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Offbeat Baby Names

  1. Tamerlane

    • Origin:

      Turkic, Mongol

    • Meaning:

      "iron"

    • Description:

      This Westernized form of the name of an ancient Mongol warrior, remembered primarily today through the works of Christopher Marlowe and Edgar Allan Poe, runs the risk of sounding pompous and pretentious.
  2. Jacoby

    • Origin:

      Variation of Jacob, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Jacoby, a surname spin on Jacob shot up the charts in the middle of the 2000's, thanks largely to the popularity of Jacoby Ellsbury, the first Native American of Navajo descent in the Major Leagues, but has been dropping steadily since it peaked at Number 423 in 2008. As of 2022, it dropped out of the US Top 1000 and is given to around 170 boys each year.
  3. Jory

    • Origin:

      Cornish variant of George, or diminutive of Jordan

    • Description:

      A rarely-used name even in its native Cornwall, Jory nevertheless feels very wearable, thanks to its similarity to familiar picks like Rory, Corey and Joey. Jory Cassel is a minor character in the first season of Game of Thrones.
  4. Thackeray

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "place with thatching"

    • Description:

      The name of the famous British man of letters might just appeal to some English majors as a more interesting alternative to Zachary. An appropriate playmate for Russell Crowe's boy Tennyson.
  5. Zanna

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Susanna; Polish variation of Jane, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "lily or pledged to God"

    • Description:

      A feminine multicultural nickname name perfectly able to stand on its own, Zanna might technically relate to either Susanna or Jane, making it a flexible honor name for an ancestral Susan or Jane or even John.
  6. Fielding

    • Origin:

      English topographical surname

    • Meaning:

      "dweller in the open country"

    • Description:

      Fielding is a surname style name, originally given to someone who lived in the country or worked in the fields, however it might also be considered a word name relating to sports (cricket and baseball specifically) or with the term for dealing with something difficult by evading it.
  7. Thisbe

    • Origin:

      Greek mythological name, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Thisbe, the name of a beautiful but tragic lover in mythology, is lively and cute -- in a slightly thistly, prickly way. Ovid retold the story of Thisbe and Pyramus, young lovers in ancient Babylon kept apart by family rivalry, which was the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. A modern bearer of the name is writer Thisbe Nissen.

      In Sarah Dessen's novel Along for the Ride, the baby daughter is named Thisby, nn Isby.

  8. Flavian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "yellow hair"

    • Description:

      A Latin clan name that may rise again along with other things Roman.
  9. Savion

    • Origin:

      Modern invented name, possibly derived from Xavier

    • Description:

      Has lots of energy, perhaps due to its association with top tap dancer Savion Glover.
  10. Candida

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "white"

    • Description:

      Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection.
  11. Zilla

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "shadow"

    • Description:

      Although this Old Testament name is soft and delicate, it runs the risk of conjuring up the monstrous Godzilla.
  12. Haco

    • Origin:

      Celtic and Cornish

    • Meaning:

      "flame, fire"

    • Description:

      Haco was a mythical Cornish leader who lost his beautiful princess bride by unwittingly promising her to a musician whose songs he admired: a romantic legend to back up a very unusual choice.
  13. Macallister

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Alasdair"

    • Description:

      Macallister as a first name is attracting new attention as the name chosen by Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and venture capitalist Zack Bogue for their young son. Macallister is usually heard as a patronymic surname, meaning son of Alasdair or Alistair or any one of the spellings of the Scottish form of Alexander. Like all other names of this type, Macallister leads to the cute short form Mac.
  14. Feather

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Feather, though it was used for a character in a Walter Mosley novel, seems too light and fluttery for a real-life girl.
  15. Hodge

    • Origin:

      Variation of Roger, German

    • Meaning:

      "famous warrior"

    • Description:

      Hodge is a medieval English nickname for Roger, which was brought to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Roger isn't ready for a comeback yet, but we'd love to see the resurgence of Hodge, which never was a common choice in the US.
  16. Leith

    • Origin:

      Scottish, river name

    • Description:

      Traditionally a male name, Leith now can make a highly unusual, strong but soft, and intriguing girls' possibility.
  17. Aquilina

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Aquilo, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "eagle"

    • Description:

      A lot of parents claim to want a name that's different, but if you really do, Aquilina, modern-feeling but based on an ancient favorite, would be one good choice.
  18. Italo

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "from Italy"

    • Description:

      You can't get more Italian than this name of the daddy of legendary twins Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. A noted bearer is acclaimed Italian journalist and novel and short story writer Italo Calvino, author of Invisible Cities and . Trivia tidbit: Calvino was actually one of his middle names.
  19. Madeleif
    • Japeth

      • Description:

        Japeth is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Japheth, who in biblical tradition was one of Noah's three sons in the Book of Genesis. The name is of Hebrew origin and is thought to mean 'enlarge' or 'expand,' with some interpretations suggesting 'beautiful' or 'may he have space.' This alternate spelling is much less common than the traditional Japheth. The name carries significant religious and historical weight in Judeo-Christian traditions, where Japheth is considered an ancestor of various European and Asian peoples. While never extremely popular in modern times, the name has maintained a steady presence among those who appreciate biblical names or are looking for something with ancient roots and spiritual significance.