Star/Heavenly Names

Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for fourteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US thanks in part to Leonardo "Leo" DiCaprio.

Appropriate for a girl born between late September and late October, Libra suggests both balance and freedom.

Pretty, delicate and crystal clear, with the readymade nickname of Lucy.

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

Lyra is a name with ancient and celestial roots that's finding new popularity thanks to its starring role in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, seen in the movie The Golden Compass. Simple yet unique, Lyra hits the sweet spot between too popular and too unusual.

Maia was derived from the Greek word maia, meaning "mother." In Greek legend, she was the fair-haired daughter of Atlas who mothered Zeus's favorite illegitimate son, Hermes. To the Romans, Maia was the incarnation of the earth mother and goddess of spring, after whom they named the month of May. Maya is the more common spelling.

Mars is a name with interesting potential, ticking the boxes as a mythological name, a space name, and a single syllable choice ending in -s. For parents wanting something unexpected, Mars could work as an alternative to popular Brooks, Max, Atlas, or Miles - and given to around 150 boys - and 35 girls - in a recent year, it is unusual but recognisable.

Adventurous parents are starting to look back to names of ancient gods like Mercury, Zeus, and Apollo. This one is also a planet and a metallic element, and has a friendly nickname, Merc. The Roman god Mercury, which derives from the Latin words for trade or wages, is the patron of tradesmen and travelers and the fastest-moving planet in the solar system. Mercury is the planet associated with the sign of Virgo, so this is one of the prime names for Virgo babies.

This name owes its present life to actress Sorvino. Mira and Mirra have an arty aura.

Miram appears to be a variant spelling of Miriam, a classic feminine name with ancient Hebrew origins. In Hebrew, Miriam means 'sea of bitterness,' 'rebelliousness,' or 'wished-for child.' This name carries significant biblical heritage, as Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron in the Old Testament, known for her prophetic gifts and leadership. The spelling 'Miram' might represent a regional variation or a simplified form that emerged through transliteration across different languages. While much less common than the standard Miriam, Miram offers a slightly more streamlined appearance while maintaining the same melodic pronunciation. The name conveys a sense of timelessness and heritage, connecting its bearer to thousands of years of tradition across multiple cultures and religions.