Seconding [name_m]Caspian[/name_m]. Has it been on previous lists? Between the last period when I was really active on Nameberry a couple years ago, and now, it seems to have caught fire on here. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name, and yes, if [name_m]Cassian[/name_m], [name_m]Casper[/name_m] and [name_u]Constantine[/name_u] are hot…
Runner-up maybe [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m]. I’m noticing a similar phenomenon.
Yes, [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] made last year’s too! Maybe we should change the rules. It would be a perfect 2021 name too.
[name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] is definitely hot here (I keep putting it in blogs too, it fits so many themes!) but he does take a bit of flak outside of NB and the UK
I think you’re ahead of the curve!
@katinka oh, the idea of a list of “best new names” that doesn’t include names from previous lists seems better, otherwise there would probably be lots of repeats. Maybe there’s a way to link to an archive of previous lists so it would be easy to back-check?
Maybe give [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] a few years
It wasn’t on my radar as ripe for revival till I became active on here again a couple months ago and started noticing it in many posts.
Wilbur is definitely hipster cool here in the UK! I really like it, [name_m]Wilfred[/name_m] is already fairly popular and [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] feels like a slightly quirkier, slightly cuddlier version of that. I think it’s in the #400s here — perfect sweet spot name 
I have two. The first is [name_m]Gatsby[/name_m] – popularity largely nonexistent, I know, but I think that it both fulfills the trend of unisex surnames as well as being a nod to the roaring 20s, which I predict will be a huge inspiration once we are past the pandemic and people begin to really live again. I think anyone wanting a name that both feels incredibly on-trend while also unique should take a second look at [name_m]Gatsby[/name_m].
The second name is [name_u]Joyce[/name_u]. Still very much a dated name, but now 70ish years past it’s peak I think it is ripe for a grandma name revival, along with names like [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] and [name_f]Edith[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f] and [name_f]Alma[/name_f]. Added benefit of being almost a virtue name. Similarly, I think [name_f]Rejoice[/name_f] could easily be the next [name_u]Messiah[/name_u]/Psalm/Faith/True-like name.
I just realized you included [name_m]Gatsby[/name_m]! I should have looked closer. Great minds and all that.
I stand by [name_u]Joyce[/name_u] and [name_f]Rejoice[/name_f], though!
Yes! [name_u]Joyce[/name_u] and [name_f]Rejoice[/name_f] are both great shouts. I’m noticing [name_f]Joy[/name_f] a lot as a middle lately, on NB and IRL, so [name_u]Joyce[/name_u] feels like a natural progression.
And [name_f]Rejoice[/name_f] definitely fits with the new, more energetic spiritual word names — things like [name_m]Saint[/name_m] and [name_u]True[/name_u] rather than [name_f]Chastity[/name_f] or [name_f]Prudence[/name_f].
I definitely agree with [name_u]Dove[/name_u]! [name_f]My[/name_f] vote goes to [name_u]Zuri[/name_u] though, even though I’m entirely biased because it’s one of my favourites 
Borrows elements from the popular [name_f]Zoey[/name_f] and sleek and stylish [name_f]Zara[/name_f], but also has a beautiful meaning (literally, it means beautiful in Swahili, I believe), and it’s growing in popularity stateside! 
Am I allowed to say [name_u]Cove[/name_u]? It has that cool, nature vibe but also sounds like Covid and I think that’s going to be a theme throughout this year 
I’m joking.
How about [name_u]Atlas[/name_u] - mythical, unisex and cool
Think my money has to be on [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u]! Seen it popping up all over the place recently and comes with a great flexibility on nicknames from [name_m]Reg[/name_m] to [name_f]Rina[/name_f] to [name_u]Peri[/name_u] to [name_u]Pen[/name_u] (last one’s my favourite, Bridgerton’s fully sold me on it as a nn!)
Agree about the 20s name revivals - would personally love [name_f]Vita[/name_f] or [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] making a comeback, tho I know the latter is more of a gamer name to most
I’d LOVE [name_f]Vita[/name_f] to come back too! I absolutely love it and can’t use it for surname reasons
Most seem to prefer [name_u]Vida[/name_u] but I love how clipped and proper [name_f]Vita[/name_f] feels, while still being spunky and (obviously) full of life.
Also love [name_f]Zelda[/name_f] and I think it’s starting to transcend the gamer associations now – especially with the increasing trend for that Roaring Twenties aesthetic, as others have mentioned.
And [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u]
I can’t see that one hitting the mainstream despite the avian link and beautiful sound, but I’m with you on adoring it. [name_u]Pen[/name_u] is great, although [name_u]Pip[/name_u] and [name_u]Pippin[/name_u] will always be my favourite nicknames for [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u].
I actually do think [name_u]Cove[/name_u] will bounce back, it was just starting to catch on! Maybe not this year or next, but I think the naturey meaning will supersede the soundalike sooner than everyone expects. It’s perfect for the current naming climate in every other way.
My vote is for [name_f]Winika[/name_f]. She a fresh and striking member of the [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] family with
a built in nickname. She’s also botanical which is in keeping with our new appreciation for the outdoors. [name_f]Winika[/name_f] for the win! 
[name_u]Augustine[/name_u] and [name_m]Barnaby[/name_m] for boys and [name_f]Philippa[/name_f] and [name_f]Lilia[/name_f] for girls!
August or [name_u]Clove[/name_u]! Not my personal favorites, but they’re popping up everywhere lately!
I’m hopeful that with the UK YouTuber/streamer [name_m]Wilbur[/name_m] Soot gaining popularity in the US people will have more of a positive outlook on it! [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite boy name and so, so cute.
I vote for Diana! I used to equate this name with my mom’s generation (maybe because it’s my mom’s name
) but since I use family names in the middle it’s been on my radar for a while. Over the past year or so it’s moved into first name territory for me; it’s so strong but lyrical, somehow, and has strong mythological and pop culture references. I could see Diana catching on for sure.
The only downside in my mind is its lack of nicknames. I don’t care for the dated “Di,” but think Dani might be workable.
Mavis or [name_u]Arrow[/name_u]!
Lyra!!!
Edie! I feel like all my friends like [name_f]Edie[/name_f] this year!