Nature, Place and Word Names · Cool Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
English word name from Latin
"brave"
While still very rare, the name Valiant was given to six baby boys in the US last year. And it's an inspiring choice.
Diminutive of Frances
"free man"
Old fashioned nickname that some girls just might be able to pull off. You'd just have to be sure your little Fancy was one of them.
Word name
Bright and glowing name, perfect for a baby who arrived on a sunny day.
A shimmering day name, with a bit of hippie residue.
English word name
"happy, joy"
Many virtue names have long been in style or have seen a resurgence in recent years. Happy, however joyous, seems unlikely to join this trend. This could be because it doesn't have a solid history of…
"joyful"
Many emotional, virtuous word names are coming back into style, but Happy feels unlikely to be revived. This could be because it doesn't have a solid history of being popularly used (in comparison to…
An unassuming virtue, that is also a surname name.
"showing courage"
A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name. Sixteen baby girls were named Brave in the US last year, the same number as were named Breezy.
"dusty"
Dusty first became popular as a girl's name thanks to singer Dusty Springfield - born Mary. She used her childhood nickname professionally, and many parents embraced Dusty as a name for their…
English
"lighthearted, happy"
She'd better be. Merry is one of the classic names for Christmas babies .
"bright light; exceptionally intelligent"
A new aspirational name with two shining meanings.
"attractive"
Thanks to associations with Prince Charming, this name has only ever been recorded for boys. It first made the charts in 2015.
"real"
A modern virtue name, born from respect for authenticity, honesty and originality.
Marvelous is a unique virtue name that could work for a boy or a girl, but would definitely make a statement. Marvel is a shorter version that has a history of use as a girls' name, but would work…
"without fault"
Too much pressure to put on a child.
Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West.…
Asking for trouble.
"causing great surprise or wonder"
A big name to bestow upon a baby, but in line with word names that are becoming increasingly fashionable, such as Legend and Royal.
Word name and virtue name
Blessed and Blessing are two word and virtue names getting more attention, especially among religious parents.
"pleasantly windy"
This light and cheerful word name conjured up imagery of breezy days at the beach, kids flying kites, or wind blowing through the trees — all lovely associations. Sixteen baby girls were named Breezy…
