Celebrity Names · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Artistic Baby Names
Across 8 pages
of 8
Pei
Chinese surname
For admirers of modernist architect I. M.
Pelli
Latin surname
The renowned Argentina-born architect Cesar Pelli, designer of some of the world's tallest buildings, could provide naming inspiration for an architectural family.
Penn
English
"enclosure"
This simple, elegant name offers something for many kinds of parents, from writers and history buffs to photographers to Pennsylvania dwellers. Most famous bearers are comedian Penn Jillette and…
Piano
Music name
If Banjo can be a name, why not Piano? Could be inspired by prize-winning architect Renzo Piano.
Picabia
Artist name
A middle name idea to honor surrealist painter Francis.
Picasso
Spanish artist name
A worthy honoree that would place a too-heavy expectation on a child, probably subjecting him to ridicule. Try Pablo instead.
Piet
Dutch, diminutive of Pieter or Peter, Greek
"rock"
Wonderful nickname name most often associated in this country with Dutch modernist painter Mondrian. Pronounced PEET.
Ponti
Italian surname
"bridge"
A surname not particularly suitable as a first name, even though it's attached to influential architect Gio Ponti--and it is Sophia Loren's married name.
Rabanne
Spanish surname
A plausible unisex name, inspired by Basque fashion designer Paco (actually born Francisco Cuervo)--who was known for his 1960s "Unwearables "--metal-linked plastic dresses and designs for the…
Raeburn
English
"stream where does drink"
Smoking jacket-wearing British surname, with artistic ties to Sir Henry Raeburn, Scottish romantic painter.
Rem
Dutch, diminutive of Remment, Remmert, or Remmelt
The Dutch are fond of short nickname names, and this one is tied to influential and provocative architect Koolhaas, born Remment. Could also be short for Remington or Remy.
Robbia
Italian surname
A creative alternative to the dated Robin, and also a reference to the famed Della Robbia family of Florentine Renaissance artists.
Rza
Invented name
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky named their baby boy RZA, inspired by the frontman of the Wu-Tang Clan. RZA is the stage name of Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, who has produced the most records for the hip hop…
Sargent
Spelling variation of Sergeant, Latin
"to serve"
One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John…
Serra
Italian, Portuguese and Catalan
"ridge"
This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero…
Simonetta
Italian, variation of Simona
"harkening"
An elaborate Italian name associated with fashion designer Simonetta Colonna, a key figure in the emergence of Italian haute couture.
Soutine
French artist name
Creative choice relating to the Lithuanian-born expressionist painter known for his bold, vibrantly colored canvases.
Sully
Irish
"dark eyed"
A jaunty offshoot of Sullivan, Sully will be associated by kids with the beloved character in the Pixar animated film Monsters, Inc . Rare for a girl, but with a cool surnamey style and echoes of…
Tadao
Japanese
"satisfied"
Borne by the esteemed Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
Takashi
Japanese
"noble; prosperous; venerable"
Common Japanese name associated with contemporary artist Takashi Murakami.