Pet Names for Geeks and Nerds

  1. Sirius
    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "burning"
    • Description:

      Yes, it's the name of the brightest star in the sky, but can't you just hear people saying, "Are you serious?" Singer Erykah Badu used it as a middle name for son Seven.
  2. Aero
    • Description:

      Aero is a distinctive masculine name with modern appeal, derived from the Greek word 'aer' meaning 'air' or 'atmosphere.' This contemporary name evokes associations with flight, freedom, and the expansiveness of the sky. While relatively uncommon as a given name, Aero has gained modest recognition through its use in aviation terminology and as a brand name for various products related to movement and technology. The name's brevity and strong vowel sounds create a memorable quality that appeals to parents seeking something unconventional yet accessible. Aero's simplicity makes it easily pronounced across different languages, giving it international versatility. As a name choice, it projects an image of dynamism and modernity, appealing to those drawn to nature-inspired names with a technological edge.
  3. Phoenix
    • Origin:

      Arizona place name and Greek
    • Meaning:

      "dark red"
    • Description:

      Phoenix is a New Age name symbolizing rebirth and immortality. It's also a place name, a color name, a mythological name, AND an animal name, combining several of today's hottest trends in one appealing package.
  4. Rocket
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
  5. Astro
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      More common as a dog name than a baby name for now, but that hasn't stopped Milo and Rex rising back up the charts! Lovers of edgy o-ending names like Otto, Arlo and Cosmo might like this starry-eyed possibility.
  6. Jubilee
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "ram's horn"
    • Description:

      Jubilee has a joyous and jubilant aura, but it wouldn't be an easy name to carry, what with all that pressure to be a living, breathing, 24-7 party. Jubilee was the name selected by television's Duggars for their miscarried child.
  7. Loki
    • Origin:

      Norse mythological name
    • Meaning:

      "lock"
    • Description:

      Loki is the shape-shifting, gender-bending god of mischief in Norse mythology. Taking several animal forms, from a salmon to a seal to a fly, Loki is alternately friend and foe of the gods.
  8. Copper
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "a reddish brown mineral"
    • Description:

      More unique than Cooper, and a favorite among pet parents. Copper was the loveable bloodhound from Disney's Fox and the Hound. Keep in mind that Copper is also slang for a policeman.
  9. Bucky
    • Description:

      Bucky is a masculine diminutive nickname that typically derives from names like Buchanan, Buck, or sometimes William/Bill. With American roots, it carries a friendly, approachable quality with a touch of nostalgia. The name evokes a down-to-earth, all-American charm and has occasionally gained visibility through fictional characters like Bucky Barnes in Marvel comics and films. Though relatively uncommon as a formal given name, it maintains popularity as an affectionate nickname, particularly in the southern United States. The name has a youthful, endearing quality that sometimes follows individuals into adulthood, conveying a sense of approachability and warmth. Its informal nature gives it a distinctive casual character compared to more formal masculine names.

  10. Neville
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "new town"
    • Description:

      More often used in Britain than here, where most names ending in ville fall into the unthinkable class, this might make an exception via fans of the musical Neville Brothers.
  11. Polaris
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "pole star"
    • Description:

      The astronomical Polaris is better known as the North Star, the brightest star in the Ursa Minor constellation. It's also the name of a character in the Marvel Universe, as the daughter of Magneto. A handful of girls have been given the name in recent years.
  12. Albus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "white, bright."
    • Description:

      The ancient name Albus has modern currency as the first name of the headmaster of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, more formally known as Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Can Albus work if you're missing the long white beard and the magic wand? Maybe, though it might be a heavy mantle for a Muggle child to wear.
  13. Cirilla
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Cyrilla, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "lordly"
    • Description:

      This obscure antiquated name is finding new life thanks to The Witcher series, whose heroine is named Princess Cirilla, nickname Ciri. The feminine form of Cyril, Cirilla has now surpassed the original Cyrilla in usage, given to 40 baby girls in the US in 2021 vs. only 10 called Cyrilla. We eonder how many parents will call their daughters Ciri.
  14. Yelena
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Helen
    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"
    • Description:

      One of many international versions of this classic.
  15. Gambit
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Gambit means ploy or trick, which makes it an appropriate name for a little player. Eight boys were named Gambit in the US in one recent year.
  16. Hedwig
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "war"
    • Description:

      An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.
  17. Storm
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      The name of one of the most powerful Marvel superheroes — and the first major black female comic book heroine — is certainly a big one to live up to! Portrayed in the live-action X-Men movies first by Halle Berry and then by Alexandra Shipp, Storm is a mutant descended from a long line of African witch-priestesses, who can bend the weather and atmosphere to her will.
  18. Pixel
    • Origin:

      English modern coinage
    • Meaning:

      "picture cell or element"
    • Description:

      Coined in the 1960s to define the smallest photographic element of a televised image. It's a portmanteau of "picture" + "cell" or "element".
  19. Rogue
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      For parents who hope their child will one day carve their own path.
  20. Gravity
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Spacey.