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Sci-Fi Baby Names

  1. Mal

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Malcolm, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "devotee of St. Colomba"

    • Description:

      A nickname for Malcolm that at one point ranked independently on the US Top 1000. It still exists as an affectionate pet form, but you’re unlikely to hear a Malcolm introduce himself as Mal.
  2. Deliah

    • Description:

      Deliah is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Delilah, which has Hebrew origins meaning "delicate" or "weak." In the Bible, Delilah was the woman who betrayed Samson by cutting his hair, which was the source of his strength. Despite this somewhat negative biblical association, the name has a soft, melodious sound that has attracted parents over the years. Deliah, with this particular spelling, is much less common than the traditional Delilah spelling. The name has a lyrical quality and vintage charm that fits with the trend of reviving older names. While Delilah has experienced significant popularity in recent decades, the Deliah variant remains relatively rare, offering a slightly different take on the classic name.

  3. Aelita

    • Origin:

      Literature

    • Meaning:

      "starlight seen for the last time"

    • Description:

      A whimsical choice from the 1923 sci-fi novel Aelita by Aleksey Tolstoy, the name belongs to a Martian princess who lives on Mars in an advanced yet divided society. In the book (and its subsequent film), her name is said to mean "starlight seen for the last time".
  4. Pallas

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      This rarified Greek name -- in classical mythology Pallas Athena was the goddess of wisdom and the arts -- might appeal to literary-minded parents. Among the raft of stylish girl names that start with P, Pallas is one rare choice that is often overlooked....but shouldn't be.
  5. Elihu

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is God"

    • Description:

      Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
  6. Tasha

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Natasha

    • Description:

      See NATASHA.
  7. Bishop

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "senior member of the church"

    • Description:

      Occupation names and spiritual names are in style, so it's hardly surprising that Bishop has been making appearances in the Top 1000. Popular back in the late 19th and early 20th century, it reappeared in the charts in 2015. Given to 170 boys in a recent year, it tends to drop in and out of the Top 1000.
  8. Ayala

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "doe, gazelle"

    • Description:

      This animal-themed name is among the most popular for girls in contemporary Israel. Parents who want to move beyond the mega-popular Aliyah and sisters might want to consider Ayala. The male form is Ayal.
  9. Korben

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Corbin, English and French surname

    • Meaning:

      "crow, raven"

    • Description:

      Korben is a spelling that gets some attention since Bruce Willis's character name in The Fifth Element was Korben Dallas.
  10. Kerr

    • Origin:

      Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "someone who lived near wet ground"

    • Description:

      When actress Deborah Kerr entered the scene, there was a great debate over her name's pronunciation. Car or Ker. Your choice.
  11. Londo

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Description:

      Could be an interesting alternative to London, now that that one is firmly on the girl's side.

      Londo Mollari is a character from the TV show Babylon 5.

  12. Serra

    • Origin:

      Italian, Portuguese and Catalan

    • Meaning:

      "ridge"

    • Description:

      This topographical name, more suited to a girl than a boy--though it would inevitably be confused with SARAH--has some distinguished bearers: famous Spanish missionary to Mexico Father Junipero Serra, and sculptor Richard Serra, known for his challenging large-scale metal works.
  13. Deanna

    • Origin:

      English variation of Diana, Latin, feminization of Dean

    • Meaning:

      "divine; church official"

    • Description:

      Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
  14. Buffy

    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.
  15. Selim

    • Origin:

      Turkish variation of Salim, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "safe"
  16. Mazikeen

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Meaning:

      "harmful spirits"

    • Description:

      Neil Gaiman invented this name for a character in his comic book Sandman. It can now be seen on the TV show Lucifer.
  17. Tali

    • Description:

      Tali is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Hebrew, it means 'dew from heaven' or 'my dew,' suggesting divine blessing and refreshment. In Finnish, it relates to 'winter,' conjuring images of pristine snow and quiet strength. The name also appears in Native American traditions where it can mean 'water' in Cherokee. As a masculine name, Tali is most common in Israel and among Jewish communities, though its brevity and pleasing sound have given it cross-cultural appeal. With just two syllables and a melodic quality, Tali offers a name that's both simple to pronounce and rich in meaning, making it attractive to parents seeking a short name with spiritual undertones.
  18. Bail

    • Description:

      Bail is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. It could derive from the Old French 'baile' meaning 'bearer' or guardian, or from the Scottish surname Bail, which may have occupational roots. In legal contexts, 'bail' refers to security or guarantee, potentially giving the name connotations of reliability and trust. As a given name, Bail remains quite rare globally, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something truly uncommon. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal, while its familiar sound (rhyming with names like Dale or Gail) makes it accessible despite its uniqueness. Bail has not traditionally appeared on popularity charts, remaining a genuinely unusual selection.

  19. Dejah

    • Description:

      Dejah is a feminine name that gained recognition primarily through Edgar Rice Burroughs' science fiction series 'John Carter of Mars,' where Dejah Thoris appears as a Martian princess. The name has no clear historical origins before this literary creation, making it essentially a modern invented name. Since its literary introduction, Dejah has gained modest usage, particularly in the United States. The name has an exotic, otherworldly quality while remaining relatively easy to pronounce. Its association with a strong female character from literature gives it connotations of nobility and resilience. Dejah's distinctive sound, with emphasis on the first syllable, makes it stand out while its brevity keeps it accessible and memorable.
  20. Riddick

    • Origin:

      Variation of Reddick, Scottish

    • Description:

      Variation of Reddick, recognizable as the name of Vin Diesel's character in the Riddick film series, based on the Chronicles of Riddick books.

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