Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Grace Royal · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
English word name
"always"
Inspired by Taylor Swift's 2020 album Evermore , seven sets of parents chose this name for their daughters in 2022. With a poetic meaning of "forever" or "always", this is one that we could see…
Modern invented name
Though not technically a one-person name, since 30 baby boys were named Shemar in 2016, Shemar stems from one specific person, prolific actor Shemar Moore. He has said that his parents came up with…
English combination of Mary and Lee
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + meadow"
Marilee is one of the cheeriest – if least substantial – combinations of Mary with another name. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop"…
Norse
"Finn of Thor"
An ancient Norse name that is still in regular use in the Orkney Islands in Scotland. A famous historical bearer is Thorfinn Sigurdsson (or Thorfinn the Mighty), an 11th century Earl of Orkney.
American English, modern invented name
A rare smoosh of Dontae and Octavius, also spelled Dontavious.
Modern compound name, Jennifer + Vanessa
"white shadow, white wave + butterfly"
This newer sounding coalition of Jennifer and Vanessa is gaining in popularity, though it's still quite rare. Only 15 baby girls were named Jenessa last year.
Compound name, from Jenifer and Jessica
"bright white to behold"
Two past favorites blended into one, but Jennica has never made the US Top 1000.
Latin, from the phrase rosa alba
"white rose"
One of many Spanish elaborations of Rosa.
English
"life + girl"
A modern combo name created from Zoe + Ella – or, in the case of influential British Youtuber Zoella, from Zoë + Elizabeth.
English combination of Eliza + Bella
"pledged to God + beautiful"
Elizabella is a much more obscure smoosh than sisters Isabella and Annabelle, but the megapopularity of Isabella may give this unusual combo name a boost.
Latinate variation of Christelle, French
"a Christian"
Either an alternative feminization to Christina, an elaboration of the French diminutive Christelle , or a compound name, blending the element Christ- with either Stella or Ella. In the case of the…
English compound name
"the eastern lake; the pretty east"
Made up of the contemporary and cool East, paired with popular Lyn, this compound name is slightly edgy and slightly trendy, but, is surprisingly literary too thanks to Ellen Wood's 19th-century…
English variation of Emmeline or a compound of Emma + Lina
"brave and courageous; universal tenderness; universal free man"
Princess-y but not overly fussy, thanks to the classic simplicity of Emma, Emmalina is a sweet, bright alternative to Emilia. The meaning can vary depending on if you see it as an elaboration of…
Compound name, a blend of Lou and Ann
"strong in battle and grace"
A vowel heavy compound name with sounds that are familiar but seem unexpected and interesting when placed next to each other. Louann did feature at the latter end of the US Top 1000 between the 30s…
Compound of Luz and Elena, Spanish
"light + bright, shining light, torch"
Also appearing as Luz-Elena and Luz Elena, this compound name has a bright and cheerful sound. It combines the Spanish Luz, meaning "light", with the international Helen variant, Elena meaning…
English, combination of Mary and Jo
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + god"
Cute combination name which is now past its peak. It may be written as one word, two words (Mary Jo), or hyphenated (Mary-Jo). The original meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of…
American invented name
Grandpa-chic Ozzie is on the rise for both boys and girls, opening up the gates for this invented elaborated form.
Modern invention, compound name
While this could be a variation of Avela, the Breton feminine for of Abel, it might also be a combination name, blending the highly popular Ava with the on-trend Ayla, to make a name with several…
Latin
"sweet lady"
A smoosh name of Dulce "sweet" and Maria, a reference to the Virgin Mary. Occasionally used in Latin America.
Variation of Luella, English
"battle famous fairy maiden; she who is famous in war"
Sweet and lively Luella has been rising up the charts in recent years, and now this sleek form in the style of Noelle, Lucille, and Estelle is catching parents' attention. Considered a compound name,…
