City Names for Babies

A capital place-name possibility.

This is the Italian way to say Venice -- Ven-ETZ-ee-a -- but you might also opt for the softer Venetia or Venice itself.

What with Mason scooting up the charts, this attractive place-name, with its thick Georgia accent, could make a more distinctive alternative.

The name of the capital city of the Philippines is just conceivable as a baby name, giving off the faint scent of vanilla.

Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.

Unexplored Moroccan place name, conjuring up images of camels and palm trees and domed minarets.

An attractive North Carolina unisex place name, Raleigh's soft sound is particularly appropriate for a girl.

Mesa is both the term for a flat-topped mountain, derived from the Spanish word for "table", and the Thai variation of April.

Son of Sicily.

Place-name mentioned in the New Testament and not yet on the name map. Philadelphia Thursday was the character played by Shirley Temple in John Ford's 1948 "Fort Apache."

A presidential and place-name that's not a stand-out in either category.

Quito is a place-name (it's the capital of Ecuador) with lots of lively energy--as long as it's pronounced correctly.

An undiscovered place-name with an appealing o-sound ending.

Miami -- or Florida, for that matter -- hasn't achieved the place-name stardom of southern sisters like Savannah and Georgia. Quincy Jones used it as his daughter KENYA's middle name.

A familiar Canadian city name that could easily translate to use as a baby name. Cal and Callie are potential nickname options.

With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.

An interesting Canadian province and city name that has some literary history as the name of a character in Dickens's Bleak House; could make a distinctive choice for parents with northern roots.

Irvine is a masculine name derived from a Scottish place name and surname, ultimately from Celtic origins meaning 'green water' or 'fresh water,' referring to the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland. As a first name, Irvine gained modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in Scottish communities and among those with Scottish heritage. Notable bearers include American author Irvine Welsh and basketball hall-of-famer Irvine Clifton Turner, lending the name cultural resonance. Though never reaching mainstream popularity, Irvine maintains appeal as a distinguished name with clear geographic roots. It offers parents a distinctive option with authentic Scottish heritage while avoiding the more common Celtic names. The name carries connotations of natural beauty and freshness through its water-related meaning.

Aspen's sibling.

This name of Angola's capital city has occasionally been used for baby girls.