Unique Names for Babies
Where to Look for Inspiration When Choosing Uncommon Baby Names
Feb 27, 2008
Naming a child is a big endeavor. Some people opt for classic, traditional names, but if you want something more unusual, consider these suggestions.
International Names
You may want to think of your heritage when choosing a baby name. Keep in mind, using a name from another country may mean years of mispronunciation and misspelling for your child. For boys consider Bram (Netherlands), Dias (Brazil), Lachlan (Australia), Lewis and Callum (Scotland), Florian, Leonie and Tobias (Austria) and Matias, Emil and Rasmus (Finland), Cian (Ireland), and Rhys (Wales).
For girls, names to consider include Oceane (France), Caterina (Italy), Nora and Malin (Norway), Valentina (Chile), Lucia, Marta and Nerea (Spain), Emilia, Iida and Aada (Finland), Elin, Alva and Linnea (Sweden), and Cian and Ceri (Wales).
Surnames
Names that have traditionally been surnames, such as Taylor, have become incredibly popular as first names for both boys and girls. This is also a good way of reusing a mother’s or grandmother's maiden name. Some surnames you may want to consider: Campbell, Davis, Jackson, Harris, Harper, Walker, Mitchell, Carter, Parker, Murphy, Kendall, Cooper, Reed, Bailey, Porter, Bennett, Reyes, Sullivan, Price, Palmer, Brady, Perry, Miller, Grier, Findlay, Elias, Hawley, Pearce, Tucker, Jensen, Barrett, Spencer, Tanner and Morgan.
Places
A city, town, state or country can make a great name, especially if the place holds some meaning to you. Ones to consider include Houston, Dallas, Memphis, Dakota, Phoenix, Denver, Flint, Savannah, Austin, Holland, Raleigh, Havana, Burke, Chelsea, Georgia, Kirby, Sutton, Blaine, Everett, Kent, Redmond, Portland, Anson, Hudson, Carmel, Verona or Rouen.
Literature
Characters from classic literature offer great ideas for naming your baby. Consider Troy, Eris, Scarlett, Rhett, Lydia, Cosette, Holden, Estella, Sibyl, Marlow, Amelia, Atticus, Remi, Eliza, Hindley, Linton, or Neely. Consider a famous Shakespearean character like Ophelia, Desdemona, Leonato, Caesar, Horatio, Portia or Romeo.
Athletes
Professional athletes tend to have very interesting names. Some you may want to think about, for boys, include: Eli, Peyton, Darian, Trent, Rian, Nevin, Roscoe, Ellis, Chad, Wade, Bart, Chase, Zak, Jared, Jarrett, Mason, Rod, Nate, Lance, Brett and Jenson.
Celebrities
Actors, musicians and other celebrities can have very unique names as well. For boys you may want to try Clive, Leonardo, Jude, Julian, Ewan, Jake, Hayden, Tobey, Pierce, Ashton, Joaquin, Forest, Gavin, Harrison, Elijah, Dane, Chace, Sacha, Alec, Shia, Lukas or Adrian. For girls, try Halle, Cameron, Charlize, Tyra, Reese, Meryl, America, Avril, Elisha, Evangeline, Isla, Jada, Liv, Mandy, Miley, Mischa or Sienna.
Alter a Traditional Name
You can make up your own name simply by changing a letter in a popular name. For example, Sara can become Lara or Cara or Tara or Zara. Hanna can become Danna or Janna or Yanna. Alternatively, you could shorten a traditional name. Instead of Mackenzie go with Kenzie, instead of Alexis go with Lexi, instead of Julianna go with Lianna, instead of Alexandra go with Xandra.
Names from the 40s, 50s and 60s
Some unusual names from these eras, for boys, included Adair, Addis, Agustin, Ahern, Alcott, Alden, Arvid, Augustus, Barclay, Barlow, Barton, Burke, Caldwell, Egan, Eldon, Esmond, Ezell, Farrell, Garrett, Harrel, Ingram, Jarvis, Judson, Kelvin, Lucian, Nevin, Olin, Orrin, Phelan, Radcliff, Reyes, Saxon, Sheldon, Shelton, Talbot, Thad, Thane, Van, Vaughn, Wade, Warrick, Yardley and Zigmond.
For girls, unusual names were Addie, Allura, Angelita, Arden, Beryl, Blythe, Bryce, Cara, Carlotta, Chauncey, Corinne, Daria, Dulce, Effie, Ena, Evelina, Fawn, Fern, Graciela, Greer, Ivy, Koren, Lelia, Lenora, Lorelei, Marcella, Marlys, Nettie, Noella, Nova, Olinda, Prudence, Renata, Roanna, Sigrid, Twyla, Ula, Valencia, Verena, Viola, Wynne, Zara and Zenia.
New moms, be sure to also read Wanting the Best for Baby & You.
