Otherworldly Names
- Caliban
Origin:
RomanianMeaning:
"black"Description:
In Shakespeare's The Tempest, Caliban is the name of the deformed son of a witch: not the greatest literary reference for a child. But Caliban does have an appealing international-yet-accessible feel and a rhythmic sound. As long as nobody knows its origin, it might make a great name for a boy or even a girl.
- Hadar
Origin:
Israeli place name and HebrewMeaning:
"fruit or glory"Description:
A Hebrew name also used for girls, with many variations to choose from. Hadara is another version. The name is associated with the holiday of Sukkot.
- Neptune
Origin:
Roman mythology nameDescription:
This would be tough enough for a boy to handle, but near impossible for a girl.
- Adrastea
Origin:
Ancient GreekMeaning:
"inescapable"Description:
In Greek mythology, Adrastea (or Adrasteia) was a nymph who helped raise the infant Zeus. It was also sometimes used as an alternate name for several other goddesses, and is the name of one of the moons of Jupiter.
- Neso
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"island"Description:
The name of one of the Nereids – daughters of the sea god Nereus – in Greek mythology. A moon of Neptune is named in her honor. In modern times, works just as well (or perhaps even better) for a son.
- Nereid
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sea nymph"Description:
The name of the daughters of the Greek sea god Nereus and also a celestial name, belonging to one of Neptune's moons.
- Haumea
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"red ruler"Description:
Haumea is the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth, said to have created a potion to allow humans to be able to give birth naturally. The meaning of the name is likely related to the blood shed in childbirth. A dwarf planet beyond Neptune's orbit is named in Haumea's honor.
- Ganymede
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glad thought"Description:
In Greek mythology, Ganymede was Trojan youth who was so beautiful that he was carried off to be Zeus' cup-bearer, and made immortal. His name may derive from Greek ganymai "to be glad" plus medomai "to think, to plan".
- Kalliope
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"beautiful voice"Description:
Original form of the more familiar Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. A calliope is a musical instrument sometimes called the steam organ, frequently found on carousels. With its rhythmic sound, this is one name that embodies its meaning.
- Dorado
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"golden"Description:
A gilded name that calls to mind the legendary lost city of El Dorado, the promise of which drew conquistadors into the rainforests and mountains of South America. But the mythical city has never been found.
- Kari
Origin:
Norwegian diminutive of Katarina or variation of Carrie, EnglishMeaning:
"pure; free man"Description:
Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either Catherine Katherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.
- Charon
Origin:
Greek MythologyMeaning:
"of keen gaze"Description:
The name of the ferrymen of dead souls to the Greek underworld and the name of Pluto's desolate moon, Charon makes an interesting, if somewhat macabre, choice for a baby. There are two pronunciations of this name, depending on whether you're referring to the ferryman or the moon. While the Greek version is pronounced with a hard "k" sound, the astronomer who named the moon did not know about the Greek myth - he named the moon after his wife Charlene, so many astronomers pronounce it with a "sh" sound.
- Albiorix
- Apus
- Arche
- Centaurus
- Cepheus
- Ceto
- Cetus
- Circinus
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