Celebrity Names · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Persian
"short spear"
This is most familiar here as a musical name, via Indian Parsi conductor Zubin Mehta, but it certainly could be used by others.
Bosnian form of Zaina, Arabic
"beauty, grace"
This form of the Arabic Zaina is a recently popular choice in Bosnia and Herzegovinia. A name with a pleasant meaning and appealing sound, it ultimately derives from the popular Arabic boy name,…
Italian surname
"life"
Vivaldi is closely linked with the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi, best known for the Four Seasons . His surname is derived from vita , the Latin word for "life."
Scottish, variation of Menzies
"tenants of a manor"
Supermodel Helena Christensen named her son in honor of jazz great Charles Mingus, opening up a whole category of jazzy possibilities: Kenton, Calloway, Ellington, Gillespie, Mulligan, Tatum, and…
German
"from the low valley"
Singer Wainwright is the third in his family to carry this unusual name. There's a county in Virginia called Loudoun, named for a colonial governor.
Irish
"descendant of Muiris"
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…
German musical name
A daring middle name possibility for classical concertgoers. Alternatives are Wolfgang and Amadeus.
"descendent of the bald-headed"
Less appealing than some other Irish surnames, such as Malone and Sullivan, unless used as a tribute to jazz musician Gerry. There could be some Mulligan stew teasing.
English, diminutive of Nathan or Nathaniel
Just the kind of old-fashioned nickname coming back into style.
Scottish
"bishop's servant"
Sometimes heard as a first name in Scotland, particularly among the Campbell clan.
"wealthy"
The memorable folk singer, an early single-name celeb, brought this into the spotlight. The French variation is Odette.
Musical name
The adopted surname of iconic songwriting brothers George and Ira (born Gershovitz) might make a nice musical middle name.
Spanish and Portuguese
"bear"
This evocative Spanish surname would make an unusual but lively choice for a girl.
French surname
"sparrow"
Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.
Color name
The singer known as Pink (born Alecia) brought this hue onto the name-possibility palette, especially as a middle choice. Could Pink be the next Blue?
Italian and Spanish
"serene"
Placido was commonly used by early Christians to convey their serenity in the faith, and it was borne by several minor saints.
Surname, place name, word name
Actor French Stewart introduced this one to the lexicon. French is part word name, part place name, and part surname-name, reminiscent of celebrity baby names that reference a nationality rather than…
Even if you love Brian Eno, this doesn't make the most melodic name.
English
"earth"
Used by the Puritans but off the US charts completely since the mid-1990s, Eartha is best known today as the name of American singer Eartha Kitt, as well as of the philanthropist and humanitarian…
Nature name
"eagle, a bird"
Solemn but soaring name with patriotic symbolism.
