Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 25 pages
of 25
Latin
"Roman messenger god"
Adventurous parents are starting to look back to names of ancient gods like Mercury, Zeus, and Apollo. This one is also a planet and a metallic element, and has a friendly nickname, Merc. The Roman…
English, diminutive of Moses
"delivered"
If Gus and Max have made it, why not Moe? Can it be the lingering Three Stooges effect? We think that Moe, like Joe, is one of the friendliest and most open of regular guy nickname names and should…
Variation of Ida or Idalia, Latin Amerian
"work, labor"
An elaboration of Ida or Idalia, inspired by other similar options used in Latin America and the Caribbean, such as Odalis and Ivelis. Also spelled as Idalys, is can mean "work, labor" from the…
Italian
"first"
Primo is number one among the Latin birth-order names--Octavius et al--and the one most likely to be used in these days of smaller families. It has that jaunty 'o' ending and Italian flavor that many…
French nickname and Japanese
"double happiness"
Kiki is one of the Coco-Gigi-Fifi-Lulu bohemian-type French nickname names from the turn of the last century, which have endless energy and sparkle. Artist Kiki Smith is its most well-known…
"shining sea"
Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.…
German
"protecting army"
Formal name lacking any sparkle or sheen.
Sanskrit
"night"
Simple but sophisticated, Nisha is a pretty Sanskrit choice that hit the popularity charts in England in the late 1990s. The meaning "night" adds a slightly mystical element to name and it is a…
Word name or diminutive of Woodrow, English
"row of houses by a wood"
While Woodrow is too forbidding, its nickname Woody is a bit cartoonish, as in Woody Woodpecker and the animated cowboy character in Toy Story. Woody also has a slang meaning that no teenage boy will…
Italian word name
"coastline"
Riviera may work for lovers of River who want something rarer and more elaborate for their little girl. The A ending adds a feminine touch. Riviera first debuted as a given name in 2010.
Tibetan
"good fortune"
Tashi is a Tibetan word meaning "good fortune," and is also used as a given name and surname in Tibet and Bhutan.
"with divine protection"
A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.
English Surname
A novel way to get to the nicknames Ash or Ford
Greek place name
Athens is one of the newer place names, used for both baby boys and girls. The Greek city got its name from Athena, goddess of wisdom and courage.
"bright raven"
Last in fashion in the 1930s, Bertram might once have been firmly in the best left in the past category, but with sweet nickname Bertie and the cool option of Bram, Bertram might just be one to…
Spanish, Italian
"blind"
Cecilio is derived from Caecilius, an Ancient Roman surname that was likely originally bestowed upon someone who was blind. Today you might expect Cecilio to a fashionable first name in part due to…
Irish
"hero"
An undiscovered Irish surname with a cool meaning. It could work as an alternative to Connor and Lachlan.
Arabic or Palestinian place name
Notably borne by Palestinian journalist, activist, and filmmaker Bisan Owda, Bisan is a name of Arabic origin, with a concise look and bright sound. The exact meaning of the name is unknown, however…
Vietnamese
"feminine"
Cai, as distinguished from the boys' name Kai, is international, simple, unusual.
Hebrew
"help"
A unique alternative to Ezra, with which Ezer shares a root. Only five baby boys were named Ezer in 2021, and though the name is technically unisex, no baby girls.
