Unique Names Ive Met
- Oaklee
Origin:
Variation of Oakley, EnglishMeaning:
"oak clearing"Description:
Oakley is one of the truest unisex names for babies, achieving a 56-44 gender distribution, favoring girls. Oaklee is 80% female and may serve as a clearer identification of sex, if that’s what you’re interested in.
- Odin
Origin:
Variation of Óðinn, Old NorseMeaning:
"god of frenzy; poetic fury"Description:
Odin is the name of the supreme Norse god of art, culture, wisdom, and law — who was handsome, charming, and eloquent into the bargain. The name projects a good measure of strength and power and has excellent assimilation potential.
- Orie
Description:
Orie is a masculine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it means 'my light' or can be written with characters representing 'weaving' or 'fabric.' In African traditions, particularly Nigerian, it may appear as a variant of Ori, relating to concepts of destiny or head. The name also exists as a diminutive of names like Orion or Orville in Western contexts. Orie has a gentle, flowing quality while maintaining sufficient strength for a masculine name. Its brevity makes it accessible across cultures, while its relative rarity gives it distinction. The name has never ranked among the most popular choices in the United States but maintains a steady, if uncommon, presence. Orie appeals to parents seeking a short, meaningful name with cross-cultural resonance and a soft yet dignified sound.
- Porter
Origin:
English from French occupational nameMeaning:
"doorkeeper or carrier"Description:
It may surprise you to know that surname name Porter was fairly popular in the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries, then went underground for 40 years only to reemerge at the turn of this century and climb the ladder again.
- Perdition
- Quincey
Description:
Quincey is a masculine name derived from the Latin 'quintus' meaning 'fifth,' originally a Roman name given to the fifth-born child. This spelling variation of Quincy adds a distinctive touch to the traditional form. The name carries associations with nobility thanks to the prestigious Quincy family of Massachusetts, which included figures in American history. Quincey has an intellectual, refined quality while remaining approachable. Though never extremely common, the name saw modest popularity in the late 20th century. Its distinctive spelling appeals to parents seeking something classic yet slightly unconventional. The name bridges historical gravitas with contemporary style, making it versatile across different ages and contexts.
- Rafferty
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"floodtide, abundance, prosperity"Description:
Jaunty and raffish, Rafferty is one of the most engaging of the Irish surnames, used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son. Fortunately, it doesn't still go by its original form: O'Raighbheartaigh.
- Ranae
Description:
Ranae is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Renée, the French feminine form of René, meaning "reborn" or "born again." Alternatively, it could be connected to the Latin "rana" meaning "frog" or be a variation of Renata, meaning "reborn" in Latin. The name has a delicate, melodic quality with its flowing syllables. Ranae enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s but has since become less common, giving it a somewhat vintage appeal today. The spelling with an "ae" ending gives the name a classical feel while distinguishing it from the more common Renee or Rene variations.
- Rex
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"king"Description:
Now that many dogs are named Max, it's safe to use this sleek, solid, regal name again for your child. And with the charm of its final x, its regal meaning, and its offbeat simplicity, Rex is definitely one to consider.
- Riannon
Description:
Riannon is a feminine name with Celtic origins, likely derived from Rhiannon, a figure in Welsh mythology associated with horses and birds. In the Mabinogion, Rhiannon was a beautiful, magical woman who rode a swift white horse. The spelling variant Riannon maintains the melodic flow and mythological connections while offering a slightly different visual presentation. This name carries connotations of strength, independence and mystical qualities from its legendary namesake. While relatively uncommon in mainstream usage, Riannon appeals to those drawn to Celtic heritage and mythology. The name gained some recognition after Fleetwood Mac's 1975 hit song 'Rhiannon,' which helped introduce this name family to wider audiences. Riannon combines ancient roots with a contemporary sound.
- Riker
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"rich; powerful"Description:
Riker gets relatively little use as a variation of Ryker, likely because of the connection to Riker's Island, the New York City prison. It was named after NYC magistrate Richard Riker, whose ancestor Abraham Rycken first purchased the island.
- River
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
River shares the tranquil feeling of all the water names, and seems to have pretty much escaped its past strong association with River Phoenix and his unfortunate fate. Actor Joaquin Phoenix named his son with actress Rooney Mara after his brother River.
- Roberta
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Roberta has been one of the most successful feminization names, up at #64 in 1936. It's a name that's found all over children's lit, often nicknamed Bobbie or Robbie, though Bertie is another possibility. Notable bearers have included singers Roberta Flack and Roberta Peters--plus it's the birth name of Joni Mitchell.
- Rockwell
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"rock spring"Description:
This would be an intriguing choice for an illustrator's child, thanks to Norman Rockwell and Rockwell Kent. But most babies called Rockwell today are named after Porter Rockwell, a companion of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement.
- Rodolf
Description:
Rodolf is a traditional masculine name that represents an older spelling variant of Rudolf or Rudolph. It derives from Germanic elements meaning "fame" (hrod) and "wolf" (wulf), combining to signify "famous wolf." This spelling more closely resembles the original Germanic form before later variations emerged. Rodolf appears across various European cultures, particularly in Scandinavian, Germanic, and Eastern European naming traditions. While not commonly used in English-speaking countries today, it maintains popularity in parts of Europe. The name carries historical significance through figures like Rodolf of Habsburg and connects to folklore through associations with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Rodolf offers a distinguished, slightly exotic alternative to more common variations.
- Romina
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"from the land of the Christians"Description:
This pretty name found in Spanish-speaking countries shares the diminutive of Romy—also spelled Romi—with Rosemary. It joined the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
- Rona
Origin:
Scottish spelling variation of Rhona; Norwegian; HebrewMeaning:
"might; song"Description:
Rona ranked in the US Top 1000 in the mid-20th century but holds new meaning in the 2020s. "Rona" has become slang for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, which gives the name a dark and somber edge. In 2020, Rona was given to 17 baby girls (a fall from 26 the previous year). In 2021, it dropped to just 5 — we expect it to drop off the list entirely in the years to come.
- Rory
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red king"Description:
This spirited Gaelic classic, which became popular in Ireland via the illustrious twelfth century king Rory O'Connor, makes a highly energetic choice, now used for either sex. Rory's gender split is still trending boyward; it's one of the coolest boys' names starting with R.
- Roshelle
Description:
Roshelle is a feminine name that appears to be a variation of Rochelle, which derives from the French place name La Rochelle, meaning 'little rock.' The spelling with 'sh' instead of 'ch' gives the name a softer, more flowing pronunciation while maintaining its elegant French essence. Roshelle gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as parents sought variations of traditional names. The name conveys qualities of strength (through its connection to 'rock') while its soft sounds and feminine ending give it grace and elegance. While less common than Rochelle, Roshelle offers a distinctive alternative that remains recognizable. The name has cross-cultural appeal, being accessible to English speakers while retaining its French charm.
- Rosie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"rose"Description:
Rosy-cheeked and cheery, Rosie (also spelled Rosy) has been standing on her own for many decades, back to the days of 1943 musical Sweet Rosie O'Grady. She's one of the perky nickname-names that are filling the popularity lists of other English-speaking countries. In the US, she came back to the Top 1000 in 2013, after a 30 year hiatus. In 2023, Rosie was one of the fastest rising girl names.