The Brilliant Book of Baby Names: What’s best, what’s hot and what’s not. Linda Rosenkrantz

Emma Sheba Esme Sidda Faunia Sula Jacy Temple Juliet Undine Kiki Velvet Kinsey Vivi Lolita Zora Lux

       Arleyne, Arlie, Arliene, Arlina, Arlinda, Arline, Arluene, Arly, Arlyn, Arlyne, Arlynn, Lena, Lene, Lina.

      ARLETTE. French, diminutive of CHARLETT, a variation of CHARLOTTE. In modern times, it can make Arlene seem positively stylish. Arlet, Arietta.

      ARLISE. Irish, ‘pledge’. Feminine form of Arliss. But why not just use Arliss? Arliss, Arlyse, Arlyss.

      ARMANDE. French, feminine variation of ARMAND. Feminine form of Armand, has an elegant charm. Armanda, Armonde, Ormonde.

      

ARMANI. Persian, ‘desire, goal’; Italian surname. One of the designer baby names – Chanel and Gucci are others – that have appeared in this era of branding everything from your purse to your offspring. Armahni, Arman, Armanee, Armanii.

      ARMINA. Italian from German, ‘army man’. Army plus meaner equals an unappealing name. Armantine, Armeena, Armine, Arminie, Armyne, Erminia, Erminie, Ermyne.

      ARNELLE. German, ‘eagle’. This is a polyester-like choice. Arnell, Arnella.

      ARSENIA. Feminine variation of ARSENIO. Could lead to ‘arsenic’ teasing. Arcenia, Arsania, Arsemia.

      ARTEMIS. Greek mythology name. Goddess of the moon and the hunt, equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice. Artemasia, Artemesia, Artemisia.

      ARTIS. Scottish, ‘bear’. Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. Arthea, Arthelia, Arthene, Arthette, Arthurette, Arthurina, Arthurine, Artina, Artice.

      ARWEN. Welsh, ‘noble maiden’. Well-known as princess of the Elves in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings: a lovely name with an authentic Welsh ring.

      ARZA. Hebrew, ‘panels of cedar’. Straightforward yet intriguing, a winning combination. Ariza, Arizit, Arzice, Arzit.

      

ASA. Hebrew, ‘doctor, healer’; Japanese, ‘born in the morning’. Simple, soft, strong, this usually male biblical choice – he was a king of Judah – may work even better today for girls.

      ASENCION. Spanish, ‘ascension’. Highly religious choice. Asuncion.

      

ASH. Nature name. The tree, not the charred bit of soot in the fireplace, usually used for boys, but, as a short form of Ashley, works for girls, too.

      ASHANTI. Place name, former kingdom of western Africa. Authentic African name that rose in popularity a few years ago when US hip-hop singer Ashanti first arrived on the scene. Achante, Achanti, Asante, Ashanta, Ashantae, Ashantay, Ashante, Ashanté, Ashantee, Ashantie, Ashaunta, Ashauntae, Ashaunte, Ashauntee, Ashaunti, Ashonti, Ashuntae, Ashunti, Shantee, Shanti, Shauntae, Shauntee.

      

ASHBY. English, ‘ash tree farm’. Ashley substitute that sacrifices too much of that name’s attractiveness for what it gains in originality. Ashbea, Ashbee, Ashbey, Ashbie.

      ASHIRA. Hebrew, ‘rich’ or ‘I will sing’. Unusual name with stylish, silky feel. Ashirah, Ashya, Ashyah, Ashyia, Ashyra, Ashyrah, Ayshia.

      

ASHLEY. English, ‘ash tree meadow’. Once, this male name hit number 1 on the US girls’ list, but nowhere near as popular here. Still pretty but no longer even vaguely stylish. Ahshlee, Aishlee, Ashala, Ashalee, Ashalei, Ashaley, Ashely, Ashla, Ashlay, Ashlan, Ashlea, Ashleay, Ashlee, Ashleigh, Ashleye, Ashien, Ashli, Ashlie, Ashly, Ashlye.

      ASHLYN, ASHLYNN. Variation of AISLINN. Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe some of their rising popularity to cousin Ashley. Ashelynn, Ashlan, Ashleann, Ashleen, Ashleene, Ashlen, Ashlene, Ashlin, Ashling, Ashlinne, Ashlyne, Ashlynne.

      

ASHTON. English, ‘ash tree place’. In the US, hot star Ashton Kutcher is pushing this unisex choice toward the boys’ camp, but its variation Ashtyn is on the rise. Ashten, Ashtin, Ashtine, Ashtyn, Ashtynne.

      ASIA. Place name. This still attractive place name was one of the first to gain popularity, though it now probably owes some of its favour to its similarity to Aisha. Ahsia, Aisia, Aisian, Aja, Asiah, Asian, Asianae, Asya, Aysia, Aysiah, Aysian, Ayzia, Azha.

      

ASPEN. Nature and place name. Nature name, chic Colorado ski resort name in the US and unisex feel equals redhot baby name. Aspin, Aspyn.

      ASSISI. Italian place name. This lovely Tuscan hill town became a striking first name for the young daughter of Jade Jagger.

      ASTA. Greek, ‘like a star’. There are many more melodious ways to say star. This was attached to a dog in early Hollywood movies. Astera, Asteria, Asti, Astra, Estella, Esther, Estrella, Etoile, Hadassah, Hester, Stella.

      ASTRA. Latin, ‘of the stars’. A kind of Jetsons-like, intergalactic name. Asta, Astara, Aster, Astera, Asteria, Asterina, Astraea, Astraeia, Astrea, Astri, Astria.

      Poet Names