Summer Baby Names

Most things Jul-related – from the month of July to popular modern names Julia and Julian – originate with Roman emperor Julius Caesar, and the month name July is no exception. Fifteen girls and seven boys were named July in 2013, putting this month name into the class of gender neutral names.

Transferred use of the surname Vianney, in reference to French saint Jean-Marie Vianney. It is generally masculine in France, Belgium and French-speaking Africa, but in Latin America it is mainly feminine and sometimes spelt Vianey.

Junot, which sounds like the goddess and indie movie name "Juno" and the Alaskan place name Juneau, is actually someting completely different. The literati will recognize the unusual name of writer Junot Diaz.

A surprisingly wearable floral name for a boy.

The name of several early saints, including one, Pelagia the Penitent, a beautiful and licentious dancing girl who repented, then, disguised as a man, spent the rest of her life living alone in a cave on the Mount of Olives. Because of her early vocation, she is the patron saint of actresses.

Azul is the Spanish word for "blue" and was first recorded as a baby name (for girls) in 1995. It's technically considered unisex today, although it is still much more common as a feminine name.

Kalindi is a lovely, rhythmic name refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.

If you like names that are not really names -- some say, the wave of the future -- Harbor has an attractive sound as well as an appealing meaning and image.

Sóley is the Icelandic word for the buttercup flower, derived from the words meaning "sun" and "island." It is also used on the Faroe Islands as a short form of Sólja.

This Scottish surname and Scottish and Australian place name has a pleasant airy and breezy sound to it. Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak chose the name for her daughter born in 2016.

Roque is a distinctive masculine name with Spanish and Portuguese origins, derived from the Germanic element 'hrok' meaning 'rest' or from the medieval Latin 'rocca' meaning 'rock'. In Spanish-speaking countries, it's pronounced 'ROH-keh' and carries connotations of strength and steadfastness. The name gained religious significance through Saint Roch (Roque in Spanish), a 14th-century French nobleman who ministered to plague victims. Roque has maintained consistent usage in Hispanic and Latin American cultures but remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it an intriguing cross-cultural option. The name offers a strong, concise sound with international appeal. In chess terminology, 'roque' was once used as an alternative term for castling, adding an intellectual dimension to this name's rich cultural associations.

Names ending with O are popular, but this one is almost unheard-of. Faro has the advantages of being easy to spell and pronounce (unless it's confused with Pharaoh), and a bright meaning. Ultimately it comes from Pharos, the island where the great Lighthouse of Alexandria was built, and there's a district and city in Portugal called Faro. Be aware: it's also the name of a gambling card game, highly popular in the nineteenth century before poker took over.

One for the truly adventurous baby namers, or perhaps an unexpected middle name to liven up a more traditional first. But on trend short form Bo does make it feel a little more accessible.

This evocative name of a dramatic tropical Indian fig tree is ready to move west.

Iara rhymes with Yara, an Arabic name of which it can be a variation. More commonly it's associated with Iara of Brazilian myth — a water nymph, sometimes mermaid, of Tupi and Guaraní legend. In the legends, Iara seduces men to the river to accompany her in her immortal life.

This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.

Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.

Less familiar than the feminine Jacinta. Jacinto is a sweet floral boy name that was most popular in early 20th century Spain and Brazil.

If Rose and even Primrose feel too mainstream for you, this underused floral name — belonging to a perennial shrub with bright pink flowers — might fit the bill.

Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.