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Please Don't Name a Human This

languageisbeauty
By languageisbeauty
Updated Thu May 18 2023
if you REALLY need to name something any of these, how about a dog? Or a cat? Or like, a lizard?
  1. Danger

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "exposure to injury, pain, harm, or loss"

    • Description:

      Prime example of the aggressive word names that are an off-the-grid branch of the new macho names. Makes Cannon, Maverick, and Ranger feel almost soft and sensitive by comparison.
  2. Rune

    • Origin:

      German and Swedish

    • Meaning:

      "secret"

    • Description:

      Name with connotations both mystical and tragic, newly popular in Europe. For English speakers, though, this name might be ruined by its homonym ruin.
  3. Cedar

    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin tree name

    • Meaning:

      "cedar tree"

    • Description:

      Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic.
  4. Banjo

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "string instrument"

    • Description:

      When Australian actress Rachel Griffiths chose this highly unusual name for her son, many assumed it was a bizarre invention, but noted Australian poet and writer of Waltzing Matilda, Banjo Patterson, is known by this name. Sprightly and musical, it could blend in with Bruno, Benjamin and Joey.
  5. Golden

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Like Silver, a shimmering metallic color name, that may lean too dazzling for some, but more grounded for others, thanks to its similarity of Alden, Auden, Elden and Gordon. Given to 100 babies in a recent year, Golden is currently a gender neutral choice.
  6. Zsazsa

    • Origin:

      Hungarian, , diminutive of Erzsebet

    • Meaning:

      "God is my oath"

    • Description:

      Zsa Zsa is a zippy Hungarian nickname name, sometimes used independently, linked for decades with the Hungarian-born actress Zsa Zsa Gabor--who was born Sari.
  7. Denim

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "sturdy cotton"

    • Description:

      With Levi in vogue and country names on trend, Denim could fit in among the Waylons, Walkers, Coltons, and Rhetts. As a boys name, it brings to mind the qualities of the fabric: hardworking, cool and versatile. Singer Toni Braxton chose this name for her son in 2001, and parents have been using it for boys and girls ever since.
  8. Dune

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "sand hill"

    • Description:

      Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
  9. Adolph

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"

    • Description:

      World War II stamped a permanent verboten on Adolph.
  10. Sugar

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      You can call your daughter Sugar, but it's probably best to keep it as a term of endearment. For sweet names, you try Dulcie, Honey, Mitsu, Amai, Sherine, Melita, Eulalia, or Melina, but Sugar does work as a generic nickname.
  11. Butterfly

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Fluttery and flighty. But there are a couple of names that mean butterfly you might consider, such as Yara and Farasha.
  12. Breaker

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      One of the aggressive new boys' names, ala Tracker and Heller, that have become fashionable among parents who are courting trouble.
  13. Afternoon

    • Origin:

      English, “afternoon”

    • Description:

      An early day name worthy of consideration today for someone seeking a truly unusual name.
  14. Hyman

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Chaim

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Hyman was commonly used by first-generation Jewish immigrants to Anglicize Chaim, but similarities to terms like heinie and hymen have taken it out of the realm of modern possibility. The original Chaim would be preferable to Hyman.
  15. Frodo

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      An admirable meaning, with roots in a Germanic word meaning wisdom, but we fear it will never be detached from the hobbit hero of The Lord of the Rings.
  16. Krispin

    • Description:

      Krispin is a masculine name derived from the Latin name Crispinus, which was originally a Roman family name meaning 'curly-haired.' It's a variant spelling of Crispin, a name with historical significance associated with Saint Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers. The name gained some recognition through Shakespeare's Henry V, which features the famous St. Crispin's Day speech. This alternative spelling with a 'K' gives the traditional name a modern twist while maintaining its classical roots. Krispin remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it distinctive without being completely unfamiliar. The name carries connotations of craftsmanship, artistry, and a certain refined European heritage.
  17. Audio

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      When actress Shannyn Sossamon dubbed her newborn Audio Science, it sent out some definite shock waves. We don't recommend Audio or Video for even the most intrepid baby namer.
  18. Racer

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      New, fast, cool, and chosen by director Robert Rodriguez, whose other sons are Rebel, Rocket, and Rogue, all somewhat risky options.
  19. Leigha

    • Description:

      Leigha is a feminine name representing a modern, stylized spelling variant of Leah. The original name Leah has Hebrew origins meaning "weary" or "delicate," and appears in the Bible as the first wife of Jacob and mother of six sons. This alternative spelling gained traction in the late 20th century as parents sought unique variations of classic names. The added "gh" creates visual distinctiveness while maintaining the traditional pronunciation. Leigha combines the timeless quality of its biblical root with a contemporary flair that appeals to modern naming preferences. Though less common than Leah, the name has established consistent usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. Leigha projects femininity and elegance while offering a subtle twist on a familiar classic.

  20. Szczepan

    • Description:

      Szczepan is a masculine Polish name equivalent to the English Stephen. Derived from the Greek name Stephanos meaning "crown" or "garland," it has deep historical roots in Poland. The distinctive combination of consonants in Szczepan showcases the characteristic Polish orthography, with "szcz" creating a sound unfamiliar to many English speakers. Despite its challenging appearance to non-Polish readers, the name has a melodious pronunciation in its native context. Szczepan has strong connections to Polish cultural heritage and Catholic tradition, as Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr. While common in Poland, it remains rare internationally, making it a strong marker of Polish identity for those who bear it abroad.