Browse Names

This is a list of names in which the usage is English; and the community's impression is modern.
gender
usage
impression
Kam m & f English (Modern)
Short form of Kameron.
Kamryn f & m English (Modern)
Variant (typically feminine) of Cameron.
Kandi f English
Variant of Candy.
Karrie f English
Variant of Carrie.
Karsyn f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Carson.
Karter m & f English (Modern)
Variant of Carter.
Kashton m English (Modern)
Probably a combination of Kash and the popular name suffix ton, inspired by names such as Ashton.
Kat f English
Diminutive of Katherine.
Katee f English (Rare)
Diminutive of Kate.
Katey f English
Diminutive of Kate.
Kathi f English
Diminutive of Katherine.
Kaycee f English (Modern)
Feminine variant of Casey.
Kayden m & f English (Modern)
Variant of Caden.
Kaylee f English (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements kay and lee. This name, in various spellings, steadily rose in popularity starting in the 1980s. This particular spelling peaked in America in 2009, ranked 26th, and has since declined.
Kayleigh f English (Modern)
Variant of Kaylee. This particular spelling was popularized by a 1985 song by the British band Marillion.
Kaylyn f English (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements kay and lyn.
Kehlani f English (Modern)
Variant of Kailani or Kalani. This spelling was popularized by the American singer Kehlani Parrish (1995-), who is known simply as Kehlani.
Keighley f English (Rare)
From a surname that was derived from an English place name, ultimately meaning "clearing belonging to Cyhha". The Old English given name Cyhha is of unknown meaning. This name also serves as a variant of Kaylee.
Kelcey m & f English (Rare)
Variant of Kelsey.
Kelia f English (Rare)
Meaning unknown, perhaps an invented name.
Kelsey f & m English
From an English surname that is derived from town names in Lincolnshire. It may mean "Cenel's island", from the Old English name Cenel "fierce" in combination with eg "island".
Kendall m & f English
From an English surname that comes from the name of the city of Kendale in northwestern England meaning "valley on the river Kent". Originally mostly masculine, the name received a boost in popularity for girls in 1993 when the devious character Kendall Hart began appearing on the American soap opera All My Children.
Kendra f English
Feminine form of Ken 1 or Kendrick.
Kenya f English, African American
From the name of the African country of Kenya. The country is named for Mount Kenya, which in the Kikuyu language is called Kĩrĩnyaga meaning "the one having stripes". It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the 1960s.
Kenyon m English
From a surname that was derived from an English place name, of uncertain meaning.
Kenzie m & f English
Short form of Mackenzie.
Kevyn m & f English (Rare)
Variant or feminine form of Kevin.
Khloe f English (Modern)
Variant of Chloe. This particular variant was popularized by the television personality Khloé Kardashian (1984-) after she began appearing with her family on the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007.
Kiara f English (Modern)
Variant of Ciara 1 or Chiara. This name was brought to public attention in 1988 after the singing duo Kiara released their song This Time. It was further popularized by a character in the animated movie The Lion King II (1998).
Kiki f English, Greek, German, Dutch
Diminutive of names beginning with or containing the sound K.
Kimberlyn f English (Rare)
Elaboration of Kimberly using the popular name suffix lyn.
Kimmy f English
Diminutive of Kimberly or Kim 1.
Kinley f English (Modern)
From a Scottish surname, an Anglicized form of Mac Fhionnlaigh, itself derived from the given name Fionnlagh.
Kinsey f English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from the given name Cynesige. This name is borne by Kinsey Millhone, the heroine in a series of mystery novels by author Sue Grafton, beginning in 1982.
Kinsley f English (Modern)
From a surname that was derived from an English place name, itself meaning "clearing belonging to Cyne". The Old English given name Cyne is a short form of longer names beginning with cyne meaning "royal".... [more]
Kira 2 f English
Variant of Ciara 1.
Kirby m & f English
From an English surname that was originally from a place name meaning "church settlement" in Old Norse. This name briefly spiked in popularity for American girls in 1982 after the character Kirby Anders Colby was introduced to the soap opera Dynasty.
Kizzy f English
Diminutive of Keziah. This particular spelling was repopularized in the late 1970s by a character in the book and miniseries Roots (1977).
Koda m English (Modern)
At least in part inspired by the name of a character from the animated movie Brother Bear (2003). The moviemakers apparently took it from Lakota or Dakota koda meaning "friend, companion".
Korey m English
Variant of Corey.
Kori f English
Feminine form of Corey.
Kory m English
Variant of Corey.
Kourtney f English (Modern)
Variant of Courtney. Like Courtney this name declined in popularity in the 1990s, but it was briefly revived after 2007 by the television personality Kourtney Kardashian (1979-) when she began appearing on the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Kristie f English
Diminutive of Christina or Christine.
Krystal f English
Variant of Crystal.
Krystle f English (Modern)
Variant of Crystal. This particular spelling was popularized by the character Krystle Carrington from the American soap opera Dynasty (1981-1989).
Kylan m English (Modern)
Invented name based on the sounds found in other names such as Kyle and Rylan.
Kyle m English
From a Scottish surname that was derived from various place names, themselves from Gaelic caol meaning "narrows, channel, strait". As a given name it was rare in the first half of the 20th century. It rose steadily in popularity throughout the English-speaking world, entering the top 50 in most places by the 1990s. It has since declined in all regions.
Kyler m English (Modern)
Probably a blend of the sounds of Kyle and Tyler. It also coincides with the surname Kyler, an Anglicized form of Dutch Cuyler.
Kylie f English
This name arose in Australia, where it is said to mean "boomerang" in the Australian Aboriginal language Nyungar. An early bearer was the author Kylie Tennant (1912-1988). It was among the most popular names in Australia in the 1970s and early 80s. It can also be considered a feminine form of Kyle, or a combination of the popular sounds ky and lee, and it is likely in those capacities that it began to be used in America in the late 1970s. A famous bearer is the Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue (1968-).
Kym f English (Rare)
Variant of Kim 1.
Laci 2 f English (Modern)
Variant of Lacy. This name jumped in popularity in 2003 after the media coverage of the murder of Laci Peterson (1975-2002).
Lake m & f English (Rare)
From the English word lake, for the inland body of water. It is ultimately derived from Latin lacus.
Legacy f & m English (Modern)
From the English word, meaning "something inherited from a predecessor, heritage". It is derived from Old French legacie, itself from Latin legatum "bequest, legacy".
Legend m English (Modern)
From the English word, referring to a story about the past (or by extension, a heroic character in such a story), ultimately from Latin lego "to read".
Lexa f English
Short form of Alexandra or Alexa.
Lexi f English
Diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis.
Lexia f English
Short form of Alexia.
Lexine f English
Diminutive of Alexandra.
Lexus f English
Short form of Alexus. Its use has been influenced by the Lexus brand name (a line of luxury automobiles made by Toyota).
Lexy f English
Diminutive of Alexandra or Alexis.
Libbie f English
Variant of Libby.
Linsey f English
Variant of Lindsay.
Lisha f English
Short form of Alicia, Felicia and other names ending with the same sound.
Livvy f English
Diminutive of Olivia.
Livy 2 f English
Diminutive of Olivia.
Lucky m & f English, Hindi
From a nickname given to a lucky person. It is also sometimes used as a diminutive of Luke. A famous bearer was the Italian-American gangster "Lucky" Luciano (1897-1962).
Lyric f & m English (Modern)
Means simply "lyric, songlike" from the English word, ultimately derived from Greek λυρικός (lyrikos).
Lyssa 1 f English
Short form of Alyssa.
Mackenzie f & m English
From a Scottish surname, an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Coinnich, itself derived from the given name Coinneach. As a feminine given name it was popularized by the American actress Mackenzie Phillips (1959-), especially after she began appearing on the television comedy One Day at a Time in 1975. In the United Kingdom it is more common as a masculine name.
Maddie f English
Diminutive of Madeline or Madison.
Maddox m English (Modern)
From a Welsh surname meaning "son of Madoc". It was brought to public attention when the actress Angelina Jolie gave this name to her adopted son in 2002.
Maddy f English
Diminutive of Madeline or Madison.
Madi f English
Diminutive of Madeline or Madison.
Madison f & m English
From the English surname Madison meaning "son of Matthew" or "son of Maud". It was not commonly used as a feminine name until after the movie Splash (1984), in which the main character adopted it as her name after seeing a street sign for Madison Avenue in New York City. It was ranked second for girls in the United States by 2001. This rise from obscurity to prominence in only 18 years represents an unprecedented 550,000 percent increase in usage.... [more]
Mandi f English
Diminutive of Amanda.
Maverick m English
Derived from the English word maverick meaning "independent". The word itself is derived from the surname of a 19th-century Texas rancher who did not brand his calves.
Maxton m English (Modern)
Elaboration of Max using the popular name suffix ton.
Mckayla f English (Modern)
Variant of Michaela, often spelled as McKayla with the third letter capitalized, as if it were an Irish or Scottish surname beginning with Mc.
McKenna f English (Modern)
From an Irish and Scottish surname, an Anglicized form of Mac Cionaodha, itself derived from the given name Cionaodh. As a given name, it was very rare before 1980. It rapidly increased in popularity during the 1990s, likely because it was viewed as an even more feminine alternative to Mackenzie.
McKinley f & m English
From a Scottish surname, an Anglicized form of Mac Fhionnlaigh, from the given name Fionnlagh. A famous bearer of the surname was the American president William McKinley (1843-1901).... [more]
Meadow f English (Modern)
From the English word meadow, ultimately from Old English mædwe. Previously very rare, it rose in popularity after it was used as the name of Tony Soprano's daughter on the television series The Sopranos (1999-2007).
Mica f English
Short form of Michaela.
Mikey m English
Diminutive of Michael.
Mikki f English
Strictly feminine variant of Mickey.
Miley f English (Modern)
In the case of actress and singer Miley Cyrus (1992-), it is a shortened form of the nickname Smiley, given to her by her father because she often smiled. Although it was not at all common before she brought it to public attention, there are some examples of its use before her time, most likely as a diminutive of Miles.
Miller m & f English
From the English occupational surname Miller, originally used by those who were millers, derived from Middle English mille "mill".
Miracle f English (Modern)
From the English word miracle for an extraordinary event, ultimately deriving from Latin miraculum "wonder, marvel".
Misti f English
Variant of Misty.
Montana f & m English (Modern)
From the name of the American state of Montana, which is derived from Latin montanus "mountainous".
Myla f English (Modern)
Possibly a feminine form of Miles, influenced by similar-sounding names such as Kyla.
Navy f & m English (Modern)
From the English word meaning "sea force, fleet, armed forces of the sea". It is derived from Old French navie, from Latin navigia, the plural of navigium "boat, vessel". It also refers to a shade of dark blue, a colour traditionally associated with naval uniforms.
Nevada f & m English
From the name of the American state of Nevada, which means "snow-capped" in Spanish.
Nevaeh f English (Modern)
The word heaven spelled backwards. It became popular after the musician Sonny Sandoval from the rock group P.O.D. gave it to his daughter in 2000. Over the next few years it rapidly climbed the rankings in America, peaking at the 25th rank for girls in 2010.
Nia 3 f English, Georgian
Short form of Antonia, Sidonia and other names ending in nia.
Nikki f English
Diminutive of Nicole.
Nova f English, Swedish (Modern), Dutch (Modern)
Derived from Latin novus meaning "new". It was first used as a name in the 19th century.
Novalee f English (Modern)
Elaboration of Nova using the popular name suffix lee. It was used for the central character in the novel Where the Heart Is (1995), as well as the 2000 film adaptation.
Nyla f English
Probably a feminine form of Niles. It gained popularity in the early 2000s, influenced by similar-sounding names such as Kyla.
Oakleigh f English (Modern)
Strictly feminine variant of Oakley.
Oaklyn f English (Modern)
Variant of Oakley using the popular name suffix lyn.
Ocean f & m English (Modern)
Simply from the English word ocean for a large body of water. It is ultimately derived from Greek Ὠκεανός (Okeanos), the name of the body of water thought to surround the Earth.
October f English (Rare)
From the name of the tenth month. It is derived from Latin octo meaning "eight", because it was originally the eighth month of the Roman year.
Onyx m & f English
From the English word for the gemstone (a variety of chalcedony), which can be black, red or other colours. It is derived from Greek ὄνυξ (onyx) meaning "claw, nail".
Paden m English (Rare)
From a surname, itself probably a derivative of the given name Pate, a short form of Patrick. It was an obscure given name in America until 1985, when it appeared in the western movie Silverado. Its modest usage after that can probably be attributed to the fact that it ends in the popular den sound found in more-popular names such as Braden, Hayden and Aidan.
Paisley f English (Modern)
From a Scots surname, originally from the name of a town near Glasgow, maybe ultimately derived from Latin basilica "church". This is also a word (derived from the name of that same town) for a type of pattern commonly found on fabrics.
Parris m & f English (Rare)
From an English surname that originally denoted a person who came from the French city of Paris (see Paris 2).
Paxton m English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from a place name meaning "Pœcc's town". Pœcc is an Old English given name of unknown meaning.
Payton f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Peyton.
Pepper f & m English (Modern)
From the English word for the spice, which is prepared from the dried berries of the pepper plant. The word is derived from Latin piper, ultimately from an Indo-Aryan source. In popular culture, Pepper is the nickname of Virginia Potts from the Iron Man series of comic books and movies, created 1963.
Petal f English (Rare)
From the English word for the flower part, derived from Greek πέταλον (petalon) meaning "leaf".
Peyton f & m English
From an English surname, originally a place name meaning "Pæga's town". This was a rare masculine name until the 1990s. In 1992 it was used for a female character in the movie The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, and, despite the fact that it was borne by the villain, the name began to rise in popularity for girls as well as boys.... [more]
Porsche f English (Modern)
From the name of the German car company, which was founded by Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951).
Rae f English
Short form of Rachel. It can also be used as a feminine form of Ray.
Raelene f English (Rare)
Combination of Rae and the popular name suffix lene.
Raelyn f English (Modern)
Combination of Rae and the popular name suffix lyn.
Raelynn f English (Modern)
Combination of Rae and the popular name suffix lyn.
Rainbow f English (Rare)
From the English word for the arc of multicoloured light that can appear in a misty sky.
Randi 1 f English
Diminutive of Miranda.
Reign f & m English (Modern)
From the English word reign, derived from Latin regnum "royal power".
Reverie f English (Rare)
From the English word meaning "daydream, fanciful musing", derived from Old French resverie, itself from resver meaning "to dream, to rave".
Rexanne f English (Rare)
Variant of Roxane influenced by Rex.
Ridge m English (Modern)
From the English vocabulary word denoting a continuous elevated mountain crest, or from the English surname derived from the word.
Rikki f & m English (Modern)
Variant and feminine form of Ricky.
Roxie f English
Diminutive of Roxana.
Roxy f English
Diminutive of Roxana.
Royalty f English (Modern)
From the English word royalty, derived (via Old French) from Latin regalitas, a derivative of rex "king".
Rubye f English
Variant of Ruby.
Ryann f English (Modern)
Feminine form of Ryan.
Ryanne f English (Rare)
Feminine form of Ryan.
Ryder m English (Modern)
From an English occupational surname derived from Old English ridere meaning "mounted warrior" or "messenger". It has grown in popularity in the 2000s because it starts with the same sound found in other popular names like Ryan and Riley.
Ryker m English (Modern)
Possibly a variant of the German surname Riker, a derivative of Low German rike "rich". As a modern English name, it has become popular because it shares the same trendy sounds found in other names such as Ryan and Ryder.
Rylan m English (Modern)
Possibly a variant of Ryland, though it could also be an invented name inspired by other names like Ryan and Riley.
Rylee f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Riley.
Ryleigh f English (Modern)
Feminine variant of Riley.
Ryley m & f English (Modern)
Variant of Riley.
Rylie f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Riley.
Sammi f English (Rare)
Diminutive of Samantha.
Saranna f English (Rare)
Combination of Sarah and Anna, in occasional use since the 18th century.
Saylor f English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from Old French sailleor meaning "acrobat, dancer". As a modern English given name it could also come from the homophone vocabulary word sailor.
Seven m & f English (Modern)
From the English word for the number, derived from Old English seofon (from an Indo-European root shared by Latin septem and Greek ἑπτά (hepta)).
Sevyn f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Seven.
Shaelyn f English (Rare)
Elaboration of Shae using the popular name suffix lyn.
Shanae f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Combination of the popular phonetic elements sha and nay.
Shanene f English (Rare)
Combination of the phonetic elements sha and neen.
Shanna f English
Possibly a feminine variant of Shannon.
Sharla f English
Variant of Charla.
Shavonne f English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Anglicized form of Siobhán. In some cases it might be considered a combination of the phonetic element sha and Yvonne.
Shawnda f English
Variant of Shonda.
Shaye f & m English (Rare)
Variant of Shea.
Shaylyn f English (Rare)
Invented name, based on Shayla and using the popular name suffix lyn.
Shayne m English
Variant of Shane.
Shonda f English
Invented name, probably based on the sounds found in Shawna and Rhonda.
Shyla f English (Modern)
Variant of Sheila, or a combination of the popular phonetic elements shy and la.
Sky f & m English (Modern)
Simply from the English word sky, which was ultimately derived from Old Norse ský "cloud".
Skyla f English (Modern)
Feminine variant of Skyler, formed using the popular name suffix la.
Skylar f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Skyler. Originally more common for boys during the 1980s, it was popularized as a name for girls after it was used on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless in 1989 and the movie Good Will Hunting in 1997. Its sharp rise in the United States in 2011 might be attributed to the character Skyler White from the television series Breaking Bad (2008-2013) or the singer Skylar Grey (1986-), who adopted this name in 2010 after previously going by Holly Brook.
Skyler m & f English (Modern)
Variant of Schuyler, based on the pronunciation of the surname but respelled as if it was a blend of the English word sky with names such as Tyler. It was rare before 1980, and first gained popularity as a name for boys. It is now more common for girls, though it is more evenly unisex than the mostly feminine variant Skylar.
Skylynn f English (Rare)
Elaboration of Sky using the popular name suffix lyn.
Slade m English (Modern)
From an English surname that was derived from Old English slæd meaning "valley".
Sloan f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Sloane.
Sommer f English (Modern)
Variant of Summer, coinciding with the German word for summer.
Spike m English
From a nickname that may have originally been given to a person with spiky hair.
Spirit f English (Rare)
From the English word spirit, ultimately from Latin spiritus "breath, energy", a derivative of spiro "to blow, to breathe".
Stacee f English (Rare)
Feminine variant of Stacy.
Staci f English
Feminine variant of Stacy.
Starr f English
Variant of Star.
Steph f & m English
Short form of Stephanie or Stephen.
Stetson m English (Modern)
From an English surname that was originally derived from the name of the village of Stidston in Devon, meaning "Stithweard's town". This is a type of wide-brimmed hat, originally made by the John B. Stetson Company.
Steven m English, Dutch
Medieval English variant of Stephen, and a Dutch variant of Stefan. The filmmaker Steven Spielberg (1946-), director of E.T. and Indiana Jones, is a famous bearer of this name.
Stone m English (Modern)
From the English vocabulary word, ultimately from Old English stan.
Storm m & f English (Modern), Dutch (Modern), Danish (Modern), Norwegian (Modern)
From the vocabulary word, ultimately from Old English or Old Dutch storm, or in the case of the Scandinavian name, from Old Norse stormr. It is unisex as an English name, but typically masculine elsewhere.
Sunshine f English
From the English word, ultimately from Old English sunne "sun" and scinan "shine".
Tabby f English
Diminutive of Tabitha.
Talon m English (Modern)
From the English word meaning "talon, claw", ultimately derived (via Norman French) from Latin talus "anklebone".
Tameka f English
Variant of Tamika.
Tami f English
Variant of Tammy.
Tamika f English
Variant of Tamiko, inspired by the American jazz singer Tamiko Jones (1945-) or the American movie A Girl Named Tamiko (1963).
Tanner m English
From an English surname meaning "one who tans hides".
Tatum f & m English (Modern)
From an English surname that was originally derived from a place name meaning "Tata's homestead" in Old English. It was brought to public attention by the child actress Tatum O'Neal (1963-) in the 1970s, though it did not catch on. It attained a modest level of popularity after 1996, when it was borne by a character in the movie Scream.
Tayla f English (Modern)
Probably a feminine form of Taylor influenced by similar-sounding names such as Kayla.
Tayler f & m English (Modern)
Variant of Taylor.
Teal f English (Rare)
From the English word for the type of duck or the greenish-blue colour.
Teri f English
Either a feminine variant of Terry 1 or a diminutive of Theresa.
Tevin m English (Modern)
Invented name, probably inspired by Kevin and Devin. This name was popularized by the American singer Tevin Campbell (1976-).
Tori f English
Diminutive of Victoria.
Trace m English
Short form of Tracy.
Tracee f English
Feminine variant of Tracy.
Traci f English
Feminine variant of Tracy.
Treasure f English (Modern)
From the English word, ultimately from Greek θησαυρός (thesauros) meaning "treasure, collection".
Trey m English
From an English nickname meaning "three".
Trix f English
Short form of Beatrix.
Tuesday f English (Rare)
From the English word for the day of the week, which derives from Old English tiwesdæg meaning "Tiw's day".
Ty m English
Short form of Tyler, Tyson, Tyrone and other names beginning with Ty.
Tye m English
From a surname meaning "pasture" in Middle English.