Nameberry's Favorite Unique Names
Updated Tue Jan 14 2025
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Nameberry's editors, writers, regulars, and visitors have so many favorite unique names that any list is certain to miss thousands of wonderful suggestions.
These are drawn from the answer to a forum question we asked recently, asking people to nominate their favorite unique names for the list on our home page.
The berries came up with magnificent ideas of unique, uncommon, and unusual names for boys and girls. From wild word names to ancient names, you can view them all below.
Are your favorites on the list? If not, visit the forum and add your own picks.
The unique names on this list are, as always, ordered by their popularity on Nameberry.
- Bertram
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bright raven"Description:
Old Norman name last current in the 1930s, and firmly in our 'so far out it will always be out' category – despite its appearance as a Hogwarts student in Harry Potter. This is the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster.
- Oleander
Origin:
Botanical nameDescription:
The name of this pretty Mediterranean shrub is reminiscent of popular classic Oliver, and interestingly its etymology appears to overlap too: oleander most likely derives from Greek rhododendron "rose tree", with its form successively influenced by laurea "laurel" and olea "olive tree".
- Yarrow
Origin:
Botanical name, EnglishMeaning:
"rough stream"Description:
Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry yarrow into battle.
- Eluned
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"idol, image"Description:
Romantic and mysterious, Eluned's beauty and intelligence were legendary in Welsh legend; she was the handmaiden of the Lady of the Fountain in a Welsh Arthurian romance, who had a magic ring that made the wearer invisible. Pronunciation is usually similar in emphasis to Eleanor, but with ned instead of nor at the end. However, it's sometimes also pronounced el-LIN-ed or even shortened to Luned, the sounce of Lynette, in Tennyson's Gareth and Lynette.
- Maxellende
Origin:
French form of Maxellendis, Saint nameMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A rare saint's name, Maxellende was a 7th-century martyr, associated with the French Catholic church. She is invoked to cure eye diseases and is more generally the patron saint of the visually impaired. Her name itself is a French form of Maxellendis, possibly linked to Maxence and Maximus meaning "greatest". Other forms of the name are Maxelende (borne by Filipino composer Maxelende Ganade) and Maxeline.
- Lovelace
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"outlaw"Description:
What better namesake for a baby girl than Ada Lovelace (or, to use her full title: Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace), the brilliant 19th-century writer, mathematician and early computer pioneer? Not to mention, her name has a lovely, delicate, vintagesque charm.
- Eyre
Origin:
Literary name and Old NorseMeaning:
"gravel bank river"Description:
This lovely name is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine, Jane Eyre, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname Eyre is found mainly in England, its origins are Norse and it's thought to derive from Norse settlers. Still, the status of the classic books means Eyre deserves to stand proudly among English baby names.
- Odessa
Origin:
Ukrainian place-nameDescription:
Odessa, a Ukrainian port city, was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey. It would make an original and intriguing choice.
- Zuko
Origin:
XhosaMeaning:
"glory"Description:
No, this name is not an homage to Grease! Zuko is a Xhosa (Zulu) boys' name meaning glory. In a world of Zekes, Zaks and Zanes, Zuko could make a refreshing choice for parents looking for something short and snappy.
- Kinvara
Origin:
Irish, GaelicMeaning:
"head of the sea"Description:
A rare and refined Irish place name (Cinn Mhara) turned baby name, belonging to a picturesque harbor town. As a given name, it has received occasional use especially amongst the upper classes in Britain. Lady Kinvara Balfour is an English playwright and novelist.
- Laertes
Origin:
Ancient GreekMeaning:
"gatherer of the people"Description:
An Ancient Greek name with a huge dose of literary credibility. Laertes was the father of Odysseus in Greek mythology, who therefore pops up in Homer's The Odyssey.
- Messody
Origin:
Hebrew + ArabicMeaning:
"lucky, chance, fate"Description:
Melodic and cross-cultural, Messody is an obscure Jewish name that has links to the Arabic name Masood, but might also associated with Masada, an ancient fortification in Israel. Messody can be used as a name in its own right, but also as a nickname for Masodah. TikTok influencer Miriam Ezagui recently chose the name Masodah Yael for her daughter, but will be calling her Messody.
- Lavender
Origin:
English color and flower nameMeaning:
"purple flower"Description:
Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lila, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers along with other adventurous nature names like Clementine and Marigold. In fact, 2024 saw it enter the US Top 1000 for the first time, when it was given to nearly 260 girls.
- Otso
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"bear"Description:
A common animal name in Finland, it could work as an alternative to Otto or Otis.
- Tarka
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"wandering as water"Description:
The name of the (male) otter protagonist of Henry Williamson’s 1927 novel Tarka the Otter.
- Florizel
Origin:
Shakespearean invented name, LatinMeaning:
"flower"Description:
Shakespeare seems to have coined this name for the Prince of Bohemia in his late tragicomedy The Winter's Tale by drawing inspiration from the Latin floris meaning "flower". It's rarely been used as a name in real life, but we think it has potential. The flowery sound will appeal to parents looking for less conventionally masculine boys names, but the "Z" gives it an edge and cool factor lacking in, say, Florian. Plus, the Shakespeare connection obviously gives it a lot of literary cred.
- Finlo
Origin:
ManxMeaning:
"fair Lugh"Description:
Finlo is a name from the Isle of Man, deriving from that island's pagan sun god, Lugh. Given the popularity of all Finn names right now, Finlo could be a great alternative for people who love the "Fin" sound but want a more unusual name.
- Kenelm
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"brave, bold helmet, keen protection"Description:
A rarely used member of the Ken- family, Kenelm has a rugged, surname-style feel. Borne by a 9th century martyr and a member of the Mercian royal family, it could make an intriguing namesake for a Kenneth, a Kendra, or a Kendrick.
- Ondina
Origin:
Italian; Portuguese; Spanish, from LatinMeaning:
"little wave"Description:
A romantic Latinate form of Ondine, Ondina is an undiscovered gem that shares similar sounds with the trendy Olivia and Ophelia.
- Jubal
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"ram's horn"Description:
This unusual name might be a possibility for musical families: Jubal was credited in Genesis with the invention of the lyre, flute, harp, and organ. It also has a jubilant feel through its sound and meaning, and has had some southern popularity via Confederate general Jubal Anderson Early. George Eliot wrote a poem called The Legend of Jubal.