Angel

Angel (AYN-jel)

Origin: From the medieval Latin masculine name Angelus which was derived from the name of the heavenly creature (itself derived from the Greek word αγγελος (angelos) meaning "messenger"). It has never been very common in the English-speaking world, where it is sometimes used as a feminine name in modern times.

Syllables: 2

Style: Modern Meanings, African-American

Popularity: 176 (falling)

Nicknames: Angie

Variants: Angelle

Sisters: Autumn, Diamond, Alana, Jade, Heaven

Brothers: Chance, Dante, Prince, Justice, Jett

* After centuries of Angela, Angelica, and Angelina, American parents decided to cut to the chase. "My little girl is an angel, and I'm calling her one!" A loving appellation that walks a line between confident and cutesy.

Andrea

Andrea (AN-dree-uh; AHN-dree-uh)

Origin: Portuguese feminine form of ANDREW, Italian form of Andreas (see ANDREW). A notable bearer of this name was Andrea Verrocchio, a Renaissance sculptor who taught Leonardo da Vinci and Perugino, Feminine form of ANDREW. As an English name, it has been used since the 17th century, though it was not common until the 20th century.

Syllables: 3

Style: New Classics, Lacy and Lissome

Popularity: 73 (falling)

Nicknames: Andie, Andy, Andi

Variants: Andra

Sisters: Monica, Amanda, Stephanie, Nicole, Melissa

Brothers: Timothy, Sean, Christopher, Jeremy, Aaron

* Like its male counterpart Andrew, Andrea is a classic that seems to grow stronger with each generation. It's soft and melodic with a serious core. A standard throughout the English-speaking world.

Anastasia

Anastasia (a-na-STAY-zhuh; ah-nah-STAH-see-uh)

Origin: Feminine form of ANASTASIUS. This was the name of a 4th-century Dalmatian saint who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Due to her, the name has been common in Eastern Orthodox Christianity (in various spellings). As an English name it has been in use since the Middle Ages. A famous bearer was the youngest daughter of the last Russian tsar Nicholas II, who was rumoured to have escaped the execution of her family in 1918.

Syllables: 4

Style: Lacy and Lissome, Slavic, Greek, Saints

Popularity: 324

Nicknames: Nastia, Ana, Annie, Stasia, Stacy, Stasi, Natasa

Sisters: Tatiana, Valentina, Francesca, Liliana, Artemisia

Brothers: Fabian, Dimitri, Maximilian, Dominick, Roman

* This Greek/Russian enchantress radiates mystery and romance. The legend of the lost Romanov princess Anastasia is a big reason, but the gossamer name is simply a natural for shadowy beauties.

Middle Name Pick: Anastasia Roxanne

Anais

Anais (a-niy-EES)

Origin: Provençal and Catalan form of ANNA

Syllables: 3

Style: French, Literary and Artistic

Popularity: 904

Sisters: Colette, Simone, Esme, Bijou, Fleur

Brothers: Valentin, Joaquim, Roc, Regis, Loic

* This name is associated with Anais Nin, the writer famed for her diaries and erotic stories. For those familiar with Nin, the name projects a sensual feminism. It is currently a hot name in France.

Middle Name Pick: Anais Noelle

Amy

Amy (AY-mee)

Origin: English form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, it was in use in the Middle Ages (though not common) and was revived in the 19th century.

Syllables: 2

Style: Surfer 60s, 70s-80s, Nickname-Proof

Popularity: 130 (falling)

Variants: Aimee, Aime

Sisters: April, Laura, Emily, Robin, Holly

Brothers: Brian, Timothy, Eric, Jeremy, Mark

* Amy is bright, simple, and cheerily unpretentious. It was a monster hit in the 70s, but doesn't sound dated. Think of the name's recent decline as merely a "stock market correction" back to its natural place as a modest, beloved classic. The French Aimee is equally traditional but showier.

Middle Name Pick: Aime Christina

Amity

Amity (AM-i-tee)

Origin: From the English word meaning "friendship", ultimately deriving from Latin amicitia.

Syllables: 3

Style: Charms and Graces, Why Not?

Popularity: Rare

Nicknames: Ami

Sisters: Verity, Calla, Melody, Lavender, Dahlia

Brothers: Stone, Tobias, Micah, Justus, Aric

* Amity is rarely used as a name, but it's attractive in both sound and meaning--a pretty expression of goodwill. The one potential negative, the Amityville Horror, is blessedly fading from memory.

Middle Name Pick: Amity Sapphira

Amira

Amira (ah-MEER-uh)

Origin: Means "commander" or "princess" in Arabic. This was originally a title, which has come into English as the Arabic loanword emir.

Syllables: 3

Style: Lacy and Lissome, Jewish, Muslim

Popularity: 480 (rising)

Sisters: Layla, Mahala, Tamia, Aviva, Dalia

Brothers: Jaron, Samir, Ari,Tariq, Elan

* This gentle name is a good global choice, easy to spell and pronounce in many languages. The name in fact has twin origins in Arabic and Hebrew, a peaceful coexistence that is a positive association in its own right.