Celebrity Names · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Artistic Baby Names
Across 8 pages
of 8
Angelico
Italian
"angelic"
The great pre-Renaissance painter known as Fra Angelico was actually born Guido di Pietro, but his nom d'art might work for your little angel.
Ansel
German
"with divine protection"
Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a…
Anselm
German
"with divine protection"
A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.
Azzedine
unknown
Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaia's singular first name seems to belong to him alone.
Bohan
Irish, anglicized form of Old Gaelic Buadhachain
"victorious"
The surname of influential French fashion designer Marc Bohan could make a modern-sounding two-syllable boy's name, though it might be confused with Bowen.
Braque
Artist name
A strikingly creative and unique name well worth considering, recalling the great cubist paintings of Georges Braque.
Calder
English
"rocky water"
A cool, rugged sounding name, Calder is connected to an ancient Scottish clan, an English village, and a Scottish River, along with the sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile (as in,…
Caro
Diminuitve of Carol or Caroline, English, French ,"free man"
"free man"
Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.
Cellini
Italian surname
Benvenuto Cellini, the great Italian sculptor and writer -- a true Renaissance man -- could inspire this creative choice.
Cezanne
Artist surname
Paul Cézanne was a French post-Impressionist painter whose intriguing surname is of uncertain origin, although it may be related to Suzanne (from the Hebrew Shoshana, "lily"). It has been used as a…
Chanel
French
"dweller near the canal"
Fans of the classic French designer would now more fashionably choose Coco.
Chicago
American place name, Algonquin
"wild garlic"
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have done it again for their third child: Chosen a name that feels iconic yet strangely inevitable. They named North and Saint's younger sister Chicago, after Kanye's…
Chirico
Italian surname
Surrealist artist, inspired creative choice.
Christo
Slavic
"one who carries Christ"
This unusual name, which is jauntier than Chris when used as a diminutive of Christopher, is associated with the Bulgarian installation artist of that name, responsible for wrapping many public…
Claes
Swedish and Dutch variation of Klaes, form of Nicholas
"victory of the people"
Pronounced klaus, this spelling of the name is associated in this country with the major Pop Art sculptor Swedish-born Claes Oldenburg, known for his colossal public sculptures of everyday objects…
Coco
Spanish and French pet name
Coco came to prominence as the nickname of the legendary French designer Chanel (born Gabrielle) and has lately become a starbaby favorite, initially chosen by Courteney Cox for her daughter Coco…
Conran
Irish, anglicization of O'conarain
"descendant of Conaran"
Associated with iconic British designer and retailer Terence Conran, who had an international impact on household design. Makes a nice variation on Conrad.
Cornell
British from Latin, or Anglicized form of French
"corner or crow"
This name has not one but two impressive cultural connections: collage artist Joseph Cornell and photographer Cornell Capa--not to mention Cornell University.
Cristobal
Spanish variation of Christopher
"bearer of Christ"
The first name of famed designer Balenciaga, was also the birth name of Christopher Columbus--aka Cristobal Colon. A name still well used in the Hispanic community.
Curran
Irish surname from O Corrain
"descendant of Curran"
Curran is a common surname in Ireland, but unusual even there as a first. With its savory feel, calling to mind curry and currants, Curran can make for an attractive update on Colin or Connor.