By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 776 pages
of 776
Invented name
Famed track and field sprinter Wyomia Tyus's name never caught on after her multiple gold medals in the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games.
English word name
"the possibility of suffering harm or injury"
Austin Powers famously said "Danger is my middle name," and for more and more children this is ringing true. Some babies are receiving Danger as their first name, in the style of lively word names…
Word name
Occupational names are hot right now, and Doctor has recently reemerged as an option. It's also an honorific name, a la Bishop, King, and Princess. It's never been popular for boys or girls—Doctor…
Occupational word name
Blogger No Big Dill introduced the world to her son Drummer back in 2011, adding it to the baby name pool. Like similar stylish names Gardener and Parker, Drummer is an occupational name that works…
English
"someone who lives in a hollow"
The well-known phrase "hale and hearty" gives this name a warm, positive feel. Hale is clean and straightforward but doesn't crack the top 1000 for either gender. For those in search of a namesake,…
Nature name or Greek
"hero"
Heron fits in with the modern nature names that are so stylish at the moment, but it also has history as the name of a Greek inventor and Egyptian saint. Both were male, but Heron's image as a word…
Russian variation of Martha
Russian form of Martha, used in several novels by Feodor Dostoyevsky. Marfa is perhaps best known as the name of artistic city Marfa, Texas. Rumor has it that the town was named after the Dostoyevsky…
Daring astronomical choice that's sure to shock Grandma and Grandpa.
"twelve o'clock at night"
A dark, mystical choice, most often used for black cats, Midnight is a relatively new addition to the baby pool. It was used as a middle name by Nicole Richie and Joel Madden for their son in 2009,…
Occupational name
We don't recommend the combination Pilot Inspektor that put this name on the map, but paired with a more subdued middle, Pilot is an interesting and pleasant occupational name.
A mighty name that gets straight to the point. Power could fall under the category of modern virtue names, although it's stronger-willed than current favorites True, Zen, and Justice.
Baby name for those with the need for speed. Racer has received several celebrity endorsements in recent years, including Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington and Robert Rodriguez.
French
"forest guardian"
The range of occupational baby names is ever expanding, and Ranger is a recent addition to the list. It feels both natural—reminiscent of park rangers—and western and rugged, as in the Lone Ranger.…
Creative alternative to names like Riley, Ryder, and Ryker, of which you'll find many in a Kindergarten classroom. As a poetry-related baby name, Rhymer feels more unexpected than Sonnet or Poet.
Word name, English, "performer or lover of rock music; one who lives or works by the rocks"
"performer or lover of rock music; one who lives or works by the rocks"
If there are too many rockstars to honor on your list, cut right to the chase with Rocker. It might raise a few eyebrows, but with names like Rocky, Parker, Palmer, Lyric, and Rebel being used,…
Rocket has been used on a number of starbabies in recent years—among its celebrity endorsers are Jamie Oliver, Pharrell Williams, and Lara Bingle and Sam Worthington.
Noisy baby name heard less often than Storm or Rain, but we forecast that Thunder will get some more attention, especially as a middle name. Usain Bolt used it for one of his twin sons, born in 2021.
"a tall, narrow building; to rise to a great height"
This architectural word name could be used for the child of someone in real estate, but it feels less spirited than some of the other word name inspired by nature or virtues.
Short form of Zipporah
Zippy is a cute nickname that livens up the Biblical Zipporah. Too cute? Your call.
Arabic, Nature name, popular culture
"gift, present; ant"
Multicultural and unisex, Atta has an appealing symmetrical look, and sounds similar to the popular Etta, Atlas, and Atticus. Some may recognize the name from the 1998 Pixar movie, A Bug's Life ,…
