Choosing the perfect name for baby is something every expecting parent thinks about. If you want some cool, more unique baby names, consider this list.
Popular International Names
Many people think of their heritage when choosing a baby name. Names Celtic in nature appear to be a growing trend. Keep in mind, using a name from another country may mean years of mispronunciation and misspelling for a child.
Male names: 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).
Female names: 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).
Common Surnames as First Names
Names that have traditionally been surnames, such as Taylor, have become incredibly popular as cool names for babies. This is also a good way of reusing a mother’s or grandmother's maiden name.
Male & female names: 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, Boyd, Lane, and Tanner.
Names Based on Famous Places
A city, town, state or country can make a great name, especially if the place holds sentimental meaning.
Male & female names: 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.
Popular Names from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s
Older names from previous eras were typically based on pop culture at the time, influenced by film stars, authors and politicians of the day.
Male names: 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, Warrick, Yardley and Zigmond.
Female names : Addie, Allura, Angelita, Arden, Beryl, Blythe, Bryce, Chauncey, Daria, Dulce, Effie, Ena, Evelina, Fawn, Fern, Graciela, Greer, Koren, Lelia, Lenora, Lorelei, Marcella, Marlys, Nettie, Noella, Nova, Olinda, Prudence, Renata, Roanna, Sigrid, Twyla, Ula, Valencia, Verena, Viola, Wynne, Zara and Zenia.
Names of Famous Literary Characters
Characters from classic literature offer great ideas for naming a baby, but also consider a name from a modern day novel that is a favorite.
Male & female names: Troy, Eris, Scarlett, Rhett, Lydia, Cosette, Holden, Estella, Sibyl, Marlow, Amelia, Atticus, Remi, Eliza, Hindley, Linton, Neely, Ophelia, Desdemona, Leonato, Caesar, Horatio, Portia or Romeo.
Professional Athletes Names
Professional athletes tend to have very interesting unique unusual names. Some you may want to think about, names boys would like include: Eli, Peyton, Darian, Rian, Nevin, Roscoe, Ellis, Wade, Chase, Jarrett, Mason, Nate, or Jenson.
Celebrity Baby Names
Actors, musicians and other celebrities can have very unique names as well.
Male names: Clive, Leonardo, Jude, Ewan, Hayden, Tobey, Pierce, Ashton, Forest, Gavin, Harrison, Dane, Chace, Sacha, or Shia.
Female names: Halle, Cameron, Charlize, Tyra, Reese, Meryl, America, Avril, Elisha, Evangeline, Isla, Jada, Liv, Miley, Mischa or Sienna.
Find Your Own Unique Name
Make your own by taking a popular name and simply change a letter. For example, Sara can become Lara or Cara or Tara or Zara. Hanna can become Danna or Janna or Yanna. Alternatively, a traditional name could be shortened. Instead of Mackenzie go with Kenzie, instead of Alexis go with Lexi, instead of Julianna go with Lianna, instead of Alexandra go with Xandra.
Choosing a unique first name for your baby could be a simple as taking a popular name from another decade or creating one of your own simply by changing a letter of a popular name.
Gail Oliver - Gail is an author, writer and researcher. She has been quoted in magazines as diverse as Cosmopolitan and Maclean's. Gail writes on a ...
