22 New Name Possibilities for 2022

To celebrate the new year, I have decided to list 22 name possibilities that I think deserve promotion to given name status. I will list 11 girls' names and 11 boys' names. 

To qualify, a name must have been used for a total of less than 50 babies since 1880. I will also list the total usage over time next to each name. 

Alco (5 boys)

Alco fits in Leo along with up-and-coming Arlo. Thus, Alco fits in with current tastes. Alco mixes the common "al" prefix with the ending of Nico, making it easy to pronounce. 

Brucie (27 girls)

Brucie adds the "ie" suffix to masculine Bruce and rhymes with classic Lucy. Stevie and Frankie, both elongations of single-syllable boys' names, are rising at the moment. Thus, Brucie fits in. 

Casta (6 girls)

If you don't recognize this name, think Lucasta, a name invented by poet Richard Lovelace. Just remove the "lu" prefix and you have just Casta. The name can be a fresh way to honor a Christa or Cassandra.

Druce (5 boys)

Druce mixes the sounds of Drew and Bruce, both also single-syllable names with a long "u". 

Edley (38 boys)

Edley sounds like a surname-y spin on classic Edward. It could also update former favorites Bradley and Bentley. 

Flame (5 girls)

Ember has been heating up for girls over the last decade. Flame, another word name with a fiery meaning, is one name that could follow. It also has the same one-syllable long "a" structure as Grace and Jade. 

Gold (10 boys and 17 girls)

Rose Gold is a common color for iPhones. Rose, along with other color names, has been used as a given name for centuries. Thus, why not Gold? Gold additionally nearly rhymes with classic Joe. 

Hobbes (44 boys)

Surname-names ending in "s" are big at the moment. Brooks just entered the top 100. The surname of Thomas Hobbes is one new possibility that could fit in. 

Jemil (33 boys)

Take Jem, as in the character from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, add in Emil, and you get this new possibility that sounds like Gemma's male counterpart. 

Lyron (5 boys)

Lyron mixes the sounds of vintage Lyle and Myron. Unlike these names, however, Lyron has been established here yet. 

Madrid (5 boys and 37 girls)

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, combines the "mad" sound of Madeline and Madison with the "rid" ending of Nordic Astrid and Ingrid. For boys, Madrid can honor a Matthew. 

Novel (48 boys and 34 girls)

Parents have expressed more interest in literary word names over the last decade. One such name, Novel combines the sounds of feminine Nova and Hazel. For boys, Novel can fit in with Michael and Nolan. 

Ovis (5 boys and 5 girls)

Avis has a history of use for girls. Just replace the "a" with an "o" and you get Ovis, which hasn't been established for either gender yet. 

Peta (6 girls)

Petra, a feminization of Peter, has long been established as a given name. The sweeter feminization of Peta is still a possibility, though. Its long "e" sound and "a" ending puts Peta in company with Mia and Leah. 

Quinden (16 boys)

Names ending in "den" such as Aiden and Jayden have long been popular for boys. Quinden can fit in with these names. 

Rua (29 girls)

Ruby is in the top 100 and Rue has gained greater interest lately. This gives Rua potential. Rua's three-letter structure allows it to fit in with Ava and Zoe. 

Stara (5 girls)

Vintage Stella has been back for a decade. Stara has a similar structure to Stella but a more literal meaning. Just add an "a" to Star to make it more name-like. This puts Stara in company with Clara. 

Tangerine (39 girls)

Tangerine is a type of orange, just like Clementine. If Clementine has a long history of use, it makes sense for Tangerine to follow. Tangerine also nearly rhymes with familiar Angeline. 

Union (6 boys)

Union sounds less name-like than virtue Unity. However, Union can still fit in with Adrian and Julian. 

Veston (31 boys)

Veston rhymes with the almost-popular Weston. Just swap a "w" for a "v", and you'll get Veston. 

Willett (34 girls)

Willett sounds like a boys' name in the key of Bennett, but that masculine feel in a girls' name will appeal to some parents. Think of it as a mix of Willow and Scarlett. 

Zenus (5 boys)

Venus, a goddess name, gets a masculine vibe if you replace the "v" with a "z". 

Which of these new possibilities are your favorites? Which ones would you use or recommend to expectant parents?