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Unique Names that are still reasonable

  1. Ridge

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "an elevated body part or structure"

    • Description:

      Ridge may be the quintessential daytime drama name, but it's still better than most. This is one word name rising rapidly through the ranks, reentering the US Top 1000 in 2015 for the first time since 1989.
  2. Oslo

    • Origin:

      Norwegian place name, Old Norse

    • Meaning:

      "meadow at the foot of a hill"

    • Description:

      Oslo, the capital city of Norway, makes for an intriguing new place name, especially with its bookended O's, as in Otto and leads to cool nickname Ozzie. One Berry has already used it and we predict others will follow; in fact, stats suggest it is used eight times more often than it was a decade ago.
  3. Uriel

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is my light"

    • Description:

      It's the name of an Old Testament archangel that's symbolically given to boys born during Chanukah, but the possibility of unsavory nicknames (urinal?) make the short form Uri a better bet.
  4. Montana

    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name

    • Meaning:

      "mountainous"

    • Description:

      Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.
  5. Hamza

    • Origin:

      Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "lion or strong"

    • Description:

      Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
  6. Avie

    • Description:

      Avie is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may serve as a diminutive of names like Avery, Avis, or Aviva, or stand as an independent name. In Hebrew contexts, it can relate to 'my father,' while in Latin it connects to 'bird.' Avie has a vintage quality reminiscent of early 20th century nicknames, yet feels fresh to modern ears. Though relatively uncommon, its short, melodic sound fits well with contemporary naming trends favoring brief, vowel-rich names. Avie carries a sweet, gentle quality while maintaining simplicity and elegance. Its versatility crosses cultural boundaries while offering a distinctive alternative to more common names like Ava or Eva.

  7. Vendetta

    • Origin:

      Word Name

    • Description:

      A pretty word, but laced with violent imagery.
  8. Reno

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Has a lively and swaggering sound, and also some unfortunate associations with Reno, city of gambling and failed marriages.
  9. Nevada

    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name

    • Meaning:

      "covered in snow"

    • Description:

      Named for its snowcapped mountains, Nevada is a state name which, unlike Carolina, Montana, and Dakota, has been relatively undiscovered. Warning: today's unvisited place-name could become tomorrow's trampled tourist attraction.
  10. Connolly

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fierce as a hound"

    • Description:

      Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.
  11. Laredo

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      We've seen babies with Texas city names like Austin, Houston and Dallas--, why not the unexplored Laredo, which has a lot of cowboy charisma? Laredo might make for a more modern and creative namesake for an Uncle Lawrence/Larry--as could the related Laramie.
  12. Maine

    • Origin:

      Place-name

    • Description:

      Strong and spare state name, maybe better in the middle -- or for a boy.
  13. Burgundy

    • Origin:

      French place-name; also color name

    • Description:

      Ron Burgundy was Will Ferrell's fictional helmet-haired newsman, but this color name is much more suited to a girl.
  14. Eureka

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "I have found [it]"

    • Description:

      For most, Eureka will be tied up with the bathtub myth of Archimedes' discovery of volumetric displacement, making it linked to the idea of invention, discovery and innovation. Some Australians might more closely link it to the Eureka stockade, a 19th Century rebellion of miners and workers against the colonial British government. Amanda Knox named her baby girl Eureka in 2021.
  15. Tenn

    • Description:

      Tenn is a concise masculine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a shortened form of Tennessee, which itself comes from a Cherokee village name 'Tanasi.' Alternatively, it could be a variant of the surname Tenn, which might have occupational origins related to tin work or refer to someone from the River Tenn region. As a given name, Tenn has a modern, minimalist appeal with its crisp, single-syllable structure. While extremely rare as a first name, it appeals to parents seeking brief, distinctive names with a contemporary edge. The name has an Americana quality when connected to Tennessee while maintaining versatility across cultures. Tenn's brevity gives it a strong, memorable presence.
  16. Maverik

    • Origin:

      American

    • Meaning:

      "independent, nonconformist"

    • Description:

      A spelling variation of the popular Maverick that doesn't conform to the crowds, but keeps the cool, cowboy feel and the nod to Top Gun.
  17. Mykah

    • Description:

      Mykah is a contemporary unisex name that functions as a modern spelling variation of Micah. While traditionally more common for boys, Mykah has seen increasing use for girls. The biblical name Micah derives from Hebrew, meaning 'who is like God?' – a rhetorical question emphasizing God's incomparable nature. The spelling with 'y' emerged in the early 2000s as part of the trend toward distinctive name variations. Though Mykah remains relatively uncommon, it appeals to parents seeking a name with spiritual significance in a modern presentation. The name carries the strength and biblical heritage of its original form while offering a fresh, contemporary feel through its distinctive spelling.

  18. Aire
    • Beta
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