X Factor Baby Names

The second book of the Bible provides a dramatic name that's more distinct than Genesis and simpler than Leviticus.

High-collared and straightlaced, with the deadly "Ox" nickname.

This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.

Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.

Hendrix is an improbably trendy first name rising in honor of guitar great Jimi.

This Beatrix alternate could make a good choice for globetrotting parents.

A relatively common surname, Dixon would be an inventive way to honor an ancestral Richard or Dick, the X form a lot livelier than the Dickson spelling, just as Dix is a more modern short form than Dick; it would be right at home alongside Dax and Jax.

As Huxley and Huck become more popular and accepted, so does Hux, either as a full name or a diminutive.

The Basque form of Salvador starts with the intriguing letter X, which is pronounced like a "sh" sound in the Basque language. Xabat is a great Basque heritage choice, but we must note that it sounds almost identical to the word "Shabbat", the Jewish day of rest.

Experience was used by the Puritans but probably too joke-worthy for a modern child...or teenager.

Aviator is equally appropriate for a girl, of course, but lovers of Beatrix and Bellatrix might appreciate the spiky sound of this unique occupational name.

As long as nobody connects it with xenophobia -- the fear of strangers and the unknown.

A bold word name choice for the intrepid baby namer who hopes her son will face the world with a sense of discovery.

Lexington is trending as a unisex name, used just about evenly for the genders. For Americans, it's got a patriotic feel, given the importance of Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. Lexington, Kentucky, in horse country, is another well-known city with the name. Short form Lex is user friendly.

Sex doesn't belong in a baby name.