Unique Celebrity Names
- Karlie
Origin:
Spelling variation of CarlyDescription:
Supermodel Karlie Kloss lends this spelling variation some style. Having appeared in the US Top 1000 since 1991, it was in trouble of dropping off completely when it ranked Number 992 in 2009. Since then, however, it has made modest strides back up the list.
- Levardis
Origin:
African American, LatinMeaning:
"the truth"Description:
This rarely used name is notably borne by actor Levardis "LeVar" Burton, who brought attention to the name when he played the lead role in the 1970s mini-series Roots. While the short form LeVar (or Levar) shot up the charts after the show was released (and continues to be given to a small handful of boys each year), Levardis remains unique to the actor.
Named for his father, actor Burton has said the name is inspired by veritas, the Latin word for "truth." This is then combined with popular prefix Le- to make it into a name.
- Banksy
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Credit, of course, to the artist for inventing this secretive pseudonym, but we actually have Hilary Duff to thank for Banksy as a baby name. Banksy is Duff's nickname for her daughter Banks, born in 2018. Banksy debuted on the charts in 2020, when it was used for seven baby girls.
- Oprah
Origin:
Variation of Orpah, HebrewMeaning:
"fawn or gazelle"Description:
The misspelling that created an indelibly one-person name. And we mean that literally: Despite Oprah Winfrey's fame and appeal, there were no baby girls named Oprah last year, OR Orpah.
- Kesha
Description:
Kesha is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Keisha, which emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century and gained popularity in the 1970s. Alternatively, it could be derived from the Hungarian diminutive of Kesztenye (meaning 'chestnut'), or have roots in Sanskrit where 'Kesha' means 'hair' or is related to words for radiance or light. The name received increased attention with the rise of the American singer Kesha (born Kesha Rose Sebert) in the early 2000s. In usage patterns, the name peaked in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Kesha demonstrates how names can have multiple potential etymological backgrounds while developing their own cultural associations through contemporary usage.
- Shaquille
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"well developed, handsome"Description:
No longer a one-person name, as a number of parents have been inspired by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal to adopt it for their own future athletes.
- Cardi
Origin:
Nickname nameDescription:
Cardi B is the stage name of the rapper born Belcalis Almanzar. The name Cardi originated as a short form of Bacardi, a nickname the musician got because her sister is named Hennessy, after the cognac. The B, she says, stands for a range of things, depending on the day, including Belcalis and Bacardi. Cardi is one invented name that's found instant fame and could go much further. For now, it's definitely one of the most talked-about girl names starting with C.
- Vogue
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"fashionable"Description:
Vogue has been in rare use as a personal name, mostly since the last century. It doesn’t show up in current US data, but has been rising in the UK since 2013, influenced by Irish model Vogue Williams, whose grandmother suggested her name after an encounter with someone named Vogue.
- Ambika
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"mother"Description:
Ambika is one of the names of the mother goddesses of Hinduism. She is worshipped under other names as well, including Chandi, said to be the power of Ambika, who rides a lion.
- Bethenny
Origin:
Spelling variation of Bethany, HebrewMeaning:
"house of figs"Description:
Bethenny is the spelling introduced to the world by and closely associated with Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel. While the name has a bit of charm, we recommend sticking with the original Bethany spelling.