Names that scream "Extremely Unique"

Kerris is a much easier if less authentic phonetic spelling of the popular and pretty Welsh name Cerys.

Two drawbacks: some unpleasant World War II associations, and the Santa clause.

Leif is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks to Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, and is still one of the best, with a pleasant aural association with the word leaf.

In Nabokov's notorious novel, Lolita is the pet name given by the pedophilic narrator, Humbert Humbert, to his victim: a young girl called Dolores and nicknamed Lola or Lo by her mother. Still, it seems that a few parents are prepared to look past this problematic association, seeing this as a offbeat option for those who defy convention. We would recommend thinking seriously about the background of this name before bestowing it on your daughter.

This name of the French town where a young peasant girl had a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1858 vaulted into the spotlight when Madonna chose it for her daughter, but few other families except for devout Roman Catholics have followed her lead (any more than they've used Rocco for their sons).

The ultimate artist's name would make an unforgettable impression. It's the first name of famed Italian director Antonioni.

This Greek flower and mythological choice doesn't make it into the pantheon of possibilities because of its association with narcissism. But narcissa is December's flower of the month, so Narcissa and Daffodil theoretically make perfect names for December babies.

Nico is one of the great nickname names, full of charm, energy and effortless cool -- a neo Nick.

Our kids laughed when they saw this name. Enough said.

The mythological queen whose perpetual weeping for her slain children turned her into a stone has always cast a pall over this name. Still, when other names with less-than-savory associations -- Delilah, Ophelia, Persephone -- are becoming popular, parents might want to consider this one of the more unusual mythology names for girls.

Unlike Pearl and Ruby and more like Jasper, this gem name works well as a boys name. With its strong final X, it feels similar to Alex, Phoenix, Jax, and Rex, while the shiny black quality of the stone feels reminiscent of Orion. Chosen by musician Iggy Azalea for her son in 2020, it has accelerated up the charts and now sits just outside the Top 300.

Orchid is a hothouse bloom that has not been plucked by many modern baby namers — yet. In the language of flowers, orchids symbolize love, beauty, and sophistication.

Petrova is a feminine surname commonly found in Slavic countries, particularly Russia, Bulgaria, and other Eastern European nations, that has occasionally been adopted as a given name. It is the feminine form of 'Petrov,' meaning 'son of Peter,' with Peter itself deriving from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' As a female given name, Petrova is quite rare, carrying an air of distinctiveness and strength. The name maintains connections to Orthodox Christian heritage through its link to Saint Peter. When used as a first name, Petrova often reflects family heritage or honors an ancestor. Its strong consonants and clear pronunciation give it a memorable quality across linguistic boundaries.

Generally used in conjunction with another name to form a religious phrase -- for instance the daughter of rapper DMX is called Praise Mary Ella.

Puck was Shakespeare's mischievous pixie who'a had a few television incarnations in more recent years. A popular name in The Netherlands but nowhere else, from what we can tell.

Quatavius is a masculine name that appears to be a variation of Latin-based names like Octavius (meaning 'eighth') with the prefix altered. The 'Quat' element may suggest a connection to 'four' (as in 'quart' or 'quarter'). This distinctive name has primarily emerged in African American naming traditions, where creative adaptations of classical names have formed unique identities. Quatavius projects strength and individuality with its commanding sound and unusual letter combination. While relatively rare in usage, it follows the pattern of other names ending in '-ius' that convey a sense of dignity and classical heritage, while the distinctive beginning ensures that a bearer will stand out.

An interesting Canadian province and city name that has some literary history as the name of a character in Dickens's Bleak House; could make a distinctive choice for parents with northern roots.

Sounds like a fictional rank of royalty.

The name of the most renowned of the Old Masters is a potential option for families who put an emphasis on the creative. Rembrandt Peale was a member of the Peale family of painters, all named for famous artists.

Invented by author Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series for the half-human, half-vampire daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, it's an amalgamtion of the names of Bella's mother Renee and Edward's adoptive mother Esme. Much to our surprise, some people are trying this at home.