While the short, zippy Una is my personal favorite spelling of this name, the distinctive-looking Oona is Nameberry-Editor-in-Chief ’s pick of the two!

With an unusual, double-vowel beginning and an appealing four-letter-ends-in-a format, Oona gets extra points for its sweet animal meaning and its more international feel, being both a Finnish and Anglicized form of the Irish Úna.

Popular in Belgium and Finland where it ranked at #104 and #41 in a recent year, it has a sparkly, mystical sound — part woodsy and fairy-like, part smooth and stylish. Reminiscent of other Nameberry favorites like Luna, Runa, Anna, Orla, and Juno, it borrows a touch of showbiz glam from actress Oona Chaplin —and her namesake, Oona O’Neill Chaplin, wife to the famous Charlie.

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Sometimes you forget how much you enjoy a name, but I recently saw a social media announced for a baby Cadence and fell in love with it all over again!

A musical word name, Cadence sometimes goes out of my mind, grouped with Sierra, Paisley, Kennedy, Shelby, Peyton, and Cassidy — options I like, but might feel “too Americanized” (my mum’s descriptor!), that is, popular US choices from the 90s and 2000s that never made it as big in the UK!

But let me put aside anyone else’s judgement for a moment and reconsider Cadence. For me, it’s a name full of vibrance and sunshine, a kaleidoscope of color, energy, and joy. It reminds me of retro 70s art: abstract patterns, blocky colors, flowers, and disco. I enjoy the nickname options —sweet Cadi, sparky Caz, cute Cay, and unisex options Cade and Denny — along with the musical vibes.

Some (personal) name trivia: I’ve used Cadence for a fictional character, giving it a special place in my heart. Cadence Aurora has been a favorite combo for me in the past, but it was Cadence Drew that I saw recently, and now the idea of Cadence with a sparky, unisex middle is something I’m pondering!

What name makes you happy and why? Let me know at grace@nameberry.com for a chance to see it featured on Nameberry of the Day in the future.

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Casper and Felix have moved way beyond any “but what about the cartoon character?” concerns, and it’s high time Sylvester did too.

From its woodland origins — the same as Sylvie and Silas — Sylvester feels connected to nature: wild, peaceful, mysterious, even ethereal.

Yet it’s also a spiritual and seasonal name, belonging to several popes including a saint. St Sylvester’s day is 31 December, known as Silvester in German, and accordingly the name has become connected with traditions bidding farewell to the old year.

Sylvester might appeal if you like long classical boy names like Lysander and Augustine, mixed with the warm, cuddly sound of Chester.

A name with a plenty of history, Timea feels as sunny as it does strong. Typically pronounced as tee-MAY-uh or as TEE-meh-aw, it’s currently familiar in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Czechia.

While the exact origins of Timea are contested (or perhaps simply manifold), its contemporary usage is owed to the Hungarian writer, Mór Jókai, who introduced (or perhaps invented) it for his 1872 novel, Az Arany Ember ("The Man with the Golden Touch"). Said to be inspired by the Greek Euthymia, another name for Euphrosyne — the goddess of joy — it could mean "good spirits" or "cheerful".

Alternatively, the name may have been adapted from the Greek Timaeus meaning "to honor", or from Timothea, giving it the more spiritual meaning of "honoring God". There’s also the possibility that Jókai was simply bringing a name back from antiquity, having drawn his inspiration from Timaea, Queen of Sparta.

Today’s feature was kindly suggested and informed by Nameberry Reader Nicole.

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A name with woodsy charm, an adventurous spirit, and a touch of nobility, Leif is a Scandinavian choice associated with a 11th-century Norse explorer (Leif Erikson), a 70s teen idol (Leif Garrett), and an English football player (Leif Davis).

Pronounced as LAYF in Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as LIFE in most of Norway, and as LOIF in the east and north of the Faroe Islands, Leif might also be said as LEEF in English.

Nameberry Guest Writer chose this option for her dog — a stand out and charming choice for a pet! Here, she explains why it was perfect for him:

My dog passed in November but his name was Leif! When I brought him home as a puppy, I took a few days to get to know him and his personality. He was a sensitive soul, even as a puppy yet possessed this determination and focus. I went in between Linus and Leif and settled on Leif because he was obsessed with leaves, and the name also felt like it would be an appropriate name for the animal companion of an elf for another fantasy creature. He wore it well and was definitely the only Leif at the dog park.

Do you have a pet with a fabulous name? Do you want to see them featured here on Nameberry of the Day? Just send their name to grace@nameberry.com and tell me why you chose and love it!

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Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was one of the first texts studied at GCSE and it stands out in my memory for two reasons. The first is that it began the pattern of me becoming obsessed with whatever I was studying in English class. The second is that it has a number of great names, with the bold, elaborate Benvolio being my favorite.

Reminiscent of the English word benevolent, Benvolio is an Italian name meaning “well-wisher” or “goodwill”. Borne by the peace-making figure of the tragedy, it may appeal to those who like bold, virtuous choices like Prosper, Worthy, and Temperance.

And look, I know Benvolio might be a little dramatic for real-life usage, but hear me out: it does have a smooth and melodic sound that’s perfectly matched to its gentle and generous meaning. And it could be said to give you the best of both worlds: a totally unique name with (multiple) familiar nicknames including Ben and Bo.

The real reason this one is truly special to me however, is that it was the name of a very special, very loveable, very clingy, very wonderful guinea pig of mine, who is always in my heart. He’s also the brown one in my profile picture!

Do you have a favorite name from literature that you’d like to see featured on Nameberry of the Day? Send your suggestion to grace@nameberry.com — and don’t forget to share the reasons you love it!

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I think of Monty as a quintessentially British name: cute and clunky, charmingly buttoned-up, so vintage it’s almost a joke. (Or maybe I’m just thinking of the Monty Python comedy group.)

But check out the statistics: it’s no joke that Monty is quietly back. In England and Wales it’s been in or near the Top 300 for a decade — similar to vintage nicknames Bertie and Percy. Even in the States, it’s rising year on year.

Usually my style leans towards full names on birth certificates, but I’d make an exception for Monty. If you disagree, there are more long-form options than you might think, for both boys and (perhaps even more charmingly) girls: Montague, Montgomery, Montana, Beaumont, Lamont, Montserrat, Montez…

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A zippy Sanskrit name, used predominantly in India, Divya can be interpreted as meaning “divine” and “celestial”, though it is additionally linked to light and illumination.

It is brought to you today by Nameberry User Amara, who shares what makes it so special:

I first heard this name because that’s what my little sister was almost named! Because of that, it carries a lot of personal significance to me because my sister is my favorite person in the world! I also really love the meaning (it was the first thing I was drawn to) and the fact that it is a Sanskrit name, because since I have grown up in America, most of my favorite names are English/European centred, and I cannot imagine actually naming a child them — even though I love them!

The name has a forest green and gold palette for me and brings to mind trees and temples. It’s a name that connects to my heritage with the bonus that I also really love the sound and meaning.

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Cute, sassy, and floral, Posy is a vintage nickname for the classic Josephine that has a similar feel to Poppy, Maisie, and Pippa. Today, it may also be considered a diminutive of Primrose or Persephone and fans of the book Ballet Shoes may recognize it as the name of the youngest Fossil sister.

More than a nickname, Posy doubles up as a word name, used to describe a small bouquet of flowers, also known as a nosegay. Alternatively, you could link it with the words poesy and poésie, meaning “poem” or “poetic inspiration”, linking it both literature and nature!

While this spelling of the sweet, whimsy name is favored (and nominated) by Nameberry Editor-in-Chief, , it is in fact less popular than Posie — the form which ranked in the England and Wales Top 700 in recent year and the one chosen by YouTuber couple The LaBrants for their daughter in 2018. Nevertheless, recent years have seen a stage adaptation of Ballet Shoes go big in the UK, while the fourth season of the popular show Bridgerton also featured a character with the Posy spelling.

It will be interesting to see if these pop-culture ties have any influence on Posy’s popularity in coming years!

Have you got a favorite name that deserves to be featured on Nameberry of the Day. Send it to me at grace@namberry.com and let me know why you love it.

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Sleek and shiny, Sylvan is a woodsy name, reminiscent of silver birch trees, ivy leaves, and pale shades of green. A Nameberry favorite, I discovered this one on the forums, falling for its touch of forest-whimsy, its refined-yet-gentle feel, and the way it reminds me of options such as Soren, Rowan, Evander, and Lowen.

Sylvan is a relative of Silas and Sylvie, derived from the same Latin root, silva, giving it the appealing nature-inspired meaning of “woods” or “forest”. A Top 1000 choice in the US in the early 20^th-century, Sylvan had fallen into obscurity by the 70s, given to just a tiny handful of boys each year.

Now, however, it’s in the Nameberry Top 500 and this renewed interest is being quietly reflected in real life! It has almost doubled in usage in the 2020s and a recent count saw it given to 83 boys (and 11 girls). Rare yet approachable, this could be one to watch out for.

Do you want to see your favorite name featured on Nameberry of the Day? Just email grace@nameberry.com with the name and the reasons you love it.

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Winifred is a one-of-a-kind name. No other girl name ends in Fred — you can thank the medieval anglicization of Gwenffrewi. She was a seventh-century Welsh saint who, like so many of her time, rejected the advances of an amorous prince, and was martyred (and later, legend has it, restored to life).

She is associated with several holy springs in North Wales and the English borderlands that, the tale goes, sprang up where her head landed, and where her remains rested on their way to Shrewsbury Abbey a few hundred years after her death.

I’m a big fan of the Brother Cadfael books, cosy monastic murder mysteries set in Shrewsbury in this period. One story involves moving Winifred’s relics, and the crime-solving monk’s warm fondness for the saint has stuck with me, and made the name even more lovable.

Nowadays, it’s a hundred-year-rule name on the cusp of revival, hovering in and out of America’s Top 1000 girl names (and currently just inside).

Winnie is the obvious, most on-trend nickname — but if you like the crunch, Freddie, Freda, or even Fred are more offbeat options.

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Swipe through thousands of names, get personalized recommendations, and link up with family and friends to find names you all love. Download Here!

One syllable names like Brooks, Beau, Banks, and Boone are hugely in style right now, so how about this intriguing alternative?

Part surname, part place name, part diminutive, Berne — which can also be spelled as Bern — is brought to you today by Nameberry Guest Writer Sam:

One of my favorite names is “Berne”. It is my own middle name, so I am quite biased, but I think it’s super unique and interesting! It’s not super popular on the charts but I think the Nameberry community would enjoy it as it works in multiple ways. It’s a reference to a place name (Bern, Switzerland), it means “bear“(so it can represent either strength or being a soft teddy bear), and it is an uncommon boy name!

While Berne hasn’t featured in the US stats since the 1950s, the current interest in nicknames as full names, last-names as given names, and one syllable choices might just make Berne one to watch for.

Robin and Wren are well established options, while other, once daring nature names like Sunny, Clover, and Winter are also in vogue. Throw surname-style choices like Parker, Palmer, and Clark into the mix, and it feels like the perfect time for the sweet and spritely Lark to receive more attention.

Nameberry Guest Writer Julianna is here to sing Lark’s praises to you:

Lark is a fabulous name, and one that was love at first sight for me. I have always loved bird names, but the usual Wren, Robin, or Dove felt impersonal. Then I stumbled upon Lark, which has a perky and musical feel, a personal connection to my dreamy experience with a Western Meadowlark, and an all-around beautiful connotation.

Lark is a mostly-given-to-girls name that’s easy to spell and say but it carries familiar yet uncommon vibes at the same time, which are huge benefits in the naming business.

Overall, the name Lark gives me the image of a little girl flitting through life and growing into a woman who brings a smile to everyone she interacts with. This name is a winner for anyone looking for a strong, feisty, lyrical, and nature-inspired name that feels like a nickname but carries the weight of a full name.

The tricky part is finding a middle name. My favorite pairings are Lark Linnea, Lark Rubi, and Lark Renne.

What name would you pair with Lark? I think I’d go with Lark Evelina or Lark Romilly!

Do you want to see your favorite name featured on Nameberry of the Day? Send in you suggestion to grace@nameberry.com — and don’t forget to tell me why you love it!

Cutesy and zippy, sweet and spikey, Mitzi could make a sharper, rarer alternative to Maisy, Millie, or Mimi. Popularized by glamorous Hollywood actress, Mitzi Gaynor, it made a brief appearance in the US Top 500 in the late 1950s and early 1960s, lending it the retro charm of Penny, Betsy, Polly, and Bonnie.

Today, Mitzi is used more quietly, given to just 13 girls in a recent year, but it’s one I think could easily fit in with modern-vintage-fusions names like Stevie, Scottie, Joni, and Della, along with cool, contemporary options like Ziggy, Zaylie, Charli, and Rori. And, it could be an alternative and unexpected choice if you want to honor a Mary, Maria, or Miriam!

Short, sparky names like this are some of my favorites, and it joins makes my list alongside Mabli, Tesni, Heidi, Katri, and Suvi! If short names aren’t your thing and Mary variations don’t appear, alternative full names could be: Mirabel, Militsa, Marissa, and Mithian.

What name do you think deserves a comeback? Let me know why your favorite needs reconsidering at grace@nameberry.com for a chance to have it featured on Nameberry of the Day.

Until this spring, most people’s association with Artemis was the Greek goddess of the moon — as well as hunting, childbirth, and a protectress of young girls. In other words, a wild, feminine spirit.

Or maybe it was Artemis Fowl, the hero of a series of books by Eoin Colfer. Think child genius, espionage, adventure, and fairies (but not as you know them). It was an unusual choice for a male character, as 12-year-old name nerd me noted when I first read them. Artemis only started to be used for boys in significant numbers around 2020, when the movie based on the books was released.

But why not? It feels just unusual enough that, unless you’re into Greek mythology, most people wouldn’t have a strong feeling on whether it “should” be masculine or feminine. And male names derived from the goddess, like Artem and Artyom, are commonplace in Eastern Europe.

But back to 2026! In April, NASA’s lunar orbit mission Artemis II put the name on everyone’s lips. Linking ancient myth with modern technology, I can’t wait to see if many parents choose Artemis for a baby this year, either consciously inspired by the space mission, or simply because it came onto their radar at the right time.

Timeless, versatile, and classic, Elizabeth has been a popular choice since the 16th-century reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Its elegance, length, and zippy sounds have kept it fresh — as demonstrated by the fact it has never ranked below #26 on the US charts in the 145 years since records began.

Nameberry Reader Laura put Elizabeth forward as her favorite name and noted one of the main appeals of it is that it has so many nicknames1. From familiar to unexpected, this wide range of shortforms certainly adds to the versatility of the name, allowing each wearer can ‘personalize’ it for themselves.

But how did it get to have so many nicknames? Partly because of its length and its international usage — and partly because of how popular it is and was, which likely sparked the use of creative diminutives in order to differentiate between all the Elizabeths!

A rare, floral choice, bringing to mind vivid shades of purple and pink, Fuchsia has a plausibly name-y sound, almost like Freya, Flora, Lucia, and Sasha blended into one. For some it may be a little twee — a little too Bluebell and Tulip to compete with Rose and Violet — however, for others, it may give British Telegraph Name vibes: a mix of posh, elegant, eccentric, and fun.

Chosen by the singer Sting in the 1980s for his daughter Fuchsia Kate, it is also worn by Antiques Roadshow expert Fuchsia Voremberg, and by chef Fuchsia Dunlop. Given to a handful of babies in England and Wales throughout the 2010s, it has yet to appear in the US stats.

Fun bit of etymological background: the flower takes its name from the surname of the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs, in turn adding another, more subtle nature connection to the choice, Fuchs being the German word for fox!

Thank you to for suggesting Fuchsia — it’s not one I’d thought much about before!

Do you want to see your favorite nature name featured on Nameberry of the Day? Just email me at grace@namberry.com and let me know why you love it.

Flicka might look like a creative spelling of “flicker” — bringing to mind names like Ember, Flare, and Glimmer — but it’s actually a recent addition to the Nameberry Database, used in Sweden as a playful nickname to Felicity and Frederica.

Pronounced FLIH-kuh in English and FLEE-kah in Swedish, it coincides with the Swedish word for “girl” or “little girl”, making it a sweet choice that still has plenty of kick.

The name has notably appeared in the 1941 children’s book, My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara, Flicka being a horse, in in the more recent, 2006 movie, that was loosely inspired by the book.

Would you consider Flicka as a nickname for Felicity and Frederica?

Thalia is graceful and timeless, with a one-of-a-kind sound.

Greek mythology girl names like Phoebe and Athena are having a moment, but Thalia — one of the Three Graces, and a Muse of comedy and poetry — is something of an underdog. The name rose sharply in the early 1990s, and has been present in the Top 1000 ever since, never overly popular, but never dropping away either.

The initial Th- sound makes it pretty unusual among girl names. There is only one Th- name in the US Top 500 — Thea — and the next after that is Thalia itself.

I’ve also heard it pronounced with a “T” sound, like Talia, linking it with this sweet multicultural name.

An ancient name with modern possibility, Caedmon was borne by the first English poet to have their name recorded. He appears in the accounts of the Venerable Bede as an illiterate cowherder who received poetic inspiration via a dream, and went on to become an accomplished writer, and later, a saint.

Pronounced as KAD-mohn (traditionally) or occasionally as KAYD-mohn (which could be more appealing in the contemporary world), this name has been a long-time love of mine, surrounded with nostalgia.

It was the name given to one of the now retired passenger ferries that operated between mainland England and the Isle of Wight, which is located off the south coast. For some reason, when I was younger, Caedmon was the ferry we wanted to be on — sorry Cenred and Cenwulf — and so it always reminds me of a favorite place and the excitement of getting on the “best” ferry.