Cool Baby Names
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Attitude Names for Boys
Attitude names for boys take the idea of cool baby names one step further: they're a little bit badass, a little bit distinctive, and a lot cool. Cool attitude names include animal names like Bear and Fox, in-your-face word names like Danger and Rebel, and "I dare you to make fun of my name" names like Waldo and Thelonious. The cool, creative baby names for boys here are some that we think have swagger, sass, and attitude.
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Attitude Names for Girls
Attitude names are cool baby names that project sass, spunk, and confidence. These cool-kid qualities may appeal for both girl and boy babies and are increasingly desirable for parents. Attitude names for girls may be inspired by amazing heroines, an unusual letter or sound, or simply a badass image. The cool names here are some of the best girls' names with attitude.
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Badass Baby Names
Cool baby names that qualify as badass carry a macho image yet work for babies of both genders . These names suggest the person who rides a motorcycle and sings in a rock band, who can carry a hikers' pack but would never carry a briefcase. They're cool names with attitude, and they kick butt in every sense of the term. The badass baby names for girls and boys include:
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Best Cool Unusual Boys' Names
Here is a list of 100 cool and unusual baby names for boys with the most potential---they have genuine roots, are attractive, and work in the modern world. Best of all, the cool names here are still widely underused! You can also skip directly to our full menu of boys' names or unusual baby names.
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Best Cool Unusual Girls' Names
The best, cool unusual girls' names are those that have deep roots, are attractive, and can fit into contemporary life, yet are not on the brink of widespread discovery. Cool names are a matter of opinion, but by unusual girls’ names, we mean those used for 25 or fewer baby girls last year. To see more, here is our full menu of girls' names and uinusual names.
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Boy Names for Girls
Some of the coolest baby girl names are not girls' names at all but boys' names -- many of which have officially become unisex names. We're seeing more and more fomerly 100% boy names being used for girls, from nicknames like Sam and Charlie (now 50-50 by gender!), to occupational or surnames such as Sawyer or McKinley to formerly masculine names such as Quincy and Jude that have become truly unisex. Here, some boy names that can work for girls.
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Boy Names Kids Consider Cool
What are the cool boy names from the point of view of other kids? Choosing a name that other kids consider cool may be more important than one you think is cool yourself.
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British Boy Names
British baby names have a style all their own, and fashionable English names are often a step or two ahead of American baby names. Some of the hottest baby boy names in England, Scotland, and Wales are still cool and underused choices in the U.S., as seen below. Other boys' names make this list because they're classic British choices that have emigrated to the US along with other parts of the world: Among these are Felix, Hugh, Jasper, and Leo. If you're looking for a distinctly British-sounding name for your baby boy, consider the following distinctive selection.
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British Girl Names
Do British baby girl names have a distinct style? You bet, and often the style of English names is a step or two ahead of the style of American names. Some of the hottest baby girl names in England, Scotland, and Wales are still cool -- and underused -- choices in the U.S.. Some girls' names that rank particularly highly in Britain are Amelia, Poppy, Freya, and Florence, while Olivia, Sophia, and Charlotte are popular in both the UK and the US. British parents are also more likely to use nicknames as proper names for their daughters, with names like Evie, Elsie, Millie, and Rosie widely used on their own for girls in England and Wales. Here, some of the most intriguing British baby names for girls.
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Celebrity Surnames as Firsts
Inspired by a fascinating discussion thread started by our own creative berries, here are some celebrity surnames that work well as first names. Because surnames lie outside historical gender identifications, this is another fresh source of unisex baby names.
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Classic Baby Names with a Twist
What if you love classic baby names but want something more original? Or if you're looking to honor a relative but want to spin their classic name a bit differently? Without getting into too-crazy spelling variations or too-easy international forms, here some twists on classic baby names.
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Classic Rock Baby Names
These are a selection of baby names that rock and roll from songs of the classic rock era.
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Color Names for Babies
Using color names for babies started with Amber, then Rose drove the point home. While many of the original color names were female, today there are mostly-male color names as well as unisex baby names derived from colors. Today's name hues range from the obvious -- Violet and Scarlett -- to the most exotic, from Azure to Zinc. The full spectrum of color names for babies:
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Cool Baby Names That Start With F
F is one of those sleeper initials that's fashionable precisely because it's so unfashionable. Some of the coolest F baby names:
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Cool Baby Names That Start With I
All vowel names are cool right now, but I-starting names may be the coolest baby names around. There are so many cool baby names that start with I that a parent in search of a name with that initial should have an easy time finding one to love.
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Cool Baby Names That Start With L
Baby names that start with L are intrinsically lovely, luscious, lilting -- and among the most stylish of our era. Here, a list of some of the most intriguing L-starting baby names.
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Cool Baby Names That Start With P
P, as in Peter, Paul, and....uh.... Patty, was a ubiquitous first initial at the middle of the last century. It's been keeping a low profile for a while now, but there are a lot of cool baby names that start with P. Here, our picks.
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Cool Baby Names That Start With Q
Baby names that start with Q can't fail to be cool -- or should we say qool? Here, a selection of cool baby names that start with that intriguing letter.
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Cool Baby Names That Start With U
U may be the most underused first initial of the baby naming alphabet. But yes, there are some cool baby names that start with U. Namely:
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Cool Baby Names That Start With Z
Z may be the zippiest, zestiest first initial for baby names around. Here, the wide selection of cool baby names that begin with Z.
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Cool Bible Baby Names
Cool Bible Baby Names are those that move beyond the biblical baby names that have been popular for several decades now. Such previously off-limits Bible names as Moses and Noah are now completely baby-worthy and ever-more-obscure baby names from the Bible are being revived all the time. For more popular Bible names, check the Biblical Baby Names: Most Popular list. Here are the top cool baby names from the Bible.
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Cool Boy Names From Ancient Cultures
Cool boy names are the order of the day, yet why invent a unique name when there are so many ancient names -- from Rome and Byzantium, from Olde England and Germany -- that deserve to be unearthed in the interest of cool? Here's a selection of worthy ancient choices, from a range of eras and places, that make cool unique baby names for boys.
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Cool Boy Names From Around the World
Cool boy names from Italy and Ireland, Scandinavia to the Middle East and beyond include a wide variety of choices. You may want to choose a boys' name that reflects your family's ethnic heritage or represents a culture you love. Or you may simply be looking for unique boys' names and want to consider international names as one source. Here, a selection of cool boy names from around the world.
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Cool Classic Boys’ Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
These classic boys’ names include choices from ancient cultures and the Bible, names sailing out of style along with those heading in.
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Cool Classic Girls’ Names — 100+ below the Top 1000
Classic baby names are not always popular names. These classic girls' names are also unusual, hiding below the Top 1000.
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Cool Girl Names from Ancient Cultures
There are so many ancient names for girls -- from Rome and Byzantium, from Olde England and Germany -- that deserve to be unearthed in the interest of cool. Here's a selection of worthy ancient names, from a range of eras and places, that make unique baby names for girls.
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Cool Girl Names From Around the World
Cool names for girls from a range of cultures and countries are ripe for the picking no matter where you live. As the world becomes a smaller place, baby names become more international. And if you're looking for a cool unusual name for your baby girl, choosing one from another country can be a way to combine tradition with innovation. Consider these cool girl names from around the world.
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Cool Guy Names
Many of us name babies based on who we want them to grow up to be, and all of these names nudge your son toward cool guy status. These are the names of the guys who are good-looking but not pretty, tough but also tender, bad boys but in the best possible way. If this is your prime criteria for a name, forget name style (though many of these are stylish) and focus on names that convey the cool guy image.
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Cool Midcentury Baby Names
Cool baby names from the middle of the 20th century are coming into style on the heels of midcentury houses and furniture. True, some baby names popular from the 1940s through the 60s may feel like dowdy, overplayed Baby Boomer names just heading into retirement and not due back in style for another generation or two. But some cool guy and girl midcentury names, with their sleek lines and no-nonsense feel, are starting to feel fresh again to the adventurous baby namer.
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Cool Middle Names
Hello, cool middle names, and bye-bye to the bland connectives of generations past, the ubiquitous Ann that almost sounded like and, because the middle name has now taken on a much more active part in the naming process. It's a place to honor the family, be creative or whimsical, use a name you're not quite brave enough to try as a first. Here, some cool middle names, most of them best for girls.
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Cool Vintage Baby Names
Vintage baby names are very cool these days....and cool vintage names are very Nameberry. So does that mean that all vintage baby names are cool? Not exactly. Here are some of the coolest -- at least by popular agreement -- right now.
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Cool, Unique Unisex Names
Unisex baby names are both popular and stylish, true, but there are also hundreds of names that work equally well for boys and girls that are also cool and unusual. Here, some of our favorite cool, unique unisex baby names.
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Coolator for Boys' Names
Cool boys' names can sometimes be made from less-than-cool ones. With a bit of ingenuity you can ramp up a name you like to a similar one that's cooler, or tone it down if you want to go in a quieter direction. Here are some examples:
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Coolator for Girls' Names
Cool girls' names can sometimes be made from less-than-cool ones. Sometimes, all you have to do is add an a to the end to bump them up several coolness levels: Natalie to Natalia, Susan to Susanna -- you get the picture. The point is that with a bit of ingenuity you can ramp up a name you like to a similar one that's cooler, or tone it down if you want to go in a quieter direction. Here are some examples:
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Coolest Baby Names That Aren't Really Names
The coolest baby names sometimes aren't names at all, as the mostly unisex baby names on this list attest. There are an uncountable number of words turned cool baby names, beyond the scope of any one source. The only limits are your reference books, your imagination, and your taste. Here are some of the coolest and most evocative of the group.
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Cowboy Baby Names
Looking for a name that says cowboy boots and stirrups? Check out this list of cowboy baby names, many of them inspired by Westerns of the last century.
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Creative Baby Names: Inspired by Artists
Creative baby names can be found by looking at the names of artists (and architects and designers). These baby names capture the artists' creative spirit, give your child an international role model, and are cool all at the same time. The following list encompasses both first (JASPER Johns) and last (Alexander CALDER) names, which have been drawn from all over the aesthetic map.
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Day Names
The ancient tradition of day-naming -- choosing a name from the day of the week, the month, the season or holiday, or even a time of day -- feels fresh again now. Here, examples of day names that could work as modern baby names,.
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English Word Names
English names might be easiest to define when they're actual word names drawn from the English languages and transformed into baby names. This genre has grown tremendously in the past decade, to the point that now parents are creating names from words they love or that have a symbolic meaning in English along with other languages such as Spanish, French, or Italian. Of course, there is also a long tradition of English names that were originally flower or place or inspirational or other word names, most notably practiced by the Puritans. At this point, words like Iris or Mercy or Christian have been used so long as names that they are solid entries in the name lexicon apart from their original connection to the words that inspired them. Today, celebrities are often coining names from English words -- think North, Saint, Bear -- and so helping to popularize not just the specific names but the whole concept. And stars from Drake to Rebel Wilson have driven the word name idea home. Now, almost any English word is fair game for transformation to a baby name. And if you're not adventurous enough to use these new word names as first names, you might want to consider them as middle names to add uniqueness and meaning.Newer English word names finding wide favor include the following.
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Favorite Names on Nameberry
Nameberry visitors are more intelligent and sophisticated and have more style than the average baby namer -- of course we do -- and the names we love often become future favorites on the official popularity lists. Many of the baby names beloved on Nameberry are also popular among the rest of the country, but the names here are loved significantly more on Nameberry. These Nameberry favorite baby names are destined for more widespread appreciation.
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Fictional Princess Names
Fictional princess names -- from fairy tales to modern cartoons -- are well-known to little girls, most of whom would be delighted to have one for her very own. Here, the wide range of fictional princess names.
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Film Noir Baby Names
Baby names drawn from film noir or "black film," the genre of Hollywood crime dramas that capture the suspenseful happenings of private eyes in distinct black and white form, tend to be dramatic and rooted in an earlier era. Here, our collection of film noir baby names.
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Geek Chic Names for Boys
Cool names for boys come in all shapes and flavors. There are some baby names that, like thick black-rimmed glasses and heavy oxfords, are so uncool they're cool. Here are some geek chic baby names for boys.
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Geek Chic Names for Girls
Cool names for girls come in all shapes and flavors. There are some baby names that, like thick black-rimmed glasses and heavy oxfords, are so uncool they're cool. Here are some geek chic names for girls.
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Geezer Names for Girls
Blame it on Sidney. This name, which conjures up images of thick glasses, a snowfall of dandruff on shoulders, and plaid polyester pants pulled up to the sternum, sounds (strangely enough) nothing less than charming, nothing short of cool when applied to a little girl. And so too can the other geezer names here. Caution: Most of these names should not be bestowed on a boy. The world is not yet ready for another generation of male Seymours and Sheldons, although keep in mind that among the hottest boys' names in the UK now are Harvey and Leon.
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Hipster Baby Names
The hipster baby names most often heard around Brooklyn and Santa Monica, Austin and Madison these days (though we can't resist pointing out that the names Brooklyn, Monica, Austin and Madison are nowhere among them).
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Hipster British Baby Names for Boys
Hipster British baby names for boys feel fresher and funkier than the classic royal names most often associated with the British Isles. These quirky British boy names are popular — though, naturally, not *too* popular! — with hipster parents from London to Liverpool. There are some clear trends to be seen here: lively -o and -ee ending sounds are big with the Brits, old man chic is most definitely in, and nicknames as given names are everywhere. If you're looking for a great British baby boy name beyond James or George, you'll find a wealth of wonderful options in this list — no matter whether your taste leans more toward Milo or Marmaduke!
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Hipster British Baby Names for Girls
Hipster British baby names for girls are an exotic and eclectic bunch! From sweet vintage nicknames like Peggy and Posy, to elaborate choices like Pandora and Pollyanna, the Brits are renowned for bestowing quirky baby girl names on their daughters. All of these beautiful British girl names have serious style cred in London right now, but they hit the hipster sweet spot in terms of popularity — none rank in the Top 100 baby girl names in England & Wales, and most sit much lower down the list. If you're looking for a cool British girl name beyond Emma or Elizabeth, here are some of our favorite hipster picks!
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If You Like Oscar, You Might Love....
Oscar is the grouchy old man name that rose from the ashes to become a recent stylish favorite. But now many parents who a handful of years ago might have chosen Oscar feel they need to look further abroad. If you like Oscar, you might love one of these other, more adventurous baby names.
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Jazz Baby Names
The list of jazz baby names, a special subset of musician baby names for both girls and boys, is full of old-school cool.
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Mac Names
Names that start with Mac or Mc are Irish or Scottish patronymics designating "son of." Of course, many of the most popular Mac names today, such as Mackenzie and McKenna, are usually given to girls. But there are a raft of lesser-used Mac names that work well for boys and lead to the adorable short form Mac. Here, a range of Mac names -- but one from your own family will work too.
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Modern Hero Baby Names
Modern hero baby names might be inspired by stars of screen or sports or literature or by heroes and heroines of the past or of fiction who still inspire us today. Cool modern hero names are usually surnames used as firsts. Here are some of the hottest modern hero baby names.
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Mystical Names
Mystical names summon figures of mythology and legend, of magic and mystery. The mystical names here hail from a range of different cultures and stories. Click on individual names for more information on what makes them mystical!
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Names All Your Friends Will Think Are Cool
There are certain cool baby names all but guaranteed to charm and impress your friends. Just don't let it influence you unduly.
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Names Inspired by The Beatles
The Beatles, widely considered the most iconic band in music history, recorded over 300 songs, many of which mentioned names. If you're a Beatles fan or looking for musical information for your baby's name, here is a list of baby names inspired by the Beatles' music and band members.
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Names No Girl May Be Cool Enough For
You have to be pretty darn cool to name your kid Hortense, cool in that I-like-it-and-I-don't-care-what-the-world-thinks kind of way. Except you're not the one who's going to have to deal with having the name Hortense when you play soccer. You're not the one who's going to have to introduce yourself as Hortense to boys at parties. In fact, if you think it's so cool, maybe you should change your own name to Hortense rather than laying it on a poor little kid. The point: While we can appreciate the contrarian cool inherent in these clunky names, we fear that few children at this point in time are cool enough actually to live with them.
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New York Baby Names
New York baby names capture everything that's cool about the city. From New York landmarks and streets to notable New Yorkers, get inspired by these Big Apple baby names from the most populous city in the US.
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Offbeat Baby Names
Offbeat baby names are those that are just a little bit quirky, a tiny bit unusual, off the beaten track. Here are some offbeat baby names you might want to consider today.
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Old Lady Names
Old lady names are cool by virtue of their very disdain for fashion. These kind of old school names are connected to tradition rather than modernity and gloss. What gets confusing is whether stylish vintage names like Adeline or Cora really qualify as Old Lady Names anymore, or if a name needs to be a bit dusty and unfashionable to qualify as Old Lady. We've tried to make this list inclusive, pulling in all types of Old Lady Names. For more on the If you're interested in learning even more about these kinds of vintage names check out our original blog on Old Lady Names for more commentary and ideas.
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Old Man Names
Old man names like Max and Sam and Henry have been used for babies for so long now that they no longer sound like old man names. But don't worry, there are plenty more where those came from. To qualify as a cool old man name, a name has to feel both classic and slightly moth-eaten, like the perfect vintage suit. Here are the names for boys we consider Old Man Names.
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Operatic Baby Names
You don’t have to be an opera buff to appreciate the rich variety of baby names found in the classic repertoire. It’s an especially appealing category because it contains such an interesting mix of languages: there are frilly French female names, unusual Italian mens’ names, as well as some usable German and Russian character names. These range from leads such as Aida and Tristan, to featured players to those with minor roles. So, omitting common names like Amelia, Norma and Susanna, and the more uber-the-top names like Brunhilde, here are some lyrical opera baby names:
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Poet Baby Names
The great poets can provide naming inspiration for both girl and boy babies. Here, some poet baby names to consider.
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Popular Unisex Baby Names
Unisex baby names, names used for both girls and boys, have become increasingly popular over the past generation. Most unisex names lean at least slightly towards one gender or the other, though there are some names that feel unisex but are really used nearly exclusively for girls or boys: Addison and Madison are examples of popular names for girls that may have started out as boys' names and moved into the unisex category, but are now squarely on the girls' side. The names on this list are given to at least 10 percent of the minority sex and rank among the most popular gender neutral names today.
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Rock Star Baby Names
These rock and roll baby names are sure to bring out the star in your little one. Inspired by the rockers themselves, or the subjects of their songs (Jude, Layla, and Roxanne for instance), these names are the most edgy, interesting, or relevant of the rock star choices.
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Rocker and Rapper Kids' Names
If you call yourself Ludacris or Slash or Flea, chances are you're not gonna name your kid Matthew or Martha or Mike. In fact, rock-and-roll and hip-hop musicians are probably the most imaginative (or outrageous, depending on your point of view) baby namers around, honoring their musical heroes (Thelonious, Lennon, Hendrix), using words as names (Million, Dream, Zeppelin), or just letting their fantasies fly. To wit:
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Saints' Names
Here's proof that you can find saints' names that go way beyond the traditional Anne or Francis. Following is a selection of some of the coolest saints' names for babies.
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Shakespearean Names
Shakespearean names were drawn by the Bard from a range of ancient and modern cultures. Many have survived through the ages and are ripe for modern play. Among the Shakespearean names we recommend are the following.
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Spring Baby Names
Spring has sprung in the world of baby names. For your springtime baby, or just to represent the season's lively qualities, consider these baby names that mean or relate to spring.
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Steampunk Baby Names
The steampunk movement has been inspired by literature and cinema, blending futuristic themes with 19th century Victorian style. Think alternate history meets science fiction entwined with elements of steam power and clockwork. Here is a list of baby names incorporating this unique style.
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Summer Baby Names
Summer is one of the nicest times of year to have a baby, the warm weather and slow pace making it that much easier to relax into new motherhood. Here is a list of baby names that summon the season, from nature to the ocean to the gemstones of summer months:
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Supermodel Baby Names
It's not enough that supermodels are skinny, gorgeous, world-revered millionaires. They've got babies, too, and not just ordinary babies, but babies with incredibly cool names. Here is the recent crop of supermodel baby names:
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Supermodel Names
Supermodels provide a real international smorgasbord (excuse the expression, girls) of beautiful baby girl names.
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The O Names
Baby names that begin or end with the letter o have long been particularly cool, especially (though there are a few feminine selections) for boys. The options, of course, range far beyond those offered here, especially considering the entire world of Latinate baby names out there, but this group should give you a pretty good start.
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Too-Cool Baby Names
Maybe you can't be too rich or too thin, but if you're a baby name, it just may be possible to be too cool. While the line of what constitutes a too-cool baby name seems to get redrawn every day, these choices will probably be on the wrong side of it for a long time to come:
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Unique Baby Names
Unique baby names are literally one-of-a-kind, but a unique name may also mean one that is unusual and cool, with individual flair. In fact, when people refer to unique baby names today, they usually mean a name that stands out from the crowd, that departs from tradition and that may have a unique spelling or pronunciation. But unique names for babies can also be place names, word names, surname names, international names, nature names, or traditional names that come from other cultures or that have been buried in the attic for decades or even centuries. Nameberry offers thousands of unique names: Here are some of the best to get you started.
Want more more more unique names for your baby? See all the lists of unique baby names.
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Unique Baby Names from History
Unique baby names aren't only the new and the invented; there are also many highly unusual names with deep historic roots. Read more about this topic in our blog on unique baby names from history. Here's a selection of the most intriguing.
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Unusual Baby Names
Unusual baby names come from a range of categories, from ethnic names to place names to word names to surnames used as first names. The best unusual names are distinctive without being strange, seem unique yet are also easy to understand. Of the thousands of unusual baby names on nameberry, here are some of our favorites.
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Vintage Nicknames for Girls
There's a group of vintage nicknames for girls that were used in the distant past and are all but forgotten now. The following might be worth a fresh look. Check our larger Nicknames for Girls list for more choices. And if it's adorable you're after, check out this list of cute baby names, which includes lots of nickname-names.
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Winter Baby Names
Here, inspirational winter baby names for the child born when the snow is falling and the weather is chill populate this list. Some of these names, like Neve, Frost, and Snow itself, refer to the wintry weather. Others are what are called day names, connecting with the months and holidays of winter.. Then there are the mythical winter names, baby names related to nature in winter, and names that mean white. Along with Winter itself, you might consider these winter baby names:
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Word Names
Word names -- basically, words used as names -- are a growing class as parents rush to find truly unique baby names for their children. While you'll find word names among nature names and day names and occupational names and color names, we gather some of the most intriguing here.
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X Factor Baby Names
The letter X seems to all by itself create cool baby names. Some of the best baby names with the X factor:
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