​
​
Advanced Search

Too-Cool Baby Names

Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Fri Oct 27 2023
Too-Cool Baby Names

Maybe you can't be too rich or too thin, but if you're a baby name, it just may be possible to be too cool. A too-cool baby name runs the risk of overshadowing your child. How many children can live up to a name like Rambo or Hallelujah or Heathcliff?

Along with Hallelujah and Heathcliff, other too-cool names for babies include Dagger, Scorpio, Vanellope, Boo, Sativa, Marmaduke, Pirate, and Baby itself. Some too-cool names are literally too cool, such as Antarctica, Ice, Icelyn, and yes, Kool. While the line of what constitutes a too-cool baby name seems to get redrawn every day, these choices will probably be on the wrong side of it for a long time to come. Browse our list of too-cool baby names below.

  1. Lucifer

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "light-bearer"

    • Description:

      Lucifer is the name of the archangel cast into hell and while theologians disagree on whether he and Satan are separate beings, it long been on the list of forbidden names for religious and non-religious parents alike. With connotations of hell and devilry so strongly attached to it, the name is officially banned in some places, including New Zealand.
  2. Lucky

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "having good fortune"

    • Description:

      Recently chosen by singer Elle King for her son. Lucky is a name that could see a considerable rise in the near future, as word names continue to heat up.
  3. Talon

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Meaning:

      "large claw of a bird of prey"

    • Description:

      Despite its somewhat menacing meaning, this name has been widely used in recent years, probably due to the appeal of its trendy on ending.
  4. Zebulon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "exaltation or little dwelling"

    • Description:

      An Old Testament name with a Puritan feel and post-Zachary possibilities--one of several routes to the cool nickname Zeb.
  5. Bluebell

    • Origin:

      Flower name from English

    • Meaning:

      "blue bell"

    • Description:

      Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish — choice. Andie MacDowell has a granddaughter named Bluebell Coyote through her daughter Rainey Qualley.
  6. Buster

    • Origin:

      Modern nickname

    • Description:

      An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.
  7. Heathcliff

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "cliff near a heath"

    • Description:

      Heathcliff is the name of the original passionate macho hero of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, and also of the cartoon cat. It was chosen by fashionista Lucy Sykes for her son, and inspired the late Heath Ledger's name. But otherwise it's barely used, and perhaps a bit much of a namesake. For a modern boy we'd recommend Heath....or Cliff.
  8. Pluto

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "rich"

    • Description:

      The Roman god of the underworld, the former ninth planet, a cartoon dog...but not a baby.
  9. Rogue

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "independent, uncontrolled"

    • Description:

      Now that names like Cannon and Gunner, fit for comic book heroes, are rising up, Rogue may fit right in.
  10. Espn

    • Origin:

      American variation of Espen, Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "god bear"

    • Description:

      Espn made its debut on the American baby name charts in 2004 and has ranked for at least one sex ever since. It's a uniquely American take on the Scandinavian name Espen, influenced by the basic cable sports channel ESPN. So while you can interpret Espn's meaning as "god bear," a case could also be made for "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network."
  11. Renesmee

    • Origin:

      Literary invention

    • Description:

      Invented by author Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series for the half-human, half-vampire daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, it's an amalgamtion of the names of Bella's mother Renee and Edward's adoptive mother Esme. Much to our surprise, some people are trying this at home.
  12. Sativa

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      If you live in a state where marijuana is legal (or maybe even if you don't), you might know that Sativa is one of the major strains of weed.
  13. Banjo

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "string instrument"

    • Description:

      When Australian actress Rachel Griffiths chose this highly unusual name for her son, many assumed it was a bizarre invention, but noted Australian poet and writer of Waltzing Matilda, Banjo Patterson, is known by this name. Sprightly and musical, it could blend in with Bruno, Benjamin and Joey.
  14. Marmaduke

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "devotee of Maedoc"

    • Description:

      One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for his son.
  15. Zeppelin

    • Origin:

      German word name from Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "zeppelin; flail"

    • Description:

      In a baby name landscape where word names and names that start with Z are infinitely cool, there are few options for parents who want to combine trends. Zeppelin is one of the best names at the intersection of these two styles, and it's rising alongside the likes of Zen, Zephyr, and Zenith.
  16. Aristotle

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "superior; the best purpose"

    • Description:

      The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
  17. Apple

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Meaning:

      "apple"

    • Description:

      When people talk about unique baby names, Apple is often one of the first examples they mention. Apple made international headlines when Gwyneth Paltrow chose this wholesome fruit name for her daughter. Many have called it ridiculous, but we have to admit, we find it appealing enough to list as one of our top cute baby names. Rocker Bob Geldof named one of his daughters Peaches; Banana Yoshimoto is a hipster writer. Another choice in this genre is the luscious Plum, though for different reasons, neither Prune nor Cherry will fly.
  18. Rebel

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "rebel"

    • Description:

      Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is female, but this name is truly gender neutral, though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest boys' names starting with the letter R.
  19. Indica

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "of India"

    • Description:

      The calming variety of marijuana, used as a baby name every year since 1992.
  20. Maeby

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mae

    • Description:

      Maeby sprang into the modern consciousness via the cult TV favorite Arrested Development, in which the appealing teen character Maeby's name is a nickname for Mae. It's also a homonym for Maybe, which undercuts its inherent cuteness. Is Maeby prime for a real life baby name? Sorry, but we can't resist: Maybe.