Nature, Place and Word Names
Rare Place Names for Babies
Across 7 pages
of 7
Quebec
Place-name
An interesting Canadian province and city name that has some literary history as the name of a character in Dickens's Bleak House ; could make a distinctive choice for parents with northern roots.
Quintana
Spanish
"the fifth girl"
Mexican place-name famously used by Joan Didion for her daughter, Quintana Roo.
Quito
Spanish, Place-name
Quito is a place-name (it's the capital of Ecuador) with lots of lively energy--as long as it's pronounced correctly.
Reno
Place-name
Has a lively and swaggering sound, and also some unfortunate associations with Reno, city of gambling and failed marriages.
Roma
Italian place-name
Never as popular as Florence; today's parents might prefer Venezia, Verona, or Romy. It is also a Hindu name meaning "one with shiny hair" and is another name for the goddess Lakshmi. In Roman…
Romany
English
"Romani"
Romany is a melodious name referring to the Roma or Romani community and their culture, which makes it a potentially controversial choice for a baby not of that heritage. Romany Malco is an actor who…
Russia
Russian place name
Consider ODESSA instead.
Sahara
Arabic
"deserts"
A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use, Sahara brings to mind deserts and heat. Derived from Arabic, it is the name of the world's largest hot desert, located across the North…
Samoa
Place-name
Evocative of the beautiful South Pacific islands, Samoa has very occasionally been used as a given name in American Samoa, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, and Brazil. Also used as a surname, Samoa could…
Scotia
Latin
"Scotland"
Place names can be a nod to your cultural heritage or a commemoration of a favorite destination. Scotia comes from the Latin name for Scotland, which may be a perfect fit for a family of Scottish…
Senegal
Country name
Popular etymology derives this West African country's name from the Wolof words sunu gal , "our canoe". It's an appealing image, of a nation of people all in the same boat. Some country names have…
Sevilla
Spanish place-name
This legendary Andalusian city, according to myth founded by Hercules, is an undiscovered baby name destination.
Shenandoah
Native American place-name
While some sources assign the place-name the romantic meaning "beautiful daughter of the stars," the Virginia region itself says the name is of uncertain Native American origin with many possible but…
Sicily
Place-name
Sicily is a lilting Italian place-name that sounds like the elegant British Cicely -- which you might consider a plus or a minus.
Sonoma
Place-name
Sonoma, the name of a beautiful northern California wine-growing region, might inspire some parents. Other California place names beyond Sonoma: Marin, Berkeley, Sierra.
Sonora
Place-name
Sonora may be a more unusual and melodic choice than Sierra, but this Mexican state name may sound too much like Senora to work as a name.
Tahiti
Polynesian place name, meaning unknown
The Polynesian place name Tahiti was given to the island by its natives, although the origins of this name have been lost to history. Tahiti was once a Polynesian kingdom, but today is a part of the…
Talin
Armenian place name
Talin is a small town in Armenia with a big history: first settled around four thousand years ago, the town is renowned for the Cathedral of Talin, built in the 7th century. As a name, Talin is…
Tangier
Place name
Unexplored Moroccan place name, conjuring up images of camels and palm trees and domed minarets.
Trinidad
Spanish
"holy trinity"
Rhythmic name with both religious and geographical ties, commonly heard in Latin countries.