Harlem
Popularity:
1489
Origin:
Dutch
Other Origin(s):
American
Meaning:
Home on a wooded hill; Neighborhood in New York City
If Bronx and Brooklyn are popular baby names, you're sure to fall head over heels for Harlem. This gender-neutral name refers to the neighborhood in New York City, known for its jazz clubs, eateries, and African-American heritage. However, you may not know that this region of Northern Manhattan was named after a city in the Netherlands. Its Dutch roots give it the meaning "home on a wooded hill," adding a touch of nature to the concrete jungle. Icons like activist and author James Baldwin, and singer and actor Sammy Davis Jr. both haled from Harlem, giving baby some powerful footsteps to walk in.