Unique Cat Names

A rarely used word name that could be unexpected route to nicknames Bonnie and Betty.

Fervent fans of The Catcher in the Rye might want to consider this as a literary tribute. More mainstream alternative: Holden.

This adorable fish name debuted on the baby name charts in 2020, inspired by a young girl character in the Netflix movie Love and Monsters. Minnow resembles well-established girl names Minnie, Willow, and Marlowe.

Frisco is a frisky, roguish semi-place-name (San Francisco natives never call it that) that could make a lively, unusual o-ending choice.

No matter how much you love the novels of Papa H., don't saddle your son with this unwieldy appellation.

A new one for the ever-growing collection of royal baby names.

Place names like Memphis, Harlem, Cairo, Vienna, Milan, and Astoria are right on trend at the moment, and Egypt could fit in, thanks to its similarity in sound to the likes of Edith and Eden. Alicia Keys used the name for her son back in 2010, but before that, it was used as a stage name for three famous belly dancers.

A fresh artistic option with a lively sound.

Fad fruit name or a trendy syllable smash? We aren't certain, but we have noticed a number of babies name Acai on the US charts. Spelled Açai, with a cedilla, it's the name of a Brazilian palm that produces açai berries, known for their use in smoothie bowls. But parents may be using Acai as a variation of Kai or Malachi, pronounced as written.

Bamboo is a plant name that you might want to save for the zoo's name-the-panda contest. It was used for a starbaby in 2000, though, the rapper Big Boi.

Marjoram is a herb and flower. With nicknames like Margie and Jo at the ready, we think that if Marigold can make a comeback, why not Marjoram?

As the former stage name of TLC founder Perri Reid and the name of the youngest member of the animated Flintstones clan, it's got some pop culture cache. But it'll be too cutesy by half for most parents.

The name of prize-winning American architect Robert Venturi would make a somewhat awkward first.

A rising choice in the US, where money-related names are becoming more fashionable.

A bold new word name that conjures up images of peg-legs and eyepatches. It was brought to national attention by pop musician Billie Eilish, whose full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell.

Tree is an ultimate nature name, made famous by longtime Taylor Swift publicist Tree Paine, born Trina Snyder.

Didion is an unusual feminine name that likely derives from surnames or place names of Greek or French origin. It may be connected to the Greek name 'Didymus' meaning 'twin,' or possibly from French regional surnames. The name gained some recognition through association with celebrated American author Joan Didion, whose literary contributions may inspire parents to choose this name. As a first name, Didion remains extremely rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive, intellectual choice with literary connections. It has a sophisticated, modern sound despite its historical roots. The name's uncommon nature means a child named Didion would likely be the only one in their community, making it an individualistic choice with cultural cachet.

Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.