8 Baby Names Riding the Next Wave of Cool

I'm often envious of people who know exactly what they're going to name their baby - since, like, forever. I admire their commitment. They say things like I decided in elementary school that I'd name my daughter Olivia. Or, I always wanted to name by son after my great-grandfather.

How easy they have it.

I can't even tell you how many baby names I have scribbled on pieces of paper, how many lists I've compiled since before I ever even decided to start a family, how many texts I've sent to my dear friend, who also happens to be a baby name expert for Early Mama. I can't tell you not because I don't know how many, but because it's utterly embarrassing how many there are.

We named our twins Daphne and Theodore, but only after some time passed after we lost them at 17 weeks. (It didn't feel right not naming them.) Those were names at the top of our list at the time of their death, but we hadn't totally decided on them - and we hadn't planned on picking a name until they were born. But some time after our loss, we realized they were, indeed, our Daphne and Theodore.

That loss was over a year ago, and I wouldn't dream of using Theodore now. Not just because we used it for our twin boy, but because Theo is actually too popular for our liking now. Staying on top of baby names and what's climbing the charts and attempting to predict the next big name is tough.

But the talented ladies over at Nameberry do it just about better than anyone else. And I was thrilled to come across their recent post about the next style wave in baby naming. It's just what I've been waiting for. If it's already current - like Cora, Maeve (a longtime fave of mine), Violet, Ezra, Silas and Declan - it's a name I won't use. Not because I don't love them, but because I don't want a future kid to be "one of."

Nameberry has predicted the NEXT wave of cool baby names, and I think it's simply great. These names are super fresh. But I wonder: Will their appeal soon fade, too? Are baby names like fashion trends? I mean, already aviators are dated. How long before these names sound like yesterday's Violet?

Related: 15 wacky ways to predict your baby's gender

I don't have the answer. But I do have 8 favorites from Nameberry's list (in no particular order, except ladies first):

1. Ines: A lovely name with Spanish and French roots, this modern-sounding girl name means "pure, virginal." Too heavy of a meaning?

2. Leontine: I'm a huge fan of Leona (my maternal great-grandmother's name), but Leontine has a truly unique ring to it. It makes sense that it's riding the next cool wave, with Leo being popular for boys, and Leonore the name of the new baby of Princess Madeleine.

3. Persephone: A woman I know named her baby daughter Persephone. And she just happens to be one of the coolest women I know - literally, always way ahead on the fashion front, and not one bit ordinary. So, I totally buy that Persephone is riding the next wave.

4. Cordis: With Cora rocking the charts right now, it's not hard to believe that an edgier, yet not obscure, Cordis will find her way. And with the amazing meaning "of the heart," it's such a lovable name.

5. Glory: I am in love with the name Gloria, so Glory kind of does it for me. But I still think Gloria is better.

6. Apollo: Gwen Stefani just named her son Apollo, but I've liked this name even before then - though I'd never actually use it. It's too daring for me. But I think a rockstar can totally get away with it.

7. Cyprian: Another super-Greek name, Cyprian could be a great way to get to the nickname, Cy. And there's always a fall-back plan for your son if he hates it: He could grab the end of the name as his own, and go by Rian.

8. Everest: Everett is a great name, but if you want something not so common, Everest makes a great name too. Plus, your kid gets to be named after the highest mountain on the planet - and that's pretty darn cool.

Photo source: Aela Mass

-By Aela Mass

For 2 more baby names riding the next wave of cool, visit Babble!

MORE ON BABBLE
25 powerful photos of women giving birth
24 totally "obscure" hipster baby names
7 things you should NEVER say to the mom of a newborn