Concise and balanced between soft and sharp, Isra is an Arabic name with an equally alluring meaning: “nocturnal journey” or “one who travels by night”.

Also appearing as Esra and Israa, the name is important in Islamic tradition as it refers to the miraculous Night Journey taken by the Prophet Muhammad , in which he led other prophets to prayer and saw a vision of the afterlife. Typically given as a feminine name, it is occasionally used as a unisex option in Indonesia and India.

Recent years have seen it climb the charts in England and Wales, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium too, likely owing to its religious significance, but also to the way it works in multiple languages.

One of many international variations of Mary and Maria, this Hungarian and Dutch diminutive form was given to just 14 girls in the US in a recent year. Nameberry Guest Writer Diana shares why she believes it deserves more spotlight:

Mariska is both familiar enough to blend in and unique enough to stand out. Sharing a clear similarity to Mary and all of its variants, Mariska ends with a rather sassy suffix that catches the eye of anyone who comes across it. The name is feminine, distinctive, and comprehensive all at once, being pronounced just the way that it’s spelled (at least in English and Dutch. The Hungarian pronunciation is slightly different).

Parents who use this name will not only enjoy the refreshing appearance of a glamorous “new” name, but will also never have to worry about their child’s name holding them back in professional settings. Not to mention the wide range of nicknames at their disposal (Marie, Risa/Isa, Rikki, etc.).

Nameberry of the Day features our favorite names – but we want to showcase your favorites too! Send the name you love most to grace@nameberry.com and don’t forget to tell me why you love it.

One of many spelling variations of this lovely Arabic name, Nour is particularly favored in Spain, France, Italy, Egypt, and Morocco. Pronounced as NOOR, it’s one of those versatile names whose succinct and stylish sounds work across multiple languages.

While I do enjoy the Noor and Nur spellings, this form is particularly compelling to me, perhaps because I knew a Nour growing up and it was my first encounter with the name. At the time, the Nour I knew wanted to work within the fashion industry and she very much had her own style, which she managed to bring to successfully to her school uniform!

Since then, Nour has felt especially glamorous to me and I find this English transcription aesthetically pleasing too. It’s confident and sophisticated, and as bright and glowing as its meaning.

Derived from the Arabic nūr, Nour and its variants also hold significance in Islamic tradition, al-Nūr being one of the 99 names of Allah.

Callum ticks so many boxes: a friendly sound, a peaceful meaning, Scottish roots and a cool nickname, Cal.

It’s no wonder that it’s a fast-rising boy name in the States. Other Cal- names, like Callan and Callahan, are rising too, but Callum feels softer, and has bonus historical meaning: it’s a Scottish form of the name St Columba, the first missionary to Scotland, whose encounter with the Loch Ness Monster provides the first written account of the beast!

Callum became very popular in Britain in the 1990s, and in Scotland is still in the Top 100 — though in England it’s rapidly on its way to becoming a dad name.

Sleek and pretty, Eloise combines the feel of a number of classic choices, including Louise, Eleanor, Lois, Elise, and Ella – so it’s no wonder that it’s become so popular in recent years. Derived from the Old French Héloïse, its etymology is slightly murky, though a popular interpretation is that it ultimately comes from the Germanic Helewidis meaning “healthy, wide”.

A Nameberry favorite and a Top 100 choice in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, contemporary parents may have been inspired to use Eloise by the character in the popular TV and book series, Bridgerton.

Today’s Nameberry of the Day was suggested by Helen, who shares what she loves about the name:

Eloise is a feminine, fun, and elegant name full of poise. This name has been in my family for many years and my younger sister is named Marie Eloise. It’s very beautiful and popular and has a lovely meaning!

Warm, cheeky, and charming, Ferris is a choice that radiates retro fun: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Ferris Wheels, 80s movies, and vintage cars. While the teen comedy movie may have made it into a ‘one-character-name’ for a while, if Forrest can be separated from Gump, then is it not time to reconsider Ferris?

A nice mix of preppy and handsome, rugged and earthy, Ferris is both a sleeker form of Irish Fergus and an occupational name, associated with metal workers. Quietly used throughout the 20th-century, its most popular year was actually 2024, when 56 boys (and 10 girls) were given the name — the highest number ever on record.

Ideal for fans of Rafferty, Finley, Farley, and Ellis, this one might just sneak up the charts!

Do you have a favorite name from pop culture? Email your choice to grace@nameberry.com, along with what made you love it, and it may be featured on Nameberry of The Day in the future.

Wilkie Collins and the cast of his novel Armadale would be surprised to learn what a fast-rising and stylish choice Ozias has become in the 21^st century.

Labelled as “strangely uncouth” and “so remarkably ugly”, characters in the 1866 novel truly cannot stand the name. One even goes so far as to declare that any father who picks Ozias for their son should be ashamed of themselves, and that any human who chooses to go by it cannot be in their right mind.

When I read Armadale though, I couldn’t help but think “Ozias Midwinter” makes an absolutely stunning combination!

Used as a Greek, Latin, and French variation of the Biblical Uzziah, there were just 11 babies called Ozias in the US between 1880 and 2001. While it did start to see more use in the 2010s, it wasn’t until the 2020s that it really caught on. It recently made its debut in the US Top 1000 where it fits in comfortably with the likes of Azariah, Aziel, Tobias, and Eliem.

Complete with the charming nickname Ozzie and a literary connotation — Ozias Midwinter is a fascinating character — this name may well continue to rise in coming years.

Do you want to see your favorite name featured on Nameberry of the Day? Just email your favorite option to me at grace@nameberry.com and let me know what you love about it!

Feminine forms of Thomas are on a spectrum, from delightfully clunky Thomasina through sleek Thomasine, rustic Thomasin and Tamasin, and finally Tamsin, the sweet rustic cousin of the family. (And alternative spellings such as Tamsyn and Tamzin.) It sounds endearingly similar to damson, the little plum-like fruit.

It’s semi-familiar in Britain, more so on adult women than children these days. Stateside, it has always been rare, never given to more than 30 girls a year — and usually much fewer.

There is, of course, also Tammy, that 1960s powerhouse that is rapidly becoming a grandma name. (Did you know it came from a movie?) But why let a dated nickname spoil a great full name?

Bold botanical word names like Clover and Blossom are trending upwards, so how about this distinctive but straightforward option? It was given to just six girls in the US in 2024, making it rarer than Chrysanthemum (chosen for 12 babies), Sunflower (given to 11 girls), and Hyacinth (chosen for 28).

Nameberry Guest riter Sally Odgers shares with us why she loves Flower:

“It’s an uncommon existing name that fits in perfectly with the Flora, Fleur, Florence, Daisy, and Rose string of names. It has a delightful meaning, and has no spelling or pronunciation issues. What’s not to love? The only thing I can see that could possibly go against it is its homonym flour, and surely no one could think a baby was named after a baking ingredient.”

Sally shares that while she’s never encountered a Flower in real life, she has spotted two in literature: one from the book Flower o’ the Pine (1914) by Ethel Turner and one from Emer (2020) by Lark Westerly.

Is it spirited, energetic and edgy or is it sweet and floral and frilly? Zinnia, like Azalea, Acacia, and Keziah, manages to be both at the same time.

Bringing to mind the vibrant, colorful flower - named after the 18^th-century German botanist, Johann Gottfried Zinn — Zinnia has also appeared in Matilda by Roald Dahl and the Pokémon video game franchise, though in the real world, it has never made the US Top 1000 — or anywhere else for that matter!

Except on Nameberry, that is, where it ranks in the Top 500.

Maybe our readers are just ahead of the trends because Zinnia feels like a zippy choice for the future that we’d love to see more people use.

Do you want to see us feature your favorite name on Nameberry of the Day? Just email your choice to grace@nameberry.com and let me know why you love it!

A sleek and solid word name, Justice feels both modern and ancient, reminiscent of established choices like Justus and Constance, but also fresh like Ledger and True. Ranking just outside the US Top 1000, it is a gender neutral option that works as a secular virtue name promoting fairness and equity — and as a distinguished occupational name too.

Nameberry Guest Writer Caylen shares with us why they enjoy the name:

My name is Caylen Justice, so I’ve always loved this name for biased reasons. It’s a unique word choice for both girls and boys and can be used with almost any name! It also gives a sense of personality to ones named Justice! Now, I haven’t met anybody else with this name, but with trendy word names rising, maybe it’ll see more use someday!

Is there a word name that you think deserves more attention? Send your favorite to grace@nameberry.com and let me know why you love it, for the chance to have it spotlighted on Nameberry of the Day.

Leonie is one of the many lion-related names finding favor right now, with Leo at the lead. While familiar in the US, Leonie still feels like a quintessentially European name, perhaps because of confusion about how it’s pronounced.

Pronunciation is pretty much the same across European languages and cultures: It’s LAY-oh-nee, with the same rhythm as deity or peony. Still, many Americans will say lee-OH-nee.

European immigrants may have made Leonie a Top 1000 name in the US in the late 1800s, but it dropped off the charts more than a century ago and only in the past decade has been drifting upward again.

A Biblical name with plenty of pizzaz, Boaz is a popular choice in The Netherlands where it recently ranked at #25. In the US, it is more quietly used — for now — but it has been gaining more attention as parents seek out less obvious Biblical options.

Nameberry Member ashthedreamer brings Boaz to you today (at risk of it becoming the new Noah!):

“I came to love it as an honor name for my grandmother Ruth, because of the biblical couple! Boaz’s story is so admirable, the son of a foreigner and outcast who marries another outcast himself, kind and generous, using his power for good. The nickname Bo is so accessible and the name has a similar cadence to Noah which gives it appeal too. Plus, it has the fun meaning of “swiftness” (which reminds me of Sverrir, which is also 100% worthy of being loved too, but I digress), and that zippy Z ending is so fun.

Do you want to see you favorite name featured on Nameberry of the Day? Just send the one you love most to grace@nameberry.com and let me know what makes it special!

Best associated with the Romantic poet, John Keats, this surname-style name is sleek and simple with plenty of potential as a given name. Similar in sound to rising star Kit, it also has that cool -s ending of Hayes, Banks, and Brooks. And while it is a very rare choice (used around 80 times in the US, since the 1880s), it’s easily grounded by the familiarity of Keaton which ranks in the Top 1000.

Keats also has an appealing nature connection via its bird-of-prey meaning, and as mentioned above, it’s literary inspired too. It reminds me of several of my favorite poems, including “When I Have Fears that I May Cease to Be” and “On the Grasshopper and Cricket”.

In fact, I loved this name enough to used it for one of my guinea pigs! He was almost called Poet, but as soon as I thought of Keats, it just felt right for him.

Does your pet have a stunning name that you want to see featured on Nameberry of the Day? Just send your choice to grace@nameberry.com and tell me why you chose it.

A perfect mix of fierce and soft, Lev is a succinct choice that ticks the boxes as a travelling-lite, one-syllable boy name, with an animal meaning, literary connections, and international appeal. What more could you want?

Meaning “lion” from its Russian and Ukrainian roots and “heart” from its Hebrew ones, it’s brave and strong, but tender and soulful at the same time. Popular in the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, and Moldova, it could make a rare-but-familiar choice elsewhere, thanks to its similarity to Levi and Leo.

A fitting choice for those who enjoy names like Josie, Joni, and Charlee, Jolee is celebrated today by Nameberry Guest Writer, Jolee Jenkins:

Jolee is a modern and stylish name, derived from the French word jolie, meaning “pretty” or “beautiful.” A name that strikes a balance between sweetness and strength, it has a light, cheerful sound, yet doesn’t feel overly delicate or frilly. Jolee brings to mind someone confident, creative, and approachable and could work equally well for a spirited child and a self-assured adult, making it a versatile choice.

Less common than Jolie but more modern than Jolene, this form of the name would stand out through its distinctive spelling, which gives the name a fresh and contemporary feel while still sounding familiar and warm.

Do you want us to feature your name on Nameberry of the Day? Email grace@nameberry.com and let us know why you love what you’re called for a chance to see it here in the future.

An Anglicized form of the Irish Naomhán, I first came across Nevan when looking for ways to get to Nev, a unisex, three-letter name that I like as a stand-alone and as a nickname. While I’d come up with Ginevra and Genevieve, I wasn’t sure on Neville for me, but Nevan immediately caught my eye.

Similar in sound to Evan, it has a meaning that could feel spiritual, virtuous, and aspirational, depending on how you choose to interpret “saint” and it feels both unique and wearable at the same time.

Other forms of the name include the Scottish Niven and the Irish surname, Nevin.

Dale featured in the US Top 100 for nearly 40 years in the 20th-century, but its been out of style since the 2000s. Today though, Nameberry Guest Writer Sophie is here to tell you everything that’s still brilliant about this nature-related option:

One of my favorite names is the name Dale, which comes from an English surname meaning “valley”. A personal reason is because it’s my middle name, my father’s middle name, my great grandpa’s name, and my great uncle’s name.

But there’s more to it than that. It’s a unisex name, perfect for a little boy or girl. It’s a name no one will have trouble pronouncing but not common enough to have more than one in school. It’s short and simple, making it easy for a child learning to write and for young siblings to pronounce.

It’s peak popularity was in 1958, when it reached the 46th spot on the charts, but it definitely needs to be brought back. Consider the name Dale for your little one.

Do you have a much-loved family name you want to see featured on Nameberry of The Day? Just send your choice to grace@nameberry.com and tell me why you love it.

Sometimes you come across a name that has a bit of every you love, and for me, Ginevra is just that. A hugely popular choice in Italy, but rare in the US and the UK, it’s an elegant-but-spiky form of the Arthurian Guinevere, and a relation of the popular Cornish Jennifer too.

But what makes Ginevra so special for me? The most compelling factor is that it’s the name of one of my favorite characters from my favorite books: Ginevra Fanshawe of Charlotte Brontë’s Villette. Coquettish, confident, and rebellious in her own subtle way, she makes the best of what she has and refuses to be unhappy. I wrote my Masters dissertation on her, along with fiction piece exploring the same themes, so it has a special place in my heart.

In addition to this, Ginevra is the Italian name for the city of Geneva in Switzerland, connecting it to another favorite book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and there’s the Arthurian link too, relating it back to a nostalgic love for the show BBC Merlin.

Then there’s the name itself, of course, which is pretty and elegant without being fussy, and comes with plenty of nickname options, ranging from vintage feeling Ginny to stylish Gigi to unisex Nev.

Is there a name that ticks all the boxes for you? Send it to grace@nameberry.com along with what makes it so perfect, and it might just get featured on Nameberry of the Day.

Bright, celestial, and international, it’s no wonder the lovely Soraya is a familiar choice in a wide range of countries, including Iran, Italy, France, Thailand, Algeria, Spain, the UK, Indonesia, and Brazil. A Persian form of Thurayya — the Arabic name for the Pleiades — what is surprising, perhaps, is how little used it is in the US!

Debuting in the Top 1000 in 2021, then disappearing again until 2024, it remains in the latter end of the charts for name, given to less than 300 girls in a recent count. This might make it perfect for those looking for that sweet-spot of familiar-but-not-overused: similar enough to Raya, Serena, and Lyra to fit in, while also feeling distinctive and exciting at the same time.

Appearing in the modern classic The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, we’ve pinned Soraya as a name to watch out for in 2026!