Word Names Nerd Names By Romy Marylou Amber

A name that shows up on the Social Security roles of a hundred years ago. Let's hope it was a never-to-be-repeated mistake.

Swaggering, cutting-edge choice equally appropriate for both genders. It's also very rare, given in the US in 2015 to only seven baby girls....and no recorded baby boys. Do you want to be the first?

Other wild animals like Fox, Wolf and Bear are catching on as baby names, and Tiger is a rarer option with several famous namesakes, including golf champ Tiger Woods, who was born Eldrick. Other famous Tigers include Indian actor Tiger Shroff, born Jai, and British actor Tyger Drew-Honey, who spells his name with a Y.

Intriguing, when seen as a water name a la River and Ocean, but too close to cultural appropriate if used as a reference to the Creek tribe of Native Americans. Another downside is its resemblance to creak, as in creaky bones or floorboards, and to unappealing words like creep and creak.

Wynter is a masculine name representing a modern spelling variation of Winter, one of the English season names that has gained popularity as a given name. This contemporary spelling with 'y' instead of 'i' gives the name a distinctive, stylized quality while maintaining its connection to the cold season. As a masculine choice, Wynter breaks traditional gender associations, as Winter/Wynter has been more commonly used for girls. The name evokes images of snow, resilience, and quiet strength. While still uncommon for boys, Wynter has seen increased interest from parents seeking nature-inspired names with a contemporary edge. The unique spelling adds character to this seasonal name, making it stand out while retaining its natural imagery.

Mountain names such as Everest and Denali are being used more frequently, but Mountain itself was unknown until Hunger Games star Jena Malone used it as a middle name for her son Ode Mountain. And really, why not? It's one of the most unique baby names in the hot nature category.

If you like names that are not really names -- some say, the wave of the future -- Harbor has an attractive sound as well as an appealing meaning and image.

Royalty is a super-hot name for girls, but there's no reason it can't be used for boys too. In fact it is, but only about 5 percent of the time, making it one of those unisex names whose usage is tipped so far toward one gender that it isn't truly unisex. But still, English words are usually not intrinsically gendered so Royalty is perfectly appropriate for boys as well as girls and is one of the fastest-rising unisex names.

Grrrr.

Bliss might once have seemed a far-out choice, but it has been on the rise for girls in recent years, alongside similar options such as Dream, Heaven, Halo, and Blessing. Associated with a state of perfect happiness and with spiritual blessedness, it holds both religious and secular appeal.

In the US this is likely to conjure zebras, lions and elephants on the Serengeti, but its original meaning "journey" broadens its wearability. Safari is a name common in Africa for babies born while their parents were on a journey.

A word name that parents might choose to reflect the eternal love they feel for their child, Forever is a bold choice, but grounded perhaps by the familiar ev sound heard in Everett and Evan and the for sound of Ford and Forest. Also used in a religious or spiritual sense, it feels akin to the likes of Heaven, Blessed, Chosen, Fable, and Seven.

A South American dance style whose name derives from Latin tangere "touch". It's also a popular orange-flavored fizzy drink in the UK, as well as the word for the letter T in the NATO phonetic alphabet.

Even if you're hoping for a fiery child, this seems like playing with fire. One celebrity--Steve Vai--was bold enough to use it for his son.

There's a football player called Pepper (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) Johnson -- but the name has yet to make waves for boys. Given to around 5 boys each year, the musical link to The Beatle's album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club might appeal to some.

A word name that has sailed onto birth certificates of both genders, especially since Liv Tyler used it for her son. For boys, Saylor and Sailor are used about equally, but were together given to about 100 baby boys last year....and 1000 baby girls.

Striker is one of the new gang of boys' names that have two syllables, end in -er, spring from words, and have a macho, even aggressive meaning and image. Other examples include Breaker, Heller, and Wilder. Do the world a favor and desist.

Hippie name with a sweet meaning. While theoretically gender-neutral, Harmony was given to nearly 1400 baby girls last year....and zero boys.

A word name with a touch of mystery surrounding it, Shadow is a bold, edgy choice for a baby which some may find a bit ominous. While it is predominatly used for cats, dogs, and other furry friends, it can be considered a wild word name that parents are actually using, having debuted in the US stats for girls in 1974 and for boys in 1987.

Word names are often genderless, but Lovely feels particularly feminine (cue Isn't She Lovely? by Stevie Wonder). Chris Brown chose this name for his daughter, born in 2022, which may give the name a boost.