Ariel
Popularity rank in the U.S.: #133 (girls), #738 (boys)
Meaning: Lion of God
Name your little one Ariel and you'll be taken as a "Little Mermaid" superfan. Even if you've never sung along to the Disney classic, you can appreciate this gender-neutral name's animal origins: It means "lion of God" in Hebrew.
Bear
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
Bear is trendy with celeb moms — both Alicia Silverstone and Kate Winslet chose it — but not so common that you'll meet many other kids, if any, with this name. It's a name that can grow with your guy; he'll be your sweet baby Bear now, but it's a burly and masculine name for an adult.
Birdie
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
The vintage charm of Birdie makes it sound like it could be your great-grandmother's name, but it doesn't sound dated today. And it will seem like a fitting choice when your own little Birdie is squawking from her crib. Brush up on the "Bye Bye Birdie" soundtrack now.
Cat
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
It's often used as a nickname for names such as Catherine and Cathleen, but feline lovers can use this short and sweet name all on its own. Be warned, though: your little Cat could grow up to be a dog person.
Dove
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
As a symbol of peace, the dove makes a lovely namesake for your little girl. It even has a serene sound as a name, thanks perhaps to its similarity to the word "love." And Dovey makes a pretty cute nickname in our opinion.
Fox
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
Take a cue from the "X-Files" with the name Fox; it's the first name of the endlessly optimistic Mulder. Pop culture aside, Fox could be the name for you. It's short and simple, and a little trendy but not out-there wacky.
Leo
Popularity rank in the U.S.: #97
Meaning: Lion
It's equal parts boyishly cute and masculinely solid, and the name Leo has serious cred for animal lovers. It's the Latin word for lion and who doesn't swoon over the ultimate Leo: Leonardo DiCaprio? Trust us, your own little Leo will be the king of the jungle (gym).
Phillip
Popularity rank in the U.S.: #389
Meaning: Friend of horses
Famous horses have stellar names like War Admiral and Seabiscuit. Those titles don't work quite as well for humans, so show your equestrian devotion by picking the name Philip. In Greek, it means "friend of horses."
Phoenix
Popularity rank in the U.S.: #494 (girls), #355 (boys)
Meaning: Dark red
Dumbledore can't be credited for everything good, but the "Harry Potter" wizard's pet bird may deserve some of the thanks for the recent popularity of the name Phoenix. It has Greek origins and symbolizes rebirth.
Robin
Popularity rank in the U.S.: Not ranked
Meaning: Bright fame
Today, it's widely used as a female name, but Robin is technically unisex; it's derived from the Germanic name Robert. In many places, robins are a sign that spring has sprung.
