Uncommon But Not Weird Baby Names

Rylen

Rylen is a variation of the name Rylan, which means “dweller in the rye field” or “from the rye land.” The name was ranked 953 on the SSA's list of most popular names in 2012. While the name is at the bottom of the list, it's alternative Rylan has grown in popularity, moving up from 567 in 2000 to 179 in 2012 on the SSA's list of most popular names.

Carley

Carley, traditionally spelled Carly, is a name everyone has heard of but it's not a commonly used name according to the SSA website. It can also be used as a nickname for the name Carlotta. It's decreased in popularity over the years, but this just makes the name a less common or overused.

Keenan

Similar to Kegan and Kelan, Keenan is another uncommon name for boys. Keenan is an Irish name that means “descendant of the fair child.” The name was fairly popular in the 90's, perhaps thanks to comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans, but has dropped in popularity over the last twenty years. It ranked 886 on the SSA's list of popular baby names in 2012.

Jordynn

Spelling a traditional baby name with an alternative spelling is one way to make your baby's name a little less common. Jordynn is an American spelling of the name Jordan, which means “to descend” or “to flow.” Jordynn was virtually unheard of before 2010 when it started to make it's way up the SSA's list of popular baby names. Jordyn, spelled with one n, is a little more popular and ranked in at 121 on the SSA's list in 2012.

Brennen

Brennen comes from the name Brennan. It's origin is Irish and means “sorrow.” The name has moved up and back down on the SSA's list of popular baby names since the 1990's. In 1993 it was ranked 770, rising to 548 in 2000, and moving back down to 766 in 2012.

Corinne

Corrine is a traditional sounding name that has never been trendy or on the top of the SSA's baby name list, but it's simple, classy, and not overused. It's a French name that means “maiden.” It ranks at 765 on the SSA's list of most popular names.

Zayne

Zayne, which is also spelled Zane, means God's grace. Zane I more popular of the the two spellings, but neither are very commonly used. Zayne only started showing up on the SSA's list of popular baby names in 2002. It moved up to 596 in 2012.