Celebrity Names · Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Invented name
Rapper M.I.A. announced this as her newborn son's name, which may or may not be a joke.
Variation of Tenzin, Tibetan
"protector of Dharma"
Tenzan is a variation of Tenzin, a name with special significance for Buddhists, being the first name of the Dalai Lama.
Notably used by rapper M.I.A. for her son in 2009.
Hindi-Sanskrit
"love, desire"
This simple but alluring name — some might associate it with the Kama Sutra — was chosen by heavy metal rocker Sammy Hagar for his daughter.
Modern invented name
Though rapper Chingy's (real name: Howard) Alzea is a boy, this name seems more appropriate for girls.
Variation of Cadence
"rhythm, beat"
Creative spelling of Cadence notably used by T-Pain for his son in 2009.
Place-name; Choctaw
"vegetation gatherers"
Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.…
Old Norse
"sparkling; someone who sprays sparks"
This sparkling name from Norse Mythology is borne by the blacksmith dwarf, who, along with his brother Brokkr, forged Thor's hammer Mjǫllnir and Odin's golden ring, Draupnir. Also known as Eitri in…
The middle name of rapper Meek Mill, born Robert Rihmeek Williams. Also the name he gave to his second-born son.
Variation of Epic; English word name
"heroic tale or event"
Epik is a new word name used by Princess Love and Ray J for their baby boy. Fifteen baby boys were named Epic, the usual spelling of the word, last year, so maybe Epik is to Epic as Erik is to Eric.…
Italian from German
"protector"
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.) But Elmo also calls to mind the image of St. Elmo's fire--the…
Native American, Comanche
"sweet smelling, fragrant"
Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs. Quanah is derived from the Comanche word kwana , meaning "odor" or…
English
"big cat"
Lithe and leonine name chosen for her daughter by singer Erykah Badu -- whose other child has the number name Seven.
"wild boar in woodland clearing"
Evokes 1960s brotherly close harmony. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis named his son Everly Bear, and it is also an explosively popular choice for girls. We predict that all the "Ever" names…
Variation of Finley
"fair-haired hero"
Makes hot name Finley kind of Phyllis-like -- which is not a good thing.
Word name
Even if you're hoping for a fiery child, this seems like playing with fire. One celebrity--Steve Vai--was bold enough to use it for his son.
