Sci-Fi Baby Names

  1. Mazikeen
    • Origin:

      Invented name
    • Meaning:

      "harmful spirits"
    • Description:

      Neil Gaiman invented this name for a character in his comic book Sandman. It can now be seen on the TV show Lucifer.
  2. Moya
    • Description:

      Moya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins, creating a rich tapestry of meanings. In Irish Gaelic, it derives from Máire (a form of Mary) and can mean "bitter" or "beloved." In African contexts, particularly Swahili and Zulu, Moya means "spirit" or "soul," giving it a profound spiritual dimension. The name also appears in Slavic languages with connections to concepts like "mine" or "my own." This multicultural background makes Moya especially appealing to families seeking names with global resonance. Its simple two-syllable structure and flowing sound give it an accessible yet distinctive quality. While never extremely common, Moya has maintained steady usage across different cultures, appreciated for its brevity and emotional depth.

  3. Buffy
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.
  4. Tasha
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Natasha
    • Description:

      See NATASHA.
  5. Jubal
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "ram's horn"
    • Description:

      This unusual name might be a possibility for musical families: Jubal was credited in Genesis with the invention of the lyre, flute, harp, and organ. It also has a jubilant feel through its sound and meaning, and has had some southern popularity via Confederate general Jubal Anderson Early. George Eliot wrote a poem called The Legend of Jubal.
  6. Flash
    • Origin:

      Word and comic book name
    • Description:

      Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
  7. Zed
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Zedekiah
    • Description:

      Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.
  8. Ayala
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "doe, gazelle"
    • Description:

      This animal-themed name is among the most popular for girls in contemporary Israel. Parents who want to move beyond the mega-popular Aliyah and sisters might want to consider Ayala. The male form is Ayal.
  9. Diva
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "goddess"
    • Description:

      Once unique to the Zappa family, now you can have your own little prima donna.
  10. Mal
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Malcolm, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "devotee of St. Colomba"
    • Description:

      A nickname for Malcolm that at one point ranked independently on the US Top 1000. It still exists as an affectionate pet form, but you’re unlikely to hear a Malcolm introduce himself as Mal.
  11. Zhora
    • Description:

      Zhora is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Russian contexts, it functions as a diminutive of names like Georgy, meaning 'farmer' or 'earth-worker.' In Armenian usage, it can be related to names meaning 'power' or 'strength.' The name also appears in some Central Asian cultures. Zhora has gained some recognition in Western countries through popular culture, including the female replicant character in the film 'Blade Runner.' Despite this exposure, it remains an uncommon name in most Western countries. The name has a distinctive sound that crosses cultural boundaries while maintaining a sense of strength and character.

  12. Deliah
    • Description:

      Deliah is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Delilah, which has Hebrew origins meaning "delicate" or "weak." In the Bible, Delilah was the woman who betrayed Samson by cutting his hair, which was the source of his strength. Despite this somewhat negative biblical association, the name has a soft, melodious sound that has attracted parents over the years. Deliah, with this particular spelling, is much less common than the traditional Delilah spelling. The name has a lyrical quality and vintage charm that fits with the trend of reviving older names. While Delilah has experienced significant popularity in recent decades, the Deliah variant remains relatively rare, offering a slightly different take on the classic name.

  13. Bail
    • Description:

      Bail is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. It could derive from the Old French 'baile' meaning 'bearer' or guardian, or from the Scottish surname Bail, which may have occupational roots. In legal contexts, 'bail' refers to security or guarantee, potentially giving the name connotations of reliability and trust. As a given name, Bail remains quite rare globally, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something truly uncommon. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal, while its familiar sound (rhyming with names like Dale or Gail) makes it accessible despite its uniqueness. Bail has not traditionally appeared on popularity charts, remaining a genuinely unusual selection.

  14. Amidala
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful flower"
    • Description:

      An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.
  15. Tuck
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Tucker, English
    • Meaning:

      "fabric pleater"
    • Description:

      Sharp and preppy.
  16. Aeryn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Erin, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "from the island to the west"
    • Description:

      Spelling variation of Erin invented for a character on the science fiction TV show Farscape.
  17. Korben
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Corbin, English and French surname
    • Meaning:

      "crow, raven"
    • Description:

      Korben is a spelling that gets some attention since Bruce Willis's character name in The Fifth Element was Korben Dallas.
  18. Elihu
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"
    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  19. Tetsuo
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "wise man"
    • Description:

      Obscure Japanese pick, recognizable to fans of the 1989 Japanese science fiction horror film Tetsuo: The Iron Man.
  20. Riddick
    • Origin:

      Variation of Reddick, Scottish
    • Description:

      Variation of Reddick, recognizable as the name of Vin Diesel's character in the Riddick film series, based on the Chronicles of Riddick books.