Exciting X Names

Elixevetta is part Elizabeth and part Alexandra, and thoroughly confusing.

Eryx has a sci-fi sound and deep roots. In Greek mythology, Eryx was the son of Poseidon and Aphrodite and a king in Sicily. He was a great boxer, but was eventually beaten by Heracles. He probably got his name from Mount Eryx in Sicily, now known as Erice. Never used before 2005, this could be a mythological gem to watch - and an alternative way to honor an Eric.

Evreux is a distinguished masculine name of French origin, derived from the name of a historic commune and city in Normandy, France. Pronounced roughly as 'ev-ruh,' this place name carries aristocratic connotations, as Evreux was historically an important countship and later dukedom in medieval France. The House of Évreux was a noble lineage that branched from the Capetian dynasty. As a personal name, Evreux is exceedingly rare, appealing to parents seeking a truly distinctive name with French heritage and historical depth. The name evokes images of Norman architecture, French countryside, and noble heritage, making it a sophisticated choice with built-in cultural significance for those with French connections or appreciation for unique European names.

In the 21st century, Exa is best known as the given name of Grimes and Elon Musk's daughter Y, a sibling for X Æ A-XII. The celebrity parents were inspired by the supercomputer terms exaFLOPS, which is the "ability for a supercomputer to perform 1 quintillion floating-point operations per second."

Felix is one of those ancient but nontraditional names for boys that have come into favor over the past few decades, a favorite of parents who want a masculine name with history and heft that breaks ranks with the standard Franks and Freds. Felix is also an international darling, ranking in the Top 100 in several European and English-speaking countries.

Fox is one animal name backed by a longish tradition, and then popularized via the lead character Fox Mulder on X Files. Fox is simple, sleek, and a little bit wild, and could make an interesting middle name.

Spanish for galaxy, this larger-than-life name would make a bold but beautiful choice for girl.

Hendrix is one of those hip rock and roll names, like Lennon, Jagger and Presley, that have been used by fellow celebs and others, to honor the seminal guitarist/singer/songwriter Jimi. And this one has the trendy 'x' ending, as well, helping to propel it up the charts and into the spotlight.

Imperatrix is a noble feminine name derived from Latin, meaning 'empress' or 'female commander.' It originates from the ancient Roman title for the wife of an emperor or a female sovereign ruler. This uncommon name carries strong connotations of leadership, authority, and regal dignity. While extremely rare in modern usage, Imperatrix might appeal to parents drawn to names with classical roots and powerful historical associations. The name conveys a sense of strength and imperial majesty, making it a bold choice for a daughter. Its elaborate Latin form gives it an exotic and scholarly flair that distinguishes it from more conventional feminine names.

A distinctive mythological name. likely derived from the Maya elements of ix and chel meaning "lady" and "rainbow" respectively, Ixchel was a Mayan Goddess associated with the moon, pregnancy, medicine, jaguars, the earth, and water.

Ixidor is a distinctive masculine name with a mysterious quality, likely of modern invented origin rather than traditional usage. The name may draw inspiration from fantasy literature, gaming, or creative fiction where unusual letter combinations and exotic-sounding names are popular. The combination of the uncommon initial 'Ix' and the mythological resonance of the ending creates a name with a magical or otherworldly quality. Ixidor gained some recognition among gaming communities through a character in Magic: The Gathering. As a given name, it remains extremely rare, appealing primarily to parents seeking names with fantastical associations or unique phonetic qualities. The name has a melodic pronunciation despite its unusual spelling, combining distinctiveness with a somewhat accessible sound pattern.

Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore be a playful nickname to Ginevra, Jessica, Genevieve, Gianna, Josephine, or Georgina, or a bold choice for those wanting some sparky and witchy.

Juneaux is a creative feminine name that appears to be a decorative spelling of June, incorporating the French '-eaux' ending to create a distinctive variant. The traditional June derives from the Roman goddess Juno and the sixth month of the year, carrying associations with early summer, youth, and vitality. This elaborate spelling transforms the simple, classic June into something more elaborate and unique. The '-eaux' ending, pronounced like 'oh,' adds a French-inspired sophistication while maintaining the familiar sound. Juneaux likely emerged as part of modern trends toward creative spellings and location-inspired names, possibly evoking connections to French culture or the city of Juneau, Alaska. Though quite rare, the name offers parents a way to honor the traditional meaning of June while providing their child with a distinctive, conversation-starting variation.

This modern mash up of Kendrick and Hendrix felt almost bound to happen. Perfect for parents wanting something cool and contemporary but also familiar, Kendrix has in fact been quietly used since the 70s. Given to around 110 babies in 2023, the increased popularity of the name is likely owing to rock musician Jimi Hendrix, rapper Kendrick Lamar, and (female) Power Ranger, Kendrix Morgan.

Lennox is an aristocratic and powerful Scottish surname name made truly special by that final x. The worldwide fame of British boxer--World and Olympic champion--Lennox Claudius Lewis brought the name into the spotlight as a first name, while as a last it's tied to Eurythmics singer Annie L.

Cool short form of Alexander, fresher than Alex and less trendy than Xander... for now.

Linux is a modern masculine name derived from the well-known computer operating system of the same name. The operating system, created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, was named as a blend of 'Linus' and 'Unix.' As a personal name, Linux began appearing in birth records primarily after the operating system gained mainstream recognition in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It appeals to parents with connections to technology, programming, or who value the open-source philosophy the system represents. While still quite rare as a given name, Linux has gradually increased in usage among tech-enthusiast parents. The name carries connotations of innovation, freedom, and technological proficiency.

One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.

Maddox, a previously obscure Welsh family name with a powerfully masculine image, suddenly came into the spotlight when Angelina Jolie chose it for her son in 2003. By the following year it was in the middle of the Top 1000, and it has risen since.