Best Unique Baby Names

While this is usually thought of as a girls' name because of the Bond Girl connection, its sound is masculine and there's no reason it couldn't work for boys.

Vesper

Newer than Zac, cooler than Ed, Ned, or Ted.

In Hindu tradition, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, whose name is often used as element of other names, such as Jaswinder or Rajendra. Its use as a feminine name may come from the Western world hearing it as feminine (thanks to Alexandra, Indira, or similar), or simply as a shortening of Indrani (meaning "wife of Indra").
 
In Latvia and Lithuanian, however, it is a girl name, inspired by Indraja, meaning "reed". In Lithuanian mythology, Indraja was the personification of Jupiter, associated with the aforementioned Hindu god, and known as "the water witch". Additionally, Indra may come from the Latvian Indra River, also known as the Indrica, and as such, a feminine form of Indriķis, a Latvian form of Henry.

Indra

A multicultural name that manages to sound soft and strong at the same time, Kamala is also another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

 Vice President Kamala Harris, who describes her own name's pronunciation as COMMA-la, is the first Indian-American and the first Black woman to run on a US Presidential ticket for a major party. Kamala Harris's mother was Indian and her father is Jamaican.

 A rising star in the Democratic Party, Harris was sworn in as her state's junior senator in January 2017 and instantly became one of the most visible critics of the Trump Administration. She makes Kamala one of the most recognizable <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/539/hindi-names-for-girls">Hindi names for girls</a>, with a strong sound and international appeal.

Kamala

Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year. 

Anchor

This evocative name of one of the Three Wise Men of the Orient, also spelled Balthasar, may finally be ready for prime time. Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar were the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus, though their names were not mentioned in the Bible.
 Balthazar, in its various spellings, has been attached to a number of distinguished artists, writers and philosophers of the past; the most prominent contemporary bearer is Balthazar Getty, actor and great-grandson of J. Paul Getty. The iconoclastic modern painter Balthus was born Balthasar.
 Balthazar is well represented in literature. The name appears in no fewer than four Shakespeare plays, is the title of a Lawrence Durrell novel, is the main character of a Balzac novel, and has been seen in everything from a James Bond film to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to The Smurfs to Xbox and online games, and there is a J. P. Donleavy novel titled The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B.

Balthazar

Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".

Bates

A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning. 

Beacon

One of the many variations of classic Elizabeth, similar to the French Lisette or English Lizette. It is predominantly used in South America, though a small handful of girls are given the name each year in the US. Also spelled Lisseth and, more popularly, Lizeth, the ending may be pronounced as -EHT or -ETH, depending on region and preference. 

Liseth

This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.

Certainly a weighty if historically relevant choice, but usable for a modern baby? Even a few years ago, we might have said no. But Beowulf Sheehan is a noted portrait photographer, Beowulf Borritt a Broadway production designer, and the nicknames Wulf or Wulfie are feeling positively mainstream.

With other ancient names from myth and legend coming to life once again, Beowulf is certainly up for consideration.

Beowulf

To the Anglo ear, Beto may not make sense as a short form of Gilberto, Roberto, or Alberto. But it is, and the o-ending makes is friendly, sleek, and modern.

Beto

On "Sex and the City," Magda was the elderly nanny from the old country -- which is what this name sounds like.  While Magdalene and Magdalena are enjoying fresh life, Magda still feels dated.

Magda

Manon is an endearing French pet name for Marie or Marianne; it has the international yet straightforward feel that makes it a viable import. 
Manon of the Spring was a gorgeous French film, Manon Lescaut a 1731 novel by Abbe Prevost, set in France and Louisiana, that was controversial in its day. It formed the basis of operas by Puccini and Massenet, and several films and TV series.
 Manon is currently a Top 50 name in France and Belgium, and is also relatively common among Welsh speakers. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland and Helen McCrory have a daughter named Manon.

Manon

Shortening Francisco somehow makes it sound even cooler. Cisco is also the name of a digital security company.

Cisco

Curran is a common surname in Ireland, but unusual even there as a first. With its savory feel, calling to mind curry and currants, Curran can make for an attractive update on Colin or Connor. 

Curran

Heard more often as a surname in Italy, its meaning has also been linked to the dolphin--which would make a cool nursery motif.

Delfino

Percy is a traditional boys' name that could be cute and unexpected for a girl – perhaps as a short form for Persephone or Persis. Adventurous and literary Percy could follow in the footsteps of other boyish nicknames for girls, like Frankie and Charlie.
 
Percy Haswell was a silent film actress. And Lady Persephone "Percy" Towyn is a character on Upstairs, Downstairs.

Percy

An upscale surname with a nice modern design connection to the creators of the Eames chair and other midcentury furniture classics, Charles and Ray Eames.


Eames

Freyr is the Norse god of fertility, sunlight, and peace. He features prominently in the Icelandic mythology collections the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, and is considered an ancestor of the Swedish royal family.
 
Freyr is one of the coolest undiscovered Scandinavian boy names right now. It may appeal to parents who love the related name Freya.

Freyr

Sweet and cosy but with substance too, Sosie is a rare, multicultural name. Used as a short form of Susan, Sosan, Sophie and Sophia, it could make a fresh alternative to Suzy, Izzy, or Josie; alternatively, it's an Armenian name in its own right, derived from Sosi meaning "palm tree".
 
Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon chose this unusual diminutive for their daughter back in 1992. It is believed they have been inspired by the Latin name Sosia, which appears in an ancient Roman play, and means "saviour", or by the French word sosie meaning "lookalike", adding more layers to this charming name.

Sosie

It may feel impossible to find a baby name that is stylish, practical, and no one is using, but trust us, these names do exist. Historical archives, international popularity charts, and even the dictionary offer hidden gems of baby names.

Some of the top names internationally, such as Ebba and Albie, would make stylish and practically one-of-a-kind choices for American-born children. Word names including Oasis, Fawn, Finch, and Fielder may be ideal for parents searching for a modern moniker for their little one.

These are more than 350 of our favorite highly unique baby names, each given to 25 or fewer babies in 2024.

Unique, rare, and uncommon baby names given to 25 or fewer babies in 2024 (Page 16)

350+ Best Unique Baby Names