Gael
Gregor
Gunnar
Guthrie
Havel
Hawthorn
Henning
Hugo
Indigo
Isidor
Ivo
Iwan
Jarlath
Jasper
Jaziel
Jem
Jericho
Johan
Jupiter
Justice
Kai
Kasimir
Keane
Kennon
Kit
Knute
Kylo
Laird
Larkin
Leif
Lemuel
Leopold
Levin
Loic
Luca
Ludwig
Lysander
Marco
Marius
Matteo
Maxim
Mccoy
Merrill
Milan
Murray

Which of these names catch your eye? Choose five and give them interesting middle names of your choice. Click below for the names N-Z!

Congratulations on the little girl you're expecting in the near to distant future!  I couldn't be happier for you!  Not pregnant? No problem.

If you're looking for an unusual name for a book character, pet, or simulated video game character, I'm happy that you've also stumbled across this page.

Below are ten interesting names that have either had their heyday in your grandparents era, or have never quite taken off.  Either way, these names deserve consideration if you're into the uncommon. Go on, browse a bit, then be sure to check out the other six parts of this series for even more ideas!

Damaris (161 births - #1,428) Damaris was a woman in the New Testament who was converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. It is a Greek name from the word δαμαλις (damalis) which possibly means "calf, heifer, girl". The meaning is a little unusual but the biblical association makes up for it. Damaris has been used for girls in the US since 1916. It also gained minimal usage for boys in 1969. The year with the most female births was 2006, which ranked it at #604 for the year. However, it dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2012. Will it regain some usage in the future? Middle Name Ideas: Damaris Magdalene, Damaris Lily, Damaris Elaine, Damaris Sophia, Damaris June, Damaris Ruth, Damaris Lucille

Azul (160 births - #1,430) Pronounced ah-zhool, Azul is the Spanish word for "blue". This name should gain some popularity for being a triple threat. It's a color, it contains the cool letter Z, and it has that Spanish flair.  It's only been around since 1995 in the US. Interestingly, this name spiked in popularity for 4 years (2007-2010) before dropping off the chart again. Could you see it making a splash in the future? Middle Name Ideas: Azul Gabriella, Azul Rosalinda, Azul Carina, Azul Miranda, Azul Selena, Azul Olivia, Azul Victoria

Gretchen (160 births - #1,431) Gretchen is the German diminutive of Margareta, which of course is a form of Margaret, which comes from the Latin Margarita and the Greek margarites meaning "pearl." Gretchen has been in use in the US since 1882 and had the most births per year in 1971. It was almost always in the Top 1000 until it dropped off the chart in 2010. Has Gretchen's time run out, or could it ever be well-used again in the future?  Middle Name Ideas: Gretchen Adelaide, Gretchen Elise, Gretchen Rosalie, Gretchen Amelia, Gretchen Charlotte, Gretchen Louise, Gretchen Matilda

Ida (159 births - #1,439)  The name Ida comes from the Germanic element id, which refers to "work" or "labor". It was common in England after the Normans introduced it, but it greatly lost usage in the Middle Ages. It made a strong comeback in the 19th century after being used as the name of a heroine in a poem in 1847 by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Births-per-year peaked in 1918 for Ida in the US, but then usage declined until the name left the Top 1000 in 1987. Middle Name Ideas: Ida Genevieve, Ida Lorraine, Ida Delaney, Ida Julianne, Ida Charlotte, Ida Grace, Ida Madeline

Darlene (158 births - #1,443) Exactly as you might guess, Darlene comes from the English word darling, but the suffix -lene was substituted to make it more acceptable as a name. This name first appeared in the birth record in 1896 in the US for girls. It was even briefly applied to males from 1927-1976 and 7 births as recent as 1989. However, this name is better suited for females as evidenced by its peak in popularity in 1958 with over 8200 births for the year. Shortly thereafter, the name began a decline in usage that has yet to turn around. The name left the Top 1000 in 2003. Could you picture modern Darlenes?  Middle Name Ideas: Darlene Marianne, Darlene Elizabeth, Darlene Claire, Darlene Olivia, Darlene Rebecca, Darlene Johanna, Darlene Margot

Saoirse (158 births - #1,450) Pronounced SEER-sha, this beautiful Irish Gaelic name means "Freedom". It has ranked as high as #18 in Ireland in recent years, and #88 in Northern Ireland. However, its pronunciation has been deemed too difficult for many Americans, that is, until the name finally gained usage in 1993. With such a large percentage of the population hailing from Irish ancestors, like myself, I'd love to see more pure Irish names being used. Saoirse has never been in the Top 1000, but she is definitely gaining usage year-over-year. The name's familiarity is growing thanks to actress Saoirse Ronan's fame.  Middle Name Ideas: Saoirse Caroline, Saoirse Margaret, Saoirse Aoibheann, Saoirse Emily, Saoirse Lily, Saoirse Niamh, Saoirse Maeve

Alba (157 births - #1,452) Alba is actually two different names with different origins. One Alba comes from the male name Albus, an Ancient Roman name meaning "white" or "bright" in Latin.  The Second Alba is Germanic and is derived from the element alf meaning "elf". Lastly, Alba is also a word meaning "sunrise" or "dawn" in Italian, Spanish and Catalan. These two different names and a word have been confused over time. Whichever Alba you prefer, it has been in use overall in the US since the 1880s. It briefly ranked in the Top 1000 at the beginning of the century through to 1923, but it has mostly been very rare ever since. Middle Name Ideas: Alba Carolina, Alba Gloriana, Alba Juliana, Alba Violet, Alba Magdalene, Alba Raquel, Alba Maren

Tallulah (157 births - #1,457) Tallulah is a Native American name that is typically said to mean "leaping waters" in the Choctaw language but some argue that it actually means "town" in the Creek language . Perhaps both of them are accurate. This name is pronounced tə-LOO-lə. There's also an Irish Talulla which is a different name with its own meaning. This name appeared on the US birth record back in 1917, but it was very seldom used over the years, including none at all between 1957 and 1978.  By 1995 though, Tallulah picked up steam and is inching toward the Top 1000. Will she make it? Middle Name Ideas: Tallulah Belle, Tallulah Jane, Tallulah Noelle, Tallulah Scarlett, Tallulah Vivienne, Tallulah Nayeli, Tallulah Itzel

Essence (156 births - #1,460) This name is relative to the word essence, which is derived from the Latin esse meaning "to be". It also refers to an odor or scent, or it could mean a "fundamental quality".  This word name is a guilty pleasure for me. I find it delightful as an unexpected middle name. It had not been used at all in the US, though, until 1973. It moved fast enough to earn a spot in the Top 1000 by 1991 and it continued climbing as high as #490 in 1995. It faded downward again after that, leaving the chart by 2009, but it is a name that I'd like to see used more often.  Middle Name Ideas:  Essence Aurora, Essence Briar, Essence Josephine, Essence Penelope, Essence Lavinia, Essence Juliet, Essence Kate

Winifred (156 births - #1,467) From the Welsh name Gwenfrewi, Winifred is derived from the elements gwen meaning "white, fair, blessed", and frewi meaning "reconciliation, peace". Winifred has been in use for American girls since the 1880s but it was also occasionally given to boys from the early 1900s through the 1970s. For girls, Winifred's biggest year was 1918 when 1,593 girls were named. It declined thereafter, leaving the Top 1000 in 1965. However, the last few years have shown an increase in usage of the name. Is it vintage enough to make a comeback though? Middle Name Ideas:  Winifred Margaret, Winifred Louise, Winifred Adele, Winifred Alice, Winifred Grace, Winifred Sophia, Winifred Esme

What do you think of these ten, barely-used names for girls? Which do you think stand the best chance of revival? Which should stay uncommon? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media! Thanks for reading!

Ahhh! Part Seven! Here we are! The series just keeps chugging along with another 10 boy names to choose from! These barely-used names do not rank within 2015's Top 1000 chart.

Take a look at the names on this list, pick your favorite(s) and pair them with a great middle name in the comment section below!

Cordell (129 births - #1342) Cordell is an interesting surname name taken from Middle English usage referring to the maker or seller of cord. Cordell actually first appeared in 1903 for females, and 1904 for males. However, over the years, it gained more traction for boys, despite being given to a handful of girls here and there until 1937. For boys, Cordell has ranked on and off in the Top 1000, doing the best in the late 1990s.  Now it has fallen off the charts again but still earns a decent amount of births per year. Is this a name that you'd consider? Middle Name Ideas:  Cordell William, Cordell Elijah, Cordell Frost, Cordell Thomas, Cordell Ryan, Cordell Sebastian, Cordell Peregrine.

Jael (128 births - #1350)  Jael comes from the Hebrew name יָעֵל (Ya'el) which means "mountain goat". This was an Old Testament name used on a woman, the wife of Heber the Kenite. It's interesting that people have decided to use it for a boy. It was first used for girls back in 1957, and for boys in 1979. Over the years, it has actually been very evenly unisex with nearly the same amount of births for the year for each gender. In 2015, there were 150 girls named Jael and 128 boys. Middle Name Ideas: Jael Carter, Jael Matthew, Jael Benjamin, Jael Nathan, Jael Alexander, Jael Isaiah, Jael Tobias.

Creed (127 births - #1357)  Creed is an English word that refers to a set of religious beliefs, or any set of principals that must be followed.  It comes from the Latin credo meaning "I believe" or credere meaning "to believe". This name would most likely be used by parents who have strong spiritual beliefs, but it isn't off limits to those without faith. This has always been solely given to boys, dating back to 1880, but it wasn't regularly used yearly until the 1910s. It is more popular today than it has ever been, and yet it has not cracked into the Top 1000. Middle Name Ideas: Creed Jackson, Creed Oliver, Creed Michael, Creed Lucas, Creed Finnegan, Creed Anthony, Creed Gabriel.

Eleazar (127 births - #1359)  This comes from the Hebrew אֶלְעָזָר ('El'azar) which means "my God has helped" and was the name of one of the sons of Aaron in the Old Testament. Related names include Elazar, Lázár, Lazare, Lazzaro and Lázaro and of course, Lazarus.  Eleazar is a masculine name, (despite 7 female births appearing in 1993), and it has been in use in the US since 1919 on record. While it has never been popular or on the Top 1000 chart, it has had some solid usage over the years.  Could it ever catch on like other popular biblical names? Middle Name Ideas:  Eleazar Dean, Eleazar Lee, Eleazar Matteo, Eleazar Jude, Eleazar Beau, Eleazar Quinn

Tobin (127 births - #1362)  Tobin comes from an English surname that was derived from the male name Tobias. Tobias is the Greek form of Tobiah, a Hebrew form of Toviyyah meaning "YAHWEH is good". So, Tobin has been used in the US since 1941 for boys. It ranked as high as #720 in 1971, but fell out of the Top 1000 since then. Usage is on the rise now, but it hasn't quite caught on fully. Could Tobin gain enough popularity in the coming years to land on the Top 1000 chart? Middle Name Ideas: Tobin James, Tobin Andrew, Tobin Peter, Tobin Lysander, Tobin Clark, Tobin Leroy

Laith (126 births - #1369)  Laith is an interesting Arabic name meaning "lion". It is also sometimes used as a surname or romanized as Layth. This name dates way back to a notable Egyptian scholar who lived from 713-791. However, in the US, Laith has only been on record since 1969. It has slowly gained a handful more births year over year since then, but has never cracked the Top 1000. Laith has all the right sounds to potentially be popular, but will it ever get there? Middle Name Ideas: Laith Raphael, Laith Jasper, Laith Dominic, Laith Muhammad, Laith Cassim, Laith David

Zephyr (126 births - #1373) This is a fascinating Greek name from Zephyros meaning "the west wind" of which Zephyros was the god. Interestingly, Zephyr has a longer history as a female name. It was on record between 1905 and 1937 for females before going into name hibernation. It reappeared in 1975 for boys and 1981 for girls.  It was seldom used until most recently in the past decade.  Now it has far more usage on boys. It's rare that a name will turn from pink to blue in the US, but this one is trending that direction, even though it began as a male god name.  Middle Name Ideas: Zephyr Adrian, Zephyr Julian, Zephyr Noah, Zephyr Apollo, Zephyr Orion, Zephyr Leonidas, Zephyr Damian

Nestor (124 births - #1389) Nestor is a Greek name meaning "homecoming". There was a character in Homer's Iliad named Nestor who was known for his wisdom and longevity. The first usage of Nestor in the US was back in 1885. Always a masculine name, it failed to gain momentum until the 1910s, and it wasn't until the 1960s that it joined the Top 1000. It was most popular in 1991 at #587, but dipped back off the chart in 2008. Is this one too unusual for most people or could it gain popularity? Middle Name Ideas: Nestor Jack, Nestor Gabriel, Nestor Matthias, Nestor George, Nestor Timothy, Nestor Demetrius, Nestor Isaiah

Ollie (122 births - #1403) Ollie is a diminutive, or nickname, of the Oliver, Olivia and Olive branch of names. It is also used as a given name on its own. Ollie tends to be more commonly given to girls, especially back around the early 1900s. It ranked in the Top 1000 for girls until 1961. Ollie was used on boys simultaneously since 1880 but usually with fewer births per year. Only now is it trending upward for boys as a faster rate than for girls (122 male births vs 56 female in 2015). Will it break back into the Top 1000 soon? And if so, for which gender is it better suited?  Middle Name Ideas: Ollie Maxwell, Ollie Barnabas, Ollie Christopher, Ollie Marcus, Ollie Foster, Ollie Theodore, Ollie Laurence

Cillian (121 births - #1407) Finally, we have the Irish Cillian, pronounced kil-ee-an. This name was probably taken from the Gaelic ceall meaning "church" and combined with a diminutive suffix which likely makes it "little church". It was originally spelled Ó Cillín in Irish before being Anglicized into Killeen as well as Killian. It could also possibly be the diminutive of ceallach meaning "war, strife". There was a 7th century Irish saint by the name. Here in the US, Killian is more popular (#348 in 2015) because the spelling lends to the pronunciation. Cillian has only been in use since 1995 but it is climbing the charts. Middle Name Ideas: Cillian Ferdinand, Cillian Patrick, Cillian Fox, Cillian Henry, Cillian Archer, Cillian Pierce, Cillian Reid

What do you think of these ten names and what other middle names might pair well? Share your thoughts in the comments below!