Sebastian is an ancient martyr's name turned literary, and Little Mermaid hero—think Sebastian the Crab—that's more popular than ever, as a classic-yet-unconventional compatriot for fellow British favorites T Theodore and Oliver.

A popular Japanese name with an uplifting meaning, Kaito is connected to the air and the sea. Said with three syllables and not the two English speakers may expect, it has been borne by a number of Japanese footballers, along with several popular fictional characters, including Kaito Momota of Danganrompa, and the Vocaloid Kaito.

Eren ranks among the Top 50 boys' names in Turkey, among the Top 1000 in England and Wales, and is virtually unknown in the US. With a sound that's similar to Aaron or Erin, it may be mistaken for one of those more familiar choices but does make an easily-translated and attractive name. Eren entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, with parents potential inspired by the character Eren Yeager in the popular Japanese manga series Attack on Titan.

Reality TV star Raven Gates gave her on-trend s-ending surname to her son, named Gates Zev. Gates joins an impressive lineup of celebrity babies with similar names, including Hillary Duff's Banks and Emma Roberts' Rhodes. Gates is also famously the surname of Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft.

In this form, or as Sebastian or as Bas, Bastien is a fashionable Euro name with a possible future in America.

A highly unusual Italian word-name that is nevertheless attractive and easy to pronounce and spell.

As a given name, Kemper is a rare gender-neutral choice, given to fewer than 50 American babies at last count. It's much more familiar as a surname, as in that of Ellie Kemper, an actor from The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Americans are familiar with Seb as a nickname for Sebastian, but Seppe is an international update. This Flemish nickname name has found popularity in its own right in Belgium and the Netherlands.

An earthy rock'n'roll name with multiple origins. The Roc was a giant bird in Middle Eastern legend.

Attractive, simple Japanese choice that, while not strictly unisex, could work even better for a girl, especially now that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West use it as the nickname for their daughter North. Nori is also the name of an edible seaweed used in wrapping sushi.

Dynamo is not a baby name....yet. But with word names on the rise, especially those with strong and uplifting meanings, Dynamo has serious possibilities. The o ending makes it on trend. And it makes a great gender-neutral middle name.

Heavily perfumed word name that peaked a few years ago.

An alternative transcription of Yūto, a Japanese name that has a variety of meanings, depending on which kanji combinations are used. Possibilities include: "gentle person", "excellent, superior person", "permanent soaring", "dream + constellation", "courageous person", and "brave flight". Notable bearers include footballer Yūto Nagatomo, singer and rapper Yuto Adachi, and skateboarder Yuto Horigome.

Rekker comes to us thanks to actor Cam Gigandet, who gave his son this phonetic spelling of badass word name Wrecker. Use at your own peril.

Usually pronounced without the W in English, this cool surname name derives from the English place name Fenwick, found in Northumberland, Strathclyde and Yorkshire. The place name in turn denotes a farm in fenland. Fenn could be a cool short form.

A new, hyper-intelligent word name that first appeared on the charts in 2008.

A dramatic-sounding demonym for someone from the city of Gaeta, on the Mediterranean coast of Italy, with roots that stretch back to Ancient Rome, Cayetana is among the Top 100 Spanish baby names. It lends itself well to several sweet nicknames, such as Cay and Ana.

Corliss, eccentric yet well-established, has an independent and artistic air.

At one time, the surname Poole denoted someone who lived near a pool. Not in the chlorinated sense — pool was another word for pond.