The very best baby names of 2017 are an eclectic bunch, incorporating classic names and modern names, unusual baby names along with the stylish and popular baby names 2017. If the 2017 parent were limited to only 100 possible baby names, these strike that perfect balance of being supremely stylish but not trendy, distinctive yet not weird, creative yet down-to-earth.

　　These elite 100 best baby names are emblematic of our times while also being timeless and forward-facing. The names here are perfect for a 2017 baby yet will serve him or her well into the turn of the next century (now there’s an amazing thought).

　　Of course, there are hundreds of other baby names that potentially fit these criteria. But if we are limited to only 100 baby names for 2017, these are our picks for the very best of the best, and why.

　　Alden: May unseat the popular Aiden, thanks to actor Ehrenreich, the new young Han in Star Wars

　　Amity: Friendly update for Hope and Faith

　　Amos: A Biblical boys’ name that could follow the newly successful Abel

　　Araminta: British classic baby name fresher than Arabella

　　Arcadia: Heavenly name for the optimistic

　　Archer: Fresher than Hunter, cooler than Arthur

　　Arrow: Set to shoot upwards on the name popularity list

　　Ash: Cool short form of Ashton or Asher, or full name on its own

　　Astrid: Scandi import with lots of style

　　Auden: Poetic surname chosen by Kelsey Grammer for baby #7

　　Aviva: Vivacious palindromic girls’ name

　　Baxter: Could Bax be the new Max?

　　Bea: Beatrice or Beatrix short form that stands alone

　　Benno: Ancient saint’s name makes Ben special

　　Birdie: Nature name taking flight

　　Booker: African-American hero name with literary and musical associations

　　Bowie: The late idol inspiring baby namers

　　Briar: New unisex nature name in the Top 1000

　　Calliope: Love child of Cadence and Penelope

　　Cassius: Ancient Roman name that couldn’t be cooler

　　Celeste: Ladylike name with heavenly associations

　　Clara: Clearly the most stylish Claire-related name today

　　Clark: Old-time heartthrob and superhero returns

　　Corin: The Bard gave us this distinctive yet straightforward boys’ name

　　Cressida: Posh British possibility with a Shakespearean pedigree

　　Cyrus: Celeb choice with historic Eastern roots

　　Daisy: Perennially-fresh and charming flower name

　　Dashiell: Literary name with lots of dash

　　Delphine: Chic French twist on floral name

　　Dylan: Rebel Nobel poet name turned modern classic name for girls or boys

　　Echo: Three trends — mythological, o-ending word name — in one modern name

　　Eliza: Classic revival baby name keeps gathering steam

　　Ember: Emma meets Amber

　　Emilia: Khaleesi gone classic

　　Esme: Salinger name that means beloved

　　Esther: Biblical heroine name weds ancient and feminist appeal

　　Felicity: Rogue One star Felicity Jones adds strength to this frilly name

　　Felix: Ancient saint turned cartoon cat turned happy modern baby name

　　Fiona: Romantic Scottish favorite baby name moving on from Shrek

　　Forrest: Nature name with buttoned-down appeal

　　Frank: Frank Ocean updates this name from the Sinatra era

　　Frankie: Boyish nickname hot for girls

　　Geneva: Swiss place name destination

　　Gideon: Biblical boy name on the rise

　　Goldie: One nickname name that’s both rich and fun

　　Greer: Tailored Hollywood name, fresher than Harlow or Ava

　　Gus: Friendly, informal Gus is the new Max

　　Indigo: Bright blue unisex choice

　　Ines/Inez: Spanish-inflected variation of Agnes with starry new gloss

　　Iris: Elegant floral that’s also the name of the goddess of the rainbow

　　Isadora: The new Isa girl in town

　　Keziah: Biblical name that feels sleek and modern

　　Lachlan: Scottish choice finding wider favor

　　Lark: Bird name that sings sweetly in the middle

　　Lionel: Jazzy name with stylish leonine associations

　　Louise: This year’s nominee for how can it NOT be in the Top 1000?

　　Loxley: Popping on Pinterest

　　Loyal: Revived virtue name that works for boys

　　Lucian: Attractive male spin on the popular Lucy and Lucia

　　Lula: Retro girl name on the upswing, and Liv Tyler‘s new daughter

　　Lux: As simple as it is luxurious

　　Marguerite: Cooler than Margaret, more classic than Margo

　　McCoy: The real thing

　　Mirabelle: The new Isabelle

　　Monty: British favorite feels fresh here

　　Osiris: Name from Egyptian mythology that feels powerful today

　　Otis: Bluesy baby name that’s the epitome of cool

　　Otto: Newest old O baby name for boys

　　Ozzie: Adorable O nickname for Ozias, Oswald, etc; Oz works too

　　Pearl: The most stylish middle name of the moment

　　Persephone: Now that Penelope is a Top 100 hottie, Persephone is rising

　　Posey: Sweet update on Poppy and Rosie

　　Quincy: Unusual Presidential choice that works for boys and girls

　　Ray: Sleek, simple name right for both genders

　　Reeve: A successor to celebrity surname name Reese

　　Remy: French, simple, delicious for either sex

　　Reuben: Hot Biblical boy name

　　Roman: Celebrity favorite with noble pedigree

　　Rosamund: Elegant rose family member

　　Ruth: Rich Biblical name finding new fans

　　Sadie: The fastest-rising girl name on Nameberry

　　Sage: A unisex name marrying wisdom and nature

　　Sasha: Unisex name re-embraced for boys

　　Saskia: Dutch treat with artistic vibe

　　Sayer: More eloquent than Sawyer

　　Simone: Gold medalist times two

　　Snow: Fresh, winter white choice

　　Soleil: Sunny French name shining here

　　Sybil: A not-done Downton Abbey name

　　Sylvie: Sweet French-accented choice

　　Tallulah: Dramatic name favored by celebrities, but still distinctive in the real world

　　Thea: Newcomer to the Top 1000 that feels both classic and modern

　　Thor: Powerful superhero choice

　　Vera: Fresher than Cora or Ava

　　Wilder: Prepster name with an outdoorsy vibe

　　Winnie: Winning nickname-name finding new fans, including Jimmy Fallon

　　Winston: Churchill makes it a hero name, but Winston feels wearable for a child, too

　　Yara: Spanish favorite slowly being discovered by the wider world

　　Zelda: New series based on the life of Zelda Fitzgerald soon to debut on Amazon

　　Zinnia: Exotic floral choice

　　What would you add to the list?