Sci-Fi Baby Names
- Bishop
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"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.
- Tasha
Origin:
Diminutive of NatashaDescription:
See NATASHA.
- Aelita
Origin:
LiteratureMeaning:
"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".
- Deanna
Origin:
English variation of Diana, Latin, feminization of DeanMeaning:
"divine; church official"Description:
Though still being used, Deanna peaked many decades ago.
- Zed
Origin:
Diminutive of ZedekiahDescription:
Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.
- Buffy
Origin:
English diminutive of Elizabeth, HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Serra
Origin:
Italian, Portuguese and CatalanMeaning:
"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.
- Ayala
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"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.
- Tuck
Origin:
Diminutive of Tucker, EnglishMeaning:
"fabric pleater"Description:
Sharp and preppy.
- Scorpius
Origin:
Astrological name; LatinMeaning:
"scorpion"Description:
Scorpius is the constellation that the Scorpio zodiac sign originates from. It was given its venomous name due to the constellation's resemblance to a scorpion's tail.
- Kerr
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"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.
- Kaidan
Description:
Kaidan is a masculine name with multiple potential origins, most commonly associated with Japanese and Gaelic roots. In Japanese, it can mean "mysterious story" or "ghost story," while as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Caden, it connects to "cath" meaning "battle." The name gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the early 2000s, part of the trend toward names with the appealing "aid" sound. Its rise coincided with similar names like Aidan, Jayden, and Brayden. Kaidan offers versatility with its cross-cultural connections and modern feel. The spelling variant Kayden is also common. Parents are often drawn to its contemporary sound combined with meaningful origins, making it appealing for those seeking a name that feels both current and substantial.
- Dutch
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"relating or belonging to The Netherlands"Description:
If Holland works for a girl, why not Dutch for a boy? Well, one reason is that Holland is a place name and Dutch is used to describe someone or something from The Netherlands, but we digress. Dutch does have a name-like sound, akin to Dash, Duke, Dutton, and Dustin.
- 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.
- Korben
Origin:
Spelling variation of Corbin, English and French surnameMeaning:
"crow, raven"Description:
Korben is a spelling that gets some attention since Bruce Willis's character name in The Fifth Element was Korben Dallas.
- Elihu
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah is God"Description:
Rarely used in the last two centuries, but might be worth dusting off and holding up to the light.
- 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.
- Davin
Description:
Davin as a feminine name is an uncommon variant of the more traditional masculine Davin, which originated as an Anglicized form of the Irish name Dáibhín, meaning 'little beloved one' or 'little deer.' While Davin has historical usage as a boy's name, its application for girls represents a modern trend of gender-crossing names. The name has a gentle yet strong quality, with its soft consonants balanced by clear pronunciation. For females, Davin offers a distinctive alternative to popular feminine names with similar sounds like Davina or Devon. The name carries Irish heritage while maintaining a contemporary feel. Though rare for girls, it appeals to parents seeking a unique name with established roots but without being overtly feminine.
- Aeryn
Origin:
Variation of Erin, IrishMeaning:
"from the island to the west"Description:
Spelling variation of Erin invented for a character on the science fiction TV show Farscape.
- Riddick
Origin:
Variation of Reddick, ScottishDescription:
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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