Name Image · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Madison Dresler · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
English from Latin
"sea raven"
Cormorant is definitely one of the most unusual of the newly fashionable animal names, and one of the rare bird names for boys.
French
"of the fishing place"
An original choice for a fisherman's child.
Italian word name
"lighthouse"
Names ending with O are popular, but this one is almost unheard-of. Faro has the advantages of being easy to spell and pronounce (unless it's confused with Pharaoh), and a bright meaning. Ultimately…
Scottish nature name
"estuary or arm of the sea"
Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
Spanish
"seagull"
Another intriguing and virtually unused Spanish nature name to add to the books.
Greek
"kingfisher bird"
Heaven, Peace, Serenity: parents seem especially attracted to word names that signal paradise, but Halcyon sounds quite feminine, and might conjure up the sleeping pill Halcion.
This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.
Irish, Gaelic
"descendant of a stranger from across the seas; descendant of a pirate"
An Anglicized form of the Irish surname, Ó hAllmhuráin meaning "descendant of Allmhurán", Halloran could be your solution if you love the nickname Hal, but not Harold or Henry. Ultimately from…
Scandinavian
"sea competition"
A name from medieval romance with an endearingly clunky sound, à la Sherlock. The most famous modern wearer was twentieth-century psychologist/sexologist Havelock (born Henry) Ellis.
"evening, evening star"
Hesper is a feminine form of Hesperus, the name of the Greek mythological personification of the Evening Star. The Hesperides are daughters of nymphs of the evening. Hesper may be related to the name…
"knowledgeable"
Sister of Antigone and daughter of Oedipus in Greek mythology, Ismene's name is unlikely to make it in modern times because of its teasability factor. Ismay or Esme would be better bets.
"head of the sea"
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…
Popular culture
"sea of lillies"
Ethereal, yet with the familiarity of Lily about it, Lilliandil is a name created by Douglas Gresham for the movie adaptation of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader , based of C.S Lewis's Narnia novels.…
Irish mythological name
Lir is the Irish god of the sea, the equivalent of the Welsh Llyr which some equate with Shakespeare's King Lear. This is one of those rare names that is simple and has a deep history with an…
Welsh
"the sea"
Llyr is a name with a great meaning and a lovely sound, but that sound is going to be next to impossible to get non-Welsh speaking people to pronounce (google the double L sound in Welsh). If you are…
Greek mythology
"queen who liberates and frees; the redeeming mistress; queen of deliverance"
The name of one of the Nereids (sea nymphs), an Egyptian princess, and a daughter of King Priam of Troy in Greek mythology, Lysianassa is a bold, lyrical feeling name of Greek origin. Derived from…
French, folkloric name
Melusine was a figure from early European folklore, associated with the water. Her legends are especially connected with the northern and western areas of France, as well as the Low Countries. She is…
Cornish
"a profit from the sea"
A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is…
Irish surname, related to the sea
A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
Sanskrit
"ocean"
The Hindu princess and poetess Meera, was also known as Mira Bai. Mira Bai was a Rajput princess, the only child of Ratan Singh, younger brother of the ruler of Merta. Her royal education included…
