names that are words

Along with August, March is one of the month names perfectly suited to boys. This brisk single-syllable name – which derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war – is worth considering as either a first or middle option. As a surname, it brings warm memories of the girls of Little Women, and of twentieth century actor Fredric.

Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel middle names.

There's no reason why Memory shouldn't be a name — it sounds like Melody and Mallory, is a pleasant word, and has great nickname options (Rory! Mimi!). Plus, there's that earworm song from Cats.

The menorah is a widely recognizable and symbolic piece of Judaica. The word refers to any Judaic candelabra but is commonly associated with the special nine-branch candelabra used during Hanukkah. While not a traditional Jewish baby name, we're guessing that the parents who give this name to their daughters do so in honor of the Hanukkah holiday. The -norah suffix (and nickname possibility) give it a name-like feel.

The quality of mercy makes this lovely Puritan virtue name a quiet favorite today. Although it was most popular in the late nineteenth century, Mercy is on its way to a comeback -- it rose 143 spots between 2012 and 2013, making it one of the year's fastest-rising names. Right now, it's still stylish and distinctive, a rare and wonderful combination.

Merritt is an English surname but spelled Merit it becomes a word name. Both variations are on the rise.

A beyond-bold shooting-star name choice, sure to raise some relatives' eyebrows.

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden added this rocking name to the lexicon of day names, which have their roots in the African tradition of naming a child after the day of the week, time of day, or season in which he or she was born. But they wisely used it as a middle name.

Modesty is a virtue name dating to Roman times, but never widely used, except for hot 1960s movie spoof heroine, Modesty Blaise, based on a comic strip.

Not most people's favorite day, but a pretty name.

The original oddball celebrity baby name, via Frank Zappa's daughter Moon Unit, who claims she's always liked it.

There are many lovely day/month/seasonal names -- and this is one of the most intriguing.

Like Penn Jillette, you can have your own little brash babe.

Although the sound is pretty, "my" is too common of an English word for My to be usable as a baby name in Anglophone countries.

Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.

This once unique and multi-layered word name was used by R&B singer Nivea for her daughter back in 2005, and later, by country musician Jason Aldean. No longer an exclusively celebrity choice Navy is now in the US Top 500 for girls and is on the rise in the UK too. As a boys name, however, it remains an unexpected possibility.

An ubercool and mysterious name, brought to you by director M. Night Shyamalan.

Dark and enigmatic. A baby named Night would follow in the African tradition of day naming—naming a child based on the day of the week, time of day, or season in which he or she was born.