Music Related Names

Celeste is a softly pretty and somewhat quaint name with heavenly overtones, which kids might associate with Queen Celeste of Babar's elephant kingdom. She's a light and lovely choice that's finally getting noticed.

The Dorians were an ancient Greek tribe, one of the three major pre-Spartan tribes. It literally means "of Doris," a Greek district, or "of Doros," referring to the son of Helen of Sparta. Dorian derives from the Greek doron, meaning "gift," along with related names such as Dorothy and Dora.

Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.

With mythological names rising, the handsome son of Zeus and god of medicine, music, and poetry among many other things might offer an interesting, and melodic option. Similar in style to Atlas and Atticus and similar in sound to Arlo, Paolo, Paul, and Ollie, Apollo entered the US Top 1000 back in 2012, and was propelled upwards after it was chosen by Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale in 2014.

Hadley, most famous as the name of Ernest Hemingway's first wife, is more sophisticated, professional, and modern than cousins Harley, Haley, or Hayden. The hit book The Paris Wife, a novel by Paula McLain told from the point of view of Hadley Hemingway (born Elizabeth Hadley Richardson), has helped popularize the name, which also appears on the vampire show True Blood. Hadley could become this generation's Hailey. Adley, a mashup of Hadley and Addie, has also appeared on the scene.

A melodious choice big in the 60s, Melody is now starting to pick up tempo again. It cracked the Top 100 for the first time ever in 2024. Melody is also the name of Ariel's equally curious and more tomboyish daughter in The Little Mermaid sequel. Read more about Melody and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

The musical word name Cadence, seemed to come out of nowhere to zoom up the charts; it rose over 700 spots between 2002 and 2004, and showed up in the Top 200 in 2007. It's gone down in the popular names list since then, though. Some might see it as a feminine relative of the popular Caden. Kadence and Kaydence are also rising.

If Melody and Lyric are on your style sheet, the peaceful Harmony, popularized by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, should be too. Girls names starting with the "Har" sound like Harper, Harley, and Harlow have been trending in recent years. This musical choice fits right in, and it is no wonder that Harmony has been in the Top 200 since 2014.

Celtic goddess of poetry, though less-than-poetic name.

Musical term with a lot of energy.

A little heavy on the fiber content; we prefer Bram. But Bran is also the Celtic god of the underworld, whose symbol is the raven.

A rough-and-tumble surname that has seen a small increase in use in recent years. Ten boys received the name in 2024 in the US.

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.

Brahm is a masculine name with several cultural origins and meanings. Primarily, it derives from the Sanskrit 'Brahma,' referring to the Hindu creator god, associated with knowledge and the universe. In Jewish contexts, it functions as a shortened form of Abraham, meaning 'father of multitudes.' The name also appears in Germanic and Nordic traditions, sometimes related to 'brahman' denoting spiritual knowledge or divine force. Brahm has maintained consistent but modest usage in Western countries, appealing to parents seeking a name with spiritual significance or multicultural resonance. Its short, strong sound gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient origins. The name carries connotations of wisdom, creation, and spiritual depth across various traditions, making it a meaningful choice with cross-cultural appeal.

This golden Saint name was familiar in Spain during the first half of the 20th century, however, it fell out of favor in the 60s. Usually written as Áurea, the similar sounding Aurora is often preferred today.

Makes SONATA even more feminine and musical

Cadenza takes the popular CADENCE and gives it a more operatic flourish.

Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.

Lyre is an uncommon feminine name inspired by the ancient stringed musical instrument associated with Greek mythology, poetry, and music. The lyre was particularly connected to Apollo, the god of music, and was said to charm listeners with its beautiful melodies. As a name, Lyre emerged primarily in the modern era, appealing to parents drawn to musical names or those seeking unique appellations with artistic associations. The name evokes images of classical beauty, harmony, and creative expression. While exceptionally rare in usage statistics, Lyre shares qualities with other musical names like Melody or Aria that have gained popularity. The name's brevity, pleasing sound, and cultural resonance give it potential appeal despite its rarity in most naming records.