Sci-Fi Baby Names

  1. Zed
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Zedekiah
    • Description:

      Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.
  2. 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.
  3. Zira
    • Origin:

      Berber, Tamazight
    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"
    • Description:

      Attractive but uncommon name which has been used as a character name in several movies, including The Lion King II and Planet of the Apes. Ziri and Tiziri are variants.
  4. 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.
  5. Sela
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "rock"
    • Description:

      Sela is a Biblical place name, the original term for the city of Petra, which is finding new life through actress Sela Ward, star of several TV series. The young daughter of singer Lauryn Hill is named Selah, pronounced the same but with a different derivation and meaning. Found among early African-American enslaved people, it was sometimes spelled Cela or Cella.
  6. Aelita
    • Origin:

      Literature
    • Meaning:

      "starlight seen for the last time"
    • Description:

      A whimsical choice from the 1923 sci-fi novel Aelita by Aleksey Tolstoy, the name belongs to a Martian princess who lives on Mars in an advanced yet divided society. In the book (and its subsequent film), her name is said to mean "starlight seen for the last time".
  7. Tali
    • Description:

      Tali is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Hebrew, it means 'dew from heaven' or 'my dew,' suggesting divine blessing and refreshment. In Finnish, it relates to 'winter,' conjuring images of pristine snow and quiet strength. The name also appears in Native American traditions where it can mean 'water' in Cherokee. As a masculine name, Tali is most common in Israel and among Jewish communities, though its brevity and pleasing sound have given it cross-cultural appeal. With just two syllables and a melodic quality, Tali offers a name that's both simple to pronounce and rich in meaning, making it attractive to parents seeking a short name with spiritual undertones.
  8. Tuck
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Tucker, English
    • Meaning:

      "fabric pleater"
    • Description:

      Sharp and preppy.
  9. 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.
  10. Tasha
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Natasha
    • Description:

      See NATASHA.
  11. Pallas
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"
    • Description:

      This rarified Greek name -- in classical mythology Pallas Athena was the goddess of wisdom and the arts -- might appeal to literary-minded parents. Among the raft of stylish girl names that start with P, Pallas is one rare choice that is often overlooked....but shouldn't be.
  12. Serra
    • Origin:

      Italian, Portuguese and Catalan
    • Meaning:

      "ridge"
    • Description:

      This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero Serra, and sculptor Richard Serra, known for his challenging large-scale metal works.
  13. 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.
  14. Keyan
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Kurdish, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "existence, being, essence; king, leader; universe, cosmos"
    • Description:

      Approachable and grounded, Keyan is a name with several powerful meanings. From its Arabic roots, it is a Quranic name, meaning "essence, entity" or "existence", while from its Kurdish and Persian origins, it is associated with royalty and leadership or with the universe as a whole.
  15. Kaidan
    • Description:

      Kaidan is a masculine name with multiple potential origins, most commonly associated with Japanese and Gaelic roots. In Japanese, it can mean "mysterious story" or "ghost story," while as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Caden, it connects to "cath" meaning "battle." The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the early 2000s, part of the trend toward names with the appealing "aid" sound. Its rise coincided with similar names like Aidan, Jayden, and Brayden. Kaidan offers versatility with its cross-cultural connections and modern feel. The spelling variant Kayden is also common. Parents are often drawn to its contemporary sound combined with meaningful origins, making it appealing for those seeking a name that feels both current and substantial.
  16. Diva
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "goddess"
    • Description:

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

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful flower"
    • Description:

      An attractive enough name, but for die-hard Star Wars fans only.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.

  20. Davin
    • Description:

      Davin as a feminine name is an uncommon variant of the more traditional masculine Davin, which originated as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Dáibhín, meaning 'little beloved one' or 'little deer.' While Davin has historical usage as a boy's name, its application for girls represents a modern trend of gender-crossing names. The name has a gentle yet strong quality, with its soft consonants balanced by clear pronunciation. For females, Davin offers a distinctive alternative to popular feminine names with similar sounds like Davina or Devon. The name carries Irish heritage while maintaining a contemporary feel. Though rare for girls, it appeals to parents seeking a unique name with established roots but without being overtly feminine.