America

America (ah-MEHR-i-kuh)

Origin: In the English-speaking world, this name is usually given in reference to the United States of America (see AMERIGO). It came into use as an American name in the 19th century

Syllables: 4

Style: Modern Meanings, Place Names

Popularity: 559 (falling)

Nicknames: Meri, Amy, Ricki

Sisters: Liberty, Journey, Montana, Haven, Sierra

Brothers: Phoenix, Maverick, Washington, Justice, Dakota

* A combination of the craze for place names and a surge of patriotism sent this name into the mainstream in 2001. But the same power that attracts parents to the name makes it problematic. The word "America" carries such a strong image that it takes a strong girl to make it her own. Ugly Betty star America Ferrera is one who has pulled it off.

Amelia

Amelia (ah-MEEL-ee-uh)

Origin: Variant of AMALIA, though it is sometimes confused with EMILIA, which has a different origin. The name became popular in England after the German House of Hanover came to the British throne in the 18th century - it was borne by daughters of George II and George III. Another famous bearer was Amelia Earhart (1897-1937), the first woman to make a solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean.

Syllables: 4

Style: Antique Charm, English, Shakespearean

Popularity: 55 (rising)

Nicknames: Amy, Mia, Mel, Lia, Millie

Variants: Aemilia, Amelie, Amalia, Emilia

Sisters: Cecilia, Sophie, Annabel, Miriam, Lydia

Brothers: Simon, Max, Edgar, Owen, Pierce

* Amelia was a shrinking violet for years, but now she is ready for her closeup. Parents are attracted to this gentle charmer as a twist on Emily or kindred spirit to Olivia. The up-and-coming nickname choice is Mia, as in the heroine of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries books.

Middle Name Pick: Amelia Claire

Amber

Amber (AM-ber)

Origin: From the English word amber that denotes either the gemstone, which is formed from fossil resin, or the orange-yellow colour. The word ultimately derives from Arabic عنبر ('anbar). It began to be used as a given name in the late 19th century, but it only became popular after the release of Kathleen Winsor's novel 'Forever Amber' (1944).

Syllables: 2

Style: 70s-80s, Charms and Graces, Nickname-Proof

Sisters: Heather, Erica, Danielle, Ashley, April

Brothers: Dustin, Adam, Cory, Ryan, Jared

* Amber was occasionally heard a century ago when jewel names were in vogue. It really took off decades later, thanks to the romantic novel Forever Amber, a mid-century sensation. As a result, the name's image is satin-and-lace sensual.

Middle Name Pick: Amber Roxanne

Amaya

Amaya (ah-MIY-uh)

Origin: Means "night rain" in Japanese.

Syllables: 3

Style: Lacy and Lissome, Latino/Latina

Popularity: 202

Variants: Amaia, Amya

Sisters: Eliana, Dasia, Arely, Tamia, Anahi

Brothers: Mateo, Adan, Yahir, Emiliano, Jairo

* Amaya is a Spanish surname with a honey-rich sound that's a natural for a girl's name. It comes from a Basque word meaning "end". If you don't care for that origin, it's also a Japanese name meaning "night rain". That's a good hint that this name crosses borders as well. An MTV Real World cast member helped popularize the name in the U.S.

Middle Name Pick: Amaya Isabel

Amani

Amani (ah-MAH-nee)

Origin: Means "wishes" in Arabic.

Syllables: 3

Style: African-American, African, Muslim, Androgynous

Popularity: 579 (rising)

Sisters: Kenia, Naima, Kamaria, Shani, Aliyah

Brothers: Omari, Khalid, Kwame, Jelani, Tariq

*Amani is taken from the Swahili word for "peace". It first arrived in the U.S. as a boy's name during the Afrocentric names in the 1970s. The name's delicate sound moved it to the girl's side, where it has kept it's momentum.

Middle Name Pick: Amani Jewel

Amanda

Amanda (ah-MAN-duh)

Origin: In part this is a feminine form of AMANDUS. However, it was not used during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century it was recreated by authors and poets who based it directly on Latinamanda "lovable, worthy of love". Notably, it was used by the playwright Colley Cibber for a character in his play 'Love's Last Shift' (1696). It came into regular use during the 19th century.

Syllables: 3

Style: 70s-80s, Lacy and Lissome, New Classics

Popularity: 166 (falling)

Nicknames: Mandy

Sisters: Stephanie, Andrea, Jessica, Vanessa, Nicole

Brothers: Jeremy, Derek, Brandon, Joshua, Adam

* Amanda is one of the picturesque Latinate names that English writers used to dream up for their heroines. (It's formed from the Latin amare, "to love".) These old literary romantics have a double appeal today. They're still ravishing, but by surviving the centuries they've also developed an air of authority. Amanda was a top hit in the 1980's, but its style is still holding strong.

Middle Name Pick: Amanda Kathleen

Alyssa

Alyssa (ah-LIS-uh)

Origin: Variant of ALICIA. The spelling has probably been influenced by that of the alyssum flower, the name of which is derived from Greek α "against" combined with λυσσα (lyssa) "madness, rabies", since it was believed to cure madness.

Syllables: 3

Style: Lacy and Lissome

Popularity: 19 (falling)

Nicknames: Aly, Lissa

Variants: Alissa, Allyssa, Alysa, Elissa

Sisters: Brianna, Alexis, Ariana, Kayla, Marissa

Brothers: Jordan, Dylan, Austin, Hunter, Chase

* Alyssa and its many variants are generally described as variants of Alicia. They're better understood as a phenomenon in their own right--an attempt to create the very essence of lacy femininity in a name. The less traditional the spelling, the lacier.

Middle Name Pick: Alyssa Nicole