Controversial Names 

When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.
 Morrison is a related possibility, also with musical ties, to Irish singer-songwriter Van (born George Ivan).

Morrissey

A popular choice for black cats, Jinx has become a quietly used option for baby boys in the US. Previously, it had been largely given to girls, likely because it appeared in the James Bond movie Die Another Day on a character played by Halle Berry.
 
Said character is actually named Giacinta, meaning Jinx could be a playful nickname for Giovanni, Julian, Gene, Jenson, Jamison, or similar. 
 
Jinx was more recently used as a name for a male character in the 2024 novelMargo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. The book has been adapted into a TV series starring Elle Fanning, which might draw attention to the name.

Jinx

Hennessy

Prime

This surprising name was chosen by influencers Morgan Presley and Lou for their son, Krule Enrique, in 2026. A bold choice, perhaps, but less so when you consider their first son is called Pony. 
 
In an Instagram announcement of the name, the couple revealed that they discovered it through the music artist King Krule, who in turn took it from the Elvis Presley movie, King Creole. Other sources claim the artist was inspired instead by the Donkey Kong character, King K. Rool.
 
The name has a variety of different sources, including the Polish surname Król, traditionally used to refer to someone who acted like a king; the Estonian Krull, meaning "hawk"; and the Dutch krul, meaning "curl, twist". Additionally, the aforementioned link to the artist and movie could give it the meaning of Creole.
 
For many English speakers, however, this name would just sound too much like the word cruel, bringing to mind unkindness and brutality. Others may think of crullers, a donut like pastry.

Krule

Animal names like Wolf, Fox, Tiger, and Wren have risen in recent years, but we're not sure this one is going to catch on. Nevertheless, it was chosen by internet personality Morgan Presley for her son in 2025, while another bearer is tattoo artist and content creator, Pony Lawson.


Pony

A contemporary choice, Pistol entered the stats in the US back in 2010 for boys and then in 2013 for girls too. Given to around 80 babies throughout the 2010s, it has fallen out of favor in the 2020s.
 
While it could be positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, most people will only think of the small handheld firearm. For fans of Gunner, Hunter, Thrasher, Blade, and similar, this would be part of the appeal, though it might be worth bearing in mind that Pistol combines a violent (or rugged) image with an unfortunate first syllable.
 
You could alternatively consider a Pistol brand name, like Colt, Remington, Bond, Kimber, or Zenith.

Pistol

Native to America, the coyote has long been associated with danger and independence, but also the Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote. Nevertheless, with its cool KAI sound and nature meaniing, Coyote debuted in the charts for girls in 2022.
 
Rainey Qualley, daughter of Andie MacDowell, has a daughter named Bluebell Coyote.

Coyote

Is Amarlee a variation of Amalie and Amelie, or is is a spin on Marley? Alternatively, is it a combination of Amara and Lee? 
 
A new entry to the US data in 2025, Amarlee could mean "work" (from Amalie), "pleasant meadow" or "seaside meadow" (from Marley), and "meadow of grace", "bitter clearing", or "immortal, long lasting meadow" from Amara and Lee.

Amarlee

A surname-style choice, Rydon could be a trendy spin on Ryder meaning "mounted warrior", or it could combine the Old English elements ryge and dun meaning "rye" and "hill". While it could work in the US, in the UK, this name is likely to be associated with the contractor responsible for the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower and with the subsequent tragedy.

Rydon

A glamorous name, associated with film, decadence, and city skylines, Hollywood debuted in the US stats for boys (and as a given name) in 2025. You could consider it an opulent choice, joining the likes of Versailles, Hampton, Golden, Banks, Cash, and Teller.
 
Nicknames Hollis, Woods, and Woody might ground it.

Hollywood

Credit, of course, to the artist for inventing this secretive pseudonym, but we actually have Hilary Duff to thank for Banksy as a baby name. Banksy is Duff's nickname for her daughter Banks, born in 2018. Banksy debuted on the US charts in 2020, and in a more recent year, was given to seven girls. 
 
For some, it may feel too much of a mononyn, while others may see it as an arty alternative to Banks.

Banksy

A sharp edged choice with the familiarity of Daenerys and Carys, Dracarys comes from the fictional language of High Valyrian. Used in the show Game of Thrones, used as a command to make dragons to breathe fire.

Dracarys

A gentle name with a playful and spirited air, Tamlin appears in a traditional Anglo-Scottish ballad that tells the story of Tamlin who is abducted by the Queen of Faeries and later rescued by his true love. It plays on the folktale motif of winning a lover by holding them through various trials and transformations.
 
Also appearing as Tamas-Lin, Tamlane, Tamlene, Tambling, Tam Lin, and Tam-a-Line in different versions of the ballad, Tamlin is a diminutive of Tam, the Scottish equivalent of the English Tom, ultimately from the Greek Biblical name, Thomas. It may therefore be interpreted as meaning "twin", or, as it is a diminutive, "son of Thomas".
 
Tamlin appears as a character in Sarah J Maas's book series, A Court of Thorns and Roses in which part of his story is loosely based on the traditional Tam Lin ballad.
 
Rarely used as a given name, Tamlin may nevertheless gain attention thanks to the book series, or appeal to those looking for an unusual way to honor a Thomas.

Tamlin

Frigg was the wife of Odin in Norse mythology, and may share a common origin with the goddess Freya. 

 Despite the lovely history and meaning behind the name, be warned that in many parts of the English-speaking world, "frig/frigging" is often used as a less vulgar stand-in for the F word, similar to "fricking/freaking".

Frigg

Contemporary meets vintage in this hyphenated name that blends the fierce-but-cuddly Bear with the charming nickname Teddy. In theory, blending these two popular choices could make a winning combination, however, Teddy-Bear may feel a bit cutesy, reminding people only of the stuffed toy. Nevertheless, it appeared in the stats in the UK for the first time in 2024.

Teddy-bear

A descriptive, colorful choice with a "celebrity baby name" feel — think Blue Ivy, North West, Golden Raye — Ocean-Blu is one of many hyphenated names appearing in the UK stats. Since 2012, it has been given to at least 12 babies, not a huge number my any means, but still a considerable amount of Ocean-Blus. 

Ocean-blu

As a Biblical name, Nimrod appears in the Old Testament as a great-grandson of Noah, a founder of Babylon, and a famous hunter. In popular culture, its image was altered after the dopey Looney Tunes villain, Elmer Fudd, was called "nimrod" by Daffy Duck in a 40s cartoon. It since became associated less with rebellion and hunting, and more with being a fool.
 
Used only sporadically in the US, it is however a popular choice in Hungary, where it is written as Nimród (NEEM-rod) and ranked in the Top 20 in a recent year. Also used Israel and occasionally in the UK, Nimrod has been notably borne by folk singer and trade unionist, Nimrod Workman, journalist and comedy writer Nimrod Kamer, and basketball player Nimrod Levi.

Nimrod

You've heard of Joy and Sunny; you might have heard of Happy and Lucky being used as names too, but how about this upbeat option? Traditionally a nickname for someone with a smile ever on their face, it may also be considered a surname meaning "small clearing".
 
Used quietly and occasionally for boys in the 20th-century, it entered the US stats for girls for the first time in 2025 when 6 girls (and no boys) were called Smiley. Similar to Miley but perhaps a tricky name to wear on down days, it nevertheless fits in with modern word choices.

Smiley

Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish — choice. Andie MacDowell has a granddaughter named Bluebell Coyote through her daughter Rainey Qualley.
 
So is Bluebell distinctive and charming? Or better suited to a pet? Your call.

Bluebell

are names that might cause you and your child some trouble.

From cringing and eyerolls to questions about your morals and values, the names on this list may be viewed as controversial for different reasons and to very different degrees. As such, a name might be considered divisive because some see it as

), whereas others might be divisive because they’re politically and historically loaded (let’s go with the obvious: 

), names associated with racial stereotyping (

),  names of controversial or unpleasant figures in history (

), names of contemporary criminals and creeps (

), names associated with tragedies or hurricanes (

),  names with sounds that might cause teasing (

Does that mean all of these names are off limits? Not necessarily. It heavily depends on where you are in the world, your culture and heritage, and whether you mind others not liking your child’s name. And while we’d definitely advise against some of the names on this list, you might even like the associations or style that would put others off.  More to the point, there is a big difference between using a name others may find too old fashioned or too nickname-y to using a name with heavy, negative, and historical associations.  

So if you do find one of your favorites on this list, we’re not saying you have to rule it out. It might just be worth considering its history and evaluating what others may think on hearing it — and if this could impact you and your child (or not!)

Controversial Names are names with that might cause you trouble. Divisive and controversial names include food names, names associated with bad figures from history, food names, celebrity baby names, names of contemporary criminals, demon names, very religious names, violent names, modern names, and made up names. Whether a name is controrversial depends on where you are in the world.  (Page 16)