Weirdest Names 2023 Revised

A traditional Nordic name, Helga was extremely popular throughout Scandinavia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Germany, it was a Top 10 pick from 1924 to 1943. And it still ranks in the Icelandic Top 50 today.

Short for Brunhilda, the operatic Valkyrie of Teutonic legend, Hilda still has not quite shaken off that image that image. Though with the resurgence of Matilda, she might just have a bit of a comeback.

Once upon a time, in the 1930s, Huey (yes, just Huey) was a Top 250 name. Could the 100-Year Rule bring it back?

Marny is a spirited feminine name with diverse potential origins. It may function as a diminutive of Marna (Norse for 'of the sea') or Marina, or derive from the Welsh name Mairwen, meaning 'blessed Mary.' Some sources connect it to Marnie, possibly a Scottish pet form of Marina or Margaret. The name has maintained a consistent under-the-radar presence, never reaching mainstream popularity but appreciated for its friendly, approachable quality. Marny balances uniqueness with intuitive spelling and pronunciation, making it accessible without being common. The name carries a cheerful, youthful energy while remaining versatile enough for all ages. Its brevity eliminates the need for nicknames, offering simplicity in an era of more elaborate naming trends. Marny appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet unpretentious.

Marty is one of those Old Man nicknames that's just starting to sound cute again.

The name of the young hero of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, who was raised by wolves (really) and becomes a genius hunter and trapper, was chosen as a middle name for their son Bronx (really, again) by rockers Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz. Kipling invented the name, whose first syllable rhymes with cow.

Muffin originated as an English word for a small, dome-shaped baked good before transitioning into use as a pet name or term of endearment, particularly in British and American culture. As a female given name, Muffin is extremely uncommon and unconventional, typically functioning as a nickname rather than a formal name. It evokes qualities of sweetness, comfort, and a cheerful, unpretentious nature. The name carries a distinctly informal, playful quality that might appeal to parents seeking something whimsical and unexpected. Muffin's association with warmth and home-baked goodness gives it positive connotations despite its unconventional status as a human name. While rarely used officially, it occasionally appears as a nickname for names containing 'M' sounds like Margaret, Martha, or Meredith.

Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a plant with pink or white aromatic berries. Ruled by Venus, myrtle is a plant associated with love, peace, fertility and youth.

Prudence, like Hope and Faith, is a Puritan virtue name with a quiet charm and sensitivity that is slowly returning to favor, though it hasn't yet registered on the charts.