Unusual Baby Names – A Popular Trend
If you’ve heard of celebrities giving birth lately, you’ve probably noticed that most of the names they decide to call their babies are unusual, and at times unpronounceable. A lot of celebrities take pride in their children’s unusual baby names. Says actress and Dancing With the Stars alum Brooke Burke to Celebrity Babies in a recent interview: “You know us celebrities, we gotta do all the weird names!”
Unusual baby names are given for many reasons: they may be named in honor of a relative with an unusual name too, may be given to ensure originality, to promote an independent, free-thinking child, and because the parents themselves just simply love the name Kal-El (Nicholas Cage’s son).
Think your ready to stick an uncommon moniker on your child (and ready to face their wrath later on in life)? Here are some names to get you started:
20 Unusual Celebrity Baby Names and Their Celebrity Parent:
- Jermajesty – Jermaine Jackson
- Pilot Inspektor – Earl star Jason Lee.
- Sage Moonblood – Sylvester Stallone.
- Audio Science – Shannyn Sossamon
- Moxie Crimefighter – Penn Jillette
- Petal Blossom Rainbow – Jamie Oliver
- Poppy Honey – Jamie Oliver
- Daisy Boo – Jamie Oliver (had to include all three kids!)
- Bronx Mowgli – Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
- Shaya Braven – Brooke Burke herself and David Charvet
- Neriah – Brook Burke and David Charvet
- Brawley King – Nick Nolte
- Cedella – Bob Marley
- Destry – Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw
- Duncan Zowie Heywood Jones – David Bowie
- Fifi Trixibelle – Bob Gerdorf and Paula Yates
- Seraphina – Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck
- Gaia Romilly Wise – Emma Thompson and Greg Wise
- Kyd – David Duchovny and Tea Leoni
- Pax – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt…okay and their whole brood: Shiloh Nouveau, Maddox, Zahara, Knox, and Vivienne.
Of course not all strange monikers are christened on celebrities, there are plenty of names out there for either gender that can still be claimed by a non-celebrity child, born of parents with a lot of gumption.
Unusual Boy Names:
- Alban – from Alba, town names during Roman Empire
- Chay – thought to be a nickname for Charles
- Fergal – Irish; manly valor
- Jago – Cornish form of James
- Kyran – Irish, see a form of Kieran
- Laban – Hebrew for white
- Mabon – Celtic for son, or a Celtic god
- Napier – French origin, used in England most; linen keeper
- Ormond – Irish; red
- Parsifal – German form or Percival of King Arthur’s round table knights
- Somerled – Scottish; summer traveler
- Trayton – English
- Warwick – common English surname
- Ximun -Hebrew, used by Basque; Simon
- Yorick -Jester in Shakespeare’s Hamlet
- Zeno – Greek, short for Zenon; root of Zeus
Unusual Girl’s Names:
- Briony – English, a flowering vine
- Cacey – Irish, female variation on Casey; alert or vigilant
- Flick – English nickname for Felicity; good luck
- Gaia – Greek; earth, mother earth
- Kohinoor – Persian, mountain of light
- Majella – Irish/English, for St. Gerard Majella
- Nekane – Basque; sorrow
- Saffron – yellow flower often used as a spice
- Tarina – English; hill, seat of the high kings of Ireland
- Valentia – Latin; healthy or strong
- Wilda – English; form of wild
- Xanthe – Greek; yellow, referencing Xanthos, Socrates’ wife
- Yaffa – Hebrew; beautiful
- Zinnia – English , the flower
Need some more ideas? Search for names of other countries or cultures. I’ve found beautiful names from Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Irish, Gaelic, Celtic.
You can also mash yours and your spouse’s name together. For example if your name is Amanda, your husband’s is Tony, your daughter could be…Amony. No?
Well, experiment some more. And comfort your kids if you need to, that they can always change their names later.
Editor’s Note: This article was re-written on June 2, 2009
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Richard says...
It may be cool for a deranged parent to come up with these unique names, but the child is the one that has to deal with such leudicrous names, Moon Unit comes to mind, Frank Zappa’s Daughter. These elete thinking parents are really so exceptionatly ‘ average’ . It’s just wrong to subject your child to these things, childhood is tough enough. My name is Richard, as a child I was called Dickie or Dick, Dick was always used in some form so as to mean penis, in teasing Me. Not cool!!!!! My name is Richard, not DICK, big Dick, little Dick, or Dick at all.
Yanda says...
I’m named after my cousin and to this day WE do not know where our name came from.
It is pronounced like Wanda except a Y instead of the W.
Have never found it in a baby name book but I like having a different name would just like to know where it’s from.
Sandy says...
It seems Richard is sensitive about the nicknames associated with his name. Perhaps the reason behind this lies in his resemblance to the alternative meaning. No one wants to have their true self “outed” in their own name. Every Dick I knew laughed at the name calling. My best friend’s hubby (Dick) said that those that can’t laugh probably are ____heads.
Russ says...
It may be appropiate to note here that in hiring. Especially for higher paying job outside of entertainment. Studies have shown highly qualified but unusually named applicants are more often past over, no mater how cute or fun the name. Just a consideraion.
Tara says...
I agrre with the guy that said unique names arent fair tho the child. Although, it may be fun for the parent, it is the child that will have to deal with all the mean jokes and teasing. So, unless you live in Hollywood where it is “Normal” to name your child something rediculous….Please, for his/her sake—DONT DO IT!
Cayley says...
I say that it is YOUR child and you can name him/her doorknob if you want to and if someone doesen’t like your baby’s name oh well…it’s not their baby…they can have a baby and name him/her whatever they like.
Dawn says...
I have 4 children and am pregnant (quite unexpectedly) with my 5th. My children all have unique (made up) names. I enjoyed coming up with the names and they love their names. They range in age from 10 years to 19 years of age and ALL of them go by their first names. I do, however, agree that not everyone loves being that unique. I thought long and hard before committing to the names I chose. I played “devil’s advocate” and came up with the worst nicknames a cruel child in school could come up with. I also chose to give my children “normal” middle names so that if they weren’t as fond of the unique names as I was, they would be able to have a more politically correct name for society. Again, all of my children have chosen to stay with their first names and, quite honestly, love the attention they get over their names. So it’s not always bad. Parents just need to see the good and (possible) bad to the name they choose.
Audrey says...
Dawn If you dont mind, what are your unique names. I am pregnant with my first and is looking for a unique name….
Vanessa says...
My thinking on this. If someone doesn’t like you their going to find something to mock you about. Take it from someone with a “normal” name who was mocked for speaking spanish and having “true latina” hair.
Jordan says...
I used to get picked on when i was young, cuz people used to say i had a boys name …But at the end of the day i used to b glad that i was the only 1 in my school with that name. I stood out and i liked it. My friend had the name Rachel and there were 3 other Rachel’s in my class alone, so when the teacher called they all turned around…Not Nice!!!
I will definatly call my baby a unique name, and think it is good to be a bit adventurous this day and age!!!
Erin says...
I have twin boys and named one AlexZander, it was a nice traditional name with a unique twist. love it.
and so does my zanderbander.
lol
Momo-it means peaches(in Japanese) says...
heh… I happen to know a family who have five kids, and they let the older ones name the next ones. First comes Mary, then Snow, then Rose (who is a boy, by the way) then Brun Hilda (one name), and then John Johnny Johnathan Jonstah (he just tells people that his name is “John”). Anyway, I thought that this was pretty creative, but for people who don’t want their kids to have issues (these kids are all actually perfectly happy), I think that it’s a good idea to just pick out a name you like, unusual or no. One of my friend’s nephews is named MacCoullin. The family likes to stick to names that are traditional to a particular culture, for example MacCoullin is Irish, and his sister’s name is Kriti, which means “creation” in Hindi. So, really, I think the bottom line is, pick a name that you like, and that a child won’t have too many problems living with.
Melissa says...
IMHO, not that anyone asked, or will….I think you should use caution, have fun and be kind. Just remember it is a forever kinda thing. buttercup may be a precious princess today, but tomorrow, she may be robbing banks. i have 7 kids. 18 years to 15 month old twins. what i did was stick to a letter. Kayhla, Khristine, Khourtney, Korihn…then i was divorced, remarried and chose something only slightly different. Lhaicey, and then my twins, Aidahn and Ainsleigh. i have a thing with h’s. bottom line, with my older 4, i stuttered too much so with my 5th i had to shake things up a little. lol. it is important to give them ‘normal’ middle names when going out on a limb with their first names. we debated, and ultimately decided against Korihn Thians, but eventually I had Lhaicey Rhaine. i admitedly overdid it on the twins. my (only)son is Aidahn Tylar and my daughter is Ainsleigh Taylar. too much of a great thing is still too much. whatever you choose, have fun and be proud of it. If you aren’t then how on earth could they ever be?
angela says...
Hey! Well, I heard a couple people asking for suggestions. I am about to have baby #12 and I can’t hang with normal names. I did name my first born boy Glen Francis, after his dad–then, I was off and runnin’! No more using someone else’s name! My daughters: Joshua Renae, Glorianna “Glorie” Sebastienne, Shaughnessy Glenne, deChelly Miela (duh-shay mee-ay-luh), Desmarais Niccole (dez-muh-ray), Tejani Saraiah (tay-ha-nee suh-ray-uh), then, another boy: Cirroc Tuari (shuh-rock too-arr-ee), girls again: Noah Skye, Damira LaMia (duh-meer-uh) and Danica LaReina (duh-nee-kuh)–not like Danica Patrick (dan-ick-a)…number 12, if it’s a boy will be Cadre Isiah (cah-dray ee-sy-uh). The jury’s still out for one last girl name cuz I have pretty much used them all! I’m leaning towards Caramia, tho. But, I think the names I have given my children are a beautiful gift I put a lot of time into, and they are proud of their unique names and unique selves–all my kids have excelled in school and have many friends. Mean nicknames have never been an issue for any of them, either. But, it was for me and my name is plain old Angela! Follow your hearts, everyone and don’t let others dictate what you name your baby!
Lorna says...
As a teacher I have to say I hate unusual or bizarre spellings of names. Not only is it hard for a young child to learn to spell but it also challenges the teacher – I once had 6 girls called Amy in my class, and each one had a different spelling! What’s more, the poor child is condemned to spelling it every time they’re asked to provide their name by officialdom. An unusual name is one thing, a random, bizarre spelling is another. Parents, please consider the future!
Lauren says...
I have five children of my own, and although a couple of their names aren’t exactly unsual, I chose some rather unqiue names for them all. My first was a boy, which I named Kadaj Denzel, then I had twin girls, Alexis Myra and Rowan Lucia, then two more boys, Jacky Cyris and Jarred Nikolai. So far none of them have had any problems with nicknames from other kids and the only problems they ever get is people misspelling Kadaj or Jarred (they tend to leave out one ‘r’ in Jarred). Oh, and Alexis simply calls herself ‘Alex’, so people do naturally assume it’s short for Alexandra.
I suppose outrageous names could be hard on the child, especially as they reach the teenage years where everyone suddenly starts judging other people (I’ve found so far that younger child don’t really care what another child looks like so long as they’ll play nice with them), but having a unique name isn’t bad. I have three very plain names and I had more trouble than my little rascals! =)
Sharae says...
you can always come up with your own name. you can combine two names to make one you can use a place or a city. I named my son Lakeland after the town i was born in and its something i havent heard any one name thier kid
Morgan says...
i wanna have a baby 1 day but im only 11 soo whenever i heve a baby (when im like27) i will name her hannah
beth says...
- i have 2 boys and i didnt want “everyday” names – but i didnt want something crazy either – the first was darren – and most people dont have a problem with that – now baby number 2 is 10 weeks old and im already tired of spelling his name out to people j o s i a h — i really didnt think j
osiah (joe-sigh-ahh) was that unusual…!
Erica says...
My husband and I have very generic names mine is Erica Nicole and his is John Gregory so we found out we were pregnant we knew we wanted our kids to have unique names so our son’s name is JACOBI GARREN and our daughter’s is Joniah Sarae (Suh- ray)
Tiffany says...
I am pregnant with my first child and it is a girl her daddys name is Jason and I am leaning towards Jacielayne(Jay-cee-lane does anyone know anybody with this name and what are your thoughts or suggestions.
Denise says...
I think unique names are good for children and do not necessarily make them feel outcast. My name is perfectly average yet I spent the first 20 years of my life absolutely miserable because I was trying to “fit in” with all of the other “normal” people. Now I know that I am not “normal” but I also wonder, who is? Why should we be tied down by what others think we should be? I know I am different, and I have decided to legally change my name to Dinchara. I do not think that a child will necessarily go along with the name you give it anyway, names can always be changed. How many children take on false nicknames because they feel their real name does not express who they are? I believe a unique name will allow more people to grow up in a freer way, knowing that they can be who they want to be and do not have to be like anyone else. Although, there is a fine line between unique and frightening. I agree with Dick that “Moon Unit” is going a little far. But what about the name Soleil? Unique, not strange.
Shannon says...
I’m pregnant with my first baby and I love unusual names. As for all of these that say its hard on the child to spell, they themselves are just being pure lazy. First of all the child will not have any idea that the name can be spelled any differently. I have picked Mataya for a girl and Maxxwell for a boy. I love these names and if my child is anything like me it will hate its own name just because it can LOL.
Amalia says...
I love exotic names for girls like
Kaylani
Kalana
Leilani
Nylah
Kiora
Giada
Bella
Ariellah
Aria
Travielle
Camilla
and fun names like
Skyler
Starla
Lyric
Chablis
I really love the bible names for Boys b/c of the way they all sound:
Malachai
Josiah
Isaiah
Noah
Gabriel
Andrea says...
I love unusual names. Both my daughters do not have every day names one is Celestine and one is Markiya. It is great especially when they mean something special!
Deus says...
i love unusual names as mch as th next man but these rich celebs name their kids after anything. imagine when they’re teens & kids constantly tease them because their name is friggin moon unit? pilot inspektor? moxi crimefighter?
Tara says...
Ok people…you HAVE to get over the fact that your children will be teased. Unusual or not, your child will be teased. I am Tara and although that is not unusual, I got ribbed plenty for that name. Tara the Terrible, I’m gonna tear you up, Tara fied…and guess what…I’m fine! I got over it. Teasing is a part of life and if a parent wants to name their child something unusual, go for it. I am!
Jennifer says...
I have 7 kids and I wanted them to have unique names I have:
Candace Star,
William Trevor Daulton
Dalexander Lane
Kyra Alexis
Kalita Skye
Darrion Lance
Jenson Andrew-Rain
Jodie says...
As a child I hated my name because it wasn’t very common, but as I grew older it was a good thing because there were so many Brittany’s and Breanna’s it would have drove me crazy if I had been another common. I am now pregnant with my first and am having a girl, I do not want her to have 6 kids in her class with the same name as her. I’ve decided to name her Lucian Neva, just to be a little different!