​
​
Advanced Search

Names That Will Curse Your Child

  1. Truly

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "in a truthful way"

    • Description:

      A would-be up-and-comer if it wasn't for the spiked seltzer brand.
  2. Virtue

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "moral excellence"

    • Description:

      The mother of all virtue names.
  3. Baby

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Usually reserved as a term of endearment, Baby is likely used as a name when parents have yet to choose an official one but need to register their baby. For a girl, it can be considered a nickname for Barbara too.
  4. Marvel

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Marvel, now a character name in The Hunger Games series, was a miracle name of yesterday, on the girls' Social Security list until 1941 and reaching a high of 487 at the turn of the last century, when Marva was also in style.
  5. Dix

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "tenth"

    • Description:

      Once a birth order name, now might work as a cool x-ending nickname. But be warned that it sounds very close to an unfortunate slang term.
  6. Goddess

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Talk about pressure! Too much name for any little girl to bear.
  7. Banana

    • Origin:

      Word name, English from Spanish and Portuguese

    • Meaning:

      "banana"

    • Description:

      Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.
  8. Kulture

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group"

    • Description:

      Rappers Cardi B and Offset gave the truly unique word name Kulture to their daughter in 2018. Its message is more inclusive and artistic than such elevated celebrity baby names as Saint, Reign, and Sir. Kulture may refer to a creative culture or a social culture. The baby's middle name is Kiari, which is dad Offset's birth name.

      Kulture is one of the most unique celebrity baby names of recent years.
  9. Merica

    • Description:

      Merica is a feminine name that can be viewed as a shortened form of "America" or possibly derived from Latin "merica" meaning "a portion." Some may see it as a patriotic reference in American culture, while others might connect it to variants like Marica or Merika found in Eastern European languages. The name has gained some modest attention in recent years as parents seek unique but pronounceable alternatives to more common names. While never reaching mainstream popularity, Merica has an appealing rhythm and contemporary sound. Its pronunciation is typically MEH-ri-ka, making it accessible despite its uniqueness. The name carries connotations of independence and national pride for some families.

  10. Dickie

    • Description:

      Dickie is traditionally a masculine name functioning primarily as an affectionate diminutive of Richard, which has Germanic origins meaning 'strong ruler' or 'brave power.' While sometimes used as a standalone name, particularly in the early to mid-20th century, Dickie is more commonly encountered as a nickname. The name carries a vintage quality, evoking mid-century Americana and British culture where such familiar forms were more commonly formalized. Notable bearers include various athletes and entertainers who preferred this friendly variation. Though its popularity as a formal name has declined in recent decades due to potential teasing concerns and changing naming trends, Dickie remains part of naming heritage particularly in English-speaking countries, representing an era when casual, approachable name forms were embraced.
  11. Plenty

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Wishful thinking.
  12. Mercury

    • Origin:

      Roman

    • Meaning:

      "messenger of the gods, quicksilver"

    • Description:

      It's a car brand, a planet, and the messenger of the gods -- but it's questionable whether it works as a little girl's name.
  13. Line

    • Description:

      Line is a feminine name with multiple origins and pronunciations. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway and Denmark, it's pronounced 'LEE-neh' and often serves as a diminutive of names like Caroline, Karoline, or Oline. In French contexts, Line (pronounced 'LEEN') may be a short form of names ending in '-line' like Adeline or Jacqueline. The name is characterized by its simplicity and minimalist charm. Line has a modern, sleek quality while maintaining connections to traditional naming patterns. Though relatively uncommon internationally, it enjoys moderate popularity in Nordic countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer names, offering a refreshing simplicity with cross-cultural appeal.
  14. Gaylen

    • Description:

      Gaylen is a masculine name with Celtic and Gaelic origins, though some sources also suggest possible Germanic roots. It's believed to be a variation of Galen, which comes from the Greek word meaning "calm" or "tranquil." Alternatively, it may derive from the Gaelic elements meaning "slender" or "foreign." Gaylen gained modest recognition in the United States during the mid-20th century but has remained relatively uncommon. The name has a gentle, melodic quality while still maintaining masculine energy. It offers parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible a perfect balance of uniqueness and familiarity. Notable bearers include musicians and athletes, though it hasn't been widely popularized by celebrity usage. Gaylen can also be spelled Gaylon or Galen, with each variation maintaining similar pronunciation.

  15. Farmer

    • Origin:

      Occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "farmer"

    • Description:

      Shepherd is soaring in the charts, so why not Farmer? Perhaps because, unlike some of the occupation names that are so popular today, it is still an everyday word. Even so, if you're looking for a name that fits modern trends but no one else is using, Farmer could be the one.
  16. Wanna

    • Description:

      Wanna is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of names like Juanita, Wanda, or Giovanna, or it could be derived from Native American languages where it has various meanings including "firefly" in some contexts. The name has occasionally appeared in the United States throughout the 20th century but has never been common. Wanna has a simple, direct quality with its two syllables and straightforward pronunciation. While some may associate it with the casual contraction of "want to," as a given name it has its own distinct heritage. The name has a vintage quality, having peaked in usage during the early to mid-1900s.

  17. Hooker

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "shepherd's hook"

    • Description:

      fuhgeddaboutit.
  18. Sundip

    • Description:

      Sundip is a feminine name of Indian origin, particularly common in Hindu communities. The name is derived from Sanskrit roots, with 'sun' referring to the sun and 'dip' meaning 'lamp' or 'light.' Together, Sundip conveys the beautiful meaning of 'radiant like the sun' or 'sunlight.' It celebrates brightness, warmth, and illumination. While not widely used globally, the name has cultural significance in South Asian communities. Sundip carries positive associations with knowledge, clarity, and spiritual enlightenment in Hindu tradition. The name blends melodic quality with meaningful symbolism, making it a thoughtful choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth.
  19. Illumination

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Illumination is a many-syllabled entrant in the new-fashioned virtue name group, but doesn't stand much chance of rivaling shorter choices like Hope and Faith.
  20. Generous

    • Description:

      Generous is an exceptionally rare feminine virtue name derived directly from the English word describing someone who gives freely and abundantly. Unlike more common virtue names like Grace, Faith, or Hope, Generous remains virtually unestablished as a given name in English-speaking countries. The name carries obvious positive connotations of kindness, unselfishness, and magnanimity. As a word-name, it directly communicates the quality parents might wish to inspire in their child. While virtue naming has experienced several revivals throughout history, Generous has never gained traction in mainstream usage. The name might appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive choice with transparent meaning and positive associations. However, its unusualness presents both uniqueness and potential challenges, as the bearer might frequently need to explain her uncommon name throughout life.

Introducing the Nameberry App

Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
  • Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
  • Names you match on are saved to your shared list
  • Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
  • Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
  • Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.
Nameberry App Logo