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O D D - S I G H T I N G S

icelandic
By icelandic
Updated Tue May 16 2023
A list containing some truly unique names I’ve discovered. Mainly from announcement pages or social media.
  1. Alabama

    • Origin:

      Place-name; Choctaw

    • Meaning:

      "vegetation gatherers"

    • Description:

      Alabama is a hot southern place-name, picking up from Georgia and Savannah. This is not a geographical name come lately, though--there have been girls named Alabama dating back well over a century.
  2. Alpha

    • Origin:

      Greek, first letter of the alphabet

    • Description:

      Over 50 baby boys were named Alpha last year, along with eight baby girls. Expect a lifetime of "alpha male" jokes, which could prove daunting or confidence-building for your own little Alpha.
  3. Amerika

    • Description:

      Amerika is an unusual feminine name derived directly from the place name America. This distinctive spelling variation with a 'k' instead of 'c' reflects Germanic or Eastern European orthographic influences. The name emerged primarily in the 20th century, often chosen by immigrant families or those with patriotic sentiments toward the United States. Amerika remains extremely rare as a given name in English-speaking countries but may have slightly higher usage in parts of Eastern Europe. The name carries strong patriotic associations and makes a bold statement about cultural identity or aspirations. Its distinctive spelling ensures recognition while setting it apart from the more straightforward America, which itself is an uncommon but recognized name choice.
  4. Analiyah

    • Description:

      Analiyah is a feminine name that represents a modern blend of popular naming elements. It likely combines the prefix 'Ana' (meaning 'grace' in Hebrew) with the popular '-liyah' ending inspired by names like Aaliyah. This contemporary creation follows the trend of melodious, multi-syllabic girls' names with flowing sounds and distinctive spellings. While relatively new in the naming landscape, Analiyah has gained modest popularity in the United States since the early 2000s. The name carries a lyrical quality when spoken and offers multiple nickname possibilities. Parents might be drawn to Analiyah for its unique character while still echoing familiar naming patterns, creating something distinctive yet accessible for their daughter.

  5. Aleca
    • Alphege
      • Amazing
        • Anomaly
          • Arsyn
            • Aussie
              • Avicii
                • Aynjel
                  • Baby

                    • Origin:

                      English word name, diminutive of Barbara, Latin

                    • Meaning:

                      "foreign woman"

                    • Description:

                      Baby is rarely seen as a given name — or even nickname — these days, although it did rank in the Top 1000 from 1989 to 2003. These instances can be accounted for in two ways. Firstly, infants whose birth certificates are not filled out on time are given generic placeholders for registration, such as Infant, Unknown, or Baby. But more influential during this decade was the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, starring Jennifer Grey as Frances "Baby" Houseman. It's the origin of the famed line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."
                  • Bamboo

                    • Origin:

                      Word name

                    • Description:

                      Bamboo is a plant name that you might want to save for the zoo's name-the-panda contest. It was used for a starbaby in 2000, though, the rapper Big Boi.
                  • Bexley

                    • Origin:

                      English place-name

                    • Description:

                      The name of an affluent suburb of Columbus, Ohio and a section of Greater London, Bexley is increasingly being coopted by parents looking for a novel name in the Kinsley/AInsley/Paisley family. Bexley debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2016 and is definitely one of the trendiest girl names starting with B. Think of it as a 21st century Becky.
                  • Binx

                    • Origin:

                      American invented name

                    • Description:

                      Binx is a popular name among black cats thanks to the character Thackery Binx in the cult classic Hocus Pocus. It makes a one-of-a-kind, spirited name for a boy. If it's too bold for the birth certificate, try Binx as a nickname for a B name like Benedict or Baxter.
                  • Blade

                    • Origin:

                      Word name

                    • Description:

                      One of the new crop of boys' names that manage to be unconventional and macho at the same time — though Blade verges on the threatening.
                  • Brave

                    • Origin:

                      English word name

                    • Meaning:

                      "showing courage"

                    • Description:

                      A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name. Sixteen baby girls were named Brave in the US last year, the same number as were named Breezy.
                  • Braxley

                    • Origin:

                      American invented name

                    • Meaning:

                      "Brock's field"

                    • Description:

                      Braxley is an invented name — a combination of two hot syllables — and therefore has no official meaning. It could, however, be interpreted to mean "Brock's field" from each of its elements.
                  • Brayleigh

                    • Description:

                      Brayleigh is a modern feminine name that embodies contemporary naming trends combining popular sounds and elements. Created as a variation blending the popular prefix 'Bray-' (as in Brayden) with the trendy suffix '-leigh' (a stylized version of 'lee'), the name represents the creative combination style that gained popularity in the early 2000s. Brayleigh has a melodic quality with its flowing syllables and soft ending sound. The name has particularly gained traction in the United States, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet following familiar phonetic patterns. While some might view it as part of the trend toward newly-created names, others appreciate its fresh sound and the personalization it offers. Brayleigh typically evokes images of brightness and modernity.