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.
- 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".
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lavender
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tolliver
Origin:
English and Scottish occupational nameMeaning:
"metalworker"Description:
If you're tired of Oliver, you might consider this energetic three-syllable surname instead, so you could have a little Tolly instead of an Ollie.
- Wisteria
Origin:
Flower name, from English surnameMeaning:
"Wister's flower"Description:
A frilly southern-accented flower name yet to be planted on many birth certificates. In the language of flowers, the wisteria is a symbol of devotion. It is named for American horticulturalist John Caspar Wister.
- Fenna
Origin:
Dutch and FrisianMeaning:
"peace"Description:
The vintage Fenna, an old lady name making a comeback in the Netherlands, originates in Friesland in the northern part of the country, where the Fries language is spoken. Rhyming with Jenna, it's both rare and familiar and could conceivably enjoy wider usage in the English-speaking world as well. Fenna is a Top 50 girls' name in the Netherlands.
- 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.
- Hestia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"hearth, fireside"Description:
Hestia is the name of the Greek goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. Though Hestia has been long dormant as a name, it's a possibility for the parent in search of a classic name with deep roots that's also unusual. It's one of the Greek goddess namesthat's both familiar and distinctive.
- Aramis
Origin:
French literary nameDescription:
One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.
- 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.
- Astrophel
Origin:
Literary nameMeaning:
"star lover"Description:
Invented by 16th-century English poet Sir Philip Sidney for the hero of his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella, this name is derived from the Greek elements aster "star" and philos "lover". Sidney’s heroine, and Astrophel’s love-interest, is Stella — whose name means "star".
- Mungo
Origin:
Scottish nicknameMeaning:
"my pet"Description:
Mungo is one of the most classic Scottish names but perhaps also among the most difficult names to carry. There is a St. Mungo whose proper name was Kentigern; he is the patron saint of Glasgow. It was used by writer Douglas Stuart as the titular character for his novel Young Mungo.
- Dagny
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"new day"Description:
If you're looking for a name with Scandinavian roots, this would make a stronger and more appealing import than Dagmar. With its meaning of "new day," it could make an ideal choice for a girl born around New Year's.
- Ragnar
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"warrior or judgment"Description:
An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.